A combo tour through Italy, Switzerland, and France is a good choice to immerse yourself in the rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultures of Europe. From Italy's historied cities to Switzerland's majestic Alps and France's iconic landmarks, this destination trio promises a diverse and unforgettable adventure. Our guide will provide you with some ideas for a travel itinerary to explore the magic of these renowned European destinations.
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- 1. How Long to Spend
- 2. 14 Days in Italy, Switzerland, and France
- 3. 3 Weeks in Italy, Switzerland, and France
- 4. 10 Days in Italy, Switzerland, and France
1. How Many Days to Spend in Italy, Switzerland, and France
If you are visiting these three countries for the first time and want a comprehensive experience exploring Italy, Switzerland, and France, we recommend setting aside a minimum of 14 days. If you are keen on history and the arts, consider spending more time exploring Italy. For nature enthusiasts, Switzerland offers breathtaking beauty, making it worth staying there longer. To experience France's highlights, we suggest allotting at least 3 days to explore Paris.
To delve deeper into these three captivating destinations, you may want to consider extending your trip to 3 weeks. This extended duration provides ample time to explore a wider array of cities and attractions within each location. By allocating 2–3 days in each city, you could immerse yourself in the local culture and historical significance.
Rome City ViewIf you're short on time and seeking a fast-paced travel experience, you may want to consider an itinerary of 10 to 12 days focusing on visiting key cities, such as Rome, Venice, Zurich, Lucerne, and Paris. Dedicate 1–2 days to each city to ensure that you fully immerse yourself in the highlights of each destination and optimize your travel experience.
2. Top Suggestion: 2 Weeks in Italy, Switzerland, and France
For a 2-week tour, we recommend that you spend 6 days in Italy, 4 days in Switzerland, and 4 days in France. As 14 days are not enough to cover most of the tourist cities in the three countries, we recommend that you spend more days in Italy because Italy has a richer history and a more extensive range of tourist attractions. If you are drawn to Switzerland's natural beauty or captivated by France's romantic culture, you could choose to spend more time in your preferred destination. Here is a sample 2-week itinerary:
- Days 1–6: Rome and Venice (Italy)
- Days 7–10: Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zurich (Switzerland)
- Days 11–14: Paris and Lyon (France)
If you are traveling to Italy with kids, Rome and Venice should be at the top of your list. This is because both cities offer an array of kid-friendly activities and delicious cuisine.
Start your journey in Rome with a private guide at the Colosseum, where you could seamlessly explore its historical marvels, such as the Arch of Constantine, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum.
Then, extend your itinerary to Venice for more family fun. Watch your little ones immerse themselves in the enchanting Piazza San Marco and enjoy the enchanting experience of a gondola ride on the iconic Grand Canal. To elevate your adventure, embark on a 4-hour island-hopping expedition across the Venetian Lagoon, discovering the unique charms of Murano, Burano, and Torcello along the way.
In Switzerland, you would visit the top cities — Interlaken, Zurich, and Lucerne, which offer enchanting experiences. In Zurich, stroll through the historic Old Town, visit the Swiss National Museum, and enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Zurich for stunning views. In Lucerne, explore landmarks like the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower. Ascend Mount Pilatus on the steepest cogwheel railway or take a cable-car ride for amazing mountain vistas.
In Interlaken, which is nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, you could indulge in thrilling adventure activities, such as paragliding, skydiving, bungee jumping, and canyoning. Take a scenic cogwheel train from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, and enjoy sweeping views of the majestic Swiss Alps.
In France, you would visit the highlights of Paris and Lyon in 4 days. Begin your Paris journey with a scenic Seine cruise offering breathtaking views near the Eiffel Tower. Immerse yourself in Paris's vibrant art scene with visits to renowned attractions, such as the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Centre Pompidou. For another memorable day, take a delightful trip to Versailles for a chateau and gardens tour with your expert local guide.
In Lyon, you could visit many family-friendly attractions, such as Mini World Lyon — a captivating miniature park, and Tête d'Or Park — a bustling urban oasis featuring a zoo and botanical garden, ensuring delightful experiences for everyone. Lyon is also a culinary delight for your family journey. Known for its rich gastronomic traditions and top-tier dining options, Lyon offers a flavorful adventure for all ages.
3. In-Depth Idea: 3 Weeks in Italy, Switzerland, and France
If you have 3 weeks, you could fully immerse yourself in each country. By dedicating a week to each destination, you could delve deeper into their distinct cultures and histories, and savor authentic local cuisines.
Here is an example of a 3-week tour itinerary:
- Days 1–7 in Italy: Rome, Florence, and Milan
- Days 8–14 in Switzerland: Zermatt, Interlaken, Lucerne, and Zurich
- Days 15–21 in France: Paris and Provence
For a week In Italy, we recommend that you visit the top three cities, — Rome, Florence, and Milan — from the south to the north.
In Rome, experience the mesmerizing Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Explore the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Then, catch a train to Florence to marvel at iconic landmarks and art galleries with skip-the-line access. Indulge in a 3-hour food tour, savoring Tuscan delights.
Head to the north to discover Milan's grandeur on a day tour featuring the Duomo and Sforza Castle. Gain exclusive access to see Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, and stroll through the stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
In Switzerland, extend your trip by adding Zermatt to your 1-week trip. Explore the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and the Klein Matterhorn with stops at Furi, Schwarzsee, and Trockener Steg for stunning views of the Matterhorn. Take a train to the Gornergrat and maybe a short hike to Riffelberg. Enjoy panoramic views of the Matterhorn from a terrace near the train station.
Take a cable car to Mürren from Lauterbrunnen for breathtaking vistas of the Bernese Alps. Travel to Jungfraujoch for a high-altitude experience with a 360° view at the Sphinx Observatory.
With a week in France, besides visiting Paris as in the above itinerary, we recommend that you extend your trip to Provence. Travel swiftly from Paris to Provence on a 3½-hour TGV train ride, arriving in Aix-en-Provence, a town steeped in heritage and inspiration for renowned artists like Cézanne. Explore historic sites, quaint lanes, and local flavors, then venture to Avignon for a glimpse into its medieval past. Wrap up your adventure with a leisurely day in Aix-en-Provence, visiting notable landmarks and savoring farm-to-table cuisine.
4. Essential Touring: Italy, Switzerland, and France in 10 Days
If you are a fast-paced traveler with a limited time of 10 days, you could still explore some of the top sites in Italy, Switzerland, and France. Here is an example of a 10-day itinerary:
- Days 1–4: Rome and Florence (Italy)
- Days 5–7: Zurich and Lucerne (Switzerland)
- Days 8–10: Paris (France)
In Italy, you would have a delightful tour for 4 days, delving into the treasures of Rome and Florence. Start in Rome, where a private guide would unlock the mysteries of the Colosseum, leading you through its ancient battles and nearby landmarks like the Arch of Constantine and Palatine Hill.
Then, travel to Florence, and take in the grandeur of Piazza della Signoria and its iconic Palazzo Vecchio. Take in the beauty of Piazza del Duomo and its architectural splendors before immersing yourself in art at the renowned Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Raphael. In Switzerland, you would visit the top two cities, Zurich and Lucerne.
Explore Zurich by wandering through the charming Old Town, discovering the Swiss National Museum, and cruising on Lake Zurich for picturesque scenery. In Lucerne, visit iconic sites, such as the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower. Reach the top of Mount Pilatus using the steep cogwheel railway or a cable car ride to experience breathtaking mountain panoramas.
In France, to ensure a comfortable and relaxing end to your trip, we suggest visiting Paris exclusively. Immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene of the city by exploring renowned attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Centre Pompidou.
14-Day Best of Italy, France and Spain Tour
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
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