Help...so I am going to visit my sister in Zurich in August. I only have 10 days due to my busy job. Any ideas on must see destinations? I am the type of traveler that prefers to go off the beaten path and avoid crowds. Thiking about skipping Rome and going to Venice...ANY IDEAS?
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
Venice in August is far from off the beaten path and uncrowded. Will you fly home from Zurich? If so, you may wish to stay in CH and explore the Alps.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
You are 2.5 hours by train from the magical Berner Oberland and the best of the Swiss alps.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, US
17 posts
Zurich is a beautiful city, so plan to spend a least a day there. Also, a nice day trip is to Luzern (from Zurich, via train/ferry), which is probably the most pristine, clean, place I have ever been to. It is a little down on a lake surrounded by mountains, you can ride the ferry to remote towns...pretty neat. I would definitely try to make it to Rome. I personally do not like Venice. It is overcrowded and dirty (people claim Rome is as well). Anyway, Rome, the "eternal city", is a must see location. As you say you like to go "off the beaten path", I would recommend Naples or Florence (if you aren't into hardcore sightseeing of Rome/Venice)--Florence might offer a nice mixture (of sightseeing/Italian countryside). Hope it helps!
Posted by
OP
Westminstre, CO, USA
2 posts
Thanks for all the ideas. It looks like we are going to stay in Switzerland and explore there!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
Carrie, while in Switzerland, you might consider the Berner Oberland (as mentioned in another post). The small village of Gimmelwald (near Interlaken) is a big favourite!
It's unfortunate that you won't have time for Rome, but I'd suggest at least one stop in Italy. You might consider the lakes areas of northern Italy, as the travel time will be reasonable. Some locations to check out are Varenna and Bellagio (Lago di Como), Lugano or Stresa OR perhaps Locarno which is in Switzerland (as I recall, there's usually a big rock concert or something there in the summer?). The Cinque Terre might also be feasible, although the travel would have to be carefully planned, as the distance is a bit farther.
Good luck!