aussie3

I have read so many great suggestions but am a little lost with where , distance etc.
We are rowing some lakes spread over 6 days.
Based first for 3 days Lucerne
I day sight seeing Berne
3 days based Biel
We finish on the 10th Sept
One of us has to leave Zurich on the 19th the other will head of to Italy.
Some spot mentioned in Fodor
Engadine
Rasa Centovalli
Ticino
Villeneuve
Gandria
We love biking but after all this rowing day trips will be fine.
Any info would be much wlecomed.
Also will it still be warm
regards jenny

swandav2000

Hi aussie3,

I'll try to give you a bit of help --

The Engadin Valley is very far from where you'll be; it's the extreme eastern & southeastern part of the country. If you want to see the distances, use the towns of St. Moritz or Scuol as your destination.

Villeneuve is a small town on Lake Geneva, where most travelers head to Montreux, Vevey, Lausanne, or Geneva. You won't be very far from any of these towns when you're in Biel. I really love Villeneuve, but there aren't many hotels (maybe 2) in town. If you want to see it, take the ferry from Montreux to Villeneuve and walk back, passing Chillon.

The Canton of Ticino is in the very southern part of the country and will also be far from you, but the person who is going on to Italy should be able to visit enroute. That person should research the towns of Lugano, Locarno, & Ascona to begin the research.

You can check the distances by train at the Swiss rail site, www.rail.ch.

Good luck!

s

aussie3

Hi Swanda
Thanks for infoWould it be beeter to go to Ticino and then I go on to Italy and my friend goes back to Zurich or do you think stay round Villeneuve.
We have looked at the Lake Como area as well. So much choice so confused

swandav2000

Hi aussie3,

Of course, that's a really personal decision and no one can say what will be best -- for you!

You can go to www.webshots.com and do a photo seach for both "Ticino" (or its towns) or "Lake Geneva" (or its towns) so you can see what the areas look like.

Also, you can keep in mind that Lake Geneva has French flavor, architecture, language, & food, while the Ticino has Italian flavor, architecture, gardens, language, & food. So that may help you make your decision.

Good luck!

s

Florence

Bonjour aussie3,

Since you'll be in Biel for some rowing, you may be based at the sport center in Magglingen. The view over the plaine and the Swiss Alps is absolutely wonderful on a clear day, and there's great hiking to enjoy, as well as good eating nearby (but not in the sport center itself except for the breakfast buffet). If you're based in Biel proper, try to take the time to go there by funicular (cable-car, 10 min on foot from Biel train station).

aussie3

Thanks, I feel Ive travelled the world just reading all the info on Fodor. I am taking a friend on her first trip in Europe so dont want to have her wandering like I tend to do.
Just get to a spot and use it as a base before she has to fly out of Zurich and I wander off.