Europe 2025: A New Itinerary Takes Shape

Milan: Kicking Off in Italy’s Fashion & Culture Hub

Our journey will begin in Milan, where we’ll land on day 1. While Milan might not be the most touristy of Italian cities, it offers a fantastic mix of history, architecture, and—most importantly—food. We’ll explore the stunning Duomo di Milano, possibly take a peek at Da Vinci’s "The Last Supper", and of course, enjoy our fair share of pizza and pasta (because, priorities).

Lake Como: A Relaxing Escape into Nature

After a few days in Milan, we’ll head north to Lake Como. The charming (and more affordable) town of Ossuccio sounded better to us than the overcrowding of tourists we're expecting in the area.  The combination of stunning alpine views, charming lakeside villages, and outdoor activities makes this an ideal stop. We’re looking forward to taking a ferry between towns like Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, wandering the picturesque streets, and maybe even squeezing in a hike or two to burn off the inevitable pasta overload.

Basel: Soccer & Catching Up with Friends

From Italy, we’ll hop over to Basel, Switzerland, where soccer takes center stage. We’ll be meeting up with friends and enjoying some of the city’s beautiful old-town charm. This stop is a great blend of social time, sports, and Swiss culture before we continue into Germany.

Southern Germany: Freiburg, Füssen & Schwangau (Schwan Territory!)

Germany has always been high on our list, and we’re excited to explore the Black Forest and Bavarian Alps.

Freiburg – A charming university town known for its medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and easy access to the Black Forest. This will be a great place to get outside, enjoy some hikes, and, of course, sample local beer.

Füssen & Schwangau – We couldn’t resist visiting Schwangau, if for no other reason than to revel in the fun wordplay with our last name! But beyond the name connection, this region is home to Neuschwanstein Castle, the fairy-tale palace that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. A must-see!

Austria & Liechtenstein: Quick but Worth It

From Bavaria, we’ll drive through Austria, soaking in the mountain views and alpine scenery as we make our way toward Zurich. On the way, we’re planning on making a brief stop in Liechtenstein—because how often do you get to check off one of Europe’s tiniest countries? Even if it’s just for a quick photo and a coffee, it’ll be a fun detour before wrapping up our journey.

Wrapping Up in Zurich

Finally, we’ll conclude our trip in Zurich, where we’ll explore Switzerland’s largest city before catching our flight home. With its mix of lakeside beauty, history, and delicious Swiss chocolate, it’ll be a perfect way to cap off our adventure.

The Adventure Ahead

While this itinerary looks very different from our original plan, we couldn’t be more excited about how it’s shaping up. We’ve balanced outdoor adventures, cultural exploration, family connections, and a little bit of soccer—all while embracing the flexibility that travel requires.

Next up? We’ll be diving into the details—where to stay, how to get around, and what we absolutely can’t miss in each destination. Stay tuned!

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