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10 day europe itinerary: germany, italy, switzerland + austria.

Want to travel to Europe, but only have 10 days? With this itinerary, you will get to see 4 European countries in as little as 10 days! Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria are all very close together, making it super easy to see them all.

This was my first trip abroad without my family, so I opted in for a tour with EF College Break .  What was so nice about this tour was that it was all college students, so I made a ton of friends and we did things my age group would enjoy. On top of all that, it was extremely inexpensive for all that we got to see!

If you want to do a tour, I would definitely recommend looking into EF College Break. If you want to explore Europe on your own time, you can still do this itinerary by yourself.

For all the self-guided travelers out there… I have an epic (yes, EPIC) itinerary to France where you will get to see all the highlights. This itinerary is self-guided where you get to see Paris, the French Riviera, Provence, and go champagne tasting in Champagne! You can read my 10 day France itinerary here !

Okay, you ready to read this amazing 10 day Europe Itinerary?!

When to go to Europe?

This is a tricky question that will completely depend on the type of trip you want.

Want to see the alps covered in snow and eat fondue? Winter will be best!

Want to avoid crowds? Early spring and late fall will be best!

Want to enjoy prime weather and loads of events? Summer will be best!

I traveled to Europe in late May and it was absolutely beautiful . The crowds were minimal in comparison to the high seasons of June-August, and the weather was ranging from 60-80 degrees (depending on the country). The crowds in Europe hot-spots (especially Venice) will be unbearably crowded. Before you book during the prime summer months, just take that into consideration!

Tour v. No Tour?

I think it depends on your budget and if you are traveling with someone. I didn’t feel comfortable driving in Europe at 19 years old, so the only other way to see multiple countries would be to take trains or fly, which can add up quick!

I loved this tour group because it was all college age students, so I made friends from all over the world and we did a lot of excursions people my age group would do. Also, this tour company gave us SO much free time so even if the tour doesn’t see everything you want, you still have the time to see it.

Typically, I prefer to do self-guided travels because I can wake up as early as I want to see sights, mix and match what I want to see, eat when I want, etc. Of course there will be more stress planning your own trip abroad, but I think the benefit outweighs the cost!

What to Pack for Summer in Europe?

I keep a list of all my summer essentials and favorite finds on this guide here . I am constantly updated it after every warm destination – tried, true & tested! Also, I have a list of my 10 travel essentials I can’t live without, you can read those here !

As for specific things to pack for Europe, these are my top 3 must-have’s:

1. Travel Adapter

Yes, I know this is a very generic thing for a trip abroad, but this one is AMAZING. It is an all-in-one adapter that works on every country you will ever travel to. This is especially important with this itinerary because Switzerland doesn’t use the same plug as the rest of Europe! Click here for one that includes all of the USA, Europe, Australia and UK!

2. Curling Iron with dual voltage

True story… I was so confused about adapters and converters that I decided to just not buy a converter lol. When I turned on my blow dryer in this little hotel in Switzerland, I shut down the ENTIRE hotel because it burnt the circuits!! If you don’t want to worry about a confusing converter, I would just buy a dual voltage curling iron / blow dryer.  This will come in handy on any trip you will ever do! Click here for a dual voltage curling iron.

3. Packing Cubes

Guys, this is so important when you are bouncing around between multiple hotels. Packing cubes saved my LIFE when I did my 10 day France trip because I stayed in three different hotels. Here’s a free tip: Pack the clothes you want to wear in each city (AKA hotel), so that way you only need to take out that cube at that hotel. Most hotels in Europe are super tiny, so saving you room will be a total life saver! PLUS, when you are done wearing those dirty clothes, you can stick them back in the packing cube so they don’t touch your clean clothes! Click here for packing cubes!

BONUS: Anytime I travel to abroad, I always get travel insuranc e so I am covered during my trip. Europe is known for reckless driving and lots of protests, so you want to make sure you have insurance in case of an emergency. Confused on what travel insurance is? I have a lengthy guide that will explain it in great detail !

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: overnight flight.

• Day 2: Munich Sight Seeing

Day 3: Neuschwanstein Castle

• Day 4: Drive to Venice + Lunch in Austria
• Day 5: Explore Venice
• Day 6: Drive to Swizerland + lunch in Verona
• Day 7: Explore Switzerland + Mt. Pilatus

Day 8: Drive to Frankfurt

• Day 9: Explore Frankfurt
• Day 10: Fly home! 🙁

10 Day Europe Itinerary

Hopefully your flight won’t be as long as mine, but usually the entire first day is wasted traveling due to the time change + flight length.

Not being able to sleep on planes makes it feel extra long too. Is anyone else as dorky as me and get too excited to sleep before a vacation?

TIP: Bring Melatonin on your flight to help you sleep! It’s an all-natural vitamin that doesn’t make you feel groggy when you wake up. This also will help you sleep the first few nights you arrive. 

Day 2: Arrive in Munich

We arrived at 7am in the morning.. yes. 7am. It was a rough first day because the time zone difference from Las Vegas was a whopping NINE HOURS . The entire day will be spent keeping yourself as busy as possible to fight that jet lag!

Spend your free day in Munich seeing street performers, watching surfing competitions at The Eisbachwelle , strolling through the cities English Garden, and enjoy lunch and German beer at the Hofbrauhaus !

As you can imagine, the Hofbrauhaus is extremely touristy and always busy! It is a HUGE restaurant, but you still might need to wait to be seated. If you do, just spend some time exploring the nearby shops to start your souvenir shopping early 🙂

End your first day in Germany with a Biergarten dinner at Zum Flaucher . There are SO many beirgartens in Germany that have outdoor seating, twinkly lights, picnic style seating and a relaxed atmosphere. Going to these for dinner was one of my favorite memories in Germany, so I would definitely make it a priority to go to one of them!

By far my favorite day out of the entire trip! This castle is unbelievably breathtaking. The Neuschwanstein ( say that ten times fast ) Castle is located less than 2 hours from Munich in a town called Hohenschwangau ( now say that 20 times fast ). You can either drive if you have a rental car, or there is a train that will take you from Munich to the castle in 2.5 hours. Click here to look at train times and prices! Or if navigating the trains terrifies you, you can sign up for a day trip with a tour company, click here for tour options .

Everything about Hohenschwangau just screams Disneyland. The adorable German Cottages (that people actually live in, oh my gosh!),  glistening blue lake, horse and carriage rides, and a real life sleeping beauty castle nestled up on the mountain. Look at the view of the town from above:

Seriously though, this castle is the real life inspiration of the Disney movie, Sleeping Beauty. When you either walk or take your horse carriage ride to the top, you can take a tour of the castle and walk along the bridge to the castle viewpoint. From the viewpoint you are hanging on a bridge over a river that looks right at the castle and valley behind it. I have no words to explain how beautiful this place was.

Like this photo? Edit like me using my one-click Lightroom Presets !

After your castle tour , rent a paddle boat and enjoy the rest of the day on the lake! You can rent these for fairly inexpensive on the lake, no reservation needed. If you’re going with your significant other, grab picnic items from a local store and have lunch on your private boat. Or if you don’t have a significant other, a bff date will do just fine!

If you are planning a day trip from Munich like my tour did and more info, be sure to check out my friends guide on How to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich!

If you’re not too jet-lagged, end your night going out to German clubs – which if your from Las Vegas like me, will find hilarious! They’re all like little disco bars where everyone is dancing the night away to old American music. Here are the tops clubs in Munich:

• Harry Klein

I wish I could have spent more days in Germany because I was blown away by how beautiful it was! I loved the culture, food, greenery, and the amount of hidden gems! If you want to extend your Germany stay, I would recommend checking out this guide: Things to do in Cologne Germany!

Day 4: Drive to Venice

There’s no sugar-coating that the drive from Munich to Venice is long and brutal. But, the scenery is out of this world and will make the 6 hour drive go by a lot faster! If you are not driving, there are direct trains that will take you from Munich to Venice at around 7 hours. Click here to search for train times!

If you are driving to Venice, that perfect pit-stop is Salzburg, Austria. You can see this colorful town filled with cobblestone streets, that is located along a river in the middle of the Austrian Alps! There are endless restaurants to choose from, so I would recommend walking around until you find somewhere that looks welcoming 🙂

We stayed in a small beach town outside of the actual island of Venice. I would highly recommend this because you get away from the touristy side of Venice to experience local restaurants and beaches. Doing this will make you feel like you are staying in an authentic Italian town with few tourists!

End your night indulging in pasta and pizza from the smallest hole in the wall you can find! And don’t forget about Italian gelato on the beach for dessert, because you’re in Italy! You’ve GOT TO have gelato everyday!

Day 5: Venice

The city that’s on everyone’s bucket list, Venice! I’ve dreamed about riding a gondola down the grand canal since, well, forever. Once you take the brief ferry ride to Venice island, you’ll take a tour of Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Murano Glass Museum before getting lost in the winding streets and canals of the city.

If you want to see more during your time in Venice, here are some recommendations:

• Sign up for a food tour
• See the colorful streets of Burano
• Take a private gondola ride through the smaller canals
• Have lunch on the Grand Canal at De Pesis!
• Take a day trip to Prosecco Hills for wine tasting

I spent the day just wandering the streets of Venice with no plan and it was amazing! I carelessly roamed the streets, ate WAY too much food, took a gondola ride (or two), got gelato from every shop I saw, & got too many souvenirs!

TIP: Dress appropriately for the churches or else you’ll be forced to buy paper ponchos and skirts to wear inside. You need to cover your shoulders and wear and appropriate length bottom to enter. 

Day 6: Drive to Switzerland

Another long drive, but it doesn’t count as a drive when you are winding through the Swiss Alps. The drive from Venice to Lucerne is a little over 5 hours and the train is roughly 6.5 hours.

The good thing about driving is there are so many towns you can stop in to break up the drive and see more sights! I would recommend stopping in either Verona or Milan (or both!) before heading to Switzerland.

Verona is a small, quaint town that is home to Romeo & Juliette’s famous balcony! While you are there, stop at a farmers market or grab some street food to enjoy under their balcony.

From Verona to Lucerne, it will be about 4 1/2 hours of pure beauty! You will wind up the mountains passing through tunnels carved into mountains. After every tunnel pass, the scenery will be completely different and even more beautiful.

Check into your hotel and head into town for some dinner. We spent an actual hour hunting down fondue for dinner, apparently fondue isn’t a thing in the summer!? People were making fun of us but who cares! WERE TOURISTS AND WERE PROUD! We eventually found a fondue spot and it was amazing to say the least.

Day 7: Switzerland 

Today you’ll be getting a little bit of everything. From adventure to beautiful scenery! Take the ferry over lake Lucerne to the gondola entrance for Mt. Pilatus . You’ll take the gondola up 7,000 ft (2132 meters) to get expansive views of the Swiss alps and Lake Lucerne.

I know the weather is unpredictable, but really try to do this on a clear day so you can get unobstructed views from the top! Once you are up there, there will be walking and hiking trails, a souvenir shop and food stands for you to grab a bight to eat.

On the way down comes the fun part… the steepest railroad in the world has a seat with your name on it. I promise it doesn’t go too fast and doesn’t feel too old. You can also take the gondola down if the train terrifies you, but traveling is all about pushing you out of your comfort zone 🙂

TIP: Don’t wear sandals to Mt. Pilatus because at the halfway point, there’s a type of “adventure park” with an alpine slide down the mountain, zip line and rope park. They are very strict at the zip line/rope park and will not let you on if you don’t have closed toe shoes!

Spend the afternoon hunting down some Swiss Chocolate for your loved ones back home, which is also very hard to find. I learned that everything I thought was stereotypical to Switzerland was just that, a stereotype.

Another day of driving and today’s pit stop will be the charming German village, Heidelberg. Are you all castled-out yet? Of course not! You’ll get to visit another older castle that is home to the world’s largest wine barrel!

The drive & train from Lucerne to Frankfurt is around 4 hours, but if you make a pit stop in Heidelberg for lunch, you will drive 3 hours and then 1 hour!

Once you arrive in Frankfurt you’ll soon see that it is a BIG city with lots of nightlife! Spend your night going out the local bars and enjoy one of your last nights in Europe.

Day 9: Frankfurt

We had a free day before our farewell dinner home, so some fun things to do in Frankfurt would be the Museumsufer (a cluster of 12 museums), Frankfurt Cathedral , Romerburg (a square with medieval homes), Palmengarten , and getting some last minute souvenirs!

Day 10: Fly Home

I can never sleep on planes mostly because I’m always too excited for the destination. I slept the entire 12 hour flight home, so that’s saying something about how “excited” I was to be going home!

Until next time Europe!

Before you go…. Want some more guides on Europe? I think you will love these!

• 10 Day France Itinerary
• Champagne Tasting in Champagne, France
• Ultimate Guide to the Louvre Museum
• Ultimate Guide to the Gorges du Verdon
• 6 Day Iceland Road Trip

Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂

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How much will be the total cost for Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria 10 days tour? Will you assist for the visa processing as well? Thanks

This is not a paid tour, a free itinerary to use for your own travel planning! 🙂

You are amazing. I’d love to stomp around Europe with you checking out cute hotels and trying the best food and wines.

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Germany, Italy & Switzerland

What do you get when you combine picturesque Venetian canals, hilltop Bavarian castles, snow-capped Swiss mountain ranges, and bustling medieval cities? Some would say this trip and, sure, they’d be right. But what do you really get? A fairytale.

Picture yourself

Riding in a gondola through the canals of Venice

Yodeling from atop the majestic Swiss Alps

Raising a toast inside one of Munich's legendary beer halls

Saying, “Hasn’t everyone been to Liechtenstein?”

Living a fairytale on the balcony of a hilltop castle

What you'll get

Round-trip flights & airport transfers (or book 'em yourself)

8 nights in handpicked accommodations

8 breakfasts

Expert Tour Director

24/7 support from our travel gurus

3 insider city tours with local guides

Pack your appetite for adventure (and pasta) and board your overnight flight to Italy. This is the time to rest up—new countries, cultures, and cuisines await.

Benvenuto (welcome) to the Venice Region, otherwise known as Veneto. Once one of the richest and largest maritime trade empires in the world, the sheer number of canals, bridges, and boats should come as no surprise. You’ll drop off your bags, stretch your legs, then venture over to an authentic neighborhood on the western side of Venice.

In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner of local cuisine and drinks with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot. Afterwards, you’re free to take the party elsewhere!

Today's highlights:

• Land at the airport and meet a waiting EF representative.
• Transfer to your hotel to check in and check out your room.
• Get familiar with the area around your hotel with an introductory walk with your Tour Director.
• Travel to and tour the Santa Margherita neighborhood of Venice.

On your first full day of adventure, you’ll arrive at the gorgeous St. Mark’s Square after a short boat ride into the city. You’ll be met by a local guide who’ll show you the famous sights of the city.

• Arrive in true Venetian style at St. Mark’s square via the Giudecca Canal.
• Stand in the footprints of history on the Rialto Bridge, the oldest spanning the Grand Canal.
• See for yourself why the 15th century Scala Contarini del Bovolo staircase literally means ‘of the snail’.
• Watch a local artist in action during a glass blowing demonstration.

Free time suggestions

Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal: What better way to experience a city known for its bridges and canals than with a gondola ride down the grandest of them all? Your Tour Director will point you in the right direction if decide you want a ride but finding the gondoliers yourself won’t be hard either—just look for their traditional uniform of black pants and striped shirts. Libreria Acqua Alta: Calling itself the most beautiful bookstore in the world, this gem is absolutely worth the visit. Wander through charming rooms stacked wall-to-wall with books in this unique shop that battles the nearly constant flooding by placing some of its books in waterproof basins, bathtubs, and boats.

Put the canals of Venice in the rearview and set your sights on the city known for Mozart and The Sound of Music . Along the way you’ll stop in the town of Innsbruck, Austria, a popular destination for winter sports featuring colorful architecture set against the jagged peaks of the Alps.

• Travel by bus from Venice to Salzburg, gaining altitude and a newfound appreciation of the towering Alps as you go.
• Take a deep breath of fresh mountain air while you explore the scenic town of Innsbruck with your Tour Director.
• Arrive in Salzburg and enjoy a free evening to explore the city on your own.

Sitting on the northern boundary of the Alps, Salzburg is known for its well-preserved baroque architecture and stunning alpine setting. Its name literally means ‘salt castle’ but we suggest opting for a delicious local strudel instead.

• Join a local guide for a tour of the city including Kapitelplatz, Residenzplatz, and Old Town.
• Stand before Sphaera , a prominent piece of art featuring a large golden sphere with a man perched on top.
• Browse Alter Markt, the oldest weekly market in the city known for its selection of dairy, cabbages, and herbs.

Hohensalzburg Fortress: Dominating the city’s skyline atop Festungsberg mountain, this fortress is the largest fully preserved castle in Central Europe. Built in 1077 and never once captured by foreign troops, it nonetheless provides an amazing vantage point for its visitors. Sound of Music Tour: Walk in the footsteps of the von Trapp family as you explore original shooting locations and pose for the camera—just remember to think about a few of your favorite things to make sure you’re in character.

Note: This excursion is seasonal and only runs from mid-May through mid-October. Availability is subject to your tour’s departure date and weather that day. Remember how much you loved the playground? Today will be like that, except the slide is nearly a mile and a half long and comes with magnificent panoramic views of the Alps.

Make your way to a major center of German art, music, and innovation. Considered by many to be the greatest beer destination in the world, it’s no wonder that it was rated as the world’s most livable city. And even if you’re not there during Oktoberfest, the beer still flows freely. Prost!

• Follow a local guide on a tour of Munich’s main attractions including Frauenkirche, Marienplatz, and Glockenspiel.
• Tempt yourself with the delicious array of food and drink in the massive farmer’s market and beer garden of Viktualienmarkt.
• Stop by one of Munich’s famous beer halls and have a stein on your own dime.

Let your heart, or your stomach, take the lead on a day that’s completely up to you. Explore, sample the local fare (hint: sausages are wildly popular), and keep your eyes and ears peeled for a live show from a traditional Oompah band. Lederhosen optional.

BMW Museum: Pick up a ticket and discover an impressive collection of over 120 of BMW’s most valuable and attractive automobiles and motorcycles. The past, present, and future are all on display at this monument to German innovation and engineering. Bike through Englischer Garten: One of the world’s largest urban parks at over 900 acres, this English style garden has a lot to explore. Pedal your way by the Japanese teahouse, a stream with a standing wave surfed by locals, and more.

Dachau Memorial Site (extra cost)

Once a typical German town, Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp during World War II.

Get ready to roll out of Germany—but not before making a photo stop outside a castle so picturesque it’s rumored to be the inspiration behind Cinderella’s castle. Then it’s off to Switzerland, home to some of the finest chocolate in the world.

• Climb aboard the private bus for a scenic ride across the European countryside.
• Visit Neuschwanstein Castle and snap some epic photos.
• Check another country off your list as you arrive Switzerland.

Breathe in fresh lake air with hints of fresh chocolate (it might only be your imagination) as you explore a charming city overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. It won’t take long to see why so many people flock to Switzerland—and seemingly never want to leave.

Farewell Dinner Share some laughs and any stories you may have missed along the way at this included farewell dinner with the group.

• Get introduced to the city with a guided tour from your Tour Director.
• Stand in wonder before Löwendenkmal, an impressive sculpture of a wounded lion carved into a sheer rock cliff.
• Stroll across the Kapellbrücke, a covered wooden footbridge featuring a series of paintings dating back to the 17th century.

Trip up the Swiss Alps (extra cost)

Take an amazing trip to the top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps and soak in the incredible panoramic views. Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

Auf Wiedersehen, Freunde! Translation: Goodbye, friends. Before you head to the airport, make sure to take one more group photo and grab that final drink. But this isn’t goodbye because you can always get the gang back together for another trip soon. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, we have a couple ways to keep your vacation going.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP 2 WAYS

1. Double the fun A lot of our trips line up back to back! Give us a call—we can help you add another and save big while you're at it.

2. Go ahead or stay behind Extending your trip is easy! During checkout, you'll have the option to fly to (or from) the gateway of your choice for an additional fee. We'll adjust your flights accordingly, but you'll be responsible to take care of your transportation, hotels, and other logistics outside of tour.

Note: Depending on your desired gateways, additional fees may apply.

Absolutely amazing!!

Best Trip Ever!!

I absolutely loved the trip! I loved the places we visited, excursions, the people, tour director, and the memories we created! I keep looking at my photos and videos trying to relive the experience!

Cant wait to book another

This trip was amazing! Im so glad I chose this for my first tour. Our tour director was so much fun and I loved my group.

Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland

This is a once in a lifetime trip and I’m so happy that I decided to go and to do it by myself. Every place we went was absolutely breath taking and the activities provided made it so much more. The group is what truly made it, the people I met on this trip were amazing and my expectations for other tour groups are set high now. I hope everyone gets to share... See more

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3 Best Germany Switzerland Italy Itinerary with MAP

Get ready to ride on a virtual magic carpet through Europe as we experience our spectacular journey through three incredible countries: Germany, Switzerland and Italy and the Best Germany Switzerland Italy Itinerary with MAP and Places to visit.

Table of Contents

We’re not just talking about typical tourist activities here (although we’ve done quite a few of those too).

No, we are delving deep into the heart and soul of this tri-country feast, where we encountered amazing experiences, delicious dishes and of course a few travel difficulties that made our adventure one to remember.

So, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just daydreaming about your next stay, come along for the ride as we navigate the ups and downs of travelling to Europe in style.

Grab your map and your sense of adventure, and let’s hit the road – or rather, the runway!

3 Best Germany Switzerland Italy Itinerary

Germany switzerland italy itinerary – 1.

Day 1: Arrival in Munich, Germany

• Arrive in Munich, Germany.
• Marienplatz: Munich’s vibrant central square with a famous Glockenspiel.
• Neues Rathaus: Neo-Gothic town hall featuring the Rathaus-Glockenspiel and city views.
• Viktualienmarkt: Bustling food market offering Bavarian and international delicacies.
• Frauenkirche: Iconic Gothic cathedral with twin towers.
• Hofbräuhaus: World-renowned beer hall serving traditional Bavarian fare.
• Residenz Palace: Opulent former royal palace showcasing Bavarian history.
• English Garden: Urban park with scenic walks, relaxation, and river surfing.
• Nymphenburg Palace: Stunning Baroque palace surrounded by expansive gardens.

Day 2: Munich

• Deutsches Museum: The world’s largest museum of science and technology.
• Olympiapark: Site of the 1972 Summer Olympics with a unique roof walk opportunity.
• BMW Welt and Museum: Explore the world of BMW cars and innovations.
• Pinakothek der Moderne: An art museum with an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art.
• Alter Peter (St. Peter’s Church): Climb the tower for panoramic views of Munich.
• Asamkirche: A stunning Baroque church known for its ornate interior.
• Theatine Church (Theatinerkirche): A beautiful Rococo-style church on Odeonsplatz.
• Maximilianstraße: Munich’s upscale shopping street with luxury boutiques.

Day 3: Munich to Zurich, Switzerland

• Travel to Zurich, Switzerland (approximately 4-5 hours by train).
• Old Town (Altstadt): Explore Zurich’s charming historic centre.
• Bahnhofstrasse: Shop on one of the world’s exclusive shopping streets.
• Lake Zurich (Zürichsee): Enjoy the picturesque lakeside and boat rides.
• Swiss National Museum: Discover Switzerland’s cultural heritage.
• Grossmünster: Climb the iconic church towers for city views.
• Kunsthaus Zurich: Explore a world-class art collection.
• Zurich Zoo: Spend a day with animals from around the world.
• Lindenhof: Enjoy city views from this historic hilltop park.

Day 4: Zurich to Lucerne

• Travel to Lucerne (about 1 hour by train).
• Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke): Iconic covered bridge with a tower and city views.
• Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee): Enjoy boat trips and lakeside strolls.
• Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal): Famous sculpture in honour of Swiss Guards.
• Old Town (Altstadt): Explore the medieval town with colourful buildings.
• Mount Pilatus: Cable car and cogwheel railway for panoramic views.
• Swiss Museum of Transport: Discover Switzerland’s transportation history.
• Richard Wagner Museum: Explore the villa of composer Richard Wagner.
• Glacier Garden (Gletschergarten): Unique geological site with potholes and artifacts.

Day 5: Lucerne

• Optional visit to Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi.
• Museum Sammlung Rosengart: Art museum featuring Picasso and modern artists’ works.
• Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre (KKL): Iconic venue for cultural events and architecture.
• Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche): Beautiful Baroque church with an ornate interior.
• Bourbaki Panorama: 360-degree painting depicting the Franco-Prussian War.
• Swiss Museum of Transport: Explore Switzerland’s transportation history with interactive exhibits.
• Richard Wagner Museum: Villa of the renowned composer Richard Wagner.
• Glacier Garden (Gletschergarten): Unique site with glacial potholes and artefacts.

Day 6: Lucerne to Interlaken

• Travel to Interlaken (approximately 2 hours by train).
• Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Swiss Alps.
• Harder Kulm: Take a funicular to enjoy panoramic views of Interlaken and the surrounding mountains.
• Jungfraujoch: Known as the “Top of Europe,” it offers stunning high-altitude scenery and the Ice Palace.
• Lauterbrunnen Valley: Explore picturesque waterfalls and charming Swiss villages.
• Schynige Platte: A botanical garden with breathtaking alpine vistas accessible by cogwheel railway.
• Grindelwald: A charming mountain village, great for hiking and winter sports.
• Lake Thun and Lake Brienz: Enjoy boating, swimming, and lakeside promenades.
• Trümmelbach Falls: Visit stunning underground waterfalls inside a mountain.
• St. Beatus Caves: Explore fascinating limestone caves on Lake Thun’s shores.

Day 7: Interlaken

• Explore Interlaken and its adventure activities.
• Consider a trip to Jungfraujoch, the “Top of Europe.”
• Schilthorn: Spectacular mountain peak with revolving restaurant and James Bond connection.
• Hiking in Grindelwald: Explore the hiking trails and stunning alpine scenery.
• Boat Trip on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz: Relax with picturesque views from the water.
• Paragliding: Experience an adrenaline rush with tandem paragliding over the Swiss Alps.
• Ballenberg Open-Air Museum: Discover Swiss rural life in a historic setting.
• Stroll in Interlaken’s Old Town: Explore the charming streets and boutique shops.
• Swiss Chocolate Chalet: Learn about chocolate making and indulge in Swiss chocolates.

Day 8: Interlaken to Milan, Italy

• Travel to Milan, Italy (about 4 hours by train).
• Visit the iconic Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) and La Scala Opera House.
• Colosseum, Rome: Check out this super famous old amphitheatre that’s a big deal in Roman history.
• Roman Forum, Rome: Explore the ancient ruins of where Romans did all their political and business stuff.
• Trevi Fountain, Rome: Don’t forget to toss a coin into this fancy, cool fountain and make a wish.
• Pantheon, Rome: Visit this ancient Roman temple with a really impressive dome.
• Piazza Navona, Rome: Hang out in this lively square with fountains, cafes, and street performers.
• Spanish Steps, Rome: Climb these big stairs for a great view of the city.
• Vatican City: Go see St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel – they’re all in one tiny country!
• Trastevere, Rome: Explore this super cute neighbourhood with small streets and yummy local food.

Day 9: Milan

• Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano): Start your day at this mega-church. It’s so big you’ll need a wide-angle lens for your selfies!
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: This fancy shopping mall is like the Rodeo Drive of Italy. Don’t forget to look up at the fancy ceiling!
• Sforza Castle: This castle is like something out of a fairy tale. Check out the moat and drawbridge – just don’t expect to see a dragon!
• Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper: It’s not a dinner invitation, but you can see the famous painting at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Book tickets in advance; it’s super popular.
• Navigli Canals: Wind down at the Navigli district, which has cute canals and a relaxed vibe. Perfect for sipping on some coffee or an Italian cocktail.
• Milanese Cuisine: Try some risotto alla Milanese or cotoletta alla Milanese. Trust me; your taste buds will do a happy dance.

Day 10: Day Trip to Lake Como

• Take a day trip to the stunning Lake Como, Italy (approximately 1 hour by train).
• As day turns into night, Lake Como takes on a different kind of magic. The shimmering waters reflect the lights of the lakeside restaurants, creating an enchanting ambience for a romantic dinner.
• Explore picturesque towns like Bellagio or Varenna.
• Return to Milan for your departure.

Germany Switzerland Italy Itinerary – 2 (15 Days)

Guten Tag, folks!

Get ready for a European adventure that will have you shouting “Ciao!” In Italy, dancing your heart out in Switzerland, and drinking beer like a true Bavarian in Germany.

Gear up for 15 days of stunning scenery, delicious food, and adventure that will make you want to pat your travel companion on the back and say, “Did you see that?”

We’ve got everything planned for you, from the timeless beauty of Switzerland’s alpine beauties to the creative richness of Italy and the beer-soaked streets of Germany.

Pack your lederhosen, hiking boots and stretchy pants because this is going to be a trip to remember!

MUST-READ: The Epic: Spain and Portugal itinerary 21 days(with map)

Germany Switzerland Italy Itinerary – 3 (14 Days)

Here’s a 14-day itinerary that covers a maximum number of locations in Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.

This itinerary is a tapestry woven of culture, history and natural beauty, from the fairy-tale appeal of Bavarian castles to adrenaline-pumping activities in the Swiss Alps and the timeless allure of Italian art and cuisine.

• Arrive in Munich, and explore Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel.
• Enjoy a hearty Bavarian dinner.
• Visit Nymphenburg Palace and its gardens.
• Explore the BMW Museum.
• Evening stroll in the English Garden.

Day 3: Munich to Nuremberg

• Travel to Nuremberg (approximately 2 hours by train).
• Explore Nuremberg Castle and the Old Town.
• Sample Nuremberg’s famous sausages.

Day 4: Nuremberg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

• Travel to Rothenburg ob der Tauber (about 1.5 hours by train).
• Explore the medieval charm of Rothenburg.
• Visit the Christmas Museum.

Day 5: Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Heidelberg

• Travel to Heidelberg (approximately 3 hours by train).
• Visit Heidelberg Castle and the Old Bridge.
• Explore the picturesque Old Town.

Day 6: Heidelberg to Frankfurt

• Travel to Frankfurt (about 1 hour by train).
• Explore the modern cityscape.
• Visit the St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral.

Day 7: Frankfurt to Zurich, Switzerland

• Explore Zurich’s Old Town and Bahnhofstrasse shopping street.

Day 8: Lucerne

• Explore Lucerne’s Old Town, Chapel Bridge, and Lion Monument.
• Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Lucerne.

Day 9: Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi

• Take a day trip to Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi for stunning mountain views.

Day 10: Interlaken

• Explore Interlaken and enjoy adventure activities.

Day 11: Jungfraujoch

• Take a day trip to Jungfraujoch, the “Top of Europe.”

Day 12: Interlaken to Milan, Italy

• Visit Milan Cathedral and explore the city’s fashion boutiques.

Day 13: Venice

• Travel to Venice (approximately 2.5 hours by train).
• Explore the canals, St. Mark’s Square, and Doge’s Palace.

Day 14: Venice to Rome

• Travel to Rome (approximately 3.5 hours by train).
• Explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and other iconic landmarks.
• Savour authentic Italian pasta for your farewell dinner.

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Switzerland, Germany & Italy

4.9 out of 5 stars

You have up to 60 days to get a full refund

Feel good about putting a tour on the calendar today: Enroll in AutoPay or pay in full when you book, and if you change your mind,  you’ll get your money back .†

Take the scenic route and weave your way across Europe’s most legendary landscapes.

Want to make the most of a European vacation? Whether it’s your first or fifth time crossing the pond, this trip fits the bill. As you pass through five countries, you’ll marvel at storybook vistas, like the sky-scraping peaks of the Swiss Alps and Venice’s serpentine network of gondola-laden canals, and plenty more in between. But don’t let your jaw drop just yet: Fairytale German castles, residences fit for Liechtensteiner royalty, and one of the oldest wineries in the world dot your route, too. Get your fill of unforgettable moments and meals—and if you aren’t quite ready to say goodbye (we wouldn’t blame you), extend your trip to the scenic shores of the Italian Lakes.

Your tour package includes

• 8 nights in handpicked hotels
• 8 breakfasts
• 3 dinners with beer or wine
• 1 wine tasting

Included highlights

• Kapellbrücke in Lucerne
• Liechtenstein
• Neuschwanstein Castle
• Nymphenburg Palace in Munich
• Novacella Abbey & South Tyrol wine tasting

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Day-by-day itinerary

Board your overnight flight to Zurich today.

Welcome to Switzerland! Transfer to your hotel in the Swiss Alps. Later, get to know your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.

Set out into lakeside Lucerne (one of Switzerland’s most populated cities) for a guided sightseeing tour and enjoy a taste of Alpine life—complete with unbelievable views of Pilatus, Rigi, and other neighboring mountains.

• View the Lion Monument, a tribute to the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives in Paris during the French Revolution.
• Pass the hand-painted facades that line the cobbled streets of the Old Town—the traditional core of the city that dates back to medieval times.
• Cross the famous Kapellbrücke, a covered wooden footbridge spanning the Reuss River, and view the Water Tower—a 13th-century work that’s one of the oldest structures in all of Lucerne.
• See the Jesuit Church, the first large Baroque building of its kind to be built north of the Alps in Switzerland.

Enjoy a free afternoon in the Swiss Alps or add an excursion.

Mount Pilatus

From $135 per person

On your way to Munich, cross through Liechtenstein, a tiny Alpine principality that dates back to the Holy Roman Empire.

• Visit the Liechtensteiner capital, Vaduz, and pass the royal family’s namesake castle. Perched atop a hill, Vaduz Castle has watched over the region since the 12th century, and serves as the royal residence to this day.
• Enjoy free time in the town (and be sure to get your passport stamped!)

After, pass through the Bavarian Alps, making stops along the way.

• Pause for photos of Neuschwanstein Castle’s unique mix of Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine architecture, and marvel at the fairytale retreat of “Mad” King Ludwig II.
• Revel in scenic views of the Alps as you relax and explore during free time, or grab lunch in Schwangau, the town below Neuschwanstein.

Then, continue on to Munich and sit down for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.

Today, embark on a guided tour of Munich and experience daily life like one of its nearly 1.5 million inhabitants. Founded in the 12th century and boasting traditional and cosmopolitan appeal, the capital of Bavaria is the third-largest city in all of Germany. It’s also home to the original Oktoberfest—a massive Volksfest that, to this day, remains the largest beer festival in the world.

• Travel past the 18th-century Englischer Garten—one of the largest urban parks in the world—and the fashionable Schwabing district, formerly home to Munich’s bohemian residents.
• Enter Nymphenburg Palace, the Baroque home to past Bavarian royalty.
• Walk from Odeonsplatz—Munich’s large central square, named after an adjacent former concert hall—through the well-manicured grounds of the Hofgarten to view the Residenz, once home to the Wittelsbach dukes of Bavaria.
• Explore Marienplatz, Munich’s medieval heart, and see the famed Glockenspiel clock before heading to the Frauenkirche—a Gothic cathedral and the seat of the local archdiocese.
• Take some free time to explore the Viktualienmarkt, where you’ll find fresh food, flowers, and other delicacies.

Spend a free afternoon in Munich or add an excursion.

From $40 per person

Enjoy a free day in Munich or add an excursion.

A Day in Salzburg

From $99 per person

Bid Bavaria ade (that means “farewell”) as you travel through the Austrian Alps en route to Italy’s mountainous Dolomites, also known as South Tyrol.

• Visit Novacella Abbey, a prestigious Augustinian monastery and an important cultural landmark that has existed for almost 900 years.
• Explore the abbey alongside a guide and stroll through its cloisters, museum, and famous library hall.
• Learn about the monastery’s history as one of the world’s oldest active wineries.
• Sit down for a light lunch of South Tyrol specialties, along with a wine tasting.

Continue to your hotel in The Dolomites and enjoy a free evening.

En route to Venice, stop in Verona with your Tour Director for a walk along its historic streets. Situated on the shores of the Adige River, this UNESCO-recognized city traces its origins back over two millennia and still shows well-preserved vestiges of its Roman heritage.

• Stroll through the city’s Old Town and explore a rich heritage tracing back to the first century B.C.
• Admire the 2,000-year-old Roman arena; the Piazza delle Erbe, which functioned as the town’s forum during Roman times; and the Gothic villa (complete with a balcony) that inspired William Shakespeare’s timeless Romeo and Juliet .

Enjoy free time in Verona before continuing on to Venice, where you’ll have free time for the rest of the evening.

Today, meet up with your local guide and explore the heart of Venice on foot and by vaporetto, or water taxi. Admire historic churches, winding waterways, and storied piazzas on a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site of a city, which was established in the fifth century and is known as the Queen of the Adriatic.

• Step onto iconic St. Mark’s Square and view the St. Mark’s Basilica—an opulent, domed church built in the 11th century to house the body of St. Mark the Apostle.
• View the stately Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic style that was built in 1340 and served as both the residence of the Doge (the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice) and the seat of the Venetian government.
• Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs (or Ponte dei Sospiri in Italian), now a famous Venetian landmark that was built in 1600 to connect the Doge’s Palace to a prison situated just across the canal.
• See a Murano glassblowing demonstration and learn about Venice’s most celebrated art form, whose roots in the city date back to the 10th century.

Then, enjoy a free afternoon in Venice or add an excursion.

Please note: Travelers should feel comfortable getting into and out of the water taxi.

Later, celebrate your trip at tonight’s farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.

Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise

From $89 per person

Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two

From $165 per person

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to explore the Italian Lakes.

Head north to beautiful Lake Como, located in the foothills of the Alps, where your Tour Director will introduce you to the waterfront city of Como.

• Take in Como’s eclectic Rationalist architecture, along with its glittering lakefront and staggering mountain scenery.
• View Como Cathedral, one of the last Gothic cathedrals built in Italy.

Later, head through the Italian countryside to Lake Maggiore, Italy’s second-largest lake.

• Climb to Rocca di Angera, a massive castle that towers over Lake Maggiore from a commanding perch atop limestone cliffs.
• Trace the stories illustrated by the 14th-century frescoes that adorn its historic rooms—some of the most important examples of Lombard Late Gothic painting in existence.
• Wander through the medieval garden, where you’ll find beautiful flowers and medicinal herbs.

Continue to your hotel in the Italian Lakes and enjoy a free evening.

Spend a free day in the Italian Lakes region or add an excursion.

This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Lake Maggiore Cruise & the Borromean Islands

From $125 per person

Transfer to the Milan airport for your flight home.

Book for just $99 down

That’s all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†

Overall rating 4.9 out of 5

5 out of 5 stars

My 12th trip with Go Ahead hit it out of the park. Switzerland was even more beautiful than I imagined, especially Lucerne. The visit to the castle in Munich was amazing. Would have loved another night In Bolzano and our visit to Venice where we stayed on Lido. All hotels were wonderfully located. ...

Another wonderful vacation with EF Go Ahead tours! No worries or stress on these trips, all the frustrating parts of traveling are done for you! I loved Switzerland! It’s absolutely gorgeous in every way. Verona and Venice were highlights for me… so beautiful and the food was dynamite. I have alread...

Thank you so much for your fantastic review and fo...

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

This charming hotel is located in the town of Engelberg within the Swiss Alps. Guests enjoy the sauna, fitness rooms, and stunning views of the surrou...

This centrally-located hotel is located in the heart of Munich. Guests enjoy the fitness center, Finnish style sauna, and an on-site restaurant. Nearb...

This beautiful hotel is located within Bolzano's main square in the Dolomites region. Guests enjoy the fitness center, spa, and spacious rooms. Nearby...

This classic hotel is located in Baveno on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Guests enjoy the private beach area, stunning views, and on-site restaurant. N...

This elegant hotel is located on the banks of the Grand Canal. Guests enjoy Venetian-style rooms complete with Murano glass work, the rooftop bar, and...

• Round-trip flight for your tour
• Airport transfers at your destination
• A great price locked in today
• 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
• Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
• Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
• Find out more about flights
• This tour visits Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, and Italy. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
• Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
• Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center .
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code GSI.
• You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with few hills or stairs.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
• You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times as well as getting in and out of trains.
• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Zurich and depart from Venice (or Milan on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
• Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost. (Please note that on the extension, the travel time between the Italian Lakes and Milan is approximately one hour and 30 minutes, and should be considered for travelers purchasing their own airfare.)
• Water taxi rides in Venice are included in the price of your tour.
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
• It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov .
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
• Swiss food is varied and sophisticated, and some popular dishes include sausages, breaded veal fillets, freshwater fish, and cheese dishes such as fondue and raclette. Be sure to try Swiss chocolate, which is among the world’s finest.
• German food is hearty and substantial. Among the specialties are dumpling stews, sauerkraut, sausages, smoked cheeses, and dark breads. Bavaria produces some of the world’s purest beers, and white German wines are exceptionally good.
• Austria is known for its savory Wiener schnitzel and fresh wild trout, carp, and crayfish. Save room for dessert—especially the strudels of fruit and nuts and elegant chocolate cakes, such as the world-famous Sachertorte.
• Northern Italy is known for flavorful meats and pastries.
• For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
• All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins. You may also use a Type J plug with three small pins in Switzerland and a Type L plug with three small pins in Italy.
• We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
• The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
• Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
• Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
• All destinations visited on this tour are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
• When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.
• You will use the Swiss franc in Switzerland and the euro in Germany, Italy, and Austria.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you’re on tour.
• Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
• Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
• Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

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Arzo Travels

Solo Female Travel – Switzerland, Europe and Beyond

Ultimate Germany and Switzerland Itinerary (7-14 Days)

HOW TO SEE GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND IN 7-14 DAYS

Table of Contents

Germany and Switzerland are both fascinating countries to visit  – both offer diverse attractions and activities. You surely cannot go wrong with planning a Germany and Switzerland itinerary to see some of the most beautiful places in Europe. Given the geography, it is quite easy to visit both countries on one trip, one after another. 

And though Switzerland is not part of the EU, it is part of the Schengen Agreement. This will allow you to visit it if you have a visa for the EU. So, today I share my favorite tips with you so that you can have a fantastic trip to Germany and Switzerland. Whether you visit for 7, 10, or 14 days – this itinerary for Switzerland and Germany will help you plan your trip.

TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND ITINERARY

So, as a German and Switzerland enthusiast, I share my tips for having an amazing time in Switzerland and Germany.

HOW TO GET AROUND SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY

Driving in Germany

• The streets are mostly well-paved and safe, and people drive well. However, there are a lot of construction projects on the motorways which often result in traffic jams.
• There are many motorway streets without speed limits, but many do have a speed limit you should stick to (speed cams are placed throughout the country). There are no tolls for cars in Germany.

Public Transportation in Germany

• Getting around via trains and buses is actually easy and, overall, okay in Germany. The trains are not always on time, some connections might be canceled, and it isn’t cheap. However, compared to places that do not have any train service, I guess we Germans should consider ourselves lucky.

Driving in Switzerland  

• Mountain streets are usually a bit more challenging, but overall, I looooove driving in Switzerland. The roads are mostly well-paved and safe, and people drive well.
• Check out my post with  driving tips for Switzerland .

Public Transportation in Switzerland  

• You cannot go with when choosing public transportation in Switzerland.
• Trains and buses are punctual and reliable. And the window views are out of this world.

TIP: If you plan to get around via public transportation, make sure to check out the Swiss Travel Pass, which is perfect for tourists.

• There are different Swiss Travel Passes available regarding flexibility and duration.  Flexible passes allow you to use the pass for a certain amount of days within one month or the regular, more affordable option, which means you have to use the pass on consecutive days of travel.
• Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass is quite expensive but it will pay off.
• You can use buses and trains without any extra costs .
• Also, most boat cruises and some mountain excursions are included.
• The Swiss Travel Pass also covers most museums and entrances to castles .
• The great thing about it is that you never have to worry about finding parking spaces and instead use buses and trains. 
• Click here to find the rates for a Swiss Travel Pass.

COSTS OF TRAVELING TO GERMANY + SWITZERLAND

Prices always depend on where you stay, what kind of accommodation you choose, what mode of transport, and more. It is almost impossible to give numbers, but I will try (though it is very vague).

If you are a mid-budget traveler and travel with someone, you should expect to pay 120-250€ per person per day. This includes public transportation and eating out (in Switzerland, you should try to go vegetarian, as meat prices are high) but no alcohol.

The costs in Switzerland will probably be much higher if you eat out each day and use a lot of cable cars. Check out my tips for Switzerland on a budget here .

If you are on a budget, you can travel for less (assuming you stay in hostels and cook for yourself at least once in a while) – but public transportation or renting a car will always be quite high.

ARE SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY SAFE?

If you are a solo (female) traveler, you will be happy to hear that Switzerland and Germany are great to travel alone, and there are no extra precautions I take – except for avoiding dodgy areas (especially at night) and watching my surroundings. Just keep your eyes open and exercise common sense, and you should be fine as both are quite safe travel destinations overall.

MORE TIPS FOR GERMANY + SWITZERLAND

• Bring your reusable water bottle and refill it at the hotel, etc. You can just refill your bottle with fresh mountain water from fountains in the southern parts of Germany an d Switzerland . Unless it says “KEIN TRINKWASSER, “ – then don’t drink it.
• Tap water is fine in many places.
• If you don’t like “Sparkling water,” then shy away from “Wasser mit Kohlensäure” and ask for “still” water. You will not get free tap water with your food (you might get a little glass of tap water if you order an espresso).
• If you buy water bottles in Germany (or soft drinks in bottles or cans), you have to pay a small deposit of about 0.25€, which you will get back when you return it to any supermarket.
• Credit and debit cards are accepted widely. However, in smaller shops and villages, that might not be the case.
• You cannot pay at some ticket centers with your credit card, so always have cash on you (American Express is, unfortunately, not as widely accepted as Visa or MasterCard).

SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY ITINERARY FOR 7 DAYS

• Munich – 1- 1,5 Days
• Neuschwanstein Castle & Füssen – 1 Day
• Lucerne – 1 Day
• Interlaken – 3 Days

Travel Time Around 12 Hours in Total

With only one week in Switzerland and Germany, I focus on destinations that are very close to each other, so travel time is reduced. But these places are still stunning – so there is no compromise on the beauty, just on travel duration. However, to see some of the best places these countries have to offer, you will need to travel to some degree.

MUNICH – 1-1,5 DAYS

Munich is a perfect starting destination – with a big airport and many trains arriving in Munich, it is easy to start international travel here.

From lakes, and parks to museums, historical sites, and shopping opportunities: Munich has something for everyone. It is one of Germany’s biggest cities, so there are tons to do and see, but in this case, I suggest spending only 1 or 1.5 days in Munich.

THINGS TO DO IN MUNICH

• Visit Marienplatz
• Rest at English Garden
• Visit Munich Residenz Palace
• Check out Viktualienmarkt

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE & FÜSSEN – 1 DAY

Then, early in the morning, continue your journey. The crowds will come, so early in the morning is really the best time to leave Munich).

One of the most beautiful and gorgeous pieces of architecture must be the Neuschwanstein Castle, south of Munich. However, it is very popular amongst visitors from all around the world, so be prepared to rub shoulders with many of them.

Spend the afternoon and evening in the cute town of Füssen and have dinner here before continuing your journey to Switzerland.

Tip: Since prices in Füssen (which are quite high for Germany) are still cheaper than in Switzerland, I suggest spending the night here.

Even with so few days in Germany, it is a perfect day trip as it is also close to the Swiss border.

THINGS TO DO IN/AROUND NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE & FÜSSEN

• Get to Marienbrücke
• Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
• Walk around Alpssee (lake)
• Visit Hohenschwangau Castle
• Learn at the Museum of the Bavarian Kings
• Check out more tips for Schloss Neuschwanstein here

You will have to skip many gorgeous places in Germany. However, in Switzerland, you will find out what “beyond breathtaking“ scenery really means.

LUCERNE – 1 DAY

Traveling from Füssen to Lucerne, whether by public transportation or car, will take several hours. One day in Lucerne is not a lot, so make the most of it by not arriving late.

Lucerne is one of the prettiest towns in Europe . Whether you come here in winter or during any other season, this place doesn’t disappoint.

Nestled between the Swiss Alps , this town offers the chance to have a city trip while being surrounded by stunning nature. That is also why I preferred Lucerne over Zurich for this itinerary.

After exploring the old town (and the famous Chapel Bridge) and marveling at the unique and historic buildings, you can add a mountain excursion for the afternoon.

THINGS TO DO IN LUCERNE

• Explore the old town
• Pass Chapel Bridge
• Visit Lion Monument
• Enjoy the Views from Mount Rigi
• Spend time in Mount Pilatus
• Here are more Lucerne travel tips

INTERLAKEN / JUNGFRAU – 3 DAYS

Then it is time to head to the final destination – may I introduce you to my most favorite area in the world? 

The train ride , or drive, from Lucerne to Interlaken is scenic. If you take the train, make sure to take the Luzern-Interlaken Express (not all train rides have the same route and the Express trains are normally the most scenic ones).

If you road trip, plan in some time at Brüning Pass and have a cold drink while parking your car and enjoying the views.

Then spend the rest of your time in one of the most unique destinations in the world, where you will have an abundance of stunning lakes, mountain peaks, cute towns and villages, and more. Yes, I meant Interlaken.

There is surely no shortage of activities. And while Interlaken itself is cute, the scenery is actually what makes this place amazing. 

I have spent many weeks in Interlaken – and I am sure, I will never tire. Check out my post on top activities to do in Interlaken for more tips.

THINGS TO DO IN INTERLAKEN IN 4 DAYS

• Visit Oeschinensee (see picture) above
• Explore Thun and Lake Thun
• Go up Brienzer Rothorn and Lake Brienz
• Explore Lautrebrunnen
• more tips for Interlaken

With that itinerary, you will see some of the most beautiful places in Germany and Switzerland in only 7 days.

10 DAYS IN SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY ITINERARY

• Munich – 1,5 Day
• Eibsee or Rothenburg ob der Tauber – 1 Day
• Zurich – 1 Day
• Lucerne – 1,5 Day
• Interlaken – 3,5 Days

Travel time is around 12 hours (with Eibsee) in total or 17 hours (Rothenburg ob der Tauber)

ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER – 1 DAY

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is north of Munich and also further away from Switzerland. However, this detour is actually well worth it.

Rothenburg is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Germany. What this actually means is that the old buildings are picture-perfect, and since Rothenburg is small, you can do quite a lot in half a day or a full day.

If you do not want to take the detour (which is somehow understandable since it takes about 2,5-3 hours one way) then I suggest heading to Eibsee which is Germany´s prettiest lake close to Neuschwanstein Castle.

THINGS TO DO IN ROTHEBURG OB DER TAUBER

• Stroll the old town
• Walk Around the Old Walls
• Visit the Christmas Museum
• Have a Coffee at Cafe Einzigartig
• Check out  more travel tips for Rothenburg

EIBSEE & ZUGSPITZE – 1 DAY 

Located right at the foot of Zugspitze mountain it is a perfect place to explore what the German Alps have to offer.

Just walk around the Eibsee and have a picnic.

You have amazing mountain peaks in Switzerland but if you want to enjoy views from Germany´s highest mountain, Zugspitze, then you can also take a cable car to get up or hike up.

Tip: If you visit Eibsee and Füssen/Neuschwanstein Castle, I suggest visiting Eibsee first and then go to Neuschwanstein Castle. 

ZURICH – 1 DAY

In Switzerland, I suggest adding Zurich to your itinerary for one day.

It will be the first stop in Switzerland coming from Germany. While I normally recommend staying 2 days in Zurich, one day is good to see the main sights.

Though Zurich is not the capital of Switzerland, it is the busiest and biggest city with the most expensive shopping street in the world (Bahnhofstrasse), a beautiful lake, and an old town that you should not miss during your day there.

THINGS TO DO IN ZURICH:

• Stroll Bahnhofsstrase
• Swim in Lake Zurich (and do a boat Cruise)
• Enjoy the views from Lindenallee
• Explore the Old Town
• Find more  travel tips for Zurich here

After that, head to Lucerne and follow the itinerary I talk about for 7 days.

GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND FOR 14 DAYS

This 2-week itinerary will allow you to visit even more places in Germany, as well as in Switzerland. So, compared to the 10-day itinerary, you will have 2 new destinations and can spend 2 full days in Lucerne and Munich.

Also, you can give yourself more time to enjoy the actual traveling, as road tripping and train travel (at least in Switzerland) give you the option to enjoy the breathtaking scenery, and you can take some rest and just soak in the beauty.

• Berlin – 1,5 Days
• Munich – 1,5 Days
• Appenzellerland – 1 Day
• Lucerne – 2 Days

BERLIN – 1,5-2 DAYS

Berlin is new on the 2-week itinerary. Germany´s capital is for sure an interesting place to visit. But it is located quite far up north, and with 10 days in both countries, you would stress yourself out too much by adding it to a shorter itinerary.

However, with 14 days, start your itinerary in Berlin and spend 1,5-2 days there.

It is quite a big city, but thanks to good public transportation, you can get around easily and see some of the best places in a short time.

Then either take a train to Munich or drive south (it is a rather long train ride, which takes around 6 hours) and stop in Rothenburg first before continuing your trip to Munich.

Tip: If you plan to rent a car, I suggest renting the car after your time in Berlin and not driving in the city itself. Even though taking a plane from Berlin to Munich may sound better at first, you will not save tons of time considering that the airport in Munich is very far from the city center, and then add in all the check-in times, etc. 

THINGS TO DO IN BERLIN

• Visit Brandenburger Tor
• Head to Reichstag 
• Visit the Holocaust Memorial
• Check out…Checkpoint Charlie
• Stroll Gendarmenmarkt
• Here are  more travel tips for Berlin

APPENZELLERLAND – 1 DAY

Appenzellerland has become popular because of the stunning mountain restaurant, the Aescher. However, it is not on many Switzerland itineraries though it should be. 

The Aescher is a mountain restaurant located on Ebenalp Mountain in the Alpstein area.

It is a unique destination and it is quite easy to get there (okay, only by cable car, if you hiked it would take 1-2 hours but it is quite steep).

On your way up – or down – make sure to also see Seealpsee (a beautiful mountain lake) and rest before continuing your journey.

You can either stay overnight at a guest house, which is located even higher than the Aescher, or you can book a room in the cute and colorful village of Appenzell.

I have added Appenzellerland to this itinerary because the landscape is different from many other places in Switzerland . Personally, it felt that no hills and mountains are greener and lusher than here, which makes driving here even more fun.

From there, continue your trip to Zurich and add the places mentioned above.

THINGS TO DO IN APPENZELLERLAND

• Have lunch at the Aescher
• Hike Up Ebenalp Mountain Guest House
• Rest at Seealpsee
• Explore Appenzell town center
• More  travel tips for Appenzellerland

CREATING A PERFECT SWITZERLAND & GERMANY ITINERARY

As you can see, you can combine your Switzerland and Germany trips quite easily. That surely will not be the most budget-friendly trip you can take, but it is a trip to remember!

And if you can make it happen, try to visit Switzerland and Germany for 14 days or at least 10 days.

Thanks to good public transportation in both countries you can just lay back and enjoy window views while getting around or you can rent a car and explore both countries by car. Either way, it surely will be fun!

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Switzerland and Italy are two of Europe’s most visited countries. They attract around 80 million tourists a year, but this isn't all just down to good marketing. These countries are popular for all the right reasons – impressive cuisine, interesting history, beautiful scenery, and easy accessibility. Get ready to discover all of it!

The Itinerary

This itinerary takes you to the following destinations in Italy and Switzerland:

• Day 1:  Zurich, Switzerland
• Days 1 – 2:  Lucerne, Switzerland
• Days 2 – 4:  GoldenPass and Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
• Days 5 – 6:  Zermatt, Switzerland
• Days 7 – 8:  Glacier Express and St Moritz, Switzerland
• Days 9 – 10:  Bernina Express and Milan, Italy
• Days 11 – 12:  Florence, Italy
• Days 13 – 14:  Rome, Italy

A Global Pass will take you to all these places (and more if you want to!). Are you ready?

Day 1: Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich is home to Switzerland’s busiest airport, which makes it a good starting point for a rail journey between Switzerland and Italy. Zurich may primarily be a transport, banking, and finance hub, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the views and atmosphere before continuing south.

Don’t miss:  If you’re only in town for a few hours, then walk the quaint lanes of the Old Town and take in the beautiful scenes along the waterfront.

Days 1 - 2: Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne may have all the trappings of a large Swiss city, but there’s still a small-town charm to this beautiful destination that makes it incredibly appealing. Like Zurich, this means that food and accommodation aren’t cheap. But you'll realize why when you look at this impressive lakeside setting.

Don’t miss:  A walk along the city walls and up the clock towers offers the best views of the city and lake and is also free!

How to get there by train:  There are regular trains between Zurich and Lucerne that take approximately 50 minutes.

Days 2 - 4: GoldenPass and Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Hop aboard the GoldenPass Line and prepare for the ride of your life. Interlaken may be one of the more popular cities in Switzerland, but the true magic lies just up the tracks. A lifetime may not be enough for this Swiss valley, but give yourself at least two full days. You'll have enough time to take in some hikes, a trip up to the Jungfraujoch, a stomach-churning Alpine paraglide, or a ferry cruise along Lakes Thun and Brienz.

Don’t miss:  If budget allows, then ride up to the Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn. If your finances are strained, then head for the mountains on foot. Altitude always wins, but a walk to Wengen, Müren, or even further up the valley floor is really rewarding.

How to get there by train:  There are regular trains between Lucerne and Interlaken, including those on the panoramic GoldenPass carriages. Split the journey in two parts and alight at Interlaken station. From there, a small private train connects you to Lauterbrunnen – just show your Eurail Pass for a discount.

Days 5 - 6: Zermatt, Switzerland

The GoldenPass Line continues down towards the exquisite Lake Geneva. It's an incredible destination if you have some additional days to spare. But if you're short on time, then there are easy train connections from Interlaken to the famous town of Zermatt, in the shadow of the Matterhorn.

Don’t miss:  Glacier Paradise in Zermatt might be costly, but it’s as impressive as the name suggests. If it’s out of your budget, there are dozens of hikes that can dish up magnificent views of the Matterhorn for free.

How to get there by train:  Regular trains between the two cities take approximately two hours, and the train between Visp and Zermatt is included in your Eurail Pass. 

Days 7 - 8: St Moritz, Switzerland

St. Moritz is a beautiful city. It just oozes glitz and glamour all year round. To get there, a ride on the Glacier Express is an experience you won’t forget. The Eurail Pass completely covers this popular route! You’ll need to pay a reservation fee to secure a seat, but consider this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Don’t miss:  A sunrise walk or jog around Lake St. Moritz before your train departs is a great experience – and it won’t cost you a cent.

How to get there by train:  The Glacier Express runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz every day. Check the  website  for the latest timetable.

Days 9 - 10: Bernina Express and Milan, Italy

Hitch a ride out of Switzerland in the most dramatic way possible – aboard the Bernina Express. This route, recognized by UNESCO, is easily one of the most scenic in Europe. It connects you directly to the Italian town of Tirano in just a few hours, and you can then continue on to the design and fashion capital of Milan.

Don’t miss:  It would be difficult, and a mistake, to miss Milan’s Duomo. This monumental Gothic cathedral is the architectural symbol of this iconic city.

How to get there by train:  Several regional trains leave from St. Moritz to Tirano, and daily departures of the panoramic Bernina Express. Both offer the same views, though the Express requires a seat reservation. There are also hourly trains from Tirano to Milan.

Days 11 - 12: Florence, Italy

Florence attracts visitors the world over for its food, coffee, architecture, and art. It’s the birthplace of the Renaissance. It’s also a city that’s earned top spots on many bucket lists and in many hearts.

Don’t miss:  Climb to the top of Florence’s Duomo. Purchase a combination ticket and experience the views from both the dome and the bell tower.

How to get there by train:  There are regular high-speed trains between Milan and Florence.

Days 13 - 14: Rome, Italy

To wrap up Switzerland and Italy in two weeks, go to the Italian capital of Rome. It’s a city so famous that you’ll feel as if you already know it, but there’s something profoundly moving about walking her streets and soaking up the history. A day isn't enough to take it all in, so allocate as much time as possible here before jetting out. Rome's international airport has good connections to many international destinations.

Don’t miss:  Simply walking the streets and taking in the sights in and around the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

How to get there by train:  Regular high-speed trains between Florence and Rome make it an easy connection.

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Travel tips for girls on a budget!

The Most Epic 10 Day Itinerary through Switzerland and Italy

Countries: Switzerland, Italy Cities: Lucerne, Lauterbrautten, Wengen, Männlichen, Grindelwald, Bellagio (Lake Como), Varenna (Lake Como), Verona, Milan Highlights: Mount Pilatus, Mt. Rigi, Villa Melzi, Villa Bablianello, Verona Arena

As a travel blogger, you just know I couldn’t do an easy, laid-back Honeymoon. Our journey had started in London for a friend’s wedding, but as we were with friends the whole time, we didn’t really consider that the beginning of our Honeymoon. Only until we arrived in Switzerland did the real romance and adventure begin! From epic hikes to stunning towns, Switzerland was magical. Followed by the history and food of Italy, this itinerary has something for everyone!

First Things First: Train Passes in Switzerland

Switzerland is renowned for their amazing rail system. There are many options for different train passes and I did a TON of research to try and determine the best one for us. Luckily, I did the work so you don’t have to. 🙂

Tell-Pass vs Swiss Travel Pass : Which One is the Best??

There are A LOT of options for travel passes in Switzerland and if you want to know the answer to which one is the best, well, it depends. For THIS itinerary, since we are based in Lucerne, the Tell-Pass in the CLEAR winner for rail passes. It offers various transportation options throughout the Lucerne and the Central Switzerland region, as well as scenic rides, and we used it plenty . However, if you are going to be moving around Switzerland, consider looking at the Swiss Travel Pass or one of the various other passes offered in Switzerland.

Additionally, check with your hotel for discounts! Our hotel offered a Buy-One-Get-One FREE Tell Pass, so it definitely ended up being cheaper in the long run.

Day 1: Arrival in Lucerne, Switzerland

As we were coming from London, this travel day was shorter than typical for us. We landed in Zurich and purchased a train ticket from Zurich to Lucerne (the Tell Pass does NOT include transportation from Zurich so this was an additional fee). The Swiss transportation system was by far the easiest and most efficient transportation system I’ve ever encountered, so I highly recommend using it!

Upon arrival in Lucerne, we had to go to the Visitors Center to collect our Tell Pass. Again, this was easy to find and your receipt should tell you where to go. We also had heard how expensive drinks were, so we stopped by Drinks of the World in the train station and picked up some supplies for later.

As we exited the station and headed towards our hotel, we were immediately blown away with how clean and beautiful Lucerne is.

Although this blog typically features cheaper accommodations, since it was my honeymoon, we decided to splurge. For this part of our trip, we stayed in Hotel des Balances , which was absolutely gorgeous. Just check out the view from our balcony!

After wandering around the streets of Lucerne for a bit, we found a cozy Italian spot for dinner – Pizzeria Weisses Kreuz . I will be honest, this was one of the BEST meals of the entire trip. It was SO delicious and nestled on a beautiful, quiet street.

The rest of the night was spent sipping some drinks on the balcony and having a relaxing evening.

Day 2: Exploring Lucerne

Just a heads up. EVERYTHING is expensive in Switzerland. Like, very expensive. Yes we were on our honeymoon, but we didn’t want to spend $50/person on every meal. So what did we do? Back to the train station! On the bottom level of the train station is a shopping mall with tons of shops, including an amazing on-the-go grocery store. We picked up delicious croissants, sandwiches, drinks, and a variety of snacks at a fraction of the cost of eating out. We did this almost EVERY DAY and the food was always SO good. So if you’re cheap like us, definitely check out this option!

After grabbing some Ham and Cheese pinwheels from the aforementioned train station, and eating them along the riverbank, we decided to follow this self-guided walking tour . We passed through old town squares, over various covered bridges, and eventually up the Musegg Wall Walk. I will recommend this tour EVERY TIME. We saw pretty much every notable site in Lucerne and were able to do it at our own pace (without the crowds!).

The Musegg Wall Walk was probably the highlight of this tour. The views from the wall were just stunning and there were many towers to climb and explore.

The walking tour will then take you up to the Lowendenkmal, or famous Lion Monument. Mark Twain once wrote, “The Lion of Lucerne (is) the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” It is a little bit out of the way, but is certainly quite impressive.

From there, the tour brings you back to the main harbor and bridge area. It had started to rain so we too shelter under a covered bridge!

For dinner, we decided to splurge a little bit and went to Schiff . The restaurant was lovely and we were able to eat on the patio. We tried some traditional Swiss food which was great!

After that, we watched the beautiful sunset over Lucerne from the hotel balcony.

Day 3: Mount Pilatus Self-Guided Day Trip AND Mt. Rigi

Today we REALLY get to use the Tell Pass! With the amount of steps in this trip, I was a bit overwhelmed, but using this blog post really helped (Note: we did the backwards of the itinerary listed here). And having everything included with the Tell Pass was just the cherry on top! Be sure to pack a jacket as it gets cold on the top of the mountain!

Step 1: Lucerne to Kriens via bus

We started the day bright and early as we wanted to beat the crowds. We wanted to be on the first Cable Car from Kriens (check the timetable here ) so we hopped on the first bus out of Lucerne from the bus station. It is a short 10-15 minute bus ride. From the bus station in Kriens, it is about a 5-10 minute walk to the Cable Car (signs are well-maintained and obvious).

Step 2: Kriens to Fräkmüntegg via cable car

The next leg of our journey brings us up the mountain via cable car. Note that you must get your ticket for the cable car at the service desk in Kriens, even if using the Tell Pass. If you tell them you are doing the whole loop, you will get your tickets for the entire day. Do not lose them!!

The next stop is Fräkmüntegg, but honestly, once you get on the cable car, there’s not really anywhere else to go. The ride up the mountain is smooth and peaceful, and the cable cars can each fit about 6 people. We met another American couple on our ride up – yay, new friends!

Once in Fräkmüntegg , depending on the time of year, you can take a toboggan ride. We decided against this as we already had a packed day planned. From Fräkmüntegg, we got onto the next leg, the gondola to Pilatus.

Step 3: Fräkmüntegg to Pilatus via gondola

From the small cable car to the giant gondola! These gondolas felt like they could fit 50 people! Since we were there early, we had plenty of room to move around, but they were fast-moving and RIGHT next to the mountain. Definitely a bit scarier than the leg before it, but there were beautiful views on all sides.

Exploring Mt. Pilatus!

We finally made it to the top! At the top of the mountain, there is a gift shop and hotel with cafe and various hiking trails of different intensities and lengths. We looked at a trail map and then just started walking around! The views are in every direction so you really can’t go wrong.

I highly recommend hiking to Tomlishorn . We heard the cowbells ringing the entirety of this hike, and the whole thing felt very quintessential “Switzerland”. We even saw lots of bighorn sheep!

Step 4: Pilatus to Alpnachstad via cogwheel trail

After a quick lunch stop at the top (with lunch from the train staion!), it was time to head back down. The next stop was Alpnachstad via the cogwheel train. Again, directions were very easy and it was a nice ride. We saw many hikers hiking up, so if you’re REALLY into hiking and have plenty of time, consider hiking to the top! Note: this is the steepest cogwheel train in the world!!

Step 5: Alpnachstad to Lucerne via boat

Once you arrive at the bottom of the mountain, it’s a quick walk over to the boat dock. The boat ride back to Lucerne is about an hour and a half, but it’s a beautiful ride and a great time to relax and decompress.

By the time we arrived back in Lucerne, it was only about 12:30pm and we had nothing scheduled for the rest of the day. They said it CAN’T or SHOULDN’T be done, but we did! I wanted to see Mt. Rigi and I was determined to fit it in.

Mt. Rigi via Arth-Goldau (cogwheel)

Again, this is all included in the Tell Pass, so travel was a breeze! Normally it’s recommended to take the boat, but because we were short on time, we took the train to Arth-Goldau. From Arth-Goldau, there is another cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm. This train was a bit older and bumpier than Pilatus, but still very enjoyable.

From Mt. Rigi, our plan was just to keep hiking down the Cliff Walk either all the way to the bottom, or until Viznau (train station).

This was probably one of my FAVORITE hikes of the entire trip. There were a lot fewer people than Pilatus, the views were expansive, and the hike was easy. There were lots of side trails to explore and we had one of the BEST views on one of these side trails (plus, it was all to ourselves!). Check out the map here for viewpoints. Rotstock was my absolute favorite!

Following the trail down to Viznau, we saw SO many cows and heard the bells from all directions. They were so much fun!

Eventually we decided it was time to head back, so we took the train to Viznau, and then the ferry back to Lucerne (again, all included in the Tell Pass). It was a long day, but totally worth it! That night we had a relaxing dinner in Lucerne.

Day 4: Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Männlichen and Grindelwald

Finally, the day had come that I had planned the whole trip around! I had seen pictures of Lauterbrunnen online years ago and knew one day I’d have to go see it in person. Unfortunately the Tell Pass does not cover the entire route from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen, but it does get you most of the way there! We took the early train from Lucerne to Interlaken OST, and then from there transferred to Lauterbrunnen (with an additional ticket purchase). The train ride was SO scenic, so it went quickly.

Once we arrived in Lauterbrunnen, it was very easy to follow the crowd to the main part of town. Everything was in walking distance, so we explored this beautiful town for about a half hour. It had not rained in some time, so the waterfall was not as magnificent as I’ve seen in pictures, but still, this was a magical place. It’s said that Rivendell from Lord of the Rings was inspired by Lauterbrunnen!

From Lauterbrunnen, we took the cogwheel train up to the next stop, Wengen . You can also hike it if you are feeling adventurous! But it’s an inexpensive and quick ride so we opted for the more relaxing version.

Wengen is another adorable quintessential Swiss village that looks down onto Lauterbrunnen. We spent more time just wandering around with no real destination in mind.

Next, we grabbed the gondola from Weggen to Männlichen (going up, up, up!). Note that none of the trains/gondolas today were booked in advance and there were plenty of tickets available, but we were also there early in the morning. Once we reached Männlichen, we were greeted with expansive views. There was also a café up there, but we had again brought lunch from the train station.

After a quick lunch, we started following the trail down the other side of the mountain towards Kleine Scheidegg. There were again many cows, views of the Jungrau Region, and the Eiger. It was truly stunning and should NOT be missed.

Eventually we hopped on the train at Kleine Scheidegg, which we took to Grindelwald. At that point we were too exhausted to explore Grindelwald anymore, so we hopped on the train back to Lucerne and took in the views from the train.

Upon arrival back in Lucerne, we showered and found a dinner spot for our last night in Switzerland.

Day 5: Lucerne, Switzerland to Bellagio, Italy

Travel Day! After all of the very easy and efficient travel throughout Switzerland, we were not quite as pleased with Italian travel. There are several ways to make the trip from Lucerne to Bellagio, but we opted for a mix of scenery and efficiency.

First we took the train from Lucerne to Como san Giovanni via Goschenen. We booked our tickets in advance on the SBB website . Make sure to book via Goschenen to get the old Gotthard Panoramic train route into the mountains!

Once we arrived in Como san Giovanni, we were supposed to take a bus to Bellagio. However, we waited for about 2 hours and that never came. Eventually, we ended up walking down to the ferry dock (about a ten minute walk from the train station) and hopped on a ferry to Bellagio. This was a bit more expensive, but it was a nice ride at least.

I have to admit, Como San Giovanni did not feel the safest, and there was no one really helping any tourists out. We tried to find someone to ask about the bus, but the ticket people could not answer us. We eventually got the tip about the ferry from a kiosk worker, but even then they could not tell us where exactly to go or how to purchase tickets or what time anything left. (PS – you can purchase tickets for the ferry at the ferry dock. Time tables can be found here ). Overall, this travel day was a bit of a mess, but we eventually made it to Bellagio!

We stayed in this Airbnb which was a little bit out of the way, but had absolutely beautiful views. Note there are A LOT of hills in Bellagio, so get ready to work your glutes!

After checking into our Airbnb, it was time for dinner. We had our first dinner at Restaurant La Terrazza , which had a beautiful view, but the food was just alright.

The rest of the night was spent aimlessly wandering Bellagio and getting a sense of how the town was laid out. We stopped in a few cute gift shops and got the first of many gelatos. 🙂

Day 6: Exploring Bellagio and Villa Melzi

As we like to be frugal wherever we go, we decided to run to the grocery store and stock up on groceries. A quick google search brought us to this grocery market, a 10 minute walk away. It was actually a beautiful walk – past villas and olive trees.

After stocking up, we went to the Visitors Center and picked up a free walking tour guide (which can also be found here ). We asked if there were any events going on in town, and were actually surprised to find out that a local festival would be happening in a couple of days! (More to come on that later, but definitely recommend asking while you’re here). We then explored the cobblestone alleyways and main historical sites, including San Giacomo church.

Next we made our way towards Villa Melzi , the closest villa to Bellagio with beautiful surrounding botanical gardens. The interior is not open to the public, and there is a small entrance fee to explore the gardens. I think it was worth it, as the gardens were quite expansive.

Next we were on a mission to find the best pizza in Bellagio. La Grotta had great reviews and although there was a bit of a wait, it was amazing!

Next we took the Bellagio Tourist Train to learn a little bit more about what there was to do and see. To be honest, the audio on the train was not great, and it was hard to hear most of what the guide was saying, but it WAS nice to rest our feet for a bit. It was inexpensive and can be used as a hop on/hop off situation. It’s only a half hour ride. Would I do it again? Probably not, but check it out if you’re bored!

After that, we went back to the Airbnb, prepared for dinner and headed back to town. What we did not do, but I recommend that you do, is make reservations. We had to stop at several restaurants before being able to find one that can squeeze us in, and even then, we had to wait a very long time.

That night, we drank our own cocktails on the deck of the Airbnb and just took in the beauty of Italy.

Day 7: Villa Boat Tour and Varenna

Why else do people come to Lake Como other than to look at the beautiful villas? A boat tour is a great way to do just that. There are several options for boat tours , but we decided on the one hour tour. It was a great way to determine what else to explore. The tour was short and sweet. We learned about the famous villas and who lived there, and how to get back if we wanted to explore more.

Once back in Bellagio, we decided we wanted to explore Villa Balbianello a little more. This villa is famous for being featured in several films, including Star Wars. We took the ferry to Lenno, and from there it was a 20 minute walk up to the entrance. Unfortunately, because we booked so late, we could not get a guided tour, but we were able to walk the grounds by ourselves. So book in advance if this is a must for you!

From there, you can hire a water taxi back to the Lenno ferry dock, which we did. We got the boat to ourselves and felt like royalty for a quick minute!

From Lenno, we were able to go to Varenna via Bellagio using the ferry. Varenna certainly had a different feel to it than Bellagio, but we loved it as well! It was charming, but QUITE crowded.

We walked around and explored Varenna for a bit, grabbed some lunch at a local café and then headed on the ferry back to Bellagio.

Once back in Bellagio, we decided to find the local festival that the local guide at the visitor’s center had told us about a few days before. It was a little bit confusing to find, but we eventually found it. I am not exaggerating when I saw this was LOCAL. No one spoke English at all and we had no idea what was happening. We somehow managed to order food and pay by following what other people were doing, and sat down at a random table.

Initially, it was AWKWARD. We wanted to leave, but also wanted to experience it. We didn’t know what to do. So we walked around for a bit before finding another young couple that looked just as out of place as us. Turns out, they knew English and Italian! What happened after was one of the best experiences of the entire trip. We ended up doing local dances with the Italians, singing native songs (as best we could), and just in general feeling like a real local. The people welcomed us, even though we didn’t speak the same language, and it was just a magical night.

Day 8: Bellagio to Milan

Unfortunately, it was time to leave Bellagio. There is no direct route from Bellagio to Milan, so we had to catch a ferry to Varenna and then get the train from there. NOTE that your ticket must be stamped in Varenna to validate it. We did not do this and had to pay for ANOTHER ticket on the train (this seems very scammy to me, but I wasn’t going to fight the conductor).

We took the train to Lanza Metro station in Milan, as it was closer to our lodging for the rest of the trip. Brera looked very charming and walkable, so we decided to base ourselves there. The rest of the day was spent exploring Milan. We walked to the Duomo di Milano , through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and to the Sforzesco Castle . There are several tour options to take here – we didn’t take any as I had already been to Milan and done them, but I highly recommend going to the top of the Duomo! More ideas for what to see in one day can be found here .

For dinner, we found a charming pizzeria in Brera (with free welcome drinks!). There are plenty of options to choose from, so just walk around, check out some menus, and go with your gut!

Day 9: Day Trip to Verona

As it was my husband’s first time in Italy, I wanted him to see some real Roman ruins. Milan has some, but not a ton, and Rome was too far for a day trip. So we decided to check out Verona!

It was an easy train ride from Milan to Verona. Once in Verona, we were able to just walk everywhere. The first stop was the Verona Arena , which looks like a smaller version of the Roman Coliseum. There was a long line, but while waiting in line, we actually purchased our tickets online and were able to stroll right in.

While not as big as the Roman Coliseum, this arena is still VERY impressive (and they host concerts/events there)! We explored on our own and loved every minute of it.

Next, we decided to take a Hop On-Hop Off bus , because what would a city tour be without one of these? We learned a lot of interesting history about Verona, including seeing a bridge built in 100 B.C!

The bus even took us to the top of Verona for a bird’s eye view. I definitely recommend this tour!

After the tour, we decided to see the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Juliet’s house is apparently in Verona, and you can go see the balcony for free (or pay for an inside tour). While fun to see, this was SO crowded you could barely move. It was a little underwhelming for me, but if you’re a big Shakespeare fan, go check it out! There’s also a Juliet statue in the courtyard, and you can rub her breast for good luck!

After that, we wandered the streets some more and came across some old Roman ruins literally under the street. I thought this was so cool!

Eventually, we took the train back to Milan and grabbed our last dinner in Italy. Of course it had to be yet ANOTHER pizza.

Day 10: Fly Home

After all of the adventure, it was time to make our way back to the United States. We decided on an Uber to the airport (trains with luggage = not a good time) and said “Ciao” to Italia. Overall, our honeymoon was a mixture of sightseeing, hiking, relaxation, and eating, so 100% a great time! Now onto the next adventure!

About Caroline

Caroline is a lover of all adventures! Whether it's a weekend backpacking in the wilderness, or a night club-hopping in Paris, Caroline is always down for a good time. She is happily married and plays mother to two sassy cats - Pickles and Einstein!

@twogirlsgetaway

2 Week Switzerland & Italy Itinerary + Printable!

I recently set off on a 2 week Italy vacation including a couple days in Switzerland on a girls trip. We scored incredibly cheap flights to Zurich, Switzerland, which is just a couple hours north of Italy by train.

It was too good to pass up, and soon I was planning and plotting out a 2 week Italy Itinerary with a start in Switzerland! There are lots of perks to starting in Switzerland, and it will probably be a highlight of your trip, like it was for us!

Switzerland and Italy are both incredible countries, and will make this an unforgettable trip of a lifetime! So, let’s jump right in with an overview of the schedule.

Italy & Switzerland Travel Itinerary

This itinerary starts in Zurich, but can easily be adapted to fly in and out of different airports or work the loop in a different sequence depending on what airport you can find affordable flights out of.

Check Zurich, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Milan airports for cheap flights! They’ll make the biggest difference in your trip budget.

2 Week Italy Itinerary that includes Switzerland:

• Day 1: Depart / Lose a Day Traveling
• Day 2: Arrive in Zurich

Day 3: Lauterbrunnen

• Day 4: Furka Ice Caves and Gimsel Pass
• Day 5: Return to Zurich, Overnight Train to Rome
• Day 6: Rome – Sightseeing major attractions
• Day 7: Vatican City
• Day 8: Rome – Sightseeing major attractions
• Day 9: Pompeii & Naples Tour
• Day 10: Florence & Pisa
• Day 11: Cinque Terre

Day 12: Venice

Day 13: Venice Islands

• Day 14: Milan and Depart Zurich

Summary of where I stayed:

• (Lost a night traveling + time zones)
• 3 nights in a small town of your choice in Switzerland (I stayed in Hasilberg)
• 1 overnight train (Zurich to Rome)
• 3 nights in Rome
• 2 nights in Pisa
• 3 nights in Venice
• 1 night in Zurich near airport

Benefits of Starting in Switzerland:

Switzerland is much, much less crowded than any part of Italy we visited. Even the touristy area of Lauterbrunnen was much less crowded. That means, you’ll be able to better adjust to the time zone changes with a more relaxed environment.

Jumping into Rome immediately is very difficult on you. There is just SO much to see in Rome and it required a lot of walking (or bus, train, taxi) to get around to see all of the sites. Coming off of jet lag in that very densely populated city is not ideal. You won’t get the most out of Rome if you try to hit it first.

Switzerland is incredibly gorgeous and will take your breath away. We couldn’t help but express how beautiful the views were in every direction. You won’t regret your choice to add Switzerland to your itinerary, and will probably be itching to go back! You’re going to love every minute of your 2 weeks in Italy and Switzerland!

Day-by-Day Switzerland Itinerary

Head here to see an in-depth 3 Day Switzerland Itinerary and alternate options, as well!

Day 1: Depart from your Home

Your first vacation day will be spent in transportation. Whether by flight, train, or car, you’ll make your way to Switzerland on day 1. We flew in from the United Stated to the Zurich airport, then opted to rent a car.

Day 2: Arrival in Switzerland

Depending on your arrival time, plan to make your way to your first destination city so you can make the most of your first full day in Switzerland with little commute time.

Settle in for an early evening in the town you chose. If facing jet lag, do your best to stay up until 8pm or later, local time, to help you better adjust to the time difference.

We started our Switzerland adventures with a day in Lauterbrunnen. It’s a really cool city nestled in between the Swiss Alps with lots of different attractions to try.

I highly recommend a trip up to the carless city of Murren for breathtaking views of the alps and a serene city that’s so pleasant to walk around. It’s a cable car ride up to the top for a spectacular view, a bit of free time in one of the best places in the world, and a perfect place to grab lunch and just slow down.

You’ll also want to make time to see Trummelbach Falls, which filters all the melting glacier water from the major alp peaks down through the center of the mountain in tumultuous falls that are unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Day 4: Aare Gorge, Gimsel Pass and Furka Ice Caves

Spend your next day beginning at the Aare Gorge. It’s a slow paced 1 hour walk through the gorge on platforms built into the side of the gorge walls. You’ll spot crystal blue water and gorgeous scenery.

From there, hop in the car and wind your way up, over, and then back down Gimsel Pass. It’s the perfect way to spot a little snow if you head to Switzerland in the summer or early fall. The scenery changes so much, and it’s unique and beautiful in it’s own way.

On the other side of Gimsel pass, you can stop at the Furka Ice caves to walk inside an actual glacier! It’s a one of a kind experience.

From here, we headed back to Zurich to catch our overnight train to Rome.

Day-by-Day Rome & Pompeii Itinerary

Pop over to read our in-depth 4 Day Rome Itinerary and alternate options, as well!

Day 5: Rome

There is so much to see in Rome and it’s the largest city on this itinerary! You’ll most likely want two full days to see everything in Rome. We did it all in a single day, but it took 12 hours and over 20,000 steps walking. I wouldn’t recommend it!

On your first day in Rome, hit the major sites with a tour. You’ll really want a local guide to make the most out of the sites and really learn about the history here.

Our walking tour took us through the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. We learned a ton, and it was incredible seeing all the history here in the city center. Add a few other of your top picks for the city on the first day, but don’t overdo it.

You’ll also love this list with the 12 Best Things to See in Rome with a Self-Walking Guide !

Day 6: Vatican City

Hop on a bus or taxi and head your way over to see Vatican City. You’ll need most of the day here. Double check the Pope and Vatican schedule before heading here, as that can drastically impact the tourist count.

If you enjoy museums, you can venture into the Sistine Chapel. It starts by winding through the Vatican Museum which takes hours weaving in and out of the exhibits. There’s no way out of the long lines and winding path, so be ready for a lengthy walk and endless art. Of course, check out St. Peter’s Square and Basilica.

Visit the nearby Castel Sant’Angelo and Ponte St. Angelo Bridge. You’ll find really cool angels lining the bridge and an neat perspective looking down the road back toward the Vatican City.

Day 7: Rome

Finish checking off everything from your must-see list on your second full day in Rome. Make sure to take time to see Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Arch of Constantine.

Make your second day a slower paced day, or consider taking a Vespa tour to see the city in a really unique way!

Day 8: Pompeii & Naples Tour

We weren’t sure about Naples and read mixed reviews, but we really enjoyed the day trip. Plan for your entire day to be consumed, but since someone else is handling all the transportation it’s a laid back day overall.

After comparing the prices of booking our own train tickets and needing the fast train to make Pompeii even work in a day, the price of the train tickets alone was almost the same as the tour — so a tour was an easy pick for us. These 2-in-1 day trips to see both Naples and Pompeii was absolutely worth seeing!

Naples was really neat and we learned a lot, plus it was wondeful to try Naples pizza, which was fantastic! Then on to Pompeii which as a chilling site, but also so very fascinating. We were all very glad we took the time to see these two sites.

Day-by-Day Northern Italy Itinerary

See our 5 Day Itinerary to Northern Italy over here with alternative suggestions!

Day 9: Florence

Take a quick train ride north from Rome to explore Florence. The Duomo here is incredible and the leather shops are so fun to wander through. You can also make time here to see the David statue.

We traveled another short train leg to be closer to our next days attraction, and opted to stay in Pisa. Staying in Cinque Terre would also be a fantastic choice, or anywhere en route.

Day 10: Cinque Terre

We loved so much about every part of our trip, but we all voted Cinque Terre as our favorite spot! It’s absolutely stunning with the 5 cities dotted along the Mediterranean coastline.

Make time to see at least 3 of the cities, more if you can! We squeezed in all five cities in one very full day, and it was a lot but worth it! Each city is very different from the next so they are all worth a visit.

Unfortunately, the hiking trails were closed due to rain the day we were there, but hike at least one of the short connecting trails if you get a chance!

Day 11: Pisa

Pisa may not be the top of everyone’s bucket list and is another destination that guests were sometimes underwhelmed with. But we stayed in Pisa as a convenient stopping point near Cinque Terre. For us, without going too far out of the way, we actually really enjoyed a short visit to Pisa.

In Pisa, you’ll see more than just the leaning tower. There’s a duomo and baptistery in the plaza with the leaning tower that have beautiful architecture. So, stop in if it’s convenient along your route and take the silly pictures. It’s fun and memorable, and then continue on your way to Venice!

Spend an entire day devoted to winding the streets of Venice. We didn’t make any big agenda and just weaved in and out of the alleys and bridges. We also spent a lot of time shopping in Venice as there was just so much variety and really loved all there was to see.

You can make time to see St Mark’s Basilica and Square and the Rialto Bridge. Plus, hop on a gondala if you’re so inclined.

You’ll want another entire day to devote to the islands around Venice. They are each so unique and we fell in love with Burano.

If you start at Mazzorbo you can wander through the vineyard and then walk across the connecting bridge to see Burano. Set aside a few hours for Burano to just wander the colorful homes.

Then, you can hop on another vaperetto to see Torcello nearby. Then back toward Venice you can stop at Murano to see endless glass shops or a glass blowing demonstration.

Day 14: Milan & Depart

Plan your final day to head back to Zurich with a stop at Milan en route. You’ll only need a couple hours in Milan to wander the shops. You don’t want to miss the impressive Duomo there. You can also wander aroudn the Sforzesco castle grounds for a unique view of the city.

Then, make your way back to Zurich with time to spare before your flight or for an overnight stay for an early morning departure.

Printable 2 Week Italy Itinerary

To make your planning easier, I’m sharing the Switzerland & Italy vacation itinerary I used for my own trip. I’ve edited out my personal trip details and stays and left it as a Word document so you can easily adjust the sheet to meet your travel needs.

Also included in the printable Italy itinerary is a small info section with some helpful guides for train stations, types of trains, expense planning, and more!

The document is a 4-page spread that can be printed back-to-back to take your whole schedule in a 2-page guide that’s simple to stash in your purse or pocket!

Click here —> to Print the Editable 2 Week Italy Itinerary

What are your must-see Italy destinations topping your Itinerary?

My 3-week road trip through Germany, Austria and Italy

First world problems because of Corona: where to travel this summer? But for real guys… don’t forget to be grateful for having a European passport that makes it possible to travel around the world so easily in the first place. Lockdown? Don’t forget to some people are forever in a ‘lockdown’ simply because their passport makes it impossible to travel!

Our first world problems aren’t really a problem, it is just an issue!

Well in my case it just made things easier. No option to fly to another continent, so what we do? We road trip in Europe. Where to go? What to do? Well let’s first pick up my Peugeot 5008 in Amsterdam and then we will see. 

Road tripping in Europe in summer for the 3th year in a row. Last year I traveled from Switzerland through Italy to Slovenia and via Croatia and Hungary to Vienna . In 2018 I also did a road trip with Peugeot and created the ultimate Balkan itinerary for 3 weeks , visiting all 8 countries in that region.

This year I only had about 3 weeks so didn’t wanna go that far and decided to road trip to Germany, Austria and Italy. In this road trip travel blog I show you all my stops and will give you some local tips for that area.

          View this post on Instagram                   More fairytale villages in Austria! 🏘💒 . Different times, different adventures. Road tripping is probably among the safest trips to take at the moment and getting lost in Europe isn’t that bad as you can see! 👌🏻 . Take an unexpected left where you supposed to go right... simply don’t just always follow the paved path. Trust on your instincts and get out of your comfort zone. Now is probably the best time to travel in Europe! #roadtrip #austria #peugeot5008 A post shared by Full Time World Traveler (@traveltomtom) on Jul 6, 2020 at 7:18am PDT

Brombachtal for cycling

Road cycling is a big passion that flourished again during the days of Corona. so I decided to bring my race bike on my road trip. Putting everything in my Peugeot 5008 was super easy and everything actually fitted easily in the trunk: all my bags, tent, camping utilities, my travel gear and my road bike.

On my first day I decided to drive to the Brombachtal to go cycling the beautiful hilly countryside there on the next day. But first I stopped at a little town not far from Frankfurt: Idstein. The center is beautiful. A great restaurant for lunch/dinner is: Deli Dojo.

I found last minute an Airbnb in Brombachtal close to where I was cycling the next day, before heading towards Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Get €25 free Airbnb credit when you sign up through this link . Already got an account? Simply sign up with a different email address!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber had no priority as I had been there already in 2018, but when you are that close it is always fun to visit this ‘all-year-round Christmas village’. Patrick, a German friend and awesome travel buddy ( @germanbackpacker ) lives not far from this very popular tourist destination in Germany and I was staying at his place for 2 nights.

The next morning we strolled through the streets of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a picture perfect colorful village in Germany. This is also the place where you will find the amazing Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop. You have to walk in here, when visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber, it is like walking into a fairytale land full of Christmas goodies.

Also find the high-line walking path which gives you some good views over the city, visit the cathedral, find narrow colorful streets and have a coffee on one of the many terraces.

Neuschwanstein Castle

A must do when traveling in Bayern in Southern Germany, but it was going to be my first time only. I heard about the crazy lines and busses full of tourists arriving to catch a glimpse of the Disney Castle Neuschwanstein and that had always put me off a little. Now during the Corona pandemic I figured it would be a great time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle.

Patrick and I drove towards Füssen where we strolled through the city a little bit and had a coffee. Just another German town with some colorful houses I would say, nothing really special. But great place to sit on the terrace have a coffee and a bite before visiting Neuschwanstein Castle. Makes sure to also check out the Füssen Castle: Hohes Schloss zu Füssen.

We arrived at Neuschwanstein Castle around 15:30 only on a cloudy summer day. Parking my Peugeot 5008 costed me €8 and from the parking there are busses going up to Neuschwanstein Castle or you can hike a steep road. We decided to hike up and it took us around 25 minutes I would say. Be aware that it is pretty steep.

When you arrive at the castle, it is so big you can’t really see that much so for a much better view you gotta continue another 10-15 minutes uphill towards the Marienbrücke. From here you have that amazing view and that WOW-moment.

If you go uphill through the a small slippery forest trail you get to an even higher viewpoint that is less crowded. Pretty cool place to go when visiting Neuschwanstein Castle.

          View this post on Instagram                   Tour de Germany! 🇩🇪🏰 It was my first time admiring the most visited tourist attraction in Deutschland and I could not have chosen a better time. . Neuschwanstein Castle was truly mind blowing to see from the bridge above the castle. It is a little bit of a steep hike but totally worth it. I was in awe and after all those castle I have seen in the last years this def is something I recommend. . My trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber was fun too. At the moment there are hardly any foreign tourists mostly just Germans. This in big contrast to the last time I was in this ‘always Christmas village’. Make sure you don’t miss the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas market shop. You will be stunned! . All the videos of these adventures can be found in my Germany highlight on my Instagram profile! 🙏🏻 . I understand you re all asking how it is to travel now and I have replied most of you already about it personally. But what you see in my stories is the reality! I visit tourist attractions like normally, hike, explore, visit restaurants spontaneously, find places to sleep online, etc. Of course there are some things different as usually and in Germany you still have to wear a mask indoor. . In my opinion now is the best time to travel, whether you like to hear it or not! Due to corona most places aren’t flooded with tourists and it feels actually very relaxed to be on the road! ✌🏻 #travelnow #germany🇩🇪 A post shared by Full Time World Traveler (@traveltomtom) on Jul 8, 2020 at 5:49am PDT

There is also a second castle, just nearby. You will see it as you hike up to Neuschwanstein. Looks pretty from far!

As we were planning to hike in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and visit the Eibsee and the Zugspitze we stayed in Oberau in the simple but ok hotel Alpenhof for around €80 per night, including breakfast. Hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen were simply too expensive in my opinion.

All my travel adventure videos from the above Germany tourist destinations can be found on my Instagram highlight: Germany 1 . 

Hiking at Eibsee/Zugspitze

When you travel with me, it is always a big surprise where you will end up. This day I led Patrick up to (almost) the highest point in Germany: the Zugspitze. We wanted to visit the Eibsee but also go for a cool hike around. I found a cool hiking route, but it was kind of challenging. Well we are fit… let’s see where this ends! :)

Eventually we walked for more than 9 hours and arrived back at my Peugeot 5008 around 9pm, but what an epic adventure it was. The hike is called Riffelscharte and it is a great way to see the Eibsee, hike up to a peak next to the Zugspitze and experience the Höllentalklam, a narrow canyon passage in the mountains.

Probably one of my best hiking adventures in Europe! Here are some impressions.

          View this post on Instagram                   All my hiking adventures in Germany in one post! From the Eibsee to the Tegernsee and everything in and between... . Being outdoors is the best place to be right now and hiking through the mountains Im pretty sure you won’t catch any Corona. Im not a specialist but you hardly come across any other people so there is very slim chance anyway. Being active outdoors is not only healthy but also resets your mind! Not that I need it... but hiking for hours feels like a kind of meditation! Anyone who can relate? . But for those who are writing me it is stupid to travel, I advice you to please stay home. For those who are taking a leap of faith in these uncertain times I will tell you again and again... this is the best time! 🙌🏻⛰ . Also what is your favorite place from all of these pictures? And may you need more info about the hikes, please be patient, I will post about them in detail on my blog soon! #hikersparadise #bavarianalps A post shared by Full Time World Traveler (@traveltomtom) on Jul 10, 2020 at 10:37am PDT

After hiking the Riffelscharte and the Höllentalklam we decided to move onwards towards the Tegernsee where we would go for a hike the next day. We found a cheap place to stay: Lenggrieser Hof in Lenggries and paid only €65 for the night. The hotel was very old fashioned and simple, but good enough for a good sleep.

Watch all my travel adventures from hiking at the Eibsee and Zugspitze in my Instagram highlights: Germany 2 .

Hiking around the Tegernsee

Patrick called a friend from Munich who was willing to guide us around on this beautiful day at the Tegernsee. She led us first steep uphill to the Riederstein Kapelle before we hiked onwards to the top of the Baumgartenschneid.

After yesterday’s big hike I couldn’t feel my legs anymore but we managed and a couple hours later we got back to the Tegernsee. I first wanted to go for a swim, but the water was pretty cold and I was being a pussy!

But on the other hand I still had to drop Patrick and his friend in Munich and then drive back down South to Innsbruck which was going to be my next destination on this road trip with Peugeot.

It happened that I only stayed in Innsbruck for 1 night in Hotel Central. It was a last minute deal but I only paid €95 for this standard but very nice hotel regarding the price, Nice buffet breakfast included.

Initially I wanted to stay longer in Innsbruck and Austria, but I got a confirmation to stay at a very nice place in Merano, South Tyrol, Italy.

Hotel Chalet Mirabell - Merano

The next morning I hopped onto the Brenner highway into Italy and 3 hours later I was checked in to what later became my favorite mountain chalet I ever stayed in. Staying in Hotel Chalet Mirabell was an absolutely amazing experience and very welcome after all my hiking in South Germany.

The wellness area with 4 different sauna’s, multiple relaxing rooms and even an infrared cinema sauna was the perfect place to rejuvenate. The infinity pool and even my balcony had the best mountain views. The breakfast was an absolute dream and was dinner. Four days in a row I didn’t leave the property, that is how fabulous my experience was. 

Check out my review of Hotel Chalet Mirabell blog with more than 40 pictures and you will understand why…

My first stop after staying at Hotel Chalet Mirabell was Merano, but I wasn’t convinced. Sincerely though guys if you have limted time when visiting the South Tyrol region, don’t put Merano on your itinerary. Why not? Because it simply is just another small city. No Italian vibes, no beautiful squares to hang out, no colerful houses or anything that makes a city special to visit. My honest opinion do with it what you want!

Rainbow Lake Carezza

This is one of the emerald blue lakes from the Dolomites you see often passing by on Instagram. It is only 30 minutes from Bolzano so I had to make my way up there. It is located in the Eggental and the drive uphill is beautiful surrounded by the peak of the Dolomites constantly.

Getting to Lake Carezza is easy, walking around even easier. Read all my tips for visiting Lago di Carezza in my complete guide, including multiple photos, places nearby, etc.

Hotel Saltus - San Genesio

After Merano I moved into the hills just above Bolzano. Here in the charming village of San Genesio I found a brand new hotel that I wanted to check out. It was a gorgeous rooftop pool on Instagram that got my attention and that is how I ended up staying the next couple days in Hotel Saltus in Jenesien.

It was the place for total relaxation. Have a look at my Hotel Saltus review blog and find out what I loved about this hotel even more than the rooftop pool. The breakfast and the sauna were by the way also heavenly!

All my videos from my adventures in ITaly so far can be found in my Instagram highlights: Italy 2 .

One of my favorite regions in South Tyrol is Alta Badia. I have been there in winter while snowboarding in Dolomiti Superski , but now I finally had the time to explore Alta Badia in summer. It turned out to be a couple epic days full of adventures.

Paragliding

First I went paragliding which was an absolute dream coming true. I mean I have had a lot of adventures around the world and did crazy things, but this was my first time. I had an absolute legend of a pilot who guided me through the take off and after that it is basically just: sit back, relax and enjoy! I did my tandemflight with Tandemflights Alta Badia .

Also had to take my drone (see my travel gear list for all my equipement) for a spin and hiked up to some lakes. Lake Boé is pretty easy to get to, the other one is located 15 minutes Southwest from Rifugio Franz Kostner where I had lunch. A great place to go for hiking as the majestic peaks of the Dolomites are looming large behind this mountain hut.

It was also my first time renting an e-bike and going on an adventure. I still didn’t have time to take my road bike for a ride and I was willing to ride Sella Ronda, but ended up taking an e-bike up the mountain and ride downhill. But not before I made several stops at different mountain huts.

Check out all my tips for Alta Badia in my blog: Best Things To Do in Alta Badia in Summer . Recommended place to stay in La Villa - Alta Badia: Natur Hotel Miraval .

Also when curious about more videos from the above things to do in Alta Badia then have a look at my Instagram highlights: Italy 3 .

Ciao Bella Italia! I had to say goodbye as I was heading towards Pitztal to climb Austria’s second highest mountain: the Wildspitze. But I still had some time to visit my friend Arianne living in Innsbruck where we went cycling around the mountainous area.

Unfortunately I got the bad news that my expedition leading up to the top of Austria got cancelled due to bad weather! So I had to make new plans.

          View this post on Instagram                   When your friend is 3x World Champion you have to take a selfie! ⛷🥇🙌🏻😂 @ari_tricomi . Went cycling around hilly Innsbruck on a beautiful day and had the best guide ever! I brought my road bike with me on this road trip but actually hardly had time to ride. Still a big fan, but I was on the move too much to really use it. . Well days like these proofed I didn’t bring it for nothing! 🤗🚴🏼‍♂️ . Riding a bike is one of my fave ways to explore a place. You move around so easily, can stop wherever you want, you are active and breath fresh air! . Who else is a fan? . Guess the fact that Im from Holland 🚴🏼‍♂️🇳🇱 contributes to that, but hey guys whenever you can go for it! Grab a bike and start exploring... 👌🏻 A post shared by Full Time World Traveler (@traveltomtom) on Jul 19, 2020 at 6:30am PDT

Well who would have thought I would end up in Italia again towards the end of my road trip? And this was far! I made it to Verona, because I had friends asking me to come over and who were willing to show me around. I quickly looked on Airbnb and found a cool place to stay for €80 a night… that literally felt like I was staying in a castle. Here is the exact Aribnb link . Remeber that signing up through this link gives you €25 travel credit for free and it takes only 2 minutes. Easiest money ever earned !

It was about 20 minutes North of Verona in the little town of Grezzana. A little far from the city to be honest, but the fabulous accommodation made up for it. And besides that I had my Peugeot 5008 with me anyway.

Verona was were I actually felt the real Italian vibes. No bad word about South Tyrol, you guys know I love it, but it is more like Austria up there. The old city of Verona really is worth visiting. On my first day my friends took me for breakfast but I ended up coming back home at my Romeo and Juliet love suite way after midnight.

In Verona definitely go have dinner or lunch at Osteria Ponte Pietra Ristorante, one of the best restaurants in Verona with amazing food and views.

I hope all the above tips were helpful if you are planning a road trip to Southern Germany, Austria and Italy. Let me know if you have any more questions. Please send me a DM on my Instagram account @traveltomtom .

Thank you for keeping up with the adventures of Traveltomtom. 

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US military heightens the security alert at European bases due to a combination of threats

FILE - The main entrance for the U.S. Army Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, Nov. 28, 2006, where the headquarters of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) is located. The U.S, military has raised the security protection measures it is taking at its bases throughout Europe, asking service members to be more vigilant and keep a lower profile due to a combination of threats it’s seeing across the region. (AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle, File)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has raised the security protection measures it is taking at its bases throughout Europe, asking service members to be more vigilant and keep a lower profile due to a combination of threats it is seeing across the region.

U.S. European Command said in a statement Sunday that a “variety of factors play into the safety of U.S. military community abroad.”

Increasing the threat level to Charlie, the second-highest of five levels for service members , is the result of a combination of events occurring across Europe, including elections in France and the U.K., the upcoming Olympics and other major sporting events, and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza , according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details. But they said they were unaware of any specific threat.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh would not say Monday whether bases in the Middle East, Africa or the Indo-Pacific were at similar increased force protection levels. However, one of the officials said that many of those bases, especially bases throughout the Middle East and Africa, already maintain higher security levels.

Force protection Charlie is instituted “when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating that some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.” The highest of the five levels is Delta, which applies where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence indicates terrorist action against a person or place is imminent, followed by Charlie, Bravo, Alpha and Normal, the minimum level.

Raising the threat level to Charlie means additional security measures will be in place at U.S. military installations, but it’s up to each commander’s discretion to determine what those measures are. It also means service members and their families who are living in each community should be more aware of their surroundings and maintain a lower profile, one of the officials said.

European Championship

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Switzerland vs Italy live updates: Reigning champions knocked out of Euro 2024 by superb Swiss

The Briefing: Vargas stars, Spalletti’s fail, Yakin wins tactical battle

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Holders Italy limped into the round of 16 but their luck finally ran out against Switzerland.

Luciano Spalletti’s team were outfought, outthought and outplayed in Berlin and can have no complaints they are heading home.

Switzerland were as stylish as their head coach Murat Yakin throughout, but it took until the 38th minute for them to take the lead.

Ruben Vargas made that one for Remo Freuler, and then doubled the lead 27 seconds after the break.

The ramifications in Rome and beyond will be lengthy.

Have a read as The Athletic ’s own James Horncastle , Mark Carey and Michael Cox analyse the key talking points.

Switzerland 2 Italy 0 – Holders dumped out, Vargas stars, Yakin wins tactical battle – The Briefing

All eyes on Germany vs Denmark

So, we have our first quarter-finalists in Switzerland. The defending champions Italy are on their way home.

And now, the attention switches to Dortmund where Euro 2024 hosts Germany face Denmark .

You can follow that one live with us too, with Max Mathews right here .

‘We showed from the first second’

As you can imagine, there was a lot of excitement from the Switzerland players off the back of that victory over Italy and reaching the quarter-finals.

Here’s some of that reaction, started with midfielder Fabian Rieder :

💬 “The feeling is great because we showed a really good performance. We showed from the first second that we really wanted to win this game.

“The spirit is incredible; everyone is happy, everyone runs for the other one, and I think we showed that on the pitch.”

And there there was striker Breel Embolo :

💬 “I’m happy and proud. The win is deserved. We deserved to win against a difficult team to play. We were compact and we created chances.

“We made a really good game and scored at the right moment. I am really proud for the team, the staff and for the whole country.”

Timid Italy kept Spalletti guessing

It wasn’t the performance that Luciano Spalletti thought he was going to get. Spalletti has put a lot emphasis on tactical flexibility and energy.

For example, when he named the same 11 from the Albania game to the Spain game, he regretted that as he thought the players looked off the pace.

And after the changes today, they still looked off the pace.

Making all these changes today these players don’t look like they have played together, there were no patterns of play and that makes you look cagey and timid.

That is what Italy were all about today.

A poisoned chalice

It also turns out that defending a European Championship is difficult.

With Italy out in the round of 16, it means the reigning champions have now been eliminated from the next Euros by the last 16:

• 2016: Spain (lost 2-0 to Italy in Ro16)
• 2020: Portugal (lost to Belgium 1-0 in Ro16)
• 2024: Italy (lost to Switzerland 2-0 in Ro16)

Historically bad for Italy

As for the Italy fallout, let’s start with these from Opta :

• Euro 2024 is the first time Italy have lost two games in a single European Championship IN THEIR HISTORY.
• It is also the first time Italy have failed to reach the last eight of a European Championship since 2004 — which saw them eliminated at the group stage, albeit in a 16-team tournament.

The class of 93

What a brilliant day for Switzerland then, and an overdue one against Italy.

You have to go back 12 meetings, to May 1993 and a World Cup qualifier for the last time the Swiss beat Italy.

Their manager at the time? Roy Hodgson.

Lovely stuff.

How Italy fell short

The Athletic

And if you were wondering what those Italy efforts on goal looked like, then this shows you with their shot map on the left.

You’re going to be pretty lucky if you make progress with a shot map like that.

Also, look at the field tilt (territory only including the two attacking thirds) and passes per defensive action (PPDA), where the lower the number the more aggressive the pressing.

Italy just didn’t do enough.

Full-time stats zone

A deserving quarter-finalist beating an off-colour defending champion. Here’s how the numbers looked come the final whistle…

FT: Switzerland 2-0 Italy

• Possession: 49% — 51%
• Shots: 16 — 11
• On target: 4 — 1
• XG: 1.30 — 0.78
• Big chances: 2 — 1
• Blocked shots: 7 — 3
• Duels won: 35 — 39
• Dispossessed: 7 — 5

In truth, some of these stats look more even because that second goal just after half-time killed the game. That gave Italy more of the ball and allowed them to take a few more shots.

But in truth, they never looked like getting back level — never mind winning it.

Two key defensive mistakes

Looking back at the first Switzerland goal, there were two small but crucial details which affected Italy in the build-up.

Firstly, Alessandro Bastoni, who had run across from left centre-back to more unfamiliar territory on the right side of the penalty area alongside Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and Di Lorenzo were both too distracted by the left-wing run beyond Ruben Vargas.

Both had tacked too far to the right in anticipation of the pass being given, and had their arms held out pointing right, indicating the other should cover the runner. In the end, both tracked neither. And Vargas - the attacker on the ball - had too much time and space to pick his pass.

Then, Gianluca Mancini, brought into the team today, threw himself at the ball when Freuler had already got past him.

I'm not saying he should have completely stopped running, but his diving tackle attempt both blocked Gianluigi Donnarumma's view and saw the ball take a slight deflection, changing direction and wrong-footing Donnarumma in goal.

Both contributed to the first goal going in. Those are how fine the margins are.

A torrid end for Italy

But as good as Switzerland were, Italy were as bad. Maybe worse.

They were horribly disjointed and but for a couple of creative moments from a fitness-affected Nicolo Barella, they offered almost nothing going forward.

They didn’t even have much of a defensive foundation to build on.

The ramifications of this exit will start now, and may not end for some time. We’ll see.

But for now, they simply head home.

All hail the super Swiss

First of all, what a superb performance from Switzerland . They dominated this one from start to finish, they created chances and they defended resolutely.

That will go down as a pretty perfect performance.

Ruben Vargas came in, made the first goal and scored the second — and the fact that one came just 27 seconds into the second half, it killed the game as a contest.

It will be either England or Slovakia who they will face in the last eight.

It’s all over. Brilliant Switzerland cruise through to the quarter-finals.

And the holders, Italy, are OUT.

It is nearly over

90+1' Switzerland 2-0 Italy

TWO added minutes to come.

Or alternatively, TWO minutes left of Italy’s European Championship defence.

Desperate penalty claims

88' Switzerland 2-0 Italy

Again, the theme is desperation. Scamacca takes a rather hopeful tumble in the box, and that isn’t going anywhere.

The ball then strikes Stergiou’s arm in the box — but it does so with his arm by his side, and for that reason there is nothing doing there either.

Another wild effort

85' Switzerland 2-0 Italy

A sign of Italy’s desperation there, as Pellegrini comes inside on his right and fires a curling shot well off target.

Which sums up Italy’s day so far.

That’s now nine shots on goal and only one tame effort hitting the target.

Zuber centres

83' Switzerland 2-0 Italy

Switzerland continue to press forward themselves.

Zuber is in behind down the left channel, and he opts to fire a ball across the box. It looks dangerous but isn’t on target and there is no one in the box who could’ve slotted it home.

Ten to save it

81' Switzerland 2-0 Italy

Into the final 10 minute we head, with added time too.

Italy’s race looks run.

Italy getting stuck down the sides

78' Switzerland 2-0 Italy

Italy are ending up in a 3-1-6 or 2-2-6 at times here, pushing a midfielder and both full-backs on.

Unsurprisingly, it’s getting them stuck down the sides as they’ve no midfield to connect through centrally.

Switzerland content to defend dribbles out wide and with crosses coming into the box — Sommer has just claimed a ball excellently.

Changes aplenty

77' Switzerland 2-0 Italy

A double change for Italy as Pellegrini and Cambiaso come on, for Darmian and Cristante.

Switzerland then make a similar move, with Sierro and Duah on for Embolo and Ndoye.

There is almost no rhythm to this game at the moment.