22-Day Europe Itinerary 2026: Italy, Swiss Alps, France & Spain

Question

Accepted Answer

This 22-day itinerary for September 2026 is an ambitious, high-speed journey covering some of Europe's most iconic landscapes. September is the "sweet spot" for this route, offering mild weather in the Alps and pleasant temperatures for Mediterranean sightseeing.

### **Part 1: Italy Highlights (10 Days)**
*Route: Milan – Lake Como – Dolomites – Venice – Pisa – Rome – Amalfi Coast*

10 days for these seven locations is a rapid pace. To make this work, use Italy's **Frecciarossa (High-Speed)** trains for city hops and a rental car or private driver for the Dolomites and Amalfi segments.

*   **Day 1-2: Milan & Lake Como.** Arrive in Milan. Spend Day 1 at the Duomo and Galleria. On Day 2, take a 1-hour train to Varenna or Bellagio (Lake Como) for a day trip.
*   **Day 3-4: The Dolomites.** Drive 3.5 hours north to Bolzano or Cortina d'Ampezzo. Experience the jagged peaks and alpine lakes (Lago di Braies).
*   **Day 5: Venice.** Drive or train to Venice (3 hours). Spend the afternoon on a gondola and the evening in St. Mark’s Square.
*   **Day 6: Pisa & Florence Stopover.** Take an early train toward Rome, stopping in Pisa (2 hours for the Leaning Tower) and quickly passing through Florence.
*   **Day 7-8: Rome.** High-speed train to Rome (1.5 hours from Florence). Spend two full days at the Colosseum, Vatican, and Pantheon.
*   **Day 9-10: Amalfi Coast.** Train from Rome to Salerno (2 hours), then a ferry to Positano or Amalfi. Relax by the coast before heading toward your next country.

### **Part 2: Switzerland (4 Days)**
*Route: St. Moritz – Zermatt – Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen*

*   **Day 11: St. Moritz.** Transition from Italy (Fly Naples to Zurich or train from Milan via Tirano). Stay in St. Moritz, the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism.
*   **Day 12: Glacier Express to Zermatt.** A 7.5-hour journey on the "World's Slowest Express." It is a destination in itself, crossing 291 bridges.
*   **Day 13: Zermatt.** Visit the Gornergrat for the best

Rome Travel Questions & Answers

22-Day Europe Itinerary 2026: Italy, Swiss Alps, France & Spain

Have a question about Rome?

More Rome Resources