My husband and I are looking to go to Italy and Switzerland this summer for a special trip. We have approximately 10-12 days. We can use frequent flier miles and fly in and out of Zurich and Milan. I would like to spend a few days in the mountains in Switzerland and then head to the Amalfi Coast (and/or Lake Como) for the bulk of the trip. We are looking for a few recommendations. Should we rent a car or can we do this trip by train? Do you have any suggestions in terms of towns, lodging, itinerary, etc.? As for budget, we are looking to stay somewhere quaint and clean that won't break the bank.
YOUR INPUT AND ADVICE IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!

I assume you mean next summer---2013.

Will it be 10 or 12 days? Only cocunt the nites you will sleep in Europe--not the trarvel days?

I would get your FF seats first and then come back for input based on real dates.

The AC is too far. I would do 3 destinations---the Berner Oberland, Luzern, and Lago Como---that is a good 10 days.

Unless you are willing to take either a {budget} flight between Switzerland and some point closer to the Amalfi coast or some sort of overnight train you may be stretching things a bit.

If you must be IN the mountains in Switzerland then the BO would be fine; there are lots of other places which are close to the mountains.

Lago di Como is easily reached from Switzerland by rail. I would not rent a car for the trip were I you.

I agree that the Amalfi Coast is too far.

How did you want to spend your time on Lake Como? I live there in my dreams, but I have to say there are more things to see/do in the mountains of Switzerland. And depending on your dates, the weather could be much more comfortable in the mountains.

Try to fly into Milan and out of Zurich. If you fly into Milan, you could probably be at your hotel on Lake Como within 3 hours. But if you fly home from Milan and the departure is very early morning, it would be safer to spend the night prior in Milan.

You'll lose at least half a day moving from one hotel to the next. Getting from Lake Como to Luzern or the mountains in Switzerland could take the better part of a day.

Here are some websites to help you in your planning:

http://www.fsitaliane.com/homepage_en.html

http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/eng/c_crociere.asp

http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

It would also help to know something about your budget. Switz is VERY expensive - for lodging, food, everything - definitely more than Italy and muc more than the US.

And nowing your interests will help.

As will when you plan on going -June will be a lot different than August.

The plan is to go in July. We would have 11 days (not including travel days). What about Cinque Terre and/or Portofino instead of the Amalfi Coast?
The trouble is, there are too many wonderful places to visit and not enough time or money.
Thank you again!!

Re Swiss prices. Yes, and assuming you are from North America the exchange rate isn't all that great, either. But as to hotels you might bookmark this site

www.rooms.ch

If it is to be CT or Portofino traveling by rail may make even more sense for you.

Also, depending upon where you originate do not discount the possibility of flying into Geneva as opposed to Zurich.

Sure, it is really to go from either Switzerland or the French Alps (around Chamonix) or the valle d'Aosta to the Italian Riviera by train.

However, were it me and I could have my druthers in July, I would go first to the Dolomiti -- much more spectacular -- and then take fast trains or a plane down to the Amalfi.

The thing of it is, you are going to kill a whole day moving from the Alps to the Coast wherever you go. You might as well go where you really want to go.

In summer, there are usually flights out of Milan for Salerno as well as Napoli.

I'm not sure which is the best airport to reach the Dolomiti. In winter, you can fly into Venice and get bus transfers to ski resorts. Not sure what's available in summer, but if the idea of the Dolomiti appeals to you, often the websites of the big hotels tell you which airports are optimal.

If you can get flights into Milan, you can take the fast train to Verona, and then up to the Dolomiti (Trento), get a nights sleep and rent a car.

At the end of your Alpine adventure, drive the car as far south as you can easily handle in one morning, then get on a train for Napoli -- or get a flight in a MIlan or Venice -- and get a car service to take you to the coast.

Fly out Naples.

Of course, Lago di Como is beautiful and it becomes quite easy to do that trip.

Flying always sounds like it should be faster/easier, but consider the time needed to get to/from airports, how early you need to check in before your flight, luggage restrictions, etc. Sometimes it is faster/easier, but before deciding, compare to train rides which usually begin close to where you're staying and don't involve early check-in. Bonus: There will probably be beautiful scenery right outside the train windows.

"The trouble is, there are too many wonderful places to visit and not enough time or money." Exactly. So, you have to make the tough choices based on your interests and the type of vacation you want to have. In only 11 days, I wouldn't want to see the inside of airports and train stations any more than absolutely necessary.

All of these places will be still be there when you make your next trip.

I fly in airports all the time in Europe, inter-country, and I take trains too. The above post discouraging flying is certainly not my experience, and it is needlessly negative in my view. For many people, flying is always their least favorite mode or transport, and those people should not do it. But if you are comfortable with it, then it can be a great way to combine destinations you very much want to see.

There is no way to get to Lago di Como or the Italian Riviera by train from scenic Switzerland that means sailing onto a train near your hotel in Switzerland and being deposited somewhere near water's edge with ease. You face multiple train changes, something through difficult, un-airconditioned train stations, hauling your luggage up and down steps -- or getting on to ferries, or having expensive car transfers. Sometimes trains in Italy are unairconditioned.

Connections to and from airports are actually excellent in Italy, and that means not only to the nearest major city, but often -- as I said -- a direct bus connection from the airport to the Dolomiti. Likewise, in Napoli, you can take a bus directly to Sorrento.

It is only for international flights one needs to be at the airport 3 hours ahead of time. For inter-European flights, one doesn't need to go through passport control. Airports are air-conditioned, they have nice bathrooms -- but the biggest pay-off is not making painful compromises with your itinerary.

By all means compare the travel logistics if you think you might be willing to fly. But do compare them door-to-door. You might find -- as I often do -- that it is easier to fly than take the train, and it is a great deal of fun to go just where you want to go in Europe.

Just to give you an idea of an itinerary that I think works better with flying:

A traveler arriving in Milan Malpensa in the morning can take trains to be in Trento by lunch.

After a night's sleep, then can rent a car and begin a stay in the Dolomiti.

At then end of their stay, they can drive the Great Dolomiti Highway, drop off their car in Cortina d'Ampezzo, and the next morning take a 2-hour direct bus to Venice Airport.

There are 6 flights a day to Naples that take 1 hour 15 minutes.

From Naples airport, there is a driect bus to Sorrento. With a car transfer (or even a bus), one can be checking into a Positano hotel in time for cocktails.

Nice, but they want to go to Switzerland.

Maybe we better rethink and just focus on one area. Your ideas and suggestions have all be helpful.
Thanks again!!

Exactly !
See above.