From the foot of the Eiger to the domes of St. Mark’s, this 10-day Interlaken–North Italy itinerary blends Alpine drama with Old World elegance. You’ll stand at the “Top of Europe,” taste mountain cheeses, wander Duomo-spired boulevards, ferry across Lake Como, and glide through Venice’s labyrinth of canals.

Interlaken sits between two glacial lakes and has lured travelers since the 1800s for fresh mountain air, cog railways, and spine-tingling viewpoints. North Italy adds design-forward Milan and timeless Venice—cities that shaped fashion, opera, maritime trade, and, of course, extraordinary cuisine.

Plan to move by train—fast, scenic, and reliable. Reserve popular tours and restaurants in advance, especially for Jungfraujoch and Venice’s top sights. Pack layers (weather swings in the Alps), good walking shoes, and an appetite for both raclette and risotto.

Interlaken

Hemmed in by the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger, Interlaken is Switzerland’s adventure capital—paragliders trace the sky over Höhematte while lake steamers cut across turquoise Brienz and Thun. Victorian-era hotels nod to the town’s grand-tour past; today, hikers, foodies, and photographers share the trails and taverns.

• Top sights: Harder Kulm, Lauterbrunnen’s 72 waterfalls, Grindelwald First, Schynige Platte, Lake Brienz and Lake Thun cruises.
• Why go now: modern cableways (like the Eiger Express) bring big-mountain views within easy reach; year-round activities abound.
• Eat & drink: hearty Bernese rösti, fondue, raclette, and Swiss craft beers at lively alpine taverns.

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Interlaken or Hotels.com Interlaken. Excellent picks: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa (spa icon facing Höhematte), Hotel Blume (great value in the center), and Hotel Interlaken (historic, leafy garden, near Interlaken Ost).

Getting there: Fly into Zurich or Geneva (compare fares on Omio Flights (Europe)) then take the train: Zurich Airport → Interlaken Ost ~2h30 (1–2 changes), Geneva Airport → Interlaken Ost ~3h10. Check times and fares on Omio Trains (Europe). Expect CHF/EUR 30–70 depending on advance purchase and class.

Day 1 — Arrive Interlaken, lakeside strolls, and Swiss comfort food

Afternoon: Arrive Interlaken Ost and settle in. Stretch your legs along the Aare River promenade to Unterseen’s medieval square for a first glimpse of the mountains.

Evening: Classic Swiss dinner at Husi Bierhaus (house rösti, local brews) or Restaurant Taverne at Hotel Interlaken (veal Zurich-style, seasonal game). For dessert, Café Schuh in Matten serves house-made chocolates and airy pastries.

Day 2 — Jungfraujoch: the Top of Europe (full-day tour)

Book: Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Interlaken. Travel by coach/train, ride the Eiger Express, and explore the Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory with glacier views.

Tip: Dress in layers; UV is strong at 3,454 m. Reserve early in peak months.

Day 3 — Lake Brienz, Harder Kulm, and a fondue masterclass

Morning: Paddle the glassy turquoise of Brienz on a guided Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz (all levels; spring–autumn).

Afternoon: Funicular to Harder Kulm for big views of both lakes and the Jungfrau massif. Coffee and a slice of fruit torte at the panorama restaurant hits the spot.

Evening: Learn and taste at the Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop—history, technique, and a gooey feast paired with Swiss wine.

Day 4 — Paragliding and the Lauterbrunnen–Mürren alpine loop

Morning: Take flight on Interlaken Tandem Paragliding High Flight from Beatenberg. Expect 10–20 minutes in the air with sweeping views of the lakes.

Afternoon: Train to Lauterbrunnen, funicular/cableway to car-free Mürren, and stroll the cliffside path to Winteregg. Stop for apple cake and watch the cog trains roll by.

Evening: Swiss-modern at Ox Restaurant & Grill (dry-aged steaks, alpine sides) or cozy plates at Restaurant Laterne (cheese crust rösti). Nightcap at Goldener Anker for live music.

Milan

Italy’s style capital pairs Gothic splendor with quiet courtyards, cutting-edge galleries, and aperitivo hour done right. The Duomo’s marble forest, Leonardo’s Last Supper, and the Navigli canals lead the bill; food-wise, risotto alla milanese, ossobuco, and panzerotti beckon.

• Top sights: Duomo terraces, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Brera, Sforza Castle, Navigli, Porta Nuova/Isola.
• Food to try: saffron risotto, cotoletta, Negroni Sbagliato (born at Bar Basso), and classic Campari at Camparino.

Stay: Explore options on VRBO Milan or Hotels.com Milan. Neighborhoods: Brera (boutique, walkable), Duomo (central), Navigli (nightlife), Isola (creative).

Getting there (Day 5): Interlaken Ost → Milan Centrale via Spiez/Brig/Domodossola ~3h45. Check Omio Trains; advance fares often €29–€69 on EuroCity/Freccia services. Morning departures make the most of your day.

Day 5 — Travel to Milan, Duomo, Brera, and aperitivo

Morning: Depart Interlaken after breakfast; enjoy the scenic Lötschberg/Simplon route through vineyards and valleys.

Afternoon: Drop bags and head to the Duomo. Take the lift to the terraces to wander among flying buttresses, then cross into the Galleria for a coffee at Camparino in Galleria (standing bar tradition). Explore Brera’s lanes and art galleries.

Evening: Aperitivo along Corso Garibaldi—small bites with your spritz. Dinner at Ratanà (modern Lombard dishes in a 19th‑century building) or Trippa (nose-to-tail trattoria; book well ahead). Gelato at CioccolatItaliani near the Duomo.

Day 6 — Lake Como day trip (Varenna & Bellagio) or the Bernina Red Train

Option A: Lake Como DIY

Morning: Train Milan Centrale → Varenna-Esino ~1h (hourly; €7–€9 on Omio Trains). Stroll Varenna’s lakeside passarella and sip espresso at a waterfront café.

Afternoon: Short ferry to Bellagio; lunch at Il Cavatappi (tiny, seasonal plates) or La Terrazza Barchetta (lake views). Browse silk boutiques, visit the terraced gardens of Villa Melzi, and ferry back to Varenna for sunset.

Evening: Return to Milan for dinner in Navigli at Osteria del Binari (classic ossobuco) or in Isola at Casa Ramen Super (if craving something different). Drinks: Bar Basso for the original Sbagliato or Nottingham Forest for inventive cocktails.

Option B: Full-day mountain rail — Bernina Red Train, Swiss Alps & St Moritz From Milan (spectacular UNESCO route). Ideal if you want one more Alps hit with zero logistics.

Venice

Once the powerhouse of Mediterranean trade, Venice still dazzles: Byzantine gold mosaics, Gothic palazzi reflected in canals, and tiny bàcari bars serving cicchetti. With no cars, you’ll travel by foot and vaporetto, tracing centuries of history in the curve of every bridge.

• Top sights: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market, Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim, island-hopping to Murano & Burano.
• Eat & drink: lagoon-fresh seafood, bigoli in salsa, sarde in saor, and ombra (a small glass of wine) with cicchetti.

Stay: Find an apartment near a quiet canal via VRBO Venice or check hotels on Hotels.com Venice. Cannaregio (local vibe), Dorsoduro (artsy), and San Polo (central) are great bases.

Getting there (Day 7): Milan → Venezia S. Lucia on Frecciarossa or Italo in ~2h25. Reserve on Omio Trains; fares often €19–€49. Sit on the right-hand side for lagoon views as you arrive.

Day 7 — Travel to Venice, Cannaregio canals, cicchetti crawl

Morning: Depart Milan and arrive at Santa Lucia station; the Grand Canal view walks you into Venice instantly.

Afternoon: Check in and explore Cannaregio’s quiet canals. Coffee at Torrefazione Cannaregio (fresh-roasted), then peek into the Ghetto, Europe’s oldest Jewish quarter.

Evening: Cicchetti crawl: Al Timon (grilled skewers and wine by the canal), All’Arco (stand-up bar near Rialto; seafood crostini), and Osteria al Portego (bites and house wines). For a sit-down, Osteria La Zucca (vegetable-led Venetian) is lovely—book ahead.

Day 8 — Venice highlights with Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and gondola (full-day tour)

Book: Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doge’s Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride for an efficient deep-dive into the core sights, plus that quintessential glide under Venice’s bridges.

Family add-on: Traveling with kids? Swap or add this shorter, kid-focused visit to the basilica: St Mark Basilica Wonders Guided Tour for Kids & Families.

Food notes: Breakfast at Pasticceria Tonolo (bomboloni, maritozzi), lunch near the Doge’s at Rosa Salva (historic pasticceria), and dinner at Anice Stellato (Cannaregio; seafood-forward Venetian dishes).

Day 9 — Islands day: Murano glass, Burano colors, and lagoon flavors

Morning: Vaporetto to Murano; visit a glass workshop to see masters shaping molten silica into delicate forms. Espresso at a canal-side bar before continuing.

Afternoon: Boat to Burano for its rainbow fishermen’s houses. Try risotto di gò or seafood spaghetti at a family-run trattoria; photograph the leaning campanile and lace ateliers.

Evening: Back in Venice, sunset across the Grand Canal from the Punta della Dogana. Dinner at Trattoria da Fiore (traditional) or reservations-only Osteria alle Testiere (tiny seafood temple). Gelato at Gelatoteca Suso.

Day 10 — Rialto Market, last sips, and departure

Morning: Rialto Market early for Venetian produce and the day’s catch. Coffee standing at a bacaro like Do Mori, then pick up artisanal cookies (baicoli, bussolai) as edible souvenirs.

Afternoon: Depart from Venezia Santa Lucia (for onward trains on Omio Trains) or fly from Venice (browse Omio Flights). Allow extra time for vaporetto/Alilaguna connections and airport security.

Evening: If you have a late flight, toast the trip with a spritz on a quiet campo and one final cicchetto.

Where to Eat & Drink (local favorites to plug into your days)

• Interlaken: Breakfast at Bäckerei Mohler (fresh gipfeli); casual Barracuda Café & Bar (wraps, poke); Husi Bierhaus (Swiss classics, beer list); Café Schuh (chocolates, patisserie).
• Milan: Pavé (top-tier pastries/coffee), Marchesi 1824 (historic pasticceria), Luini (panzerotti to-go by the Duomo), Miscusi (fresh pasta), Ratanà or Osteria del Binari for classic dinners.
• Venice: Pasticceria Tonolo, Torrefazione Cannaregio (espresso), cicchetti at All’Arco and Al Portego, Anice Stellato (dinner), La Zucca (veg-led Venetian), Gelatoteca Suso (gelato).

Trains & Practical Tips

• Rail planning: Use Omio Trains for real-time schedules and tickets across Switzerland and Italy. Reserve high-speed services for best fares.
• Seat & luggage: No airline-style limits—just keep bags manageable for station steps and canal bridges in Venice.
• Seasonality: Kayaking/boat tours on the lakes are spring–autumn; paragliding runs year-round weather permitting; Venice is busiest May–October—book early.
• City taxes & reservations: Expect nightly city taxes at hotels/apartments; book popular restaurants (Trippa, alle Testiere) weeks in advance.

In Summary: This 10-day rail journey sweeps from Interlaken’s glaciers and blue lakes to Milan’s design streets and Venice’s shimmering canals. With grand viewpoints, memorable meals, and well-timed travel, it delivers a balanced, deeply scenic Europe itinerary you’ll talk about for years.