9-Day Italy Switzerland Family-Friendly Itinerary: Shopping and Skiing

  • Day 1: Milan
    Arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport

    Explore Italy's fashion capital with a visit to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world's oldest shopping malls, and a stroll through the Brera District, home to artisan shops and local boutiques. End the day with a traditional Italian dinner at Trattoria Toscana.

  • Day 2: Lake Como
    1 hour (35 miles) from Milan

    Take a scenic drive to Lake Como, known for its picturesque views, luxurious villas, and charming towns. Visit the elegant Villa Carlotta and the historic Basilica of Sant'Abbondio. End the day with some gelato at Gelateria Lariana.

  • Day 3: Verona
    2.5 hours (113 miles) from Lake Como

    Visit the romantic city of Verona, the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Explore the Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater, and the beautiful Giardino Giusti gardens. Enjoy some pasta at Osteria del Bugiardo.

  • Day 4-5: St. Moritz
    3 hours (134 miles) from Verona

    Hit the slopes at one of the world's most famous ski resorts, St. Moritz. Spend two days skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at Corviglia or explore the town's luxury shops and spas. Enjoy a meal at Chesa Veglia.

  • Day 6: Lucerne
    2.5 hours (106 miles) from St. Moritz

    Visit the picturesque city of Lucerne and its famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) and Water Tower. Take a boat tour on Lake Lucerne and enjoy views of Mount Pilatus. End the day with some fondue at Wirtshaus Galliker.

  • Day 7: Interlaken
    1.5 hours (55 miles) from Lucerne

    Discover the adventure capital of Switzerland, Interlaken, with thrilling activities such as paragliding or bungee jumping. Take a trip up to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, and enjoy stunning views of the Swiss Alps. Have lunch at Chäsi Restaurant.

  • Day 8: Zurich
    2 hours (68 miles) from Interlaken

    Visit Switzerland's largest city, Zurich, and take a stroll through the charming Old Town. Visit the Fraumünster Church and its famous Chagall windows and the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world's most expensive shopping streets. Enjoy Swiss cuisine at Swiss Chuchi Restaurant.

  • Day 9: Departure
    Zurich Airport: 30 minutes (10 miles) from Zurich

    Take a final stroll through the city before departing from Zurich Airport (ZRH).

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (2 hours, free)
  • Brera District (2 hours, free)
  • Trattoria Toscana (1.5 hours, €25-€40 per person)
  • Villa Carlotta (2 hours, €10-€13 per person)
  • Basilica of Sant'Abbondio (1 hour, free)
  • Gelateria Lariana (30 minutes, €3-€5 per person)
  • Arena di Verona (2 hours, €10-€15 per person)
  • Giardino Giusti (1.5 hours, €6 per person)
  • Osteria del Bugiardo (1.5 hours, €20-€35 per person)
  • Corviglia (full day, €65-€95 per person)
  • Chesa Veglia (1.5 hours, €30-€50 per person)
  • Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) (1 hour, free)
  • Lake Lucerne boat tour (2 hours, €20-€30 per person)
  • Mount Pilatus (full day, €70-€140 per person)
  • Wirtshaus Galliker (1.5 hours, €25-€40 per person)
  • Bungee jumping in Interlaken (1-2 hours, €170 per person)
  • Paragliding in Interlaken (2-3 hours, €170-€200 per person)
  • Jungfraujoch train ride (full day, €200 per person)
  • Chäsi Restaurant (1.5 hours, €25-€40 per person)
  • Fraumünster Church (1 hour, free)
  • Bahnhofstrasse (2 hours, free)
  • Swiss Chuchi Restaurant (1.5 hours, €25-€40 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €1059-€1743 per person

Transportation

To travel between cities, consider renting a car or taking a train. Driving allows for more flexibility and scenic views, but parking can be expensive. Train travel is comfortable and efficient, but may require multiple transfers. Estimated travel costs range from €50-€100 per person for a rental car or €30-€80 per person for a train ride. Travel times can range from 1-3 hours between cities.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking a day trip from Milan to the nearby cities of Bergamo or Pavia. In St. Moritz, take a horse-drawn carriage ride or visit the Olympic Ski Jump. In Zurich, visit the Swiss National Museum or take a boat tour on Lake Zurich. If you have less time, shorten the stay in Verona or skip Interlaken.

Airports

The main airports for this itinerary are Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Zurich Airport (ZRH). MXP is located 23 miles northwest of Milan and is the largest international airport in the Milan metropolitan area. ZRH is located 7 miles north of Zurich and is the largest airport in Switzerland. Both airports offer a variety of transportation options to the city center including trains, buses, and taxis.

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