October trip Venice to Zurich

I can suggest some possible routes that would offer some of the best of each, but there are no guarantees on the westher! 1. Time in the Dolomites: travel to Bolzano (via Verona) by train, then to a village in Val Gardena or Castelrotto by local bus (very comfortable and reliable transport). Return to Bolzano and head north to Innsbruck and from there east to Zurich. 2. Bernina Pass route: this gives you time in Graubunden, in the Upper Engadine, which is reputed to have the best autumn weather in Switzerland. Travel Venice to Milan to Varenna on Lago di como. After a night or 2 there, continue on the train to Tirano and pick up the Bernina Express to Pontresina, San Moritz, or a small village in the area. Continue via Chur to Zurich or possibly Luzern for your last night. 3. More lakes than mountains: travel Venice to Milan to Lugano. From Lugano, continue on the train to Arth-Goldau. Take the cogwheel railway up and over Rigi to the resort area of Rigi Kaltbad. Or stay on top at Rigi Kulm, made famous for sunrise/sunset views by Mark Twain. Nice hiking trails and wonderful views over the lake (Vierwaldstaettersee aka Lake Lucerne). Continue down to the lake at Weggis by cablecar, and take a boat to Luzern. 4. Berner Oberland route: weatherwise, the most "iffy". Train to Milan and north via Brig. You could overnight at Stresa or elsewhere on Lago Maggiore. At Brig, take the regional train to Kandersteg for 1 or 2 nights. Visit Oeschinensee and hope the larches are golden at this time. Rent bikes and ride into the Gasterntal. Then continue by train to Lauterbrunnen for a night or 2, and to Luzern for your laast night.

Thanks Lola for the very detailed response. They give us some very interesting options to consider. Mari