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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• 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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• 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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