cilburke

We are flying to Zurich next September for a 12 night trip. I need to build an itinerary around 7 nights at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Lake Como. Not renting a car. My thought was once we land in Zurich, take the train to Lucerne, spend 3 nights there. (I was there many many years ago and remember that it was really beautiful.) After 3 days, take a train to somewhere near Lake Como (hopefully direct), and taxi to the hotel. I imagine any train would be scenic? Then 7 days later, train back to Zurich for final 2 nights. Need help trying to figure out the the most convenient train to take and whether this is a good itinerary. Is Lucerne our best and most convenient choice of a beautiful place to stay for the first 3 nights? This is the first time I'm not using a travel agent, so am trying to do it smart. Also, would love good hotel recommendations (3 or 4 star) for Lucerne and Zurich. Thank you so much.

thursdaysd

I just did three nights in Zurich and a train direct to Como, then the ferry to Varenna. Click on my name for my TR. I think from Lucerne you will have to change trains. See bahn.de or sbb.ch for schedules.

kja

"Is Lucerne our best and most convenient choice of a beautiful place to stay for the first 3 nights? "

I think that depends on what you want to do. Lucerne and its setting are beautiful, but if you want to hike, you might want to consider someplace closer to the Bernese Oberland or other part of the country.

traveller1959

There is a direct train from Luzern to Lugano which takes 2:30. From Lugano it is a 34km drive to Tremezzo.

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is quite nice although we were not too much impressed by the food. There is a beautiful little restaurant called La Darsena in walking distance.

In Luzern, we loved the Palace Hotel right on the lake.

An alternative would be Hotel des Balances (with a good restaurant).

Pepper_von_snoot

Good, inexpensive hotel in Zürich: Pension St. Josef. Near the HBH.

4 ****: Hotel zum Storchen

5*****: Baur au Lac. $$$$$ You may see Roger Federer here.

Zürich is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Bring lots of moolah, preferably in large Louis VUITTON steamer trunks.

My fav hotel in Luzern is the Montana, across the road from the très, très posh Palace.

Thin

simpsonc510

In Zurich we like the Seidenhof or the Glockenhof. Both are located just behind the Bahnhofstrasse (shopping street). We have also stayed near the airport and taken the tram to the Haut Bahnhof (main train station in the city...located at the end of the Bahnhofstrasse).

In Lucerne we have stayed at de la Paix, very basic. The Ambassador is right next door and a bit nicer. Also Ibis Styles, basic. The Grand National on the lakefront is our occasional splurge. Lucerne is beautiful! Great choice!

cilburke

Thank you for your hotel suggestions. Any opinions on Hotel Schweizerhof in Lucerne? Also, I'm now wondering if instead of 3 nights Lucerne, 7 nights Lake Como, I should change it to 4 nights Lucerne, 6 nights Lake Como. We're not hikers, really like small cities and taking ferry or train to other towns. I appreciate your feedback.

thursdaysd

I would not spend even six nights at Lake Como, unless I wantd to veg out. I might spend six nights at Lake Maggiore, where there is more to do, but probably not.

HappyTrvlr

With the ferry system on Lake Como, you can travel all over the lake. We have been there four times, once for two weeks, and never ran out of places to see...and one of us is a typical Type A. If you can get a train to the city of Como, there is a high speed ferry to Bellagio which is part of mid lake triangle. Take ferry to hotel.
Or from Lugano as mentioned above.

PalenQ

You may want to look at a 4-consecutive-day Swiss Pass that would cover all your Swiss trains to the Italian border just south of Lugano - surprisingly cost-effective for many - valid on trains and lake boats and city buses and trams and free entry to 470 or so Swiss museums - just hop on anything. For lots of great info on Swiss trains and passes check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Personally I would recommend the Interlaken/Jungfrau Region for the dreamy Alpine Switzerland you may have pictured in your mind's eye but which will not be fulfilled much in the Lucerne area - ensonce yourself in a cutesy mountain village like Wengen or Grindelwald and take the myraid of toylike trains and gondolas going off in all directions - then move on via Lucerne - good for a day - to Lake Como.