tsaluja

Im planning a trip to Switzerland early October 2006. Staying with family outside Zurich. We have 8 days total. They will be taking us all around. However, I do want to go visit another country (just my husband and I) for maybe 3 nights or so.

Im torn between Germany (would love to see Bulvarian Castles), Austria, and Italy (would love to visit Venice). My first choice is Italy. But the train ride is 7 hours from Zurich to Venice and I am just not sure if that is going to be worth the 3 night stay there. What do you guys suggest?

suec1

You can take a nite train from Zurich - guess you can tell I vote for Venice! That should give you a little more time and a very different European experience than Switz.

ira

Hi ts,

I would also take the night trains to/from Venice.

See www.trenitalia.com
Click "international"

tsaluja

Actually, looking at my itinerary, it would work out to only 2 nights in Venice if we went there. Do you think thats enough time to really enjoy it? Thanks again!

tcreath

With only 2 nights I think I would stick to somewhere closer. Do you have to take a train? If you rent a car, you could drive from Zurich to Fuessen (near where Neuscwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles are) in about 3 hours. If you took the train, its about 6 hours. Check out www.viamichelin.com for routes and drive times, and http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en for train schedule and times.

Bavaria is a gorgeous area, and there is plenty to do around Fuessen even after one visits the castles. With a car you would have more freedom to visit some of the smaller towns nearby (Oberammergau, Reutte, Mittenwald, etc.).

Tracy

traveller1959

Oh, can make all three. I would suggest to drive in the morning of the first day from Zuerich to Fuessen or directly to Hohenschwangau. Then you have the afternoon there. Stay overnight. The morning of the 2nd day you spend also in Bavaria (you may see: Neuschwanstein castle, Linderhof castle and Wieskirche, a Baroque church, as well as some scenery of the Alps.) In the early afternoon you start for Venice, crossing Austria, where you may stop for an hour or so. You will easily reach Venice in the early evening. Stay for the 2nd night in Venice. Then you have a full day to visit Venice. Stay there the third night and on the fourth day, drive back to Zuerich, stopping in Milan. You will arrive in the evening.
I admit, it will be some driving, but you will have a wonderful trip full of very different sights and experiences.

ira

Hi tsaluja
>... it would work out to only 2 nights in Venice if we went there. Do you think thats enough time to really enjoy it?<

Well, it's not as good as a week in Venice, but you won't be rushed, and it's better than not going to Venice at all.