Travel Tips
Italy France & Switzerland: Italy, France and Switzerland are the classic must-visits for Central Europe, each with its own unique culture, scenery and architecture. This 12 days itinerary is designed to give you a good balance of sights, sounds and experiences.
Italy-a European country with a long Mediterranean coastline, has left a powerful mark on Western culture and cuisine. Its capital, Rome, is home to the Vatican as well as landmark art and ancient ruins. Other major cities include Florence, with Renaissance masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s "David" and Brunelleschi's Duomo; Venice, the city of canals; and Milan, Italy’s fashion capital.
France-in Western Europe, encompasses medieval cities, alpine villages and Mediterranean beaches. Paris, its capital, is famed for its fashion houses, classical art museums including the Louvre and monuments like the Eiffel Tower. The country is also renowned for its wines and sophisticated cuisine. Lascaux’s ancient cave drawings, Lyon’s Roman theater and the vast Palace of Versailles attest to its rich history.
Switzerland-is a mountainous Central European country, home to numerous lakes, villages and the high peaks of the Alps. Its cities contain medieval quarters, with landmarks like capital Bern’s Zytglogge clock tower and Lucerne’s wooden chapel bridge. The country is also known for its ski resorts and hiking trails. Banking and finance are key industries, and Swiss watches and chocolate are world renowned.
Trip Planning: The planning stage of your trip can be instrumental in its success and an enjoyable part of the experience itself. You have a world of options...and plenty to consider.
Entry and Exit formalities: Visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months & beyond at the time of entering the Schengen countries. Some nationalities can obtain visa on arrival and for nationalities who requires visa please refer to the respective consulate or through their respective website. When traveling to multiple Schengen countries it is best to apply in the country of the first entry or the country you will stay the most. Italy France & Switzerland are part of the 26 Schengen State Countries.
Transportation: Figuring out how to get around is one of your biggest pre-trip decisions. Get our holiday expert best advice on deciding between your options. Based on your trip itinerary, our experts will help you choose wisely. You'll also find a wealth of practical travel tips.
Money: Use your money wisely. Know the best time to use cash or card — and how to avoid unnecessary fees either way — as well as tipping etiquette, and how shoppers can take advantage of VAT refunds.
Phones and Technology: Phones and other smart devices can be huge time-savers...or expensive distractions. Get our tips for making the best use of technology during your trip, and for calling home with or without your own phone.
Packing Light: On your trip you'll meet two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had.
Sleeping and Eating: Your hotel and restaurant choices can be a matter-of-face chore…or they can provide rich opportunities to connect with locals and their culture.
Health & Hygiene: Take comfort: Doctors, hospitals, launderettes, and bathrooms aren’t that different. Dealing with them can even be part of the fun of travel.
Sightseeing & Activities: Once you're on the ground, the real fun begins…but it pays to have a thoughtful plan. Our experts will help you get oriented to your surroundings, use your sightseeing hours wisely, and find your way off the beaten path.
Things do & see:
ITALY
Calcio Storico-54 footballers dressed in ancient costumes give themselves up to the game to glorify their historic district.
Gelaterias-Don't jump to say you dislike ice-cream until you've been to Roman gelateria—these recipes have lived through centuries
A Walk around Mount Etna-For over half a million years mount Etna has been in a state of continuous eruption
Zucchini Blossom-Fried zucchini blossoms, stuffed with cheese, is a masterpiece of the Italian cuisine.
Roman Pasta-Don't hesitate to try Rome's world-famous pasta. Bucatini all’amatriciana, spaghetti alla carbonara, tagliatelle cacio e pepe—these are a must!
Bougainvillea Bloom-Rome's streets become even more romantic when houses are covered by vibrant bougainvillea in bloom
Vespa Scooter Tours-Ever dream of riding like the wind with an Italian beau or belle? The teenage dream can come true!
Napoli Pizza Village-The festival of the most known Italian dish
Game of the Bridge (Gioco del Ponte)-This most spectacular tradition in Pisa celebrates the great medieval history
Trulli of Alberobello-One of Italy's best-kept tourist secrets
Beach Season on the Amalfi Coast-Visit beautiful Amalfi Coast for some awesome swimming.Turquoise water and plenty of shade make Tuscan beaches a dream summer getaway
Sunflower Fields-These large yellow flowers will please your eye throughout the summer
Panzanella-This is the summer taste of rural Tuscany.
La Sciuta di San Sebastiano-The celebration of San Sebastiano in Sicily can easily top every patron saint festival in the whole Italy
Easter Explosion of the Cart-Easter in Florence is memorable for splendid fireworks display
Carnevale Venezia-A party that simply can't be missed
Fiera del Cacio-The cheese fair held in the birthplace of pecorino itself offers the best selection of world-famous Tuscan cheese
Palio di Siena-A picturesque horse race in the heart of historical Siena
Sea Urchins-Sea urchins, also known as sea hedgehogs, are a cool weather delicacy
Skiing & Snowboarding-A lovely small ski resort close to Florence—Abetone
Birdwatching-Numerous birds choose Tuscany as their temporary winter home
Palio della Balestra-This medieval crossbow competition is a real celebration of the Renaissance era
Bravio delle Botti-A fun wine barrel race in a picturesque old town of Montepulciano
Giostra del Saracino (Joust of the Saracen)-Feel the medieval spirit during this ancient knight competition held twice a year in the city of Arezzo
Olive Harvest-Live the life of a Tuscan farmer participating in traditional harvest activities
FRANCE
Paris – Paris has everything – the Louvre, impressionist museums, the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, parks, clubs, culture, and great food. This list goes on and on. Paris is especially good for people who love art and food as the city has a long rich history with both. It’s as magical as people say and, while it would take a lifetime to really see it all, four or five days gives you a good idea. This is one of my favorite cities in the world, and I always find something new when I am here. Take your time, drink some wine, and enjoy the city of lights.
The D-Day beaches, Normandy – Learn about the WWII Allied forces D-Day landings along the beaches of northern France. There are memorials and museums detailing the history of the event. You can still see some of the old bunkers and fortifications.
The Palace of Versailles – Located very close to Paris, the old palace of the French kings was built by Louis XIV. This palace was constructed during the height of French power and seeks to show off the monarch’s tremendous wealth. It’s as awe-inspiring today as it was back then. It was used by the French Kings until the French Revolution in 1789.
Explore the Loire Valley – The Loire is lovely and picturesque, with tons of vineyards and chateaus. You will find some of the best wine in the world, beautiful small towns, and great food. It’s an area not to be missed (though often missed by solo travelers and backpackers. Tsk tsk.)
Drink wine in Bordeaux – Some of the best wine in the world is made here. It’s an expensive destination and not for someone on a tight budget, but it’s beautiful and worth all the Euros you will spend! Bordeaux has one of the longest shopping streets in Europe, amazing seafood (eat at Le Petit Commerce), seaside access, and of course, wine. It’s a magnificent place to diverge from your backpacking mentality. Next to Paris, it’s my favorite place in France.
Hang out in Nice – They say Nice is nice, but you’ll have to find out exactly how nice it is on your own. This seaside town in the south is a popular destination for budget travelers who want to soak up some sun in Southern France but might not be able to afford Cannes or Monaco. The beach here isn’t that great, but the central location makes it easy to explore the rest of the coast (and its better beaches).
Explore history in Lyon – The area around Lyon has wonderful castles and small villages. It’s great for those looking to explore the French countryside. If you want a look at medieval France, this is where you should go. The whole place is a UNESCO World Heritage site and truly feels like you have stepped back into the past.
Go to Marseille – It’s one of France’s largest cities – the second behind Paris. It is a metropolitan city that also has a rich history. Marseille is filled with nightlife, great restaurants, theaters, museums, and even an international soccer stadium. Many say that Marseille is not the kind of city you will fall in love with as it is too industrial, but, while the city is a bit gritty, it’s worth a visit for its beautiful waterfront.
Hob nob with the rich in Monaco – This tiny kingdom is home to tiny streets, beautiful buildings, a world famous casino, and gigantic modern yachts. Hang out with society’s well-heeled, those who flock to the Cote D’Azur from other parts of France during the summer.
Visit St. Tropez – If life in Marseilles is too mundane for you, catch a boat out to St. Tropez where you can relax in beautiful hillside towns, swim in azure blue water, and bump shoulders with the rich and famous.
See Alsace – This northeast region of France is a beautiful place to visit. Colmar is an old town and the main attraction. Some of the buildings date back to the 1300s. It’s as picturesque a French town as one could ever one!
Wander through Parc de la Villette – This park is host to a science museum and some other odd attractions. There is a large collection of architectural follies, theme gardens, and open space for activity and exploration. It was designed for children as well as adults and is a neat place to check out.
Return to the trenches – France was ground zero during the First World War, and there are still many indicators of the damage caused during those years around the country. For example, two important battles took place at Vimy Ridge (which marked a huge success for Canadian forces) and Verdun. Both sites have set up excellent tourist centers and visiting facilities. It’s a moving and educational experience.
Explore Roman ruins – France has some of the best Roman ruins outside of Italy. Orange, Nimes, and Arles all have beautiful Roman theaters, and Nimes also contains a well-preserved temple (I loved Nimes a lot). It’s certainly a surprise to see so many indicators of Roman rule in the south of France, and these sites are definitely worth a visit.
Visit the Medieval town of Carcassonne – Carcassonne is a medieval walled city. Legend has it that the town survived a siege when one of the townswomen had the bright idea of feeding the remaining food to a pig. Once they fattened it up, they threw it over the fortifications so that it appeared that they were so well-fed that they were being wasteful and gluttonous. The attacking troops gave up and went home. That’s probably not true but, no matter, this town still retains a lot of medieval character and offers plenty of interesting shops and alleys to explore.
Go skiing – The French Alps offer some of the best ski slopes in Europe. If you’re in Europe in the winter months and at a loss for what to do, consider getting a group together and renting a ski chalet, or staying at one of the slope-side hotels or hostels. Bring plenty of beer and wine to warm you up after a long day on the hills! Note that skiing in France is not that cheap!
SWITZERLAND
Ski the Matterhorn — Switzerland offers the best skiing in the world, and the Matterhorn is the epitome of it all. You’ll have to take a train or bus into the area as cars aren’t allowed. Not only do you need to ski here, but you can come to admire what’s truly a pollutant-free area. And, if you miss ski season, come hike the mountain in the summer. It’s not easy but the views of the surrounding countryside are some of the best I’ve seen in Switzerland.
Join in the Fasnacht Spring Carnival in Basel — This three-day festival is a three day long party that welcomes in the warm weather. Nothing in the town shuts down. It’s something that’s highly anticipated by both tourists and locals. Everyone here is in a good move!
Explore Geneva — As the third largest city in Switzerland, Geneva offers spectacular views of the city’s lake (Lake Geneva), a plethora of museums, the world’s largest fountain, the UN, a historic city center, and a collection of international restaurants to satisfy anyone’s palate (thanks to the UN buildings in town).
Visit the capital, Bern — The capital of Switzerland, Bern has an amazing historic town center that you’ll want to walk around all day long (though it only takes a few hours). It’s filled with ancient clocktowers, cobblestone streets, churches, and buildings. Be sure to walk the river way (and surrounding park), relax with a good book, visit the history museum, and check out the local bear!
Hike Mt. Pilatus — Located right outside the city of Lucerne, this beautiful mountain has breathtaking views of the alps. From the city, you can take a cable car to the top or (better yet) hike its trails to the top to look out over the Swiss Alps.
Picnic at the Rhine Falls — Pack a picnic lunch and look out at your view of Europe’s largest waterfall. Nearby in the town of Schaffhausen, you’ll find a medieval castle which also houses a hostel for cheap but interesting accommodations.
Explore St. Gallen — The seventh largest city in Switzerland, St. Gallen boasts beautiful museums, colorful murals, and one-of-a-kind architecture.
Be adventurous in Interlaken — Interlaken is one of the outdoor capitals of the country (though it’s quite touristy during peak season). There is a lot to do here for the adrenaline-seeker: skydiving over the Swiss glacier, water-skiing, skiing, hiking, etc. This is also ground zero for backpackers since there’s so many free outdoor activities.
Visit the Old Villages — Visit the Graubunden area of the country, where you’ll find villages with houses dating back to the 13th century. Here they also speak an ancient language called Romanch, which has died out everywhere else in the country and take great pride in keeping the tradition alive.
Visit the Swiss Riviera — The “Swiss Riviera” is situated in Lavaux (Cantan of Vaud) and goes along Lake Geneva. You can visit vineyards that overlook the lake, the castle Château de Chillon, and the town of Montreux, which is famous for its annual jazz festival. It’s where you can hob knob with the well heeled jet set of the region!
Have a romantic time in Montreux — With a picturesque castle (Chateau de Chillo) lying at the edge of a lake, this area makes for a pretty romantic destination. Tour the castle, which dates all the way back to the 11th century and inspired the likes of Lord Byron, Mary Shelley, and more. The town was also the home of Freddie Mercury and there is a statue here in his honor.
Discover rural culture in Appenzell — This small village of 7,000 lies in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. There are no cars and the village has upheld much of its local traditions and culture. Its location near the foot of the Alpstein mountains makes it a great gateway for participating in summer and winter outdoor activities.
Visit Lucerne — You can’t get much more of a typical Swiss destination than Lucerne. Located on the beautiful Lucerne Lake, the city offers a wonderful combination of urban life and nature.
Visit Zurich — With a hopping nightlife, filled with endless bars and restaurants, this cosmopolitan city is bustling with activity. Zurich (spelled Zürich) is also set on a beautiful lake, near the mountains, and is close to a lot of other cities. It’s a very international city and you’ll find expats and students from all around the world living and working here. I love the historic center that opens up on the lake, sitting in the parks, and drinking a beer on the lakefront. The city is also very arty and full of street art and exhibitions.
