My fiancee (soon-to-be wife!) and I are flying in and out of Zurich in late July for a two week honeymoon. Currently, our plan is to train down towards the Italian lakes and then on to the Italian Riviera for a few days before heading back. Knowing that there are enough activities to fill several vacations, does anyone have any "can't miss" suggestions for stops (towns, hotels, restaurants, hikes, etc.) along this route?

Thanks in advance!

Okay, I'll take the easy layup... Bellagio - - and while there, dinner at Villa d'Este at Cadenobbio (or is ir Cernobbio?)

And go see Villa Balbianiello.

Whatever your choices, congratulations on your new life in marriage... and...

Best wishes,

Rex

I did the same thing to surprise my wife on our honeymoon. We drove down because driving allowed us to experience the landscape a lot more, plus the luggage is in the trunk anywhere we went. Driving in Switzerland and the lake reions of Italy is very easy. Most of the nice hotels I picked can be better accessed by car.
Places not to be missed: Lugano, Morcote, if you drive through Gandria you'll arrive in Lake Como via Mennagio
there is a very picturesque Italian village before Menaggio. Then the obvious destinations around Lake Como, then drive to Bergamo for its Citta Alta.

Oops I accidentally posted my entry before I was done.
We actually drove down to Liguria and stayed on a small coastal town Lerici(made famous by Shelley & Lord Byron). We visited Portofino for the day because we couldn't afford the hotel there. Then we drove back to Switzerland via Lake Maggiore visiting Villa Taranto, Isola Bella, Lake Orta.
I can recommend some special hotels if you are interested and if you have a specific price range. We've returned to the same general areas with our children a few years later.

DAX has a good plan, but I would train as far as Lugano and stop in Luzern for 2 nites either coming or going. Get you car in Lugano and then drop it there on the way back. It will help to have a car during your Italy itinerary.
Tons of good options--hard to go wrong.