From Kansas to the Colosseum: How We Planned Our Italy + Switzerland Adventure

Some trips start with a dream. Ours started with a decision. After years of saying “someday,” my friend Darcy and I finally realized that the only thing standing between us and the European adventure we’d always talked about was… actually booking it. Okay, maybe not just that — Darcy has little kids, I have a teenager, and we both have demanding, full-time careers — so carving out nearly two weeks for ourselves took serious coordination. But we did it. And it was absolutely worth it.

Of course, none of it would’ve been possible without our husbands, who held down the fort while we lived out our dream. From school drop-offs to dinner duty, they made it possible for us to go without guilt — and that kind of support made the trip even sweeter.

We spent 12 days exploring Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Venice, and Zurich — a mix of history, beauty, and a whole lot of pasta. We wanted to experience the highlights of Italy with a little touch of Swiss charm at the end, and our itinerary couldn’t have been more perfect for a first-time European trip.

The lighting at night made for a picture perfect moment outside of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Why Italy and Switzerland?

Italy had been at the top of my list for years. A single Pinterest photo of Cinque Terre had planted the dream, and from there, everything else just fell into place. Florence seemed like the perfect home base, Rome was a must for its history, and Venice… well, who doesn’t want to ride a gondola? Switzerland came in as the finale — mountains, chocolate, and a spa day to end the trip on a high note.

Getting to see this in real life took my breath away!

How We Planned It

We did everything ourselves — no travel agent, just hours of research, reviews, and YouTube videos. We booked all our transportation, tours, and stays in advance, which gave us the freedom to explore without worrying about logistics. A few resources that made planning easier:

• Viator for tours. We used it to book our Cinque Terre day trip, Tuscany wine tour, Venice cooking class, and the Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe” excursion in Switzerland. Every experience was well-organized and worth it.

• Italo Trains for getting between cities. The trains were fast, clean, and easy to navigate (just don’t wait until the last minute to get to the platform — they leave right on time!).

• Luggage lockers in Rome — we found one near the Colosseum so we could explore before heading to Florence. Game changer.

• Airbnbs for lodging. Each one was unique — from our Florence flat overlooking the Duomo to a dreamy canal-side stay in Venice that felt straight out of a movie.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Travel teaches you as you go, and we picked up a few things worth passing on:

• Pack light. You’ll thank yourself when dragging your suitcase up narrow staircases in Venice.

• Bring the right power adapters. And maybe don’t plug multiple things into one outlet (that story’s coming soon).

• Always carry a scarf or wrap. Many churches require covered shoulders and knees, and you’ll want to be prepared.

• Wear comfortable shoes. Between cobblestones, hills, and train stations, your step count will soar.

• Don’t over-plan every moment. Some of our best memories came from wandering into the “wrong” street or restaurant.

We didn’t plan very well on our impromptu walk around Venice. Thank goodness for a good jean jacket for a make shift knee covering.

Trip Highlights

It’s impossible to pick favorites, but here are a few that still make me smile:

• Sitting outside the Duomo in Florence, long after dark, watching it glow against the night sky

• Watching the sun peek through the drizzle as we sipped our first cappuccinos in Rome.

• Pear ravioli at Trattoria de Garibardi in Florence (best meal of my life).

• Hiking the cliffs of Cinque Terre — exhausting, but pure magic.

• A homemade pasta class in Venice with a local named Ramona who treated us like family.

• Laughing until I cried (literally) on top of a snowy mountain in Switzerland.

• Ending our trip in a Zurich rooftop spa overlooking the city — total bliss.

Traveling to the top of Jungfraujoch

Every destination had its own charm: Rome was bold and bustling, Florence elegant and full of art, Cinque Terre colorful and calm, Venice romantic and maze-like, and Switzerland breathtakingly serene.

Looking back, the trip was everything I’d hoped for and more — a perfect blend of adventure, beauty, laughter, and friendship. Over the next few posts, I’ll share the stories behind each stop — from the best food and views to our funniest travel fails and favorite discoveries.

If you’ve ever dreamed about taking a trip to Italy or Switzerland, consider this your sign. Start planning, pack your sense of humor, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.