December 2025 Swiss-Italian-Spanish-Italian Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Zurich (16 Dec, Mon)
Morning: Arrive at Zurich Airport and check into your hotel. Take a leisurely walk around the Old Town to soak up the historic atmosphere. 
Afternoon: Explore the renowned Swiss National Museum with its impressive collections, then stroll along the scenic Lake Zurich promenade. 
Evening: Dine at a traditional Swiss restaurant and enjoy a night walk across the illuminated Bahnhofstrasse shopping boulevard. 
Day 2: Interlaken (17 Dec, Tue)
Morning: Take a scenic train to Interlaken and settle into a lakeside hotel. 
Afternoon: Explore the vibrant Höheweg promenade and enjoy views of the Jungfrau region from the Harder Kulm viewpoint. 
Evening: Dine at a local Swiss chalet, tasting fondue and raclette. 
Day 3: Jungfraujoch (18 Dec, Wed)
Morning: Board the Jungfrau Railway for a spectacular ascent to the “Top of Europe.” 
Afternoon: Explore the Sphinx Observatory and Ice Palace, then enjoy panoramic Alpine vistas. 
Evening: Return to Interlaken for a relaxing dinner by the Aare River. 
Day 4: Zermatt (19 Dec, Thu)
Morning: Travel to Zermatt via scenic train; check into a chalet with views of the Matterhorn. 
Afternoon: Ride the Gornergrat Railway for spectacular mountain panoramas. 
Evening: Enjoy a traditional Valais dinner with local cheeses and wine. 
Day 5: Glacier Express to St. Moritz (20 Dec, Fri)
Morning: Board the famous Glacier Express and marvel at the alpine landscapes from the panoramic windows. 
Afternoon: Arrive in St. Moritz, explore the elegant town centre and lake. 
Evening: Dine at a luxury restaurant, tasting regional specialties. 
Day 6: St. Moritz (21 Dec, Sat)
Morning: Ski or snowboard at the renowned Corviglia ski area. 
Afternoon: Take a relaxing walk around Lake St. Moritz and enjoy the winter scenery. 
Evening: Warm up with a spa session in a local wellness centre. 
Day 7: Bernina Express to Tirano (22 Dec, Sun)
Morning: Board the scenic Bernina Express heading towards the Italian border. 
Afternoon: Arrive in Tirano, stroll through the historic town centre and visit the San Rocco Church. 
Evening: Enjoy Italian cuisine at a local trattoria. 
Day 8: Tirano – Milan (23 Dec, Mon)
Morning: Take a quick train to Milan and check in near the Duomo. 
Afternoon: Visit the iconic Duomo di Milano and the nearby Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. 
Evening: Dine in the vibrant Brera district. 
Day 9: Milan – Barcelona (24 Dec, Tue)
Morning: Fly from Milan to Barcelona, check in near La Rambla. 
Afternoon: Explore the historic Gothic Quarter and **Barcelona Cathedral**. 
Evening: Enjoy a festive dinner at a tapas bar in El Born. 
Day 10: Barcelona (25 Dec, Wed)
Morning: Visit Sagrada Família and marvel at Gaudí's masterpiece. 
Afternoon: Stroll through Park Güell for stunning city views. 
Evening: Celebrate Christmas Eve with a coastal seafood dinner at the Port Vell. 
Day 11: Train to Madrid (26 Dec, Thu)
Morning: Take the high-speed AVE train to Madrid, enjoy scenic views. 
Afternoon: Arrive in Madrid, check in near Puerta del Sol. 
Evening: Experience a tapas crawl in the vibrant La Latina neighborhood. 
Day 12: Madrid (27 Dec, Fri)
Morning: Tour the Royal Palace and its opulent interiors. 
Afternoon: Explore the famous Prado Museum and its masterworks. 
Evening: Stroll through the Retiro Park and enjoy a sunset boat ride on the lake. 
Day 13: Fly to Venice (28 Dec, Sat)
Morning: Fly to Venice, check into a hotel on **Venice**'s **San Marco** island. 
Afternoon: Walk across the iconic Rialto Bridge and explore the markets. 
Evening: Enjoy a gondola ride at sunset, savoring Venetian seafood. 
Day 14: Venice (29 Dec, Sun)
Morning: Visit St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. 
Afternoon: Explore the historic Venetian Arsenal and the quiet alleys. 
Evening: Dine at a traditional trattoria with a view of the Grand Canal. 
Day 15: Venice (30 Dec, Mon)
Morning: Take a day trip to the islands of Murano and Burano, known for glass and colorful houses. 
Afternoon: Return to Venice and explore the Jewish Ghetto. 
Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner of Venetian risotto and tiramisu. 
Day 16: Milan (31 Dec, Tue)
Morning: Travel back to Milan by train, settle at your hotel. 
Afternoon: Explore the modern **Porta Nuova** district and its skyscrapers. 
Evening: Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the vibrant **Milan Cathedral** plaza with fireworks. 
Day 17: Milan (01 Jan, Wed)
Morning: Start the year with a visit to the **Sforza Castle**, exploring its museums. 
Afternoon: Shop in the luxury boutiques of **Via Montenapoleone**. 
Evening: Relax with a coffee at a historic café and enjoy a leisurely walk along the **Navigli** canals. 
Day 18: Milan (02 Jan, Thu)
Morning: Visit the iconic **Santa Maria delle Grazie** to see **The Last Supper** (pre-booked). 
Afternoon: Enjoy a final Italian lunch in the **Brera** district before departure. 
Evening: Depart from Milan Malpensa Airport, ending an unforgettable journey. 
Time and Cost Estimates
- Zurich Old Town – 2 hrs – $0 (free)
- Swiss National Museum – 2 hrs – $15
- Lake Zurich – 1 hr – $0
- Bahnhofstrasse – 1.5 hrs – $0
- Interlaken (Höheweg) – 1.5 hrs – $0
- Harder Kulm – 3 hrs – $25 (cable car)
- Jungfraujoch – 5 hrs – $150 (railway)
- Matterhorn View – 2 hrs – $0
- Gornergrat Railway – 3 hrs – $40
- Glacier Express – 8 hrs – $180
- St. Moritz – 4 hrs – $0
- Corviglia Ski – 4 hrs – $70 (lift)
- Bernina Express – 5 hrs – $130
- San Rocco Church – 1 hr – $0
- Duomo di Milano – 2 hrs – $15
- Galleria Vittorio – 1 hr – $0
- Sagrada Familia – 2 hrs – $30
- Park Güell – 2 hr – $12
- Royal Palace – 2 hr – $12
- Prado Museum – 3 hr – $20
- Rialto Bridge – 1 hr – $0
- Gondola ride – 1 hr – $80
- St. Mark's Basilica – 2 hr – $15
- Doge’s Palace – 2 hr – $30
- Murano & Burano – 4 hr – $50 (boat)
- Sforza Castle – 2 hr – $15
- Last Supper – 1 hr – $45 (ticket)
- Misc. Meals, Transport, and Extras – 30 hr – $600
- Total Estimated Cost: $1,562
Tips
To extend your trip, consider adding a day in Zurich to explore the nearby Rhine Falls or a day in Barcelona for a day trip to Montserrat. If you need to shorten the itinerary, consider skipping the Bernina Express and flying directly from Milan to Madrid, or condensing the Venice stay to two days by focusing on the main highlights only. Adjusting the number of leisure meals and opting for public transport passes can also help control the budget.