I am a Sr. Lady traveling with three other Sr. ladies. We hope to spend a few days in Northern Italy and then go to Switzerland. We have ideas about Italy but don't know anything about the other countries. We hope to see them by train. I am the DD designated dummy who is trying to plan and keep everyone happy. Is it even possible to see a small bit of Switzerland, Austria, Germany and France by train in a week. If so are there recommendations on where to visit in each country. Our group as a whole is not interested in seeing beautiful countryside in each country with a just a little bit of their culture. We do have concern considering our age (70-75) on trying to haul our luggage from station to station. I was hoping for a central location where we cld leave our luggage and venture out in a new direction daily. Based on what little I've learned that idea is not doable. Any advise wld be greatly appreciated.

No, four countries in a week is not possible, by train or any other means of transport.

Sorry - the trip you are describing is 2 to3 weeks depending on what places to see where. To see 4 countries in one week would mean spending the majority of your time either on train trips or getting to and fro train stations and hotels.

If it were me I would pick one county and 2 cities (or 1 city each in 2 adjacent countries) and actually have a chance to see something and relax a little. A large part of trips to europe, at least for me, is sitting in a piazza or at a a cafe and watching the local world go by. Trying to see more than 2 major sights a day is going to be exhausting.

You have mentioned your age but not your mobility or stamina, which are things to consider.

I think you need to do some research on what you really DO want to see, pick one country and come back her and people can give more detailed advice.

Also, what time of year do you plan to travel and how do you feel about heat and/or cold.

Sorry , but I feat that europe is a lot bigger than you thought and you are just going to have to pare down you list.

Some of what you seem to wish for can be achieved - see below.

Where do you want to end up to fly home? An “open-jaw” ticket would be a good idea, for example flying into Milan and flying home from Frankfurt, or from one of many other options.

But first things first:

The luggage thing is tricky, it takes many trips of suffering before one learns to whittle it down to the minimum that works. If you and your friends don’t have that experience behind you, then you’ll be in trouble.

Can you convince yourself and your friends to take no more than what is allowed as carry-on on those airlines that still allow a 9-14-22” plus a smaller “personal item”?

And make sure you easily strap the smaller onto the larger so it is stable, and you can wheel all your stuff with one hand? You often need a hand free, and this is the only arrangement that keeps you safe.

Just about all train stations have luggage storage. In Italy it is called Deposito Bagagli. In Switzerland and Germany: Gepäckaufbewahrung.

Signage in major locations is in at least three languages, incl. English, as ae many audio announcements.

You write something contradictory - “Our group as a whole is not interested in seeing beautiful countryside in each country with a just a little bit of their culture.”

Is that “not” in there a mistake? You don’t want to see beautiful countryside? Then why do you wish to go to all these places in such a hurry? From the train you can see plenty of countryside, it’s the best way in fact, better than driving.

Assuming you mis-wrote, let me suggest this - it provides GREAT scenery from the comfort of your seat, and takes you to some of the most famous and picturesque parts of Switzerland: Take the train from Milano to Tirano and switch to the train to St. Moritz. Look it up at www.sbb.ch

Stay the night.

The next day, in three hours you can be in Zürich. The train takes you right into the center. It will be too early to check into your hotel, leave the bags at the luggage storage (“Gepäckaufbewahrung” in German) and head on out, lots to see and do.

Maybe a little trip up and down the lake on one of the comfortable public boats? A walk through the historic part of the old town, see the Chagall windows in the Fraumünster cathedral, have lunch up on the Uetliberg... See the big mountains in the distane on a good day.

Stay the night.

In less than three hours you can be in Strasbourg, France. Famous for good eating among other things. Read up on it. The train takes you right into the center.

Stay the night.

In less than two hours you can be in the romantic German city of Heidelberg, with a castle, old town, guided walks, the lot. Look up the trains at www.bahn.de

Stay the night.

In less than one hour by train you can be at the airport of Frankfurt (M). If you have more time before flying out, there are plenty of other options in the region to visit.

Michelhuebeli, that was one of the most thoughtful, compassionate and helpful posts I've seen. Thanks for being a decent person.

Thanks to those who responded. I wish I knew how to send Michelhuebeli for the time and thought he put into his msg. Coolcamden is correct he is a very decent person.

Thanks to those who responded. I wish I knew how to send Michelhuebeli for the time and thought he put into his msg. Coolcamden is correct he is a very decent person.

"Just about all train stations have luggage storage"
In Northern italy, it's just Milan, Turin, Verona and Venice.

You could do a bit of Switzerland and Germany or France in that time but it would be rushed - I'd settle on going to one place in Switzerland and staying put - like the fantastic Jungfrau Region near Interlaken - only a short train trip from northern Italy.

So much to see and do there and public transport is so so superb - base in a neat mountain village like Wengen.

anyway for info on trains check www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - check the latter's online European Planning & Rail Guide for loads of suggestions on where to go by train.

From northern Italy you could also easily go over to southern France and spend a lovely week or so - the Riviera and Provence.

<a small bit of Switzerland, Austria, Germany and France by train in a week.>

No, sorry but 4 countries in 7 days doesn't really work.

<considering our age (70-75) on trying to haul our luggage from station to station>

You just need to talk everyone into the concept of "packing light". Each person has one single 22" rolling suitcase that they are able to manage on their own, plus one tote bag or purse.

Seriously, listen to suze. ONE person who violates this rule and has too much luggage spoils the entire trip.

And also bear in mind that you will need to load your luggage onto the trains yourselves and European trains usually have two or three steps up into the train. Been there, done that and it can be a bit hard on older people without a lot of strength. Also think about heaving heavy luggage up a flight of stairs to the railway platform when the lift is out of order.

Take everyone's advice and travel very lightly.

"Just about all train stations have luggage storage"
“In Northern italy, it's just Milan, Turin, Verona and Venice.”

There are plenty more across Northern Italy (down to Florence) - a quick search on Google for the city name followed by “stazione deposito bagagli” reveals luggage storage facilities at

Bergamo
Bologna
Bolzano
Brescia (if service in the station is closed, go to “L’Angolo” at Via Industriale 14)
Como, the FS station Como-San Giovanni
Florence S. Maria Novella
Lucca
Modena: the Modena website lists a nearby location at Via Nicolò Dell'Abate, 66.
Padova
Pisa
Ravenna (lists the deposito bagagli as nearby at Piazza Farini, 1)
Venice-Mestre

Keep in mind that security concerns have, at times, closed a great many of these services over the years, sometimes temporarily, at other times permanently; some have reopened, yet others have gone into nearby private businesses or hotels across from the station.

Use Google and make a phone call or two if the lack of luggage storage could wreck your plans.

If taking trains PACK LIGHT- narrow train corridors, stairs in stations-long walks to exits, etc.

<<Use Google and make a phone call or two if the lack of luggage storage could wreck your plans.>>

Google, sure, but "make a phone call or two" for most American tourists in Europe is unthinkable unless they are polyglots and used to European phone systems.

Thanks Michel, that's good news. I refered to the official Trenitalia depositi.

But one can use other sources:

For Bergamo, for example you find:
Deposito bagagli
A Bergamo bassa:
Nei pressi della stazione dei treni di Bergamo, a fianco dell'Urban center, è attivo il servizio di deposito bagagli. Puoi depositare e ritirare il tuo bagaglio 24 ore su 24.
A Bergamo alta:
All'interno della Torre di Adalberto in Città Alta.
Orario invernale: 9:00 - 17:00
Orario estivo 8:30 - 19:00
In aeroporto (Bergamo - Orio al Serio):
Il servizio, gestito dalla società Autostradale e situato presso la cassa parcheggi, all'ingresso del parcheggio Terminal, i bagagli possono essere consegnati tutti i giorni dalle ore 08.00 alle ore 19.00. Puoi ritirare il tuo bagaglio tra le 8 e le 24.
Link: www.orioaeroporto.it

Email the local tourist offices before going with that question if not clear.

But one can use other sources

If you speak Italian -it's Greek to me.