Three grand European destinations in one 10-day itinerary: Paris, Switzerland, and Venice. You’ll trace centuries of art and architecture from the Eiffel Tower to St. Mark’s, then trade boulevards for mountains and lakes around Lucerne. This plan balances iconic sights, local neighborhoods, and unhurried moments that make travel unforgettable.

Expect a tapestry of experiences—Louvre masterpieces, Versailles gardens, lake steamers, and golden-hour gondola rides. Food is a highlight: buttery Parisian pastries, Swiss rösti and fondue, Venetian cicchetti, and a hands-on pasta class. Trains stitch it together efficiently, with scenic rides through the Alps.

Practical notes: Book major tickets early (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Doge’s Palace) and reserve popular restaurants. Keep an eye on valuables in crowded areas. Within Europe, trains are your friend; for flights to/from Europe search Omio (within Europe) and Trip.com (from outside Europe). For European rail, compare and book on Omio.

Paris

Paris pairs grand monuments with village-like quarters. Climb the “Iron Lady,” stroll along the Seine, and lose yourself in the Louvre’s galleries. In the Marais, medieval streets hide falafel stands and chic boutiques; on Montmartre’s hill, artists still sketch at café tables.

Eat widely: buttery croissants at Du Pain et des Idées, buckwheat galettes at Breizh Café, classic steak-frites at Bistrot Paul Bert, and modern bistronomy at Le Servan or Clamato. Wind down with a twilight river cruise as the city lights flicker on.

• Where to stay (handpicked): Boutique vibes at Hôtel des Arts Montmartre; Left Bank gem Hotel du College de France; family-friendly convenience at Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse; five-star grandeur at The Peninsula Paris. Or browse apartments on VRBO and more stays on Hotels.com.
• Getting in: Compare flights on Omio (within Europe) or Trip.com (outside Europe).

Day 1: Arrival and the Seine at Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive in Paris and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk on Île de la Cité—see Notre Dame’s restored façade and the flower market. Coffee at Le Procope or gelato from Berthillon on nearby Île Saint-Louis.

Evening: Classic bistro dinner at Chez Janou (Provençal, lively) or Bouillon Pigalle (fast-moving line, great value French staples). Cap it with a 1-hour cruise to understand the city’s spine: Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens.

Day 2: Louvre, the Marais, and Montmartre

Morning: Croissants and eggs at Holybelly 5, then meet your guide for the Louvre Museum Access Guided Tour with Mona Lisa to see icons without getting lost.

Afternoon: Walk the Tuileries to Place de la Concorde, then dive into Le Marais for boutiques and falafel at L’As du Fallafel or crêpes at Breizh Café. Espresso at Boot Café (tiny, postcard-pretty).

Evening: Metro up to Montmartre for Sacré-Cœur views. Dinner at Le Bon Georges (market-driven, polished) or Le Coq Rico (poultry-focused). Nightcap at La Maison Rose’s corner or rooftop at Terrass” Hotel.

Day 3: Versailles and the Eiffel Tower

Morning–Afternoon: Half-day visit with skip-the-line logistics handled on the Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris. Stroll the Hall of Mirrors and André Le Nôtre’s fountains when they’re running on select days.

Evening: Time your ascent for dusk with Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift to watch the city glow. Late dinner at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (no reservations; steak-frites only) or Septime La Cave (walk-in wine bar, small plates).

Day 4: Pastry, Île de la Cité, and Dinner on the Seine

Morning: Hands-on baking at the award-winning Paris French Bakery Experience — Le Marais or craft croissants in a chef-led workshop at Paris Croissant Small-Group Baking Class.

Afternoon: Early-access walk around Notre Dame and Île de la Cité, or join the Notre Dame Cathedral Walking Tour for context on restoration and medieval Paris.

Evening: Celebrate with a glass-canopy river feast: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise. Pre-cruise apéro at Rosa Bonheur sur Seine; post-cruise nightcap at Le Bar Hemingway.

Lucerne (Switzerland)

Lucerne is Switzerland in miniature: a medieval Old Town wrapped around a blue lake and guarded by mountains. Chapel Bridge’s painted gables, the solemn Lion Monument, and boat rides to storybook villages fill easy days.

Food ranges from lake fish and rösti to fondue. Try breakfast pastries at Heini or Bachmann; lunch at Rathaus Brauerei (house beer and schnitzel) or Wirtshaus Taube; dinner at Old Swiss House (tableside Wiener schnitzel) or Wirtshaus Galliker (heritage Lucerne fare).

• Where to stay: Lakeside serenity at Seehotel Hermitage; historic elegance at Hotel des Balances; modern convenience at Radisson Blu Hotel, Lucerne; budget-friendly Ibis Budget Luzern City. Browse more on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Getting there from Paris (Day 5): Morning TGV Lyria Paris–Basel or Paris–Zurich, connect to Lucerne. 4.5–5.5 hours, from ~€80–150 if booked early via Omio.

Day 5: Paris → Lucerne, Lake Breeze, and Old Town Stroll

Morning: Depart Paris Gare de Lyon by TGV. Bring a bakery picnic for the ride (Du Pain et des Idées or Stohrer). Book seats on Omio.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Chapel Bridge and the Reuss River frescoed squares. Coffee and carrot cake at Mill’Feuille overlooking the water.

Evening: 1-hour lake cruise if weather’s fine, then fondue at Stadtkeller or Fondue House Du Pont. Try a Zuger Kirschtorte for dessert.

Day 6: Mount Pilatus Peaks and Lake Lucerne Cruise

Full-day small-group alpine classic: cogwheel train, gondolas, and water. Join Mt. Pilatus Peak & Lake Lucerne Cruise Small Group for sweeping views, dragon lore, and a breezy return by boat. Pack layers; mountaintop weather shifts fast.

Post-tour dinner back in town at Old Swiss House or hop to Seeburg for lakeside sunset drinks.

Day 7: Titlis Glaciers and Lucerne’s Icons

Morning: Ride cableways to year-round snow on Mount Titlis Half-Day Trip. Walk the glacier cave, try the Cliff Walk, sip hot chocolate above the clouds.

Afternoon: Back in Lucerne, visit the Lion Monument and Glacier Garden. Lunch on rösti at Wirtshaus Taube or lake fish at Schiff.

Evening: Casual dinner and house-brewed lager at Rathaus Brauerei. Gelato stroll along the quay; listen for buskers by the bridge.

Venice

Venice is a mosaic of 118 islands stitched by bridges and time. Palaces float above teal canals; church domes mirror in the water. Beyond St. Mark’s, explore artisans’ workshops and cicchetti bars where locals linger with an ombra (small wine).

Start the day with espresso at Torrefazione Cannaregio or Marchini Time. For lunch, graze on cicchetti at All’Arco and Cantina Do Mori. Dinner highlights include Antiche Carampane (seafood), Osteria alle Testiere (intimate, fish-forward), and Al Covo (seasonal Venetian).

• Where to stay: Grand Canal icon The Gritti Palace; Dorsoduro classic Belmond Hotel Cipriani (on Giudecca); design-forward Hilton Molino Stucky Venice with a rooftop pool; best-for-arrivals Hotel Antiche Figure across from Santa Lucia station. Browse more on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Getting there from Lucerne (Day 8): Morning trains via Arth-Goldau and Milan to Venezia S. Lucia, ~6–6.5 hours. Advance fares from ~€60–140 on Omio.

Day 8: Lucerne → Venice, St. Mark’s & Doge’s Palace

Morning: Scenic rail day: Lucerne → Arth-Goldau → Milan → Venice. Stock up on Swiss snacks and watch the Alps give way to Lombard plains.

Afternoon: Check in, then go straight to the highlights with Legendary Venice: Doge's Palace & St Mark's (skip-the-line), exploring gilded mosaics and the Bridge of Sighs.

Evening: Seafood dinner at Antiche Carampane (book) or Osteria da Fiore’s informal bacaro. Gelato at Gelatoteca Suso on the way back.

Day 9: Murano Glass, Burano Lace, and Cicchetti Crawl

Morning–Afternoon: Cruise the lagoon by private boat on Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour, watching master glassblowers and admiring Burano’s rainbow facades.

Evening: Venetian tapas crawl: All’Arco (baccalà mantecato), Cantina Do Mori (since 1462), and Osteria Al Squero (cicchetti with a gondola workshop view). Finish with an amaro at Libreria Acqua Alta’s canal-side nook.

Day 10: Hidden Venice, Pasta Class, and Departure

Morning: Explore quiet sestieri with a local on the Tour of The Real Hidden Venice—artisan stories, tiny courtyards, photo stops far from the crowds.

Afternoon: Roll tagliatelle and whip tiramisù during the Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine. Depart for the airport by prebooked water taxi (ask your hotel) or shared boat service.

Optional Evening Add-On in Venice (Day 8 or 9): Opera in a Palazzo

For a magical night, experience chamber opera across candlelit rooms at Musica a Palazzo 'Traveling Opera'. It’s intimate, atmospheric, and uniquely Venetian.

Train & Flight Logistics Summary

• Into Paris: Compare fares on Omio (intra-Europe) and Trip.com (from outside Europe).
• Paris → Lucerne (Day 5): 4.5–5.5 hrs by TGV + SBB, from ~€80–150 on Omio.
• Lucerne → Venice (Day 8): ~6–6.5 hrs via Milan, from ~€60–140 on Omio.
• Depart Venice: Water taxi or shared boat to VCE; flights via Omio (Europe) or Trip.com (intercontinental).

Dining Shortlist You’ll Love

• Paris: Du Pain et des Idées (viennoiseries), Frenchie Wine Bar (walk-in), Clamato (seafood small plates), Bistrot Paul Bert (classic bistro), Le Servan (modern French-Asian).
• Lucerne: Heini and Bachmann (pastry), Wirtshaus Galliker (heritage cuisine), Old Swiss House (tableside schnitzel), Rathaus Brauerei (brewpub), Taube (Swiss comfort).
• Venice: All’Arco and Do Mori (cicchetti), Antiche Carampane (seafood), Al Covo (seasonal), Osteria alle Testiere (intimate), Trattoria da Fiore (Venetian dishes).

Why this route works: It’s a clean west-to-east flow with two scenic train days and no backtracking. We’ve mixed headline attractions with neighborhood time and hands-on food experiences, so you see the best and still feel the texture of each place.

Trip Summary: Ten days link Parisian art, Swiss Alps, and Venetian waterways with efficient rail and memorable meals. Reserve the big-ticket entries early, travel light for easy station hops, and let each city reveal its rhythm at street level.