Italy & Switzerland 7-Day Trip Itinerary
Italy & Switzerland Trip - Nov 17 to Nov 23
Embark on an incredible 7-day European adventure, exploring the historic wonders of Rome and Vatican City, the romantic canals of Venice, the scenic beauty of Zurich, and the iconic charm of Paris. This moderate budget, mixed-style trip offers a fantastic taste of diverse cultures and breathtaking sights for the general traveler.
Arrival in Rome & Evening Stroll
Monday, November 17Arrive & Hotel Check-in
Arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and transfer to your accommodation near the Vatican.
Check in and settle down.
Ensure you have your hotel address and confirmation handy. Rome's public transport is good, but a taxi might be easier with luggage.
From FCO, take the Leonardo Express train to Termini Station (32 minutes) and then a taxi or metro to your hotel, or consider a direct taxi/private transfer.
Campo de' Fiori Market Square
Take a leisurely walk to Campo de' Fiori, a vibrant market square.
In the evening, the market stalls close, and the square transforms into a lively hub with restaurants and bars.
Walkable from many central Rome locations, or use local bus services.
Traditional Roman Dinner
Enjoy an authentic Roman dinner at a local trattoria.
Try classic dishes like Cacio e Pepe or Carbonara.
Vatican City Exploration
Tuesday, November 18Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Explore the vast collections of the Vatican Museums, culminating in Michelangelo's breathtaking Sistine Chapel.
This includes classical sculptures, Renaissance art, and Egyptian artifacts.
Book tickets well in advance to skip long lines. Dress code requires shoulders and knees to be covered.
St. Peter's Basilica
Visit the magnificent St.
Peter's Basilica, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Don't miss Michelangelo's Pietà and the stunning dome views (optional climb).
Entrance to the Basilica is free, but there may be queues. Climbing the dome has a fee. Strict dress code applies.
Vatican Guided Tour
Join an official Vatican Guided Tour for privileged access and skip-the-line entry to key areas, with insights from an expert guide.
Dinner near Vatican
Enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the charming Borgo district near Vatican City.
Train to Venice & Gondola Ride
Wednesday, November 19High-Speed Train to Venice
Take a high-speed train from Rome Termini to Venice Santa Lucia.
Enjoy the scenic Italian countryside.
Book your train tickets in advance for better prices and seat selection. Travel time is approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.
Venice Hotel Check-in
Arrive in Venice, transfer to your hotel, and check in.
Leave your luggage and get ready to explore.
From Santa Lucia station, you can take a Vaporetto (water bus) or a water taxi to your hotel, depending on its location.
Classic Gondola Ride
Experience Venice from its iconic waterways with a traditional gondola ride.
Glide through the canals and under charming bridges.
Gondola prices are fixed by the city. It's often shared, but the price is per gondola (up to 5 people).
St. Mark's Square & Basilica
Explore the historic St.
Mark's Square, admire St. Mark's Basilica (exterior view or optional interior visit), and the Doge's Palace.
The square can be very crowded. Consider visiting St. Mark's Basilica early or late to avoid peak queues, or pre-book a skip-the-line ticket.
Dinner in Venice
Savor Venetian cuisine at a local restaurant, perhaps trying seafood specialties.
Bernina Express & Travel to Zurich
Thursday, November 20Travel to Tirano (Italy)
Take an early morning regional train from Venice to Tirano, Italy, the starting point for the scenic Bernina Express.
This journey involves a change, likely in Verona. Check connections carefully. Book tickets in advance.
Bernina Express Scenic Journey
Embark on the breathtaking Bernina Express train journey through the Swiss Alps from Tirano to Chur.
Marvel at glaciers, viaducts, and stunning mountain landscapes.
Consider booking panorama car seats for the best views. This is one of the most scenic train routes in the world.
Train to Zurich
Continue your journey by taking a direct train from Chur to Zurich, arriving in the early evening.
Frequent connections available. Purchase tickets directly at the station or online via SBB.
Zurich Hotel Check-in
Arrive at your hotel in Zurich and check in.
Take some time to relax after a long day of travel.
Dinner in Zurich
Enjoy a relaxed dinner in Zurich, perhaps exploring options near your hotel or in the city center.
Zurich City Exploration
Friday, November 21Lake Zurich Lakeside Stroll
Enjoy a refreshing walk along the beautiful shores of Lake Zurich, taking in the serene views and mountain backdrop.
You can also opt for a short boat trip (seasonal).
Easily accessible by tram or a pleasant walk from many parts of the city center.
Explore Old Town (Altstadt)
Wander through the charming narrow streets of Zurich's Altstadt.
Discover historical buildings, guild houses, and picturesque squares like Lindenhof.
Visit Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, known for their stained-glass windows by Chagall and Giacometti.
Lunch in Old Town
Enjoy a casual lunch at a restaurant in the Altstadt, perhaps trying a traditional Swiss dish.
Racing Unleashed Simulators
Immerse yourself in the world of motorsport with Racing Unleashed, offering an unparalleled driving experience with simulator technology developed in Maranello, Italy.
A fun and unique indoor activity, especially if you enjoy racing or interactive experiences.
Relaxed Evening & Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed evening and dinner, perhaps trying a local fondue or raclette.
Travel to Paris & Eiffel Tower
Saturday, November 22Train to Paris
Board a high-speed train from Zurich Hauptbahnhof to Paris Gare de Lyon.
Enjoy the scenic journey through the Swiss and French countryside.
Tickets can be booked via SBB or SNCF. Consider booking first class for a more comfortable journey.
Hotel Check-in
Arrive at your accommodation in Paris and check in.
Drop off your luggage and refresh before exploring the city.
Look for hotels near a Metro station for easy city access.
Eiffel Tower & Trocadéro
Visit the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Enjoy views from the Trocadéro gardens, which offer the best photo opportunities, before exploring the base of the tower. Consider ascending if time permits (booking ahead is essential).
The tower illuminates every hour on the hour after sunset for 5 minutes. Walk along the Champ de Mars for different perspectives.
Dinner at a Parisian Bistro
Savor authentic French cuisine at a charming local bistro.
Try classic dishes like steak frites, confit de canard, or onion soup.
Many bistros have 'prix fixe' menus offering good value.
Louvre & Departure
Sunday, November 23Louvre Museum
Explore the world-renowned Louvre Museum, home to thousands of works of art, including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Focus on key masterpieces due to time constraints.
Book your tickets online in advance to save time. Consider visiting early on a Sunday to avoid peak crowds. It's vast, so prioritize what you want to see.
Shakespeare and Company & Seine Stroll
Take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Seine River, browsing the bouquinistes (riverside booksellers).
Visit the famous English-language bookstore Shakespeare and Company.
Enjoy the literary atmosphere and views of Notre-Dame Cathedral across the river.
Farewell Parisian Lunch
Enjoy a final French lunch before heading to the train station for your journey back to London.
Return to London via Eurostar
Travel from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras International via the Eurostar train, concluding your European adventure.
Arrive at Gare du Nord at least 60-90 minutes before departure for security and passport checks. Remember to adjust for the 1-hour time difference (Paris to London).
This 7-day itinerary for Italy & Switzerland can be customized using our AI travel planner. Chat with our AI assistant to modify activities, adjust timings, add personal preferences, and get recommendations for restaurants, hotels, and transportation.