From lake-lapped Zurich to vibrant Naples, this 7-day itinerary traces the historic spine of Europe. You’ll sip espresso in medieval alleys, climb cathedral rooftops, stand where gladiators once fought, and end with a forkful of Margherita in the birthplace of pizza. The trip blends bucket-list highlights with neighborhood gems—think Lindt chocolate on the lakeshore, Navigli aperitivo, twilight Trastevere bites, and Neapolitan street snacks.

Switzerland’s neutrality and banking prowess forged Zurich into a polished hub of art, finance, and design, while Italy’s cities reward wanderers with Roman ruins, Renaissance masterworks, and southern zest. Expect contrasting rhythms: tidy trams and Alpine views up north; baroque splendor, scooters, and seaside sunshine down south.

Practical notes: book major museum entries (Vatican, Last Supper, Colosseum) in advance, keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas of Rome and Naples, and embrace Italy’s late dining hours. Tipping is modest; service may be included. Trains are the most efficient way to move between cities—reserve high-speed seats early for the best fares.

Zurich

Zurich’s Altstadt (Old Town) curls around the Limmat River with steep lanes, guild houses, and church spires. Beyond the cobbles, a creative city thrums—independent roasters, lake cruises, and chocolate temples set the tone. On sunny days, locals swim in the river baths; in winter, fondue steam fogs the windows.

• Top sights: Grossmünster towers, Fraumünster (Chagall windows), Bahnhofstrasse, Lindenhof hill, Lake Zurich promenade, Kunsthaus Zürich.
• Why go now: easy access to the Alps for day trips, plus a food scene spanning farmers’ markets to the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant.

Where to stay (Zurich): For five-star heritage on the lake, see Baur au Lac. Steps from the station, Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich offers soundproofed comfort and old-world service. Families like Novotel Zurich City West in trendy Zürich-West. Budget-friendly and central: Hotel Marta.

Browse more options: Hotels.com: Zurich | Apartment-style stays: VRBO: Zurich

Milan

Italy’s fashion capital wears its history with swagger: Gothic spires on the Duomo, Leonardo’s Last Supper, and belle-époque arcades where Milanese linger over cappuccino and cornetti. Evenings belong to the aperitivo hour—bitter-sweet cocktails and generous snacks along the Navigli canals.

• Top sights: Duomo rooftop, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Sforza Castle, Brera district, Navigli, Santa Maria delle Grazie (Last Supper).
• Insider tip: Reserve Last Supper tickets well ahead; many small-group tours include timed entry.

Where to stay (Milan): Old-school glamour at Hotel Principe di Savoia. Design-forward and central: Room Mate Giulia. By Sforza Castle, try UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano. Social, affordable digs: Ostello Bello.

Browse more options: Hotels.com: Milan | VRBO: Milan

Rome

The Eternal City is a living museum of empire and faith—forums, fountains, and frescoes strung between sunlit piazzas. Yet the best Rome moments are human-scaled: a caffè at the counter, a twilight passeggiata past baroque churches, carbonara at a family trattoria.

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Food focus: Roman pastas (cacio e pepe, amatriciana), supplì (fried rice balls), Jewish-Roman artichokes, gelato.

Where to stay (Rome): Splurge with views at Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection or celebrity-favorite Hotel de Russie. Pool and panorama lovers: Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Charming Trastevere base: Hotel Santa Maria. Good value near the Forum: Kolbe Hotel Rome. Budget boutique/hostel: The Beehive.

Browse more options: Hotels.com: Rome | VRBO: Rome

Naples

Naples is unapologetically alive—laundry-strung lanes, baroque chapels, and the world’s best pizza under the gaze of Vesuvius. It’s also your springboard to Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast.

• Top sights: Spaccanapoli, Sansevero Chapel (Veiled Christ), Toledo metro art station, Castel dell’Ovo, seafront promenade.
• Don’t miss: a slice at 50 Kalò or Da Michele, sfogliatella with thick Neapolitan espresso, and a day trip to Pompeii.

Where to stay (Naples): Bayfront elegance at Grand Hotel Vesuvio. Stylish Old Town base: Hotel Piazza Bellini. Sea views near Castel dell’Ovo: Hotel Royal Continental.

Browse more options: Hotels.com: Naples | VRBO: Naples

Day 1: Arrive in Zurich (Afternoon Arrival)

Afternoon: Land in Zurich and drop bags. Shake off jet lag with a gentle Old Town loop: Lindenhof for river views, then Grossmünster’s twin towers and Fraumünster’s Chagall windows. Coffee break at MAME Specialty Coffee (champion baristas; rotating single-origins) or Café Henrici for espresso and a slice of Swiss carrot cake.

Evening: Stroll Bahnhofstrasse down to the lake; golden hour lights up the Alps on clear days. Dinner at Zeughauskeller (hearty Swiss classics like Zürcher Geschnetzeltes) or Haus Hiltl (since 1898, the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant—don’t skip the buffet’s rösti and curries). Nightcap at Kronenhalle Bar, famed for museum-quality art and precise cocktails.

How to get here: Book flights into Zurich with Omio (flights). If you’re comparing long-haul options from outside Europe, also check Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). From the airport, the S-Bahn to Zurich HB takes ~12 minutes.

Day 2: Zurich’s Highlights, Lake Cruise & Chocolate

Morning: Start with Luxemburgerli and hot chocolate at Confiserie Sprüngli on Paradeplatz. Walk the lake promenade to Bürkliplatz for sweeping views, then browse the Kunsthaus if you’re an art lover (Giacometti, Munch, contemporary Swiss).

Afternoon: Cruise across the lake to Kilchberg for the Lindt Home of Chocolate—reserve a flexible entry ticket below for tastings and the photogenic chocolate fountain.

Last minute flexible entry for Lindt Home of Chocolate

Evening: See the city from above with a short cable car ride to Felsenegg after a city overview—an easy, all-in-one way to cover more ground in an afternoon.

Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride

Dinner back in the Altstadt: Swiss fondue and raclette at Swiss Chuchi (cozy, central), or contemporary Swiss plates at Wirtschaft im Franz (seasonal, market-driven). For a nightcap, La Stanza serves Italian-leaning cocktails in a marble-clad room.

Day 3: Morning Train to Milan, Duomo & Navigli Aperitivo

Morning: Depart Zurich HB for Milano Centrale on the Eurocity train (approx. 3h15). Typical fares range ~€45–90 depending on how early you book. Reserve via Omio (trains in Europe). Check into your hotel, then grab a quick lunch: try panzerotti at Luini (near the Duomo) or risotto alla Milanese at Ratanà (modern Lombard cooking in Isola).

Afternoon: Dive right in with skip-the-line access to the Duomo and its sculpted rooftop terraces—an open-air forest of pinnacles and gargoyles with skyline views.

Milan Super Saver: Skip-the-Line Duomo and Rooftop Guided Tour

Evening: Join locals on the Navigli canals for aperitivo—Rita serves pitch-perfect Negronis; Mag Cafè leans inventive. Dinner options: Trippa (beloved trattoria—book early) for Milanese comfort dishes, or Langosteria for seafood with serious swagger.

Day 4: Milan to Rome (Morning), Colosseum & Historic Centro

Morning: High-speed Frecciarossa from Milano Centrale to Roma Termini (~2h55–3h10; ~€30–€90 booked early). Reserve with Omio (trains). On arrival, espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (caramelized crema; stand at the banco) and a supplì snack near Campo de’ Fiori.

Afternoon: Walk the arena floor where gladiators once stood. This guided access helps you visualize the stadium’s scale before continuing through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

Evening: Golden-hour amble: Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon’s perfect dome. Dinner at Armando al Pantheon (time-honored Roman pastas) or Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (cured meats, burrata, and outstanding carbonara). Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro to finish.

Day 5: Vatican Masterpieces & Trastevere Flavors

Morning: Beat the crowds with a guided, skip-the-line Vatican tour—Gallery of Maps, Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s a rich morning; wear comfy shoes.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

Afternoon: Climb St. Peter’s dome for a panorama, or cross the Tiber to meander cobbled lanes in Trastevere. Snack on pizza al taglio at Bonci Pizzarium near the Vatican (creative toppings, chewy crusts) before an espresso at Tazza d’Oro near the Pantheon.

Evening: Explore Rome by appetite with a guided Trastevere food tour—bakeries, salumi, suppli, cheeses, and Roman wines as the neighborhood lights up.

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

Day 6: Rome to Naples (Morning), Pompeii with an Archaeologist

Morning: Zip to Naples on a Frecciarossa (Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale ~1h10; ~€15–€45). Book via Omio (trains). Check in, then espresso at Gran Caffè Gambrinus (belle-époque grandeur) and a warm sfogliatella at Sfogliatella Mary.

Afternoon: Head to Pompeii with a specialist guide—context is everything as you stroll ancient streets frozen by the 79 AD eruption. Many small-group tours include skip-the-line access and transport advice.

Pompeii and Herculaneum Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist

Evening: Pizza pilgrimage: 50 Kalò (airy, blistered crusts) or L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele (the minimalist icon—expect a line). Post-pizza stroll along the seafront to Castel dell’Ovo for night views of Vesuvius.

Day 7: Naples Old Town, Veiled Christ, and Departure (Afternoon)

Morning: Walk Spaccanapoli’s narrow spine—churches, artisan workshops, and street shrines. Don’t miss the Sansevero Chapel’s Veiled Christ, a marble masterpiece that seems to breathe beneath its carved shroud (timed entry recommended).

Veiled Christ Small Group Tour with Entrance Ticket in Naples

Afternoon (Departure): If time allows, learn to spin and bake a true Neapolitan pie before you go—then head to the station or airport. Otherwise, a last espresso at Bar Mexico (famously strong) sends you off with a jolt.

Authentic Pizza Making Class in Naples with Appetizers and Drink

Getting home: For flights from Naples or Rome, compare fares on Omio (flights). For long-haul comparisons outside Europe, also see Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.

Logistics at a Glance

• Zurich → Milan: ~3h15 by Eurocity; ~€45–90. Book: Omio (trains).
• Milan → Rome: ~3h by Frecciarossa; ~€30–€90. Book: Omio (trains).
• Rome → Naples: ~1h10 by Frecciarossa/Italo; ~€15–€45. Book: Omio (trains).
• Local tips: In Zurich, consider a ZVV day pass for trams/boats (zones depend on your plans). In Italy, validate regional train tickets; high-speed trains require seat reservations.

In one week you’ll have skimmed glassy alpine lakes, traced the brushstrokes of geniuses, walked the bones of an empire, and tasted your way from risotto to pizza. This route is brisk—but it rewards every step with a new flavor, vista, or story you’ll want to bring home.