St. Moritz, Lugano or Montreux??
Aug 2nd, 2004, 06:56 AM
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St. Moritz, Lugano or Montreux??
Hi,
I'll be visiting Switzerland in September and I have 4 extra days to spend after visiting Luzern and Murren. I'm looking for a really pristine area - lakes and mountains that are less touristy and very scenic. Which cities would you recommend?? I heard that Lake Sils near the St. Moritz area is beautiful, but how about Lugano/Lake Como area and Montreux?? Which of these cities would be best and how do they compare? Any help or information that you have would be great.
Thanks!
I'll be visiting Switzerland in September and I have 4 extra days to spend after visiting Luzern and Murren. I'm looking for a really pristine area - lakes and mountains that are less touristy and very scenic. Which cities would you recommend?? I heard that Lake Sils near the St. Moritz area is beautiful, but how about Lugano/Lake Como area and Montreux?? Which of these cities would be best and how do they compare? Any help or information that you have would be great.
Thanks!
Aug 2nd, 2004, 07:03 AM
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"Less touristy" than where or what?
The Lake Sils area is quite scenic but the area around Montreux and along the shoreline of Lac Leman is also very pretty. You'll get absolutely spectacular lake views by taking the train from Montreux up to Rochers de Naye, too. I think you'll find Montreux somewhat more interesting than St. Moritz..the latter is kinda semi-closed down out of the ski season...
Lake Como, especially the so-called mid-lake area (Bellagio/Menaggio/Varenna) is very pretty and laid back.
I've been to all three but if I had to choose one for a few days of relaxation I'd pick mid-Lake Como.
The Lake Sils area is quite scenic but the area around Montreux and along the shoreline of Lac Leman is also very pretty. You'll get absolutely spectacular lake views by taking the train from Montreux up to Rochers de Naye, too. I think you'll find Montreux somewhat more interesting than St. Moritz..the latter is kinda semi-closed down out of the ski season...
Lake Como, especially the so-called mid-lake area (Bellagio/Menaggio/Varenna) is very pretty and laid back.
I've been to all three but if I had to choose one for a few days of relaxation I'd pick mid-Lake Como.
Aug 2nd, 2004, 08:04 AM
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Hi quest,
Montreux is *very* touristy; it mainly functions as a popular resort town. But there are lots of other towns along the lake with similar views, fewer tourists. Try Morges or Vevey.
I think the Sils area would also be less touristy -- it's beautiful there, but St Moritz will be glitzy.
I imagine the Italian Lakes area will be touristy -- at least judging from the number of messages here about them.
Hope this helps --
s
Montreux is *very* touristy; it mainly functions as a popular resort town. But there are lots of other towns along the lake with similar views, fewer tourists. Try Morges or Vevey.
I think the Sils area would also be less touristy -- it's beautiful there, but St Moritz will be glitzy.
I imagine the Italian Lakes area will be touristy -- at least judging from the number of messages here about them.
Hope this helps --
s
Aug 2nd, 2004, 08:21 AM
#4
Montreux is a tourist destination for Europeans too. Pretty place right on the lake but more "international" flavor (Jazz Festival and all) than Swiss. My friends who live there would agree with this statement. Having said that, I do love that beautiful region and also recommend Vevey instead.
Aug 3rd, 2004, 05:36 AM
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I think that if the grapes have not been harvested yet (can anyone pinpoint the week?), then a tiny village on Lac Leman will be good (Lutry, Cully, St. Saphorin, St. Prex, Morges). I can't think of anything more lovely than spending time walking the vineyard trails and riding the lakeboats from village to village.
On the other hand, if the vineyards are bare (I know nothing), then for sure go to the Engadine. Do a search here to find the threads about Zuoz, Sils, Garda, etc.
I'm wondering what Lago Maggiore would be like in September vis a vis crowds. It does have a more rural feel than Lugano and its lake. If you're hankering for an Italian flavored Swiss experience (I can't believe I wrote 'hankering'), then consider tiny Gerra-Gambarogno on Maggiore. You can boat to other lazy towns and pretend that you're the only person who has discovered Gerra. J.
On the other hand, if the vineyards are bare (I know nothing), then for sure go to the Engadine. Do a search here to find the threads about Zuoz, Sils, Garda, etc.
I'm wondering what Lago Maggiore would be like in September vis a vis crowds. It does have a more rural feel than Lugano and its lake. If you're hankering for an Italian flavored Swiss experience (I can't believe I wrote 'hankering'), then consider tiny Gerra-Gambarogno on Maggiore. You can boat to other lazy towns and pretend that you're the only person who has discovered Gerra. J.
Aug 3rd, 2004, 11:45 AM
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(Hi all you Support Group members!)
jmw, have been to Montreux the last week of Sept and the harvesting of the grapes was almost finished.
Lake Sils is one of my favourite areas, if not *the* favourite. It is absolutely not semiclosed in Sept. (I wish it would be, so the prices were lower ;-) ). Have you thought about Lake Poschiavo? This is what I would call pristine! Stay in a lovely hotel by the lake or in Poschiavo itself, a charming Italian style small town.
I think the lakes Maggiore, Lugano or Como are quite touristy. You might be able to find some quieter places somehwere, but I have no idea where.
I found Lake Geneva to be very touristy. Not that I would not like it. And not only touristy, it is a very popular are for residents from all over Europe (and the world), so you will rarely find pristine places.
Ingo
jmw, have been to Montreux the last week of Sept and the harvesting of the grapes was almost finished.
Lake Sils is one of my favourite areas, if not *the* favourite. It is absolutely not semiclosed in Sept. (I wish it would be, so the prices were lower ;-) ). Have you thought about Lake Poschiavo? This is what I would call pristine! Stay in a lovely hotel by the lake or in Poschiavo itself, a charming Italian style small town.
I think the lakes Maggiore, Lugano or Como are quite touristy. You might be able to find some quieter places somehwere, but I have no idea where.
I found Lake Geneva to be very touristy. Not that I would not like it. And not only touristy, it is a very popular are for residents from all over Europe (and the world), so you will rarely find pristine places.
Ingo
Aug 4th, 2004, 04:42 AM
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Yes, I think Ingo's probably right that the Engadine region will be the most undiscovered. I was hoping that lakes Maggiore and Leman would quiet down for you in September, but I've never been at that time. p.s. Ingo, I can't sign off w/o insisting that Gerra-Gambarogno is "pristine" (smiley face). J.
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