zwolla

Planning ahead to 2014 June....want to fly into Switzerland, see Zurich and maybe Lake Geneva, then to Italy...10 days to include Lake Como, Cinque Terra and Rome. Too ambitious???...but scenic routes are key. ESP. From Switzerland into Italy.

Dukey1

Then take the train from Zurich to Chur and transfer to the Bernina Express which will take you to Tirano where you transfer again and can then get off at Varenna-Esino which is mid-Lake Como.

neckervd

You need at least 4 days for a somewhat decent visit of Rome and the time you like to hike at 5Terre. If you want to stay along Lake Como too, there remains no time for Lake Geneva and scenic alpine railway rides.

If you have more than 10 days, you may check the classical itineraries:

ZRH - Chur - Bernina Express - Tirano - Bellano Tartavalle - Lake Como boat - Como - Milan - Monterosso - Rome
or
ZRH - Lucerne - Golden Pass Panoramic Express - Montreux/Chillon castle - Historic Lake Geneva steamboat - Geneva - bus - Chamonix - Turin - train - Monterosso - Rome, resp Montreux - train - Stresa/Lake Maggiore (similar to and at least as beautiful as Lake Como) - Milan - Monterosso - Rome.

It would also be possible to combine both:
ZRH ..... Montreux - Zermatt - Glacier Express - St. Moritz - Bernina Express - Tirano .....
But for that, you should have at least 3 weeks

bobthenavigator

With only 10 days you should plan on a max of 3 destinaions.
Consider flying into Zurich and train to Luzern from the airport. Then, train to Lago Como and later to Rome. That is a full 10 days for you---Rome demands 4 days.

Dukey1

Sorry, I didn't read your post more carefully.

Dep[ending on HOW MUCh of LacLeman (Lake Geneva) you want to see you could train from Zurich to Lucerne; from there take the Golden Pass route into Montreux on the lake; change there for the ride through Brig and the Simplon tunnel into Milan; change there for the train to Varenna.

Frankly, I would skip the LacLeman part and take the Berninas into Italy as I originaslly recommended. You will see much more spectacular scenery than you will see on the Golden Pass route IMO and you'll end up on Lake Como with easy cvonnections south through Milan without having to backtrack.

zwolla

Thanks for replies. I love the Chur route...and the reality check on doing LacLeman which would take time from Rome or Como....we are not planning to hike 5Terre....just do train and walk towns....are 2 days too much for Como??? Isn't Zurich worthy of the first day and a night??

Jean

Are you aware the train from Varenna on Lake Como to the CT will take about 6 hours, and then the train from the CT to Rome takes 4-5 hours??

Personally, I wouldn't go to both Lake Como and CT in the time you have. I'd pick one.

"Are 2 days too much for Como?" Absolutely not.

"Isn't Zurich worthy of the first day and night?" Yes, but you can't do/see everything in the time you have. You have to decide your priorities in the time available.

neckervd

In my opinion, 3 places at Zurich may be somewhat interesting:
Swiss National Museum, Rietberg Museum, Masoala Hall in the Zoo. The old town isn't bad, but there are tons of more scenic/interesting places in Europe.

A visit of 5Terre without hiking may not make much sense.

Como is a sympathic town with some nice buildings and loverly surroundings: Lakes, mountains (actually covered with white narcissus flowers and lilies of the valley) with tons of hiking trails, but by no means outstanding, compared with the architectural and artistic gems of Italy.
The loveliest parts of Lake Como are more in the North: Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio, Tremezzo, etc.

bobthenavigator

Zurich pales relative to Luzern---spend your time there since it is on your route.