We are doing a self guided northern Italy 2 week tour most likely in May to include Florence, Siena and Venice. We were thinking about extending to maybe Switzerland. Where would be a good destination to see the Alps via train for 2 days? Lucerne came to mind. Any other country destinations on the train line within a few hours from Venice or Florence that you could recommend?

Luzern would be my choice, but the Dolomites can also be spectacular and much closer--but not by train.

Look up trains to Tirano where you connect with the fabulous Bernina Express (www.rhb.ch/Bernina-Express.2188.0.html?L=4) for one of the most memorable alpine train rides there are. Then connect in St. Moritz to the Glacier Express (www.rhb.ch/Glacier-Express.2190.0.html?&L=4) that takes you to Zermatt where you take the train up to the Gornergrat (www.gornergratbahn.ch/en/Pages/default.aspx) for the best view of the famous Matternorn.

Then take the train to Geneva from where you can fly home. That's the ride of a lifetime - as long a the weather holds.

You would reach Como before Lucerne, but neither are a few hours from Venice. Venice/Milan is about 3 hours and you would have to connect there to reach Lucerne or Como unless you are driving.

The Dolomites are so accessible from Venice and so spectacular. With 2 days it is probably your most efficient option.