Latehortua4115

We found a fantastic deal on airfare from Boston to Zurich ($350!) from June 30-July 11 and we couldn't let this go. There will be 4 of us (includes 2 teenagers ages 16 and 17). This will be their first time going to Europe and we would like to spent as much time possible in Italy.
Can you guys please help us with a feasible itinerary?
I was thinking of only spending 2 max days in in either bern or lucerne and then head to Tuscany, finishing with Rome to take a flight back to Zurich.
We're active people and don't mind being on the go.

Thank you so much in advance!!!

whitehall

Last fall, our daughter joined us in Zurich, and we were able to see and do a lot in Switzerland, Germany and Austria in 8 days. Perhaps the portion related to Bern and Wengen will be of interest. Here is our trip report: 3 Countries, 8 Places, 8 Nights, Awesome!

We travel hard and light. Having perfect weather in our brief journey into the Jungfrau region helped make it extremely memorable, but short visits can be marred by bad weather in the Alps. We later flew from Munich to Milan and initially enjoyed some of the northern lakes. Would you fly from Zurich to someplace like Florence? It is a long rail trip. Would you have a car in Tuscany?

PalenQ

11 days

Yes Lucerne to start - 2 days

Take train to Venice -2 days

Take train to Florence 2 days

Take train to Rome 4 days

fly back to Zurich - trains are great- check out www.trenitlia.com for fares and schedules -general info www.seat61/com and BETS-European Rail Experts and www.seat61.com.

neckervd

You will land at Zurich airport (ZRH) July 1st at 1pm and you will have to be there for the flight back on July 11th around 3pm.
So you will have 9 full days at your disposal.
If you count 4 days for Rome and 4 days for Tuscany (strict minimum if you dont' want to visit Florence only) and at least a full day for transport between Zurich and these places, there will be no time left for Switzerland.

I suppose that July 1st will be lost anyway as you will be rather jetlagged after a 10 hrs overnight flight.
You may either
spend 2 hrs or so at Zurich and take the Flixbus (Zch city center dp 15.30 and 16.45) to Basel airport (Fares start at 12 EUR/14 USD) sleep there and board then a Rome bound easyjet flight BSL dp 6.16 (fares start around 60 EUR/70 USD)
or
go by direct train from Zurich airport to Lucerne, spend late afternoon and next morning there and go on by train Lucerne dp 12.18 - Milan ar 15.50 and by train Milan dp 16.30 to Rome ar 19.29. You can then backtrack by train through Tuscany up to Berne where you should arrive July 10th at 21.24 at the latest (that would mean Florence dp 16.00).
For train fares in Italy, have a look at https://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm

Sberg

Where did you find that great flight to Zurich? I have been looking from Boston to Zurich and it is so expensive! I have never seen one that cheap!

whitehall

Of course, it always depends on dates. Have you ever used the google flights calendar? The same dates the OP mentions offers an Icelandair flight on that route for $353.

Sberg

I was looking at the nonstop flights. We have flown to Italy twice stopping in Zurich and the flights are always cheaper than flying direct to Zurich. Can't quite figure out why. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet and fly through Iceland.

I love Italy but I would spend the trip in Switzerland and Austria and save Italy for another trip on its own. It will be incredibly hot in Italy in July and there will be so many people in Rome and Florence. If you do go to Italy go to the less popular regions in Tuscany and avoid Florence and Rome.

jabez2

We Are flying to Zurich this September and flying back from Florence. We will start in Sandburg and work our way to Dolomites (highly recommend), and then down to Tuscany & Umbria.

PalenQ

I was thinking of only spending 2 max days in in either bern or lucerne>

Again I think your group and especially the younger folk would be more enthralled by staying a few days in the Jungfrau Region which has the Swiss Alps at their finest with thrilling mountain trains and aerial cable ways and walking/hiking paths everywhere:

https://www.google.com/search?q=jung...ih=625&dpr=1.5

I'd add a third night there and then move onto Italy just a few hours away. The teens may want to do some exciting things like taking the zip lines a the Jungfraujoch summit - the highest train station in Europe and a land of perpetual snow - can walk to a nearby glacier.

Lucerne is nice too but is not in or near the high Alps.