A Dream Come True: Italy and Switzerland Adventure
Traveling to Italy has always been a dream of mine, and after years of planning, it was finally coming to life! Originally, the trip was all about exploring Italy. But after stumbling upon breathtaking pictures of the Alps, I couldn’t resist squeezing Switzerland into the itinerary. So, Venice got swapped out, and the adventure expanded.
Timing was dictated by practicality—summer was our only option since my son’s two-week school holiday fell in June and July. Back in the day, I didn’t mind pulling him out of school for trips, but now that he’s in the middle years program, holidays are strictly scheduled during school breaks.
Italy in Summer: A Love-Hate Relationship
Summer in Italy? Let’s just say it’s not the most forgiving season—especially during a heatwave. And my luck? The Sahara decided to send its warmest regards to Europe during our visit. Temperatures in Northern Italy soared to 39°C! The heatwave was followed by storms and rain the next week, just as we arrived in the Swiss mountains. Talk about timing, right?
The Tuscany Curveball
As if the weather wasn’t challenging enough, a last-minute work emergency for my husband meant we had to scrap our original Tuscany plans, which included exploring in a rental car. With no driver’s license of my own, Plan B had to be put into action. Thankfully, I always have a backup plan! Our Airbnb in Panzano was carefully chosen for its accessibility by bus, and I had already noted the availability of a local taxi service for emergencies. It wasn’t ideal, but we made it work.
Would I have done things differently knowing what I know now? Maybe. Staying in Florence and joining a day tour would’ve been easier. But the charm of staying in a quaint Tuscan village was irresistible, and the Airbnb was too lovely to pass up. So, we rolled with it—and it turned out to be a memorable experience.
Our Whirlwind Itinerary
Here’s how our journey unfolded:
- Day 0: Departed Jakarta on Thai Airways, with a quick stop in Bangkok, en route to Rome.
- Day 1-3: Arrived in Rome early morning and spent three days exploring iconic landmarks like the Vatican, Castel Sant’Angelo, and Campo de’ Fiori. Stayed in a charming Airbnb.
- Day 4: Took the high-speed train to Florence and then a bus to Panzano Chianti.
- Day 5: Explored San Gimignano and Siena via Chianti Taxi—a deviation from our original car rental plan.
- Day 6: Picked up my husband in Florence, rented the car, and visited The Mall.
- Day 7: Hit the road to explore Gaiole, Pisa, and La Spezia, before taking a train to Cinque Terre. Stayed in a cozy apartment in Manarola for two nights.
- Day 8: Spent the day soaking in the beauty of Cinque Terre.
- Day 9: Took a regional train to Milan for an overnight stay, catching up with an old friend.
- Day 10: Boarded the EuroCity train to Spiez, had lunch there, and continued to our Airbnb in Grindelwald.
- Day 11-13: Explored the stunning Swiss Alps with day trips to Lauterbrunnen, Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch, Thun, and Spiez.
- Day 14: Checked out of Grindelwald, traveled to Lucerne, and spent the night at Hotel in Lucerne.
- Day 15: Wrapped up our trip with a train ride to Zurich Airport and flew home.
