Hello everyone, I am new here but have enjoyed reading so much helpful advice. I am planning a June trip with my husband and our 2 daughters ages 14 & 10. This is our itinerary so far:

Fly into Rome
3 nights in Rome
1 night in Varenna
4 nights in Bellagio
4 nights ?
Fly out of Milan

We have 4 more nights to stay somewhere and would like to explore Switzerland but wondered if we should stay somewhere in Northern Italy or Switzerland? Any areas you would recommend to explore in Switzerland?

We will not have a car so we would would rely on train/ferry or bus. We are looking for a vacation with a combination of relaxation, hiking, shopping, restaurants. Then I wonder if 4 nights is too many in Bellagio, etc. Thank you in advance for any advice.

I don't know your interests, but
2 1/2 days for Rome (may be the first (half) day jetlagged) is by far not enough for a somewhat decent visit;
what do you plan to do with the few hrs in late afternoon at Varenna?
Why not go directly to Bellagio and visit Varenna from there if that makes sense for you; it's just 15 min by ferry!

Tell us what you want to see and what you want to do in Switzerland and we can make a proposal. I suppose you know that the Swiss border is just 5 min by train and 20 min by city bus from the centre of Como, resp 45 min by bus from Menaggio.

Like neckervd, I think 2.5 days -- part of which will be spent with jet lag -- exceedingly little for Rome, and find your time in Varenna very short, too.

When moving from one city to another, you need to plan not just for the time to get from one city to another (BTW, you can see your transportation options on rome2rio.com), you also need to plan time to get to and from your lodging, time to check in and out, time to pack and unpack, time to get lost and oriented, etc. How much time that takes varies from traveler to traveler, but as a rough rule of thumb, you might start by assuming that you'll lose a half day each time you change locations. Plan accordingly!

If you don't already have one, I would strongly urge you to get a good guidebook. The cost will be nugatory in comparison to the cost of your trip, and you will learn things that you won't even know to ask.

Enjoy your planning!

I am not fond of Rome, but agree it needs at minimum three non-jet-lagged days and better four.

I see no reason to overnight in both Varenna and Bellagio. Personally I preferred Varenna as smaller and quieter. However, I would probably recommend Lake Maggiore over Lake Como as you can visit the islands and make a day trip to Switzerland.

Why are you spending no time in Milan?

My husband and I have been to Rome twice before so we wanted to do a quick trip to Rome since our kids have not been but know the heat will probably be intense in June so we are dedicating 2 real days to explore and then head north to cooler climates. As I mentioned in my original post, we are looking for a combination of relaxing, hiking, shopping and restaurants so Northern Italy/Switzerland seemed appropriate.

The only reason we are staying 1 night in Varenna is because the hotel in Bellagio is not available our first night. We do plan to explore by ferry the area. A friend told me 4 nights is too many in Bellagio and I wondered if anyone else thought the same? We are curious about Lugano Switzerland since it seems close but didn't know we should stay in Northern Italy and visit or simply stay in Lugano? We don't want to venture too far from Milan since we are flying out of that airport. Would love recommendations.

Very useful information, travelingmom3!

I enjoyed Lugano and found the walk (hike?) from Monte San Salvatore to Mercote very pleasant. I also enjoyed a much shorter walk (defintely a walk, not a hike) along the walk the Sentiero dell’Olivo just outside of Lugano. You might also look at the walk / hike in the Valle Verzasca; I visited that valley from Locarno, rather than Lugano, but it should be reasonably easy to reach from Lugano, too.

You should include Florence in your itinerary. The trip is worth alone for seeing the sculpture of David by Michaelangelo.

Also the Santa Maria Del Fiora Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi gallery are sights worth to behold. If you are nature lover, then an early sunrise at the Piazzale Michelangelo will be something worth seeing. And Pisa is also just a train ride away for a half day tour.

We went to Florence on a precious trip so we are sticking with Northern Italy/Switzerland this time since it is in June and would like to avoid the heat of southern italy (though I know there are no guarantees with weather). We have never been to Switzerland and I wondered if anyone has preferences?
Still trying to decide whether to stay in northern italy and do day trips to Switzerland or simply stay a few nights in Switzerland. Any areas/hotels that others have stayed in?

travelingmom: I think you can take vikramahjua's post with a grain of salt. Just sayin'

With the new info that you've been to Rome the plan seems OK to me. I also think Lake Maggiore might be a good choice.

"didn't know we should stay in Northern Italy and visit or simply stay in Lugano? We don't want to venture too far from Milan since we are flying out of that airport."

Lugano is closer to Milan Malpensa airport than Varenna.
Hikes in the Lake Lugano area are less strenuous and the panoramic trails are better signmarked and easier to reach (thanks to cog wheel railways, funiculars, gondolas and many bus lines) than those in the Lake Como area.

Hi travelingmom3, Other than Spoleto, DH's and my visit might give you some general ideas:

​​Turin, Spoleto, Bologna and Bellagio TR

Please report back about your trip!