I am new to the forum and trying to take in the wealth of information and suggestions already available for my desired trip. I am hoping to narrow down my stops by finding out if my timetable is doable for all I want to see. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated as this will be my first European trip. From what I gather we are a little late in the planning process for hotel/travel/etc. but we have just got the verification that we can make this trip happen.

First I will list stops for a dream vacation knowing full well that the final plan will probably not include some of it.

Fly into Zurich(?)
Zermatt by train - Overnight stay
Lake Como - Bellagio / short stay
Tuscany region - Agrotourismo? and rental car to explore some small towns
Rome - Quick stop
Amlfi Coast (vs. Cinque Terre?) - Longer relaxing stay with local tours

Not sure how ambitious this would be for a 12-14 day trip and what kind of stops/sights we should consider along the route(?). This is a 'romantic' trip for our 10th anniversary/40th birthdays. We are fairly active and would not mind a little hiking for sightseeing, but we also ejoy relaxing and leisurely exploring out of the way places.

Thank you in advance for taking time to help me make a special trip.

I suggest you take a look at a few things-

12-14 days- which is it?

Do those days include arrival and departure days? If so, subtract them from the number of days.

Now, figure the length of your trip as number of nights.

Figure out how much time will be needed to transfer from one destination to another, then re-figure how many nights you really have.

You will probably find that you do not have enough time to visit all destinations on your list (and certainly not other stops/sights). But it sounds like you already suspect this. I suggest you cut back on destinations and really enjoy the destinations you end up choosing. Plan on visiting the others on another trip.

I hope this helps!

Is the one night in Switzerland a must? If not, fly into Milan (Zurich/Zermatt/Como is a lot of train travel time for one night). Are you flying home from Rome? If so, put Rome at the end of your trip for your quick stop.

Most flights from the US to Italy that don't require changing in Europe are either to Milan or Rome.

12 nights and would first be willing to cross Lake Como off the list.
Starting in Switzerland would be the next to go if necessary, but something about traveling through the Alps really appeals to me.

Travel time between the various airports (Geneva, Basel, Zurich) in Switzerland is about the same to Zermatt so you could arrive at any of them. It will take about 3 1/2-4 hours which isn't really pleasant after flying all night. Zermatt/Como travel time is 5-6 hours. That means you will spend your first two days on the trains. That is not a good start to a trip.

On one trip we tried 5 countries...it was insane. Like mentioned, pick one region and enjoy it with out wasting too much time traveling between. Good luck.
If you pick Italy and are still overwhelmed....try RoninRome.

If this is your first trip to Europe, it is a shame to spend so much time at the beginning of your trip on trains and leave so little time for Rome. Consider flying into Milan and out of Rome and visiting Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast in between. It is still hurried for 12 nights but could be done. Try Milan to Tuscany (4 nights), Amalfi Coast (4 nights) and Rome (4 nights). Because these destinations are a bit far flung, you won't have 4 days in each but will get a taste.

Save the Alps for your next trip - they deserve far more than a day.

Craig - I've got to agree with mamcalice: 2 or 3 years ago, DH really wanted to "see the Alps" so we (roughly) followed your original route. Regretted it (too much travel after the flight from CA & not enough Alps, plus it was pouring rain - you never know!). Since then we've flown into Milan and "rested" in Bellagio for a couple of days, then gone on to Tuscany - or Venice or wherever.

I like the Milan-to-Tuscany-to Amalfi Coast (over Cinque Terre) and fly out of Rome. If you stay in the coutryside, you could pick up a rental car at Malpensa and drop it off on your way south - or just pick up & drop off in Tuscany and use trains everywhere else.

Have a wonderful time, wherever you end up, and believe me, you'll find a way to take the 2nd, 3rd etc. trips!

suggest a new view---fly to CH, travel into austria, southern germany and even northern italy.. fly home from milan.. big car drop off charge....

fly in and out of munich and visit mts and austria, s. germany and even CH..

do italy as a trip: fly in and out of milan...visit lake region, dolmite road, venice

fly in and out of rome, visit there, tuscany and umbria

relax a bit to really enjoy your trip