From the Alps to Rome by train

Who it is for

For anyone who wants to combine Switzerland and Italy on a train trip.

Not for anyone traveling on a tight budget, since Zurich is among the most expensive cities in Europe.

The strategy

The train goes down from the Alps to the south, from Zurich to Rome, without doubling back. Rome closes the trip and is the one that takes the most days.

What you will see

• Fraumünster, Zurich. What's left of the abbey founded in 853 that once ran the city; today's tower dates from 1732 and the cloister has frescoes by Paul Bodmer.
• Duomo di Milano, Milan. Gothic cathedral begun in 1386 in Candoglia marble, with 135 spires and about 3,400 statues; the golden Madonnina, from 1774, stands at 108.5 m.
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the dome, Florence. Begun in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio and closed by Brunelleschi's dome between 1420 and 1436: a 45.5 m span, herringbone brickwork, two shells and no wooden centering.
• Colosseum, Rome. Opened in AD 80 under Titus: an ellipse 188 by 156 m, 48 m tall, with an estimated capacity of 50,000 spectators.

Day by day

Zurich

1. 1
   Day 1: The two banks of the Limmat

   1. 2LindenhofUp to half an hourEssential
   2. 1FraumünsterUp to half an hourEssential
   3. 5GrossmünsterUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   4. 9Bahnhofstrasse and ParadeplatzUp to half an hourIf there is time
2. 2
   Day 2: Museums, the industrial west and the home mountain · if you have more time

   1. 7Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum)Worth a visit
   2. 8Zürich West: Viadukt, Prime Tower and Frau Gerolds GartenWorth a visit
   3. 3UetlibergEssential

Milan

1. 3
   Day 3: Duomo, Last Supper, and Brera

   1. 8Museo del NovecentoWorth a visit
   2. 4Galleria Vittorio Emanuele IIUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 3Pinacoteca di BreraEssential
2. 4
   Day 4: Leonardo, the Sforza and the west · if you have more time

   1. 6Basilica di Sant'AmbrogioUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 5Castello Sforzesco and Parco SempioneWorth a visit

Florence

1. 5
   Day 5: The religious axis and the civic axis

   1. 2Baptistery of San GiovanniUp to half an hourEssential
   2. 4Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della SignoriaWorth a visit
2. 6
   Day 6: Michelangelo in the morning, Oltrarno in the afternoon

   1. 8Galleria dell'AccademiaOne to two hoursIf there is time
   2. 9Ponte Vecchio and the Vasari CorridorUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 7San Miniato al Monte and Piazzale MichelangeloWorth a visit
3. 7
   Day 7: Sculpture, cells and the hill · if you have more time

   

Rome

1. 8
   Day 8: Ancient Rome, from the Colosseum to the Capitoline

   1. 1Coliseu (Anfiteatro Flávio)2hEssential
   2. 2Foro Romano2hEssential
   3. 4Palatino e Horti Farnesiani1hWorth a visit
   4. Circo Máximo20minIf there is time
   5. Monti1h30Worth a visit
2. 9
   Day 9: The Vatican and the right bank

   1. 5Museus Vaticanos e Capela Sistina3h30Worth a visit
   2. 6Basílica de São Pedro1h30Worth a visit
   3. Castel Sant'Angelo1h15If there is time
   4. Trastevere e Santa Maria2hWorth a visit
3. 10
   Day 10: Baroque, Borghese, and Appia Antica

   1. 3Panteão45minEssential
   2. 8Piazza Navona30minWorth a visit
   3. Campo de' Fiori40minWorth a visit
   4. Fontana di Trevi20minIf there is time
   5. 7Galleria Borghese2hWorth a visit
   6. 9Via Appia Antica e catacumbasmeio diaWorth a visit
   7. Mercato Testaccio1hWorth a visit
4. 11
   Day 11: Ostia Antica (day trip) · if you have more time

   
5. 12
   Day 12: Tivoli (day trip) · if you have more time