My Itinerary for Switzerland, Italy, and London

Feb 1

Last summer I have the chance to explore Europe and toured Switzerland, Italy, and London all in one week. The idea of hopping through three countries manifested itself last January when I had the opportunity to meet the Sales Director for the stunning Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland. He mentioned in passing that he also loves to visit Italy and that London is only a short train ride away! The trip was solidified as soon as he said it; I knew it would be the perfect way to visit Switzerland, Italy, and London, which were all on my must see list!

My itinerary below is not for those that are looking to stay in one spot; this involves moving around, but that's how I like to travel. I have a hard time staying in one location (or hotel for that matter) for more than 2 nights... there's so much to see! If you are looking for something a little more "relaxed", I can adjust the itinerary to suit your style of travel!

Day 1: Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich is a main hub in Switzerland and full of culture and natural beauty! Be sure to get the red eye flight to ensure that you will be there early in the morning for a full day of exploring. Walking the city and enjoying the local restaurants was a great way to take everything in! I got to try REAL fondue for the first time and it’s a cheese lover's dream. The Lindt factory is a cool and a tasty stop, but a little a too touristy for me. There’s a great ferry schedule that can take you along Lake Zurich with multiple stops, so that you can see all the scenery it has to offer! Zurich has museums, art galleries, a zoo, medieval houses, and lots of history!

Looking over the Limmat River with the Grossmünster church, Zurich’s famous landmark, behind me.

The Limmat River is beautiful and you’ll enjoy walking along it. Take a ferry and explore the city!

Day 2 & 3: Lucerne, Switzerland

I transferred to Lake Lucerne via private driver! Another beautiful location in Switzerland, which offers breathtaking views - especially since I stayed 2 night at Bürgenstock Resort on Lake Lucerne! This was such a treat to stay here and I can assure you, you won't be disappointed if you stay there. A serene and luxury stay - this resort is complete with a funicular and boat rides across the lake AND cow bells from the nearby hills serenading the guests! The city of Lucerne is right by the lake, where you can experience the charm and beauty of this historic town. All I did was take the ferry from Bürgenstock, which gave me the chance to see all the nature on the ride!

Day 4: Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como has magical turquoise waters with stunning mountain peaks and is very picturesque! Whether you enjoy the high quality food, watersports, or exploring the charming towns; there’s something for everyone here! You can take the train from either the Lucerne train station or have a driver take you to the Arth-Goldau station, which provides a direct connection to the Lake Como Station. I stayed one night in Lake Como, but I recommend staying 2 or 3 nights so you have time to see the towns along the lake. If you have multiple days, you can take the well organized ferry system and have the opportunity to visit many towns along the lake including my favorite, Bellagio. I also recommend dinner or drinks at many of the fabulous luxury resorts on the lake, including Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Mandarin Oriental and Villa d'Este. Consider hiring a private boat captain so you can plan the day as you'd like and take your time getting to know the lake!

Day 5: Milan, Italy

Milan is know for fashion and shopping, and it doesn’t disappoint! Taking the train to Milan will give you a chance to see the landscape on the way or hire a private driver for the luxury experience. I would recommend spending 2-3 nights in Milan! I was expecting not to like it, but Milan is vibrant and cultivates creativity that makes it unique! I would go back in a heartbeat to experience more of the cuisine and lively entertainment.

Day 6: London, England

While in London, I fell in love with it so much that I went back for an extended stay 2 months later! This is where things got a bit crazy as I decided to do a long layover in London on my way home from Milan. The layover was 21 hours so I landed and dropped my luggage at the hotel and headed out immediately. London is known for so many iconic things - Big Ben, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe! If you want to get a taste of London, the flight from Milan was quick and I'm so, so glad I did it! Depending on the amount of time you have, you can either do something similar or head to Florence from Milan, which is another city not to be missed.

Since this trip, I've helped multiple families and couples do something similar! Europe requests continue to filter in every week so if you are debating on visiting Europe, you should plan it a year to 9 months in advance of your travel dates if possible. I can't wait to help you plan the perfect itinerary to one, two or three countries!

Cheers to all things travel!