I'm the family travel planner, and I'm planning a trip for my son and his girlfriend - both aged 24. Mainly, I've been to Italy, so I'm picking other destinations from travel books. I was just able to obtain two free tickets using mileage, arrival Frankfurt 5 a.m. Monday, June 23, depart Thursday July 24, 13:10. Here's the background:

My son graduated from college in 2005, has been working since, and is going to business school for an MBA this fall. His girlfriend will graduate from college this year. This trip is his big break between working and going to graduate school. He's been to England and Italy; she's never been to Europe. His two destination requests are the Berner Oberland and Camogli/Santa Margherita Ligure; she's open to anything. They're both very sociable, but don't drink, and are not looking for a party atmosphere. They'll be taking the train, but might rent a car for the last week in Germany. Accommodation level is budget to moderate, but no hostels - hopefully at or under 120 Euro/200 CHF night. There is a total of 31 nights to find accommodation. So far, this is what I've tentatively planned, but no hotel reservations are made, so anything is possible:

Arrive Frankfurt 5 A.M. train to Strasbourg
3 nights Strasbourg
5 nights Wengen
2-3 nights Stresa
5 nights Camogli/Santa Margherita Ligure
3 nights Varenna - take Bernina Express
2-3 nights Pontresina

After this I don't know. They could go somewhere else in Swizerland for a couple of days, then to Southern Germany, maybe Freiburg Im Breisgau. Sixt in Germany will rent the cheaper classes of cars to 24 year olds without the surcharge American companies charge to under 25's. They could rent a car for a week relatively inexpensively, or continue by train. If they rented a car, I thought maybe they could base themselves in Trier and Boppard, or spend more time in Alsace, or go around Lake Constance. With a car, I would want to stay out of big cities - see countryside and castles.

So where would you go after Pontresina? Also, I'm not especially enamored with Stresa, but it seems like a reasonable distance between Wengen and the Riviera. Any alternatives?

So where would you go between Pontresina and departure from Frankfurt Airport, and would you rent a car?

One other question: for less expensive accommodation in Wengen, Zum Baren looks like a pretty good choice. If that is unavailable, Hotel Edelweiss seems to be a choice. However, its owned by the Society for Evangelical Work of the Canton of Bern. So, will the hotel be socially uncomfortable? Does Evangelical have the same connotations it does in America?:
http://www.edelweisswengen.ch/english.htm

Thank you for any input.

Trains are a great way to travel in Switzerland and Germany (can't comment on Italy) and there is no need to stick to towns if travelling by train. It makes sense to stay in Germany south of Frankfurt - it is such a huge country anyway.
I would say that, if Strasbourg is in the itinerary, then it makes sense to do Freiburg on the same leg, as they are so close and possibly some other places in the Black Forest. Then there is the whole of the other side of Germany to do on the way back towards Frankfurt. Apart from Munich and the well known attractions in the South, there are places like Passau (lovely river boat trips on the Danube), Regensburg (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and, between them, the Bavarian Forest - almost untouched by foreign tourists.
As for accommoation, your budget of Euros 120 per night is very generous for Germany, especially away from big cities like Munich and Frankfurt. As it is quite a long trip, there is plenty of potential to use apartments rather than hotels - these don't always have to be booked for a whole week. They cost much less than hotels and give more space and flexibility.

Margaret: Thank you very much for your reply. I will investigate the information you've given me.

Caodog,

I'm not terribly enamoured of Stresa either, maybe especially in the context of the rest of the trip you've outlined. Were it me, I might consider going a bit further in any direction into Italy -- that is to say, in lieu of Stresa, how about 2-3 nights in Torino, or Pavia or Verona?

I realize it would add a couple of extra hours of train travel, but any one of those places would be a real change of pace, and change of food, and quite a different window on Italian life. If either of the travelers has any interest in movies, cars or Egyptology (not to mention food or wine), Torino is a great destination. If they would prefer something with sufficient historic fascination but no tourists, Pavia might be just perfect -- a real sense of having gotten off the beaten track and discovering Italy for oneself. I think Verona is just delightful, the right mix of modern Italy and antique attractions, and a good base for a few day trips.

Anyway, my two cents.

Italiasoon: I still haven't talked to the travellers to lay out alternative suggestions and work on an itinerary, but I'll work up one with your suggestions. Thankyou.

Marta & Italiasoon:
We've incorporated your suggestions into the itinerary. So from Frankfurt airport directly to Munich by train, then Innsbruck, Verona, and points west in Italy. Also have given up on the idea of a car. Thanks.