katy_young_7

Hi all - I'm a newbie to fodors looking for some worldly wise advice for planning a trip this summer.

My boyfriend's brother is getting married on Lake Geneva at the end of August, which is very exciting in itself, but for me, more exciting is the fact that my boyf has agreed to a 2 week holiday in the Italian lakes before hand (we normally go camping in England and I get my foreign jaunts in with family or friends!)

We are flying in and out of Geneva as they were the cheapest flights (we're not on a really tight budget but not exactly rolling in it either!) and the original plan was to hire a car for the duration (up until a couple of days before the wedding when we will be based purely in Geneva) and drive down to the lakes. However we've looked at the cost and don't think it would be possible in addition to hotels/b&bs...so now open to getting a train.

Basically any advice on where to stay/what to do (we're both outdoorsy/walky people!) and how best to plan it (he's up for just winging it in terms of accomodation, I like to have a plan!) would be greatly appreciated! and using public transport in the lake area...any hints and tips!

Thanks in advance

iris1745

What you could consider, is rent a car for nine days[ under 500US]. Drive to Camogli [four and a half hours] and stay three of four days. Walk the Cinque Terre. Then go to Bellagio [about three hours] on Lake Como, again for three or four days. Finally back to Geneva [about four and a half hours]. Whatever you consider, people will find you great B&B'S at reasonable prices. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinque_Terre http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camogli http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellagio

bobthenavigator

Train to Lugano from Geneva and either bus to Menaggio on the west shore of Lago Como or get a car there and keep it for you time in the lakes. Look at these hotels:
Grand Hotel Menaggio
Hotel Du Lac
Hotel Bellavista

Train back from Lugano and hope to include Luzern if time permits. The trains in CH are your best option.

katy_young_7

thank you! The Cinque Terre and Bellagio look amazing, will have to see if we can factor those in!

Mimar

Good suggestions from Iris. But you're better off without a car in the Cinque Terre and even in Camogli. The train travels south from Camogli to Santa Margherita Ligure (easy walk to Portofino) and the Cinque Terre. And north to Genoa. You can take boats along the coast also.

In addition to the walk/hike between the 5 Cinque Terre villages, there's a walk/hike over the Portofino promontory. And check out the little hamlet of San Fruttoso.

Also in Bellagio, you don't need a car. You make excursions around the lake by boat. You reach Bellagio either by training to the town of Como and continuing via hydrofoil or by train to the town of Varenna and then ferry. In fact, on a budget consider staying in Varenna or maybe Menaggio.

For more time on different lakes, you can go from Menaggio to Lugano by bus, then continue by train to Locarno on Lake Maggiore. And finally take the very scenic Centovalli train from Locarno to Domodossola and switch to a train to Geneva.

August is high season. Not a good time to go winging it accommodation-wise, especially without a car. Settle on an itinerary (and a budget), and we Fodorites will help you find inexpensive lodging.

katy_young_7

thanks Mimar! I knew I'd come to the right place! to be honest I can't believe I've not found this fount of information before...better late than never!

high season is going to be the major limiting factor...hopefully will guarantee lovely weather for the actual nuptials though (on a boat on lake Geneva with reception in a vineyard just over the border in France...)can't wait!

plan is to spend the evenings this weekend sorting itinerary so I shall return with more specific accomodation requests - especially now I have some ideas for what we can do!

Have a great weekend everyone and thanks again!

suze

I'll tag on with ideas for when you're back in Geneva if you have extra time. You can get to Lausanne/Vevey/Montreux along the lake by train very easily. Also the town of Gruyeres is nice. Annecy is another pretty spot not too far.

habroms

I have visited Europe ~30-40x since 1965 and northern Italy the lake region is my favorite. I have always rented a car and several favorite cities and hotels are as follows: Hotel Ancora in Verbania (top of Lake Magiorre ), Hotel Metropole-Suisse right on Lake Como. You can drive along the lake to Bellagio (expensive but beautiful) and on around the lakes. You can't go wrong in any of the towns. Many good discount web sites for hotels. Great trip.

katy_young_7

oooh, thanks Suze - we haven't decided yet whether to start or finish with time in Geneva (last weekend will be wedding dominated) I guess it depends on how much we decide we want to see in Italy! Any suggestions gratefully received!

I'm even more excited than I was and it's still months away!!

Habroms - that's the sort of travelling record I'd like!

enzian

If walking in beautiful scenery is your goal, you might head to the lakes (either Como or Menaggio) via Brig and Milan, and on the way stop for a night or 2 in Switzerland at this place:

www.bettmeralp

It is a very short detour from Brig but puts you high in the Alps with access (by cablecar or walking) to amazing views of the Aletschgletscher, the largest glacier in Europe.

Then return to Brig by cableca and a short (15 minute) train hop, and head toward Milan. You could either switach at Domodossola to the scenic Centovalli railway:

http://www.centovalli.ch/

which takes you to Locarno on Lago Maggiore. Great walking nearby in Val Vernasca, or you can take a boat to someplace else on the lake.

Or, if you prefer to end at Lago di Como, continue past Domodossola to Milan and change for a train to Como (town) or Varenna on the upper lake.

Grassshopper

I agree with Enzian's suggestion. Take the Centovalli train. It's one of the most beautiful rides on earth. And you can stop and some of the tiny towns along the way and hike along the mountain mule trails from town to town. There are little "grottos" (outdoor restaurants) along the way to fuel your hike and amazing lake views. Rent a bike at the last Swiss town on the Centovalli trail and ride back to Locarno. It's all downhill and so much fun. From Locarno, go to Bellinzona and visit the three ancient Roman castles.

Take the boat from Locarno to Stressa and head into Italy. Stressa is only a 1 hour train ride to Milan.

suze

www.montreux.ch (here's what Montreux looks like). I don't know the italian lakes region, but this post makes me want to plan a trip there! actually it's already planned for you, what great information!!

katy_young_7

guys - you have more than exceeded my hopes for some ideas! planning fell be the way-side this weekend, I was on a course and flaked out in the evenings! pathetic!! but the sunshine has inspired me and tonight I will be looking into your suggestions properly!

I'm not sure I can wait until August!!! it feels a lifetime away!