pumscmu

I'm taking my mom with me on a trip to Europe this October. It's going to be the first time in Europe for both of us. If I could, I'd stay much longer to explore all the wonderful countries over there, but as it is, both of us are short on vacation days this year...

We'll be spending most of our time in Switerzland because I'll be there on business for the first couple of days. Afterwards, we'll have 2 free days. My mom is interested in seeing Italy, and I'm trying to decide if it's worth the travel costs to take a short flight to Rome (it seems like the most interesting city for us, from all the stuff I've read; also, compared to the other Italian cities, Rome has the cheapest flights from Zurich, which is where we'd be flying from).

The other option, from what I've read, is that we could visit the Lugano area in Switzerland, which seems to have a bit of Italian flavor.

Do you guys recommend the 2 days in Rome? I know there will be a million and one things to see there, so I know we won't be able to see everything in such a short time. I guess I just can't seem to find out enough information about Lugano to know if Lugano also has as much to offer?

toni_g_b

It's pretty hard to compare Lugano with Rome! Two days would barely scratch the surface in the latter. But if you're looking for an Italian flavor in a lovely setting, Lugano could be it. We were there for two days last year in August. Some feel it's too tourist-y, but I liked it for what it was, a resort town on a magnificent lake. It has lovely piazzas, wide avenues for window shopping, good Italian food, Co-Op stores (like department stores with a deli in the basement - fun). A boat trip around the lake stops at various villages to explore. We stopped at Gandria which seemed to have some lovely restaurants but it was too early for our lunch. You get off where you want and then catch the next boat coming through. There's a terrific funiculare that takes you to the top of San Salvatore from which you can see Italy. Not sure what the weather will be like in October but I think it's supposed to be fairly moderate given it position in the mountains.
If you do a search on the internet for Lugano, it should bring you directly to it's tourism page. None of the pictures come close to doing it justice, though.
And having been to both Zurich and several Italian cities, I can say Lugano and the Ticino feels more Italian than Swiss. (And in order not to start an international incident, it's not that one is better than the other, it's just that they are different from each other.)

nessundorma

Fly to Rome. The travel time is not all that different, is it?

You'll only get a taste of Rome, but it will no doubt be a memorable one.

Amanda23

Despite having been to both Lugano and Rome and really enjoying both of them, I will agree wholeheartedly with the previous poster and say go to Rome. Even if it's only for a night or two, you will have a great time and it will give you a little taste of Italy, after which you will undoubtedly want to come back and explore some more!

jabez

Normally I'd never recommend so short a time in Rome, but compared with Lugano it's Rome hands-down.
Lugano is nice, but Rome is amazing.
Personally,I'd generally recommend Florence for a shorter "quick see", but if Rome saves you money,go for it.
Make sure you stay at a place near Navona. You can walk to most everything you'd want from there.

metlc

Been to both. Under your circumstances, I'd choose Lugano. Maybe stay over at Morcote. That is, if you like charming and peaceful.

The travel to Rome is not worth it for the time involved, IMHO.