Help! 2nd trip to Europe
 

Hey!

The hubs and I (mid 20's) want to go back to Europe probably this June, for about 12 days. Last year we did Rome, Florence, Venice and Paris. This year we want to go back but are having a hard time figuring out where to go. Anyone have a good itinerary including northern italy, switzerland, french riviera, barcelona? Is that even possible? Not a problem to leave out 1 or 2 places, and not so interested in going to the UK bc we want to go at least one place that has a beach. I know its alot but was wondering if anyone had an itinerary with any of those awesome places.

Thanks!

I assume you will be driving. Try this one:
Munich
Salzburg[ Austrian Lakes]
Bavaria castles
Lake Garda
Back to Munich

Or, Zurich
Luzern
Lake Como
Berner Oberland
back to Zurich

All by train or bus.

Way too much. Barcelona is a great place to visit, but is another trip. Above are good suggestions.

Since you specifically said you wanted to go to the beach, there is an overnight ferry from Barcelona to Genoa (or vice versa.)

You could begin in Barcelona, overnight ferry to Genova, rent a car, see parts of the Italian Riviera between Genova and France, and parts of the French Riviera between Nice and the Italian border, drive the car back to Italy to take a train up into Switzerland (preferably a scenic train?) Fly home from Switzerland.

4 days Barcelona, overnight ferry to Genova
4 days Italian and French Riviera, by car (drop off in Italy)
4 days Switzerland, by train

If you wanted to include something of the Italian lakes, you might be able to do it by dropping off the car in the town of Como, seeing Bellagio for lunch and then heading up to Lugano for the rest of Switzlerand.

Others may disagree.

PS: For your beach, you could consider basing either in Bordighera (Italy), or Menton (France). Both are in between Genova, and Nice, 2 hours in either direction.

Another choice of a Lake would be dropping off the car at Malpensa airport (Milan) and taking the bus ride to Lago Maggiore (Stresa) and then moving from there up into the Bernese Oberland by train.

It is possible if you do not want to see much.

Since you are young and seem to have an attraction to Europe, I would choose one country and get to know it well. You will return again and can see other places in full.

Cinque Terre then either French coast or up to Milan/ Como?