Is Zurich/Innsbruck/Florence/Rome in 1 week too much?

You're giving Rome one day?

Skip Innsbruck. Add those days to Rome. Much more to see.

You might also think about a discount flight from Zurich to either Florence or Pisa.

Way too much - cut the Innsbruck & add the 2 days to Rome. 'Unset' the Pisa bus tour, if possible, and have the whole day for Florence.

Thanks, I dicussed with DH, but for this trip, he REALLY wants a cute town/city in the Alps, esp. since we are flying into Zurich--thus Innsbruck--which fits the bill and is also a very easy connection by train--then same train all the way to Bologna.
So, it looks like Innsbruck is also a must--unless someone has a good place with good connection as an alternative---I thought of day trip to Lucerne, but Innsbruck looks a lot better--yes?

What is the definition/attraction of a 'cute' mountain town/city? There are many villages to visit in Switzerland but depends on the characteristics you're looking for. A trip to Innsbruck just puts more time on the train (both days) when you could be exploring.

With Zurich, Pisa, Rome AND Innsbruck locked in, then this itineray might make as much sense as any other. But you are trying to do way too much, in my opinion. I suggest you re-think your locked-ins. If it were me, I'd arrive Zurich, train directly to Lauterbruen area for 2 days, train to Florence for a day then train to Rome for rest of the time. Whatever you do, hope you enjoy!

thanks for the replies. However, training to Lauterbruen and then to Florence takes as much or more time and more train changes than going to Innsbruck. I am still looking for alternatives (decent sized Alpine town with good sightseeing, not a hike/nature trip).

You have received good suggestions but I think your mind is made up so not sure why you bothered to ask the question. If you want to do it, do it. It is not a trip I would do but probably you would not like my schedule either. Just recognized that you will spend an enormous amount of time on trains, check in/out of hotels, finding hotels. It is your trip, enjoy it.

Like previous posters, I would take the train to Muerren upon arrival in Zurich. I would not take one of only seven days to spend in Zurich. Muerren is a quaint, small, car-less town in an absolute breathtaking location in the Swiss Alps. It doesn't get better than this. Innsbruck is a fairly large city with a city center that has a few sites to visit. What castle are you planning on seeing? It is not a small town/city. If it was my trip and having been to Zurich and Innsbruck, this is how I would organize the trip. Day 1 arrive Zurich, immediately train to Muerren (3 hrs.) Day 2 Muerren Day 3 Train to Florence (7 hrs) Day 4 Tour Florence Day 5 ten hr bus tour/Pisa Day 6 Early train to Rome (Colo, Trevi, Steps) Day 7 Rome (Vatican, Sistine Chapel or ?) Whatever you decide, have fun making lifetime memories with your family on your trip!

thanks, mind is not made up, just looking for reasonable alternatives. I looked into Muerren. There are too many train changes for kids (plus Grandmother) with luggage. How would Lucerne be? I hear it's touristy--but what about for a day trip before going Zurich-Florence? If we did this, we could get to Italy a day earlier. thanks, again. Elaine

Elaine, I guess we all based our itineraries on the fact that you are travelling with your husband and kids--didn't realize Grandma was with you. Yes, Lucerne would be better than Innsbruck. It's smaller and a lovely city. You could take a 1/2 day trip up to Mt. Titlis which is quite an experience on the train and the funicular. There are ice caves at the top of the mountain. It's also a nice walking town with good restaurants and stores. It would also be great for you to have an extra day in Italy. Sounds like a better plan.

thanks, again. Although Grandma is 67 and in good shape, she is not into hiking/active stuff and changing train 3-4X to get somewhere is just too much for us with luggage, so Lucerne looks like a decent option.
In Lucerne--Mt T vs. Mt Rigi? Which is better? I will send DH and kids to one or the other while I go with Grandma walking around the lake, etc. Elaine

I have only done the Mt. Titlis trip. The ride to the town of Engelberg, which is at the base of the mountain, takes about an hour or so (no changes required and your Swiss passes are completely good). What's fun about this train ride is not only the beautiful scenery but the fact that the train will stop and the conductor will turn it into a cogwheel train (just before Engelberg). Once in Engleberg it is an easy (no more than) 10-minute walk over from the railway station to the base of the series of lifts you will take (there are three segments in all) to get to the top.

The first segment is in a more or less typical gondola which holds four-five people. The second stage is in a larger gondola; the third stage is in the so-called "rotair" gondola: the floor revolves 360 degrees as you ascend to the top and that affords stunning views in and of itself. It is the world's first of its kind. The summit is a little over 10,000 feet in elevation. At the top, you can play in the snow and take a walk through the ice caves in the glacier.

You can easily do this trip in a half-day depending on how long you might want to linger in both Engelberg and at the summit. Get more info here: www.myswitzerlandtravel.com/mount-titlis-switzerland.html I think the kids will really enjoy it and you and grandma will enjoy strolling around the city.

Lucerne is awesome!Go from zurich to lucerne it is only 50min by train.Forget zurich since there is not much there.Why Innsbruck?Head down to Lugano,Locarno,Ascona from Lucerne and spend a night or 2 there.Go to Bellinzona for a half-day.Then go to Florence.Forget Pisa!
Dennis