Michael

Between Paris and Zurich, the train might be just as convenient (no need to go to the airport to be there at least 1 hour ahead of time), more comfortable, and cheaper if the tickets are purchased three months ahead of time.

StCirq

Zürich, as some other poster once said, is a sleep clinic.

kleeblatt

You're missing the boat in Switzerland by staying in Zürich but you seem to ignore our warnings so why bother asking?

vishalmodi

@Schuler...Zurich is just an option. We are open to staying in other cities in Switzerland.

PalenQ

I rather like Zurich, for a big city - the part around the train station ain't much except for glitzy - the Bahnhofstrasse often being called the world's most luxurious street with all the bank HQs and watch shops, expensive boutiques, etc.

The old town is missed by many - the only part of town with any old-world flare - kind of a Swiss Latin Quarter for restaurants open at night - usual cathedral.

the esplanade along Lake Zurich's east side is a delightful stroll - especially on warm-weather weekends when folks of all ethnicities, including a few Swiss, promenade and picnic, etc.

The city's famous mountain-climbing trams take you to dense forests for as nice as walks as in any Swiss city if not better.

But if I had limited time in Switzerland I would certainly spend it elsewhere - the Jungfrau Region, Lake Montreux, the Bernina Pass area, etc.

Eric12

Vishal,
I agree with some of the suggestions above. Hardly anything to see in Zurich. Luzern is a much better city and from there you can easily travel to many of the tourist attractions. We stayed in Zurich during August and believe me, it was too hot.

PalenQ

Zurich may be many negative things to many but it will rarely be 'too hot' - very unusual IME for anywhere in Switzerland to be too hot!

vishalmodi

2 days in Switzerland where and what we should see. We are very open minded so sky is the limit.

wrenwood

I'm not good at train travel itineraries as we mostly rent a car, so if this appeals to you there are others that can help you with the details.

I like the fly into Paris fly out of Rome idea.

Spend several days in Paris and the train to Strasbourg in the Alsace region of France. Google some images of the town, that whole area is very much like some of the medieval villages of Germany. I believe the French/German/Swiss border "moved around" quite a bit. From Strasbourg a day trip to Freiberg, the Black Forest and German Beer would be easy. Or a day trip to Heidelburg and it's Castle

Then train from Strasbourg to Grindelwald. From Grindelwald you can easily get to all the villages, and also down to Interlaken.Take a boat on the lakes and see the castles.

After that I would drop Florence, but go to Venice. We've been to Florence and Venice, and to me neither one compared with Rome. Between Venice and Florence I would choose Venice, it is just so unique. Florence is beautiful but Rome is very special.

Fly into Paris

Day 1 Paris

Day 2 Paris

Day 3 Paris

Day 4 Paris (Daytrip to Versailles?)

Day 5 train to Strasbourg

Day 6 Strasbourg

Day 7 Strasbourg (day trip to Freiberg/Black Forest?)

Day 8 train to Grindelwald

Day 9 Grindelwald

Day 10 Grindelwald

Day 11 Grindelwald (day trip to Interlaken?)

Day 12 train to Venice?

Day 13 Venice

Day 14 Venice

Day 15 Venice (daytrip to the Islands?)

Day 16 Fly to Rome

Day 17 Rome

Day 18 Rome

Day 19 Rome

Day 20 Rome ( Daytrip to Ostia Antica?)

Fly home from Rome

I agree Zurich is just a city, there is so much more to Switzerland. If you wanted a Swiss City Berne would be right on the route from Strasbourg to Grindelwald. I tried to work it into our itinerary this year, it didn't work so maybe next time, it is supposed to be a lovely city.

I also think you are trying to crowd WAY to much in. You say that you want to see "what europe like in terms of the culture, food and lifestyle. Also we would like to get a sense of history " That's not going to happen if half your time is on trains or planes or packing and unpacking packing and unpacking. I would do 4-5 "bases" at the most. You will not run out of things to do in any of these places.

Listen to all these Fodorites saying too much, slow down!

Travelforbeer

You didn't really mean "day trip from Munich to Vienna" and "day trip from Berlin to Salzburg" did you?

And I wouldn't use Munich as a hub during Oktoberfest because of the inflated hotel prices. For example, stay in Salzburg and train into Munich for the 'Fest if you are only going one day.

I agree with most of the other folks about Zurich not being representative of Switzerland. Try Interlaken or Luzerne instead...

Have a good trip!!!

vishalmodi

Here is our official unofficial itinerary. We added some days to our trip.

Day 1 Paris
Day 2 Paris
Day 3 Paris
Day 4 Paris
Day 5 paris

Fly to Rome

Day 6 Rome
Day 7 Rome
Day 8 Rome
Day 9 Rome

Train to Florence

Day 10 Flornece
Day 11 Florence
Day 12 Florence

Train to Venice

Day 13 Venice
Day 14 Venice

Train to Munich

Day 15 Munich
Day 16 Munich
Day 17 Munich
Day 18 Munich

Day 19 Not sure what city to go see
Day 20 Not sure what city to go see

Train or fly to Berlin

Day 21 Berlin
Day 22 Berlin
Day 23 Berlin
day 24 Berlin Fly Home


2 days added and wanted to see if we should just add extra days to Paris and Rome. Or if any of you have any suggestions that would be great..

THANK YOU EVERYONE! You guys have been really helpful.

kleeblatt

Add in Switzerland on your way to Munich. You'll enjoy a change of scenery. Lucerne would do nicely.

vishalmodi

We decided to leave out Swiss.

vishalmodi

Anyone what the best route to get to Milan from Florence?

-Vish

kleeblatt

Then stop somewhere along the way between Venice and Munich. Kastelruth in Sudtirol is magnificent, especially Seiser Alm. Jaw dropping beautiful.

dwdvagamundo

Milan? There's a fast train that takes somewhat less than two hours. Thought you were going to Munich?

ekc

If you have 2 extra days, add one each to Venice and Rome.

Now stop tinkering with your itinerary so you can actually start planning hotels and activities/sights you want to see when you are there!

vishalmodi

I am going to Munich.

I am was just thinking Florence to Milan for a couple days then Venice. Just a thought.

-Vish

Eric12

Vishal, I had been to Florence in 2012. Don't miss it, it is a wonderful tourist destination. You can easily spend 2-3 days there with day trips to nearly destinations. Not sure about Milan. From Florene, you can take a fast train to Venice. It is just 2 hours. Book early to get best rates.

dwdvagamundo

If you want to go to Milan,I'd consider making a day trip by train from Florence. Prebook the Last Supper. If you have two extra days, add one to Florence and one to Venice. Milan is just not that great a tourist city to spend two days there on a fairly short trip to Italy. Verona, Bologna, Ravenna, Padua are all worth a visit and, IMO, much more interesting than Milan, if you have time on your hands.