Hello-We would like to visit the Dolomites in Italy, and tour Switzerland in September/October for about for about four weeks. Will be flying from San Francisco. Just beginning to plan, and would appreciate advice as to where to start the trip. Italy first?If so, where do we to fly into? Do we rent a car and drop it off at the border? Are there trains we could take, instead to explore the Dolomites?How many days in the Dolomites? Itinerary suggestion in Switzerland, please. Appreciate everyone’s patience and kindness. Florence

All depends on what you plan to do:
visit of museums (which kind?), cathedrals, monasteries, castles.........
hiking, cycling, adventure sports, full day boat cruises on Swiss and North Italian Lakes......
lifts to the highest viewpoints of the Alps (with or without hiking.....)
particular local (or modern) architecture
etc. etc.
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en
https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en/inf...ut-south-tyrol
https://www.visittrentino.info/en/tr...SAAEgIXTfD_BwE
https://www.visitdolomitibellunesi.c...towns-villages
Best airports to fly in:
Northern Dolomites: MUC
Southern Dolomites: VCE
Southern Switzerland: ZRH, MXP
all Switzerland: ZRH
Lake Geneva area: GVA
all depends on your itinerary

Last year we visited the Dolomites (and Austria) by flying into/out of Munich.

This year (same time frame as you) we plan to do it again, beginning and ending in Munich. We'll also be spending some time before and after the Dolomites in Munich and Austria.

As for which to do first, it depends on what you want to see and do - for example, cable cars tend to close earlier in the Dolomites, whereas those in most parts of Switzerland remain open until about mid-October. I've compiled a list for our upcoming trip to the Dolomites, which I can share if you'd like.

We've visited northern Italy from Switzerland a few times (and will do the same again in December), but we've discovered that getting to the Dolomites from Switzerland is not staightforward. Although if anyone can tell you how to accomplish it, it will be neckervd.

Munich/Austria/Dolomites is easy, and yes you can do it via public transport. Most of the public transport in the Dolomites is via bus. For example, you can take a train from Austria as far as Waidbruck and then connect to bus 350 to Val Gardena (Orteisi/S. Cristina/Selva). Easy and straightforward. Keep in mind that accommodation in the Dolomites will likely include a free transportation card, which can be quite extensive.

My trip report from our December visit details the transportation - it may or may not help:

The Alps are calling, we must go