Two ways to celebrate twenty years — compared, side by side.
What Elaine is dreaming of — every option below is measured against this.
Magical lakes, storybook towns, and the best trains in the world.
The most adventurous pick — and it keeps your non-stop flight. Snow-capped peaks, glacier excursions, waterfall valleys, and lake towns straight out of a painting, all stitched together by Switzerland's legendary rail network. A brand-new country for the family, and the closest thing to Yellowstone's wow that Europe offers.
A jewel-blue lake ringed by peaks, a covered-bridge medieval old town, and cable cars up Mt Pilatus & Rigi. Culture + lake + easy adventure, 45 min from the airport.
The valley of 72 waterfalls beneath the Jungfrau. Cog railways, the "Top of Europe" glacier, and Bond's Schilthorn. Adventure central — Dylan's kind of place.
Belle-époque Riviera on Lake Geneva: the storybook Château de Chillon, Chaplin's World, and vineyard terraces. A gentle, elegant finale.
Arrive from your overnight flight, glide ~45 min by train to Lucerne, and settle into the resort. Easy evening on the lakefront.
The Chapel Bridge and painted old town, then the cogwheel + cable car up Mt Pilatus for the first big alpine view.
A classic paddle-steamer cruise across the lake, then Europe's oldest mountain railway up Rigi, the "Queen of the Mountains."
One of the world's prettiest train rides into the Bernese Oberland; arrive in the waterfall valley and take it in.
The railway to the highest station in Europe: glacier, snow, and an ice palace. Big-day adventure the kids will never forget.
Cable car to car-free Mürren and the Bond-film Schilthorn peak; back down for the valley's roaring waterfalls.
A relaxing day between the two turquoise lakes — lakeside strolls, a boat, optional paragliding for the brave.
The panoramic GoldenPass line over the mountains to Lake Geneva; arrive on the Riviera by afternoon.
The fairytale island castle, Chaplin's World, and a slow anniversary day along the vineyard-lined lake.
Train to Zürich, an easy afternoon in the old town and by the lake, and a final celebratory dinner near the airport.
Direct back to LA. Home the same day.
City culture, a magical lake, and the most romantic city on earth.
The warmest and most spring-like pick — and the most romantic for a 20th. A cool, stylish city, then days of drifting across Lake Como between storybook villages, and a grand finale in Venice. The one trade-off: it needs a single connection from LAX rather than a non-stop.
Your culture hit: the marble Duomo (climb the rooftop), Leonardo's Last Supper, the glass Galleria, and world-class food and design.
The dream lake — cute towns by boat (Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio), villa gardens, and Villa del Balbianello (Star Wars & Bond). Pure relaxation.
Gondolas, St. Mark's, hidden canals, and a boat to the candy-colored islands of Burano & Murano. Nowhere more romantic for twenty years.
Arrive after one connection, check into the hotel, and ease in with an evening aperitivo.
Rooftop of the Duomo, Leonardo's Last Supper (book ahead), the Galleria, and Sforza Castle.
An easy ~1-hour train to the lake; settle into the resort and take your first boat across the water.
The "pearl of the lake," then the cinematic gardens where Star Wars and Bond filmed — a hit with the kids.
The most romantic village on the lake and the blooming spring gardens of Villa Carlotta and Villa Melzi.
Lake cruise, the funicular up to Brunate for the view, and a spa afternoon at the resort. Nature + rest.
A scenic ~3-hour ride across northern Italy; arrive to the canals and a first-night gondola glow.
The heart of Venice — basilica, palace, and a glide through the quiet back canals.
The rainbow fishing island of Burano and the glassblowers of Murano — more cute towns, on the water.
A relaxed final day (or a quick Verona day trip) and a grand anniversary dinner on the water.
One connection back to LA.