3-Week France, Italy and Switzerland Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week France, Italy And Switzerland tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineFrance, Italy and Switzerland travel expert at TourRadar

• 17 Days in Western Europe, incl. London and Rome

  

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  • Days 1-3

    London

    Start your trip in London. Visit St. Paul's Cathedral and take a Thames River cruise on your first afternoon to help with jet lag. On day two, get to the Tower of London by 9 AM to beat the crowds, then watch the Changing of the Guard at 11 AM. Spend day three exploring Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath on a full-day excursion.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Paris

    Take a morning Eurostar to Paris (2h15m). Your first afternoon is perfect for exploring Montmartre and getting a feel for the city. The next day, visit the Eiffel Tower at 9 AM to avoid crowds and take a Seine cruise. Use a full day for either Versailles or Disneyland Paris, both about 40-45 minutes away by RER train.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Lucerne

    The 4-hour train ride brings you to Switzerland. Stay near Chapel Bridge for convenience. Plan a trip on the Jungfraujoch railway but check the weather first. A recent visitor shared: "The cogwheel train feels nearly vertical at points - sit on the right side up and left side down for best views."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Milan & Lake Como

    After 4 hours on the train from Lucerne, spend your first afternoon seeing The Last Supper and the Duomo's roof terraces. Book The Last Supper months in advance. Take a full day trip to Lake Como, starting with the morning ferry from Bellagio.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Venice

    It's 2.5 hours by train from Milan. Schedule your gondola ride for early evening when the crowds thin out. According to one traveler: "The best cicchetti bars are in Cannaregio - follow locals during aperitivo hour around 6 PM."

    
  • Days 13-14

    Florence

    Take the 2-hour high-speed train from Venice. Start at the Uffizi Gallery at 8:15 AM, then visit Brunelleschi's dome before it gets busy. Use your second day to visit San Gimignano and Siena in Tuscany.

    
  • Days 15-17

    Rome

    The final stop is 1.5 hours from Florence by train. Visit the Colosseum at 3 PM when morning crowds have cleared. Finish your trip with an evening food tour in Trastevere to experience real Roman dining.

    

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• 18 Day Western Europe Itinerary, incl. Amsterdam and Paris

  Three countries unfold over multiple days, featuring Lake Lucerne, Venice's canals, and Paris landmarks. Carefully selected hotels including NH Mannheim Viernheim and LH Sirio Venice offer 3.8/5-rated accommodation.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Netherlands & Germany

    Start in Amsterdam. Take a morning canal cruise (€38) before the crowds hit. "Get to the canal district before 9am to avoid tour boat congestion," recommends a previous traveler. On Day 2, drive to Cologne (3.5 hours) to see the Gothic Cathedral. Visit between 1-3pm when sunlight streams through the stained glass. Take an afternoon Rhine cruise to see medieval castles.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Switzerland

    Drive through Alsace to Colmar (4 hours). "The Petite Venice area gets packed after 11am - go early or late afternoon." Continue to Lucerne for two nights. "The Chapel Bridge is magical at sunrise before tour groups arrive. Bring good walking shoes - the cobblestones around the Old Town are uneven."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Venice

    Travel via Innsbruck to Venice (6-7 hours). Stay in Mestre to save yourself the hassle of carrying luggage over bridges. "Book the optional gondola ride for 6pm - better lighting for photos and shorter queues than peak afternoon times." Spend Day 6 at St. Mark's Square and watch a glassblowing demonstration. Water buses cost €7.50 per ride.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Rome

    Drive through Tuscany to Rome (6 hours). Start with an evening walk around the historic center. Day 8 is for Vatican City. "Book 8am entry tickets to beat the crowds. The Sistine Chapel is least crowded before 9:30am."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Bay of Naples

    Head to Campania (3 hours). Use Sorrento as your base. "Take the local Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii rather than driving - it's faster and drops you right at the entrance." Take an optional drive along the scenic Amalfi Coast.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Florence

    Travel north to Florence (4.5 hours). Take a walking tour of the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. "The best city views are from Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset - bring a bottle of wine and snacks to join the locals."

    
  • Days 13-14

    French Riviera

    Stop in Pisa on your way to Nice (6 hours). "Skip the touristy restaurants on the Promenade - head to the Old Town's Cours Saleya market area for better authentic options." Spend Day 14 in Monaco.

    
  • Days 15-18

    France

    Go through Avignon to Beaune (5 hours) in Burgundy wine country. Continue to Versailles and Paris. "Book the Eiffel Tower for the first evening slot after sunset around 9:30pm - shorter lines and spectacular city lights."

    

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• 19 Days in Western Europe, incl. London and Paris

  This grand route connects France, Italy, and Switzerland, showcasing Venice's canals, Florence's Renaissance center, and Swiss Alps vistas. Local experts guide you through Lucerne's Chapel Bridge, Pisa's Leaning Tower, and Paris' landmarks.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    London

    Two full days to discover London from your base at Novotel London West. It's just a 5-minute walk to East Acton station on the Central Line. A previous traveler noted: "Getting to major sites early is key. We arrived at Westminster Abbey by 8:30 AM and avoided the massive tour groups."

    
  • Day 3

    London to Amsterdam

    Take the morning Eurostar to Brussels (2.5 hours) followed by a coach ride to Amsterdam (3 hours). Want the best views? Pick a window seat on the right side to see the English countryside roll by.

    
  • Day 4

    Amsterdam & Rhine Valley

    Start with an early canal cruise. "The 9 AM boat tour gave us the most peaceful views of the historic houses along the canals," one traveler shared. In the afternoon, drive 4 hours to Germany's Rhine Valley for an overnight stay in Wiesbaden.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Swiss Alps

    A 5-hour journey through the Black Forest brings you to Lucerne. Visit the Chapel Bridge area before 9 AM to avoid crowds. One visitor noted: "The early morning mist over Lake Lucerne makes for incredible photos, but bring layers as mountain mornings are chilly even in summer."

    
  • Days 7-8

    Venice

    Travel through the Alps via St. Gotthard Pass with a quick stop in Verona. A traveler suggested: "Take the evening vaporetto to San Marco when day-trippers have left. The square is magical at dusk." Remember to sit on the right side of the coach for the best Alpine views.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Rome

    Travel south through Umbria with a stop in medieval Assisi. For Rome, a traveler recommended: "Book your Colosseum visit for the 8:30 AM slot. We walked right in while later groups waited hours. And wear proper walking shoes. Those ancient cobblestones are slippery."

    
  • Days 11-12

    Sorrento & Capri

    Visit Pompeii on your way to Sorrento. Pack a water bottle and sun hat since the ruins offer little shade. For Capri, one reviewer shared: "The 8:20 AM boat had the best views of the coastline with morning light."

  • Days 13-14

    Florence & French Riviera

    See Florence's Renaissance center before continuing to Pisa and the Riviera. "The Florentine crowds thin out after 4 PM. Perfect for enjoying Ponte Vecchio without the crush," a traveler noted.

  • Days 15-16

    Through France

    Journey via Orange to Grenoble and through Burgundy wine country to Paris. A visitor suggested: "Ask for a lunch stop in Beaune. The historic center is perfect for trying local specialties."

  • Days 17-19

    Paris & Return

    Spend two days in Paris before taking the Eurostar back to London. A smart tip from a traveler: "Book evening Seine cruises. The 9 PM sailing hits perfect timing for the Eiffel Tower light show."

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