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

• 18 Days in Western Europe, incl. London and Barcelona

  The grand circuit winds through three countries, from Paris's Eiffel Tower to Rome's Imperial Forums. The route takes you through Swiss Alps, Lake Zurich's waters, and UNESCO-listed Bellinzona castles. A mountain lunch at Grindelwald and stays at selected hotels like Harrys Home Schweiz are included.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    London

    Start with three full days in London. Take your first evening to get settled and join an orientation walk. Your second day features a guided tour of Westminster, Parliament, and the City. A previous traveler suggests, "Get to Westminster early - around 8:30 AM to beat the crowds at Big Ben." You can visit Windsor Castle in the afternoon if you like. Use your free day to check out the Tower of London or explore Borough Market.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Paris

    Travel to Paris by ferry and through Amiens (6 hours total). Visit Versailles in the morning of day 5, then spend time in artistic Montmartre. Book your Eiffel Tower tickets for your second day in Paris to avoid long afternoon lines. A Seine River cruise gives you great views of Notre-Dame. You can join optional evening activities in the Latin Quarter.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Lyon to Zurich

    Drive through Burgundy wine country with a stop in medieval Beaune. Take the funicular up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière in Lyon for city views. The next day, pass through Geneva to see the UN headquarters and the water jet. Continue to Zurich through the Three Lakes region.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Switzerland

    See Zurich's financial district and take a boat trip to Rapperswil on Lake Zurich. A recent visitor notes: "The medieval castle views in Rapperswil are incredible - bring a light jacket for the boat ride even in summer." The next day includes Grindelwald's mountain scenery and Lucerne's Chapel Bridge.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Italy

    Travel through Italian Switzerland to Milan, stopping at Lake Como. Visit the Leaning Tower in Pisa via tourist train. In Rome, see the Colosseum, Vatican City, and Trastevere neighborhood. A traveler advises: "Book Vatican Museum tickets in advance and arrive by 8 AM to avoid massive queues."

    
  • Days 14-15

    Madrid

    Fly from Rome to Madrid. Visit Retiro Park and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Evening trips to local neighborhoods let you experience Spanish nightlife. One visitor notes: "The evening food scene around Plaza Mayor comes alive after 9 PM - wait until then for the most authentic experience."

    
  • Days 16-18

    Barcelona

    Stop in Zaragoza to see the Cathedral-Basilica, then visit Poblet Monastery. Take a city tour in Barcelona focusing on Gaudí's buildings. End your trip with dinner at the Maremagnum complex by the water. A local recommends: "Book Sagrada Familia tickets at least a week ahead and choose morning slots for the best light through the stained glass."

    

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• 18 Days in Western Europe, incl. Madrid and Rome

  The route stretches from Paris's Eiffel Tower to Rome's Vatican City, passing Geneva's Jet d'Eau and Milan's Duomo. Mont Blanc tunnel leads to Italy's treasures, Venice's canals, and Florence's Renaissance art. Guided city tours and mountain passages included.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Madrid, Spain

    Kick off your trip in Spain's dynamic capital. Check into your hotel and spend the evening at Plaza Mayor soaking in the atmosphere over tapas. The next day take a guided tour of Madrid's main sites including Retiro Park and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. "Get to Retiro Park early morning before the crowds - it's much more peaceful and the light is perfect for photos."

    
  • Days 3-4

    San Sebastián to Paris

    Head north to the Basque Country stopping in San Sebastián for lunch and a walk on the beach. Stay overnight in Bordeaux. The next day visit the stunning Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley on your way to Paris. Plan about 6 hours for the drive from Bordeaux to Paris with breaks.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Paris Exploration

    Start at Versailles Palace at 9 AM to avoid tour buses then explore the artistic streets of Montmartre. Take the funicular to Sacré-Cœur for city views. Day 6 includes the Eiffel Tower and a Seine River cruise. Book afternoon Tower slots to skip morning crowds and bring a light jacket for the evening cruise even in summer.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Lyon to Milan

    Travel through Burgundy wine country with a stop in medieval Beaune. In Lyon take the funicular to Notre-Dame de Fourvière for stunning views. Next day go through Switzerland via Geneva to see the Jet d'Eau fountain. Cross the Alps through Mont Blanc tunnel into Italy and end your day with an evening walk around Milan's Duomo.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Venice to Florence

    Take a morning train to Venice and arrive at St. Mark's Square by boat. "Pack light for Venice - you'll need to carry bags over multiple bridges," one traveler notes. The next day drive to Florence and start at Piazzale Michelangelo for city views before a walking tour of the historic center.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Rome and Vatican City

    Stop in Siena to see the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and visit Assisi's Basilica on your way to Rome. Spend three days exploring the city including the Colosseum Vatican Museums and Trastevere neighborhood. Book the Vatican Museums for early afternoon when morning crowds thin out.

    
  • Days 14-15

    Southern Italy Exploration

    Travel east to see the San Giovanni in Venere Abbey on the Adriatic coast. Stop for lunch in Termoli before reaching Bari. Next day explore Lecce's baroque architecture and Gallipoli's historic center. Be sure to carry water since southern Italian summers get very hot.

    
  • Days 16-18

    Alberobello to Rome

    See Alberobello's distinctive trulli houses and Matera's ancient cave homes. Head to Naples and take a ferry to Capri. Sit on the left side during the 45-minute crossing for the best views. End with a guided tour of Pompeii before returning to Rome. "The Pompeii tour is extensive - wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat there's little shade among the ruins."

    

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• 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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