Blaise' itinerary is great but I would never fly from Paris to Bern - high-speed trains now make that as fast or faster than flying, figuring in getting to the airport, waiting and waiting, late planes perhaps, waiting for bags - getting into town - trains in a shorter time all told I would wager would have you in the Bern train station quicker and just change trains for Visp and then change trains again in Visp - now if you could fly direct to Zermatt that would be a different thing.

Based on what we've been able to find for a return flight, Amsterdam was the cheapest. That's why I put it as the last city on our route.

If you follow my itinerary and PalenQ's advice and take the train from Paris to Bern and then on to Zermatt (or the BO), then you won't have to buy more than one plane ticket, just the one from Rome to London.

I am guessing they have the one way to Milan but nothing home yet,,,?

Correct, no return ticket booked as of yet. Which was why I was questioning heading in a circle and back to Switzerland/Milan.

Hi Matt,

Venice in November may be raining and have the aqua alta, but I was there in December and loved it. My sister who lived in Italy was there in both summer and early December and much preferred December to summer - less crowds - I wouldn't just dismiss it - and maybe the canals of Venice will satisfy your girlfriends desire for canals so that you can skip Amsterdam this trip.

You could do a circle back route, Milan to Rome, then Venice - fly to London, train to Paris then on to Zermatt and finally back to Milan. OR Milan-Rome-Venice - Zermatt - Paris - London and fly home from London. just a thought.

you certainly are more flexible if you travel with backpacks only - and good for you to get that deal on the flight!!

Count me as another who loves Venice in Dember, but if you get the acquaintance altar it is a real drag. I think you might still have one too many stops, but if you are committed to that plan, I would suggest shortening London by a day and adding that day to Amsterdam, so you have 3 in each place.

Supposed to be aqua alta

<i>Matt_1313 on Jun 30, 14 at 5:43pm
Correct, no return ticket booked as of yet.</i>

No exit plan, eh? Repeat:
<i>janisj on Jun 20, 14 at 10:57am
Realistically this is a mess in the making.</i>

It might be cheaper to trash the OW to Milan and buy a RT ticket to Amsterdam.

If what you really want is to see a Swiss Alp ... why not scratch Zermatt and head to Lucerne. You can see an absolutely beautiful city in Switzerland, and do a day trip to Mt Titlis is the weather is good.

Personally - with that itinerary, I would head to Rome ...

Milan
Rome
Lucerne
Paris
London
Amsterdam

(or Paris - Amsterdam - London and fly home from London ... whichever is cheaper)

You might want to check cost of return tickets from different places soon.You do not want a nasty surprise, plan a great trip, then have to alter everything because return ticket is super expensive. This should be your first order of business at this point.

There's no reason for him to circle back. He should be able to find some decent return flight options from one of the other cities. But yes, that should be priority now.

I think your updated itinerary is fine, even though Zermatt is dependent on chance. But if you feel it's worth going regardless of the weather, then you should. You may want more days in Paris and Amsterdam, though this you will only decide once you make a list of things you want to see there. If you're willing to drop something, I'd drop Rome since you do plan to return to Italy for Venice.

We have been looking at return flights, likely out of Paris or Amsterdam as they seem to be the cheapest (Icelandair)

Matt_1313,

I have been told that my itineraries are way too fast paced on this site before, but I say go for it. I'm someone that doesn't like to spend a lot of time in one place. Also, if this is your girlfriends first trip to Europe, I can see why you'd want to see a bunch of the highlights. You guys can always go back in the future and spend more time in the cities you really love. Plus I understand how not everyone can take a lot of time off of work during the year and wanting to maximize that. I say go for it!

<i>Matt_1313 on Jul 1, 14 at 11:53am
We have been looking at return flights, likely out of Paris or Amsterdam as they seem to be the cheapest (Icelandair)</i>

Pack a lunch and be prepared for a long layover in the very expensive Reykjavík airport. For Icelandair you might also try take-off from Luxembourg. And I've heard that Brussels has good fares lately.

Matt_1313 Have a great trip! I hope you do a Trip Report. It will be very informative to all of us. I hope your trip works out the way you imagine it. Amsterdam might be a welcome end to your adventures, the airport is easy to get to, and the city is a bit more low key than Paris. But either way both cities are fabulous. Remember, you can always change your plans once you get there. If you and your girlfriend find a city or country that captures you, then stay and enjoy.

Thank you all for the assistance, we will do a trip report when we return!

I am sure that more questions will arise as we begin the shift in preparation from route to intraEurope travel, hostel/hotels, and other attractions and what not.

Quick question though, (I don't think this applies but better to ask the dumb questions than regret it later)will we require the Schengen Visa? We are both Canadians, travelling out of NYC.

Thanks!

Nope, with a Canadian passport you wouldn't require a Schengen visa.

Why landing in Milan?

You don't have any time to spend there. Look at a map and pick 3 cities 4 to 6 hours apart.
Like: London, Paris and then Amsterdam.

Or Italy - all of it. Enjoy.

Plan for some jet lag that first day.

Also plan to return to Europe next year.

>>Why landing in Milan? <<

because they got extremely cheap tickets.