Traveling in June with twin 16 year old twin boys and husband to Northern italy and want to include Switzerland in this trip. We have about 20 days. We did Rome, Florence last summer and would like to stick to Northern Italy this year. Milan, Lake Como, Maybe the Italian Riviera if time and I would love to end with showing them Venice for a few days. I have heard that Lake Maggiore is beautiful I am not that familiar with Switzerland or Northern Italy and I welcome and suggestions in planning this trip. We have traveled the last 6 years or so to Europe but mainly cruises/ land and this year we would like to do a land trip only. I was told from Milan to Switzerland we would need to rent a car? We have usually taken trains in the past in Italy. Any advice would be very helpful as well as what places in Switzerland would be the best to see during summer for about 3-4 days.
Thank you again.

By July, it is pretty hot in Venice, and it is a great place to fly into, so rather than end the trip in Venice, start it with three of four days there. It is also more interesting then Milan and easier logistically from the airport to the city.

You certainly do not "need" a car for Milan to Switzerland, and in fact you will likely encounter steep drop off fees for renting in one country and dropping in the other. I have traveled several times to northern Italy and to Switzerland and always by train in those areas.

Given what you list as areas to see I'd start in Venice for a few days, then head west. I love the Veneto, cities like Padua and Verona. These can be done as day trips from Venice or stay in one of them for a few nights and see the others. Then head to the lakes region. Lake Garda is very close to Verona but Lake Como is not far and all three of them (Lake Maggiore) are 'on the way' to Switzerland . If this is your first time in Switzerland I'd go to the Bernese Oberland area. Interlaken makes a decent base to go up into the mountains but also for trips on the lakes and to Bern. I would plan on a minimum of 5 days in Switzerland. Fly home from either Zurich or Geneva (which ever has best prices/schedules to your home).

You would probably have time to detour over to the Italian Riviera for a few days.

Here are my photos - I have galleries for Switzerland, the Italian Lakes, Italian Riviera, Venice, Veneto.
www.pbase.com/annforcier

I would agree to start in Venice (way more to see and do than Milan)- but would pick up a car when you leave. The trip you are looking at is not major cities - but smaller cities and countryside - and with 4 people I don;t think the cost would be much higher than train - depending on yuor specific itinerary - and it would definitely give you more freedom.

This would also allow you to do the trip in a single arc from the SE to the NW.

I encourage you to visitconsider staying in Stresa on Lago Maggiore - which is a great center for 2 or 3 days on the lakes - if not more.

Thank You isabel your photos are simply stunning & nytraveler, Yes that is what I was wondering if a car was a better choice though my husband does prefer the train.
I was thinking now of
Venice 3-4 nights, possible day trip to Verona then Italian Riviera if possible though it looks rather far
2 nights Lake Como or just day
2 nights Lake Maggiore
5 nights BO region
3 Zurich
2 Geneva or vice versa then home
I saw that Lucern was close too but I do not want to rush too many cities in.
We also wanted to see the Last Supper in Milan if possible we can possibly skip Verona or take a day trip from Venice. Unless we should skip Venice since Husband and I have been and go to a different area to begin the trip?

Start Venice. Head to Milan early morning. See the Last Supper, train to Lake Como. Easy peasy! No car necessary.

Sounds like a lovely trip.

PS Should have clarified. Train to Milan early morning. See Milan, but don't spend the night there. Just head to Lake Como and carry one your plans from there.

Buon viaggio!

I have asked a few questions about a very similar trip about a month later - click on my name to see my threads!

Should be great! Depending on what you want to see and experience, you might consider adding 1 night to Lake Maggiore and subtracting 1 from Zurich.

sarge56 is a great plan... but be SURE to get tickets to see the art as far ahead of time as possible. they are not yet showing the june date for opening of sales... but keep checking back. the official site...
http://www.vivaticket.it/index.php?nvpg[evento]&id_evento=1213820&idt=744

We started in Venice for 3 days; drove to Cortina to hike and see the olympic venue; then drove the Dolomite Road to Bolzano 2 nights); saw Frozen Fritz (utiz), up to Merano for a day, to Lake Garda (3 nights) , Lake Como, Milan (3 nights) and then one last night Verona before flginy back from Veince - you could head to Switzerland from Milan and end the trip there.

We visited Lakes Garda, Iseo, Como and Maggiore last fall. I agree start in Venice. We like flexibility of car. You can stop in Verona or Mantua on the way to Milan. Then Como and/ or Maggiore. Maggiore was our favorite by far. Just more charming and quiet. Especially the small town of Cannobio on the western shore. Trip to the islands with their palaces and gardens is a full day and much better than we were expecting. Then easy to go to wherever in Switzerland.
As noted by others, the pickup in one country and dropoff in another can be pricey.