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ULTIMATE EUROPEAN TRIP

Austria, Italy, Switzerland

17 days, 16 nights

Seasons

HIGH SEASON - heavily populated, pricey accommodations

  • AUSTRIA - Jun, July, Aug

  • ITALY - May, June, July, Aug, Sept

  • SWITZERLAND - July, Aug

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SHOULDER SEASON - moderately populated, decent rates

  • AUSTRIA - April, May, Sept, Oct

  • ITALY - March, April, Oct

  • SWITZERLAND - April, May, June, Sept, Oct

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LOW SEASON - slightly less people, more affordable rates

  • AUSTRIA - Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, March 

  • ITALY - Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

  • SWITZERLAND - Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, March

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See related blog posts for detailed season/weather information

When did we go?

JULY - the weather was beautiful in all countries. We did experience a hail storm in the mountains of Italy, and very cold weather in the Swiss Alps. Warm, perfect weather in both southern Italy and Zurich, Switzerland. Bring clothes for all climates.

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Budget $$$-$$$$$

Each country in Europe is drastically different in terms of affordability. Austria and Italy were costly, but can be easily affordable with the right accommodations (Airbnb) and choosing less pricey restaurants (all the food is amazing). Switzerland is EXPENSIVE. Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world. You will pay top dollar for just about anything you purchase (including water when you are dining). However, the Swiss Alps are breathtaking, and worth every penny to experience it in person.

*** The Austria portion of this European Trip Itinerary was designed around an Ironman Triathlon race that my husband participated in, in Klagenfurt, Austria. Please refer to Austria-related blog posts for must-see/do, food, and recommendations for visiting Klagenfurt, Austria.

Currency

AUSTRIA - EUR (Euro)

ITALY - EUR (Euro)

SWITZERLAND - CHF (Swiss Franc)

Most credit cards accepted in all countries

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Languages Spoken

AUSTRIA - German (very little English)

ITALY - Italian, French, German, and some English

SWITZERLAND - German, French, Italian, Romansh, and some English

Be sure to check out this guide for detailed information on airlines, accommodations, food, things to do, and more!

Euro Trip Itinerary

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Sunset over the Mountains

DAY 1

Flying Day​

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  • Overnight flight from Orlando to Gatwick, London via Norwegian Air

    • Duration - 8h, 15m

    • Layover - 6 hours​

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DAY 2

Flying + Arrive in Klagenfurt

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  • Fly from Gatwick, London to Vienna, Austria via Easy Jet

    • Duration - 2h, 15m​

    • Layover - 2h

  • Fly from Vienna Austria to Klagenfurt, Austria via Austrian Airlines

    • Duration - 40m​

  • Check in to Seehotel Dr. Jilly 

  • Dinner at Restaurant Poseidon Klagenfurt

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DAY 3

 

Ironman Prep​

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  • Ironman preparation

  • Iron Girl 5k run

  • Dinner at Corso

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DAY 4

 

Ironman Race Day

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  • Volunteer to help during Ironman Race

  • Lunch/Dinner on site

  • WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

    • literally... the best chicken dinner!​

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DAY 5

Train to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

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  • Take cab from hotel to Klagenfurt train station

    • Duration - ​20m

    • Cost - 13 EUR ($15.50 USD)

  • Pre-book: Train + bus from Klagenfurt to Cortina d'Ampezzo via Omio.com (train transport website)

  • Train: Klagenfurt hbf  ​>>> Lienz In Osttirol 

    • 1h, 44m - get off and transfer​ to another train

  • Train: Lienz In Osttirol >>> Dobbiaco Stazione 

    • 1h, 4m - get off and transfer to bus

  • Bus: Dobbiaco Stazione >>> Cortina d'Ampezzo

    • 50m - arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo

  • Total Duration - ​3h, 38m (plus transfer time)

    • Total Cost - $50 USD per person

      • ($45 USD for trains + $5 USD for bus)

  • Arrive at Cortina d'Ampezzo bus station (city center)

  • Walk to Hotel Montana and check in 

  • Dinner at Pizzeria Porto Rotondo

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DAY 6

Hiking in the Dolomites

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  • Walk to bus station and take bus to Passo Tre Croci trailhead

    • Ask the station workers what bus to take

    • Duration - 15 minutes

    • Cost - $6 USD per person

  • Hike: Passo Tre Croci - Lago di Sorapis + Rifugio Vandelli (highly recommend)

  • Lunch at​ Rifugio Vandelli

  • Hike down (we got trapped in a hail storm, missed the bus, and had to hitch hike back!)​​

  • Dinner at Pizzeria Porto Rotondo

    • ....again because it was THAT good

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DAY 7

Hiking in the Dolomites

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  • Walk to bus station -  bus to Rif. Cinque Torri 

    • Duration​ - 22 minutes

    • Cost - $6 USD per person

  • Arrive at Rif. Cinque Torri - Pay entrance fee 

  • Take chair lift to top of plateau and hike/walk around the base of the mountains

  • Take bus back to Cortina d'Ampezzo

  • Lunch: take cab to El Brite de Larieto Farm Restaurant (highly recommend)

    • Duration - 10 minutes

    • Cost - $30 USD (cabs are not cheap here)

  • Take cab back to Cortina d'Ampezzo

  • Explore city, and grab gelato

  • Dinner at Dok Dall'Ava Prosciutterie 

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DAY 8

Train to Florence, Italy + Explore

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  • Bus: Cortina d'Ampezzo >>> Calalzo Pieve Cadore Cortina

    • 58m - TRANSFER

  • Train: Calalzo Pieve Cadore Cortina >>> Belluno

    • 50m - TRANSFER

  • Train: Belluno >>> Padova

    • 2h -  TRANSFER

  • Train: Padova >>> Florence Santa Maria Novella

    • 1h, 43m - Arrive in Florence

  • Total Duration - 5h, 30m (plus transfer time)​

    • Total Cost - $85 USD per person

  • Take cab from train station to Airbnb

  • Check in to Airbnb 

  • Explore city of Florence

  • Dinner at Osteria dell Agnolo

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DAY 9

Chianti Wine Tour - Tuscany, Italy

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  • Taste of Chianti Full Day Wine Tour via Trip Advisor

    • 3 wineries + wine sampling​

    • Includes gourmet 4 course lunch

    • Duration - 10 hours​

    • Cost - $180 per person

  • Dinner at La Giostra

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DAY 10

Train to Sorrento, Italy

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  • Explore Florence in the morning

  • Check out of Airbnb

  • Take cab to train station 

  • Train: Florence Santa Maria Novella >>> Napoli Centrale  

    • 2h, 58m - TRANSFER (walk to Girabaldi)

  • Train: Napoli P. Girabaldi >>> Sorrento

    • 1h, 6m - Arrive in Sorrento

  • Total Duration - 4h, 4m (plus transfer time)​

    • Total Cost - $97 USD per person

  • Take cab from Sorrento train station to Airbnb

  • Walk around and explore Sorrento

  • Dinner at Porta Marina Seafood

  • Drinks at Rooftop bar - The Bellavista Terrace at Grand Hotel La Favorita (highly recommend)

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DAY 11

Private Boat Rental + Capri

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  • Capri private boat rental - full day with Captain

    • walk down to Sorrento Marina to find boat rental locations​

  • Lunch - Buy sandwiches/drinks nearby and bring on boat

    • Duration - ​8 hours

    • Cost - $1,000 USD total for boat (up to 6 passengers)

  • Dinner at Restaurante Bagni Delfino

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DAY 12

Amalfi Coast Excursion

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  • Excursion: Day trip to Amalfi Coast via Trip Advisor (includes lunch)

    • Duration - 8 hours​ (including bus time)

    • Cost - $73 USD per person

    • Picks up from Sorrento City Center

  • Dinner at The Bellavista Terrace at Grand Hotel La Favorita (...again!)

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DAY 13

Fly to Switzerland + Train to Wengen

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  • Take cab to train station

  • Train: Sorrento >>> Napoli P. Girabaldi ​​

    • Duration - 1h, 6m​

    • Cost - $9 USD

  • Take shuttle from train station to Naples International Airport

    • Duration - 15 minutes​

    • Cost - $6 USD

  • Fly from Naples to Zurich, Switzerland via Easy Jet

    • Duration - 1h, 50m​

  • Train: Zurich Flughafen >>> Bern Bhf 

    • 1h, 12m - TRANSFER

  • Train: Bern Bhf >>> Interlaken Ost

    • 53m - TRANSFER

  • Train: Interlaken Ost >>> Lauterbrunnen

    • 20m - TRANSFER

  • Train: Lauterbrunnen >>> Wengen

    • 12m - Arrive in Wengen

  • Total Duration - 2h, 37m (plus transfer time)​

    • Total Cost - $62 USD

  • Walk from train station and check into Hotel Junfraublick (approx. 15 minutes)

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DAY 14

Hiking in Swiss Alps

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  • Hike: Panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg

    • 5.5 mile out and back trail​

    • easy/moderate trail

  • Lunch at base of mountain​

  • Explore downtown Wengen

  • Dinner at Pasta & More

  • I also highly recommend taking the "Top of Europe" Jungfrau train ride through the glaciers. We were unable to due to time, but I've heard it is amazing

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DAY 15

Hiking in Swiss Alps + Train to Zürich

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  • Hike: Kleine Scheidegg Loop Trail

    • 7.1 mile loop trail (moderate/hard)​

  • Lunch at food lodge ​on trail

  • Check out of Hotel Jungfraublick

  • Train: Wengen >>> Lauterbrunnen 

    • 12m - TRANSFER

  • Train: Lauterbrunnen >>> Interlaken Ost 

    • 20m - TRANSFER

  • Train: Interlaken Ost >>> Bern Bhf 

    • 53m - TRANSFER

  • Train: Bern Bhf >>> Zurich Flughafen

    • 1h, 12m

  • Total Duration - 2h, 37m (plus transfer time)​

    • Total Cost - $62 USD

  • Cab from Zurich train station to Airbnb

    • Duration - 28 minutes​

    • Cost - $35 USD

  • Dinner at Ban Sang Thai (don't judge us - we were craving Thai food!)

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DAY 16

Explore Zürich

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  • Breakfast at Joe & the Juice

  • Explore Zurich (check out BLOG: Top 10 things to do/see in Zurich)

  • Lunch at Zeughauskeller for an authenic sausage and beer

  • Walk around the city of Zurich

  • Stop by Sprungli (world famous chocolates)

  • Dinner at Le Dezaley for swiss Fondue

  • Grab wine at Hotel Hirschen Wine Tavern

  • Grab drinks and watch sunset over the city at   · · · Rooftop Restaurant and Bar​​

    • Yes, those are 3 dots!​

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DAY 17

Return back to USA - Flying Day

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  • Breakfast at Joe & the Juice

  • Explore Zurich in the morning

  • Take cab from Airbnb to Zurich Airport

    • Duration - 28 minutes​

    • Cost - $35 USD

  • Fly from Zurich, Switzerland to Dublin, Ireland via Aer Lingus

    • Duration - 2h, 40m​

    • Layover - 2h, 20m

  • Fly from Dublin, Ireland to Orlando, FL, USA via Aer Lingus

    • Duration - 9h, 15m (nonstop)​

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Be sure to check out these links below for detailed information on airlines, excursions, adventure, food, and more!

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