Mikeonthenet

My wife and I are planning a July vacation of 10 nights in Switzerland and 4 nights in the Italian lakes. Flying into Zurich, returning from Milan. We're thinking of doing a combination of trains and driving in Switzerland but need advise on when to pick up the car and when to return it, certainly before Italy. So far, we’re thinking maybe a night in Zurich, a night or two in Lucerne, 3 nights in the Berner Oberland (where to base and how to include a day trip to Gimmelwald), maybe a night in Bern. Where else would be good for a few nights as we're heading to the Lake Como area? We've looked into Rick Steve's itineraries and some others. We'd consider a scenic train ride to make our way from Switzerland to the Lake Como region and looked at taking the Glacier Express or the Bernina Express or the Wilhelm Tell train, but we're indecisive on which makes for a better trip plan. We are more into walking than strenuous hikes, more into seeing sights outside than museums, more into clean and comfortable lodging than extravagant. We've been around Europe and have planned our trips but for some reason we're a little puzzled about this plan. Your help is appreciated.

PalenQ

(where to base and how to include a day trip to Gimmelwald),>

a great excursion - take a train to Lauterbrunnen and then take the thrilling aerial cable car up to Grutschalp and then train to Murren (can do Schilthorn cables from here and then back right to Gimmelwald - from there another thrilling cable car plunges down to the Lauterbrunnen Valley at Stechelberg from which postal buses go back the few miles to Lauterbrunnen (also a mellow flat walk) - can hit Trummelbach Falls just before Lauterbrunnen. A Swiss Pass would cover everything in full except 50% off on Murren to Schilthron cables.

For lots of great info on Swiss trains, scenic trains, etc check these info-laden sources: www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com (check their free online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of Swiss rail suggestions) and www.ricksteves.com.

Strongly look at the Swiss Pass as you are traveling enough to make it very viable IMO.

kja

Are you sure you want a car while in Switzerland? Public transportation is excellent and convenient. In contrast, some parts of the Bernese Oberland are car-free, so having a car can be an impediment.

PalenQ

Are yous ending your trip in Italy - if so renting a car in Switzerland and returning it in Italy could well result in a steep drop-off charge for renting in one country and returning in another.

And you will not use that car much in Switzerland as it is banned from many Alpine areas and must be parked at edges of towns at a steep price perhaps. Boats are a great way to get around the Italian Lakes district - boat passes a good deal and the best way to see the lake IMO is from a boat so you can see both sides - roads along the lakes IME are busy two-lane roads.

but if you need a car in Italy rent it in a border town just over the Swiss border.

PalenQ

Where else would be good for a few nights as we're heading to the Lake Como area?>

Not all that much on the main rail or road routes to Italy from the Interlaken area - but perhaps consider staying perhaps 4 nights in the Berner Oberland as there is so so much to see and do - like boat rides on the two lakes bookending Interlaken - Lake Brienz has a ton of neat places along it to hop on and off boats - a wonderful full day out -ditto for Lake Thun - I'd do Bern as a day trip from Lucerne - relocating for one night is the pits IMO and Bern to me is one of the nicest cities in Europe - in terms on natural beauty in its setting and decor.

You could do a few days in Zermatt before going to Italy too.

neckervd

Scenic Interlaken - Lake Como itinerary:
Day 1:
Interlaken - train - Meiringen - Swiss Post Bus - Grimsel Pass - Furka Pass Ice Cave - Andermatt - train - Chur
Day 2:
Chur - Bernina Express - Tirano - train - Colico - Varenna, etc.

PalenQ

Interlaken - train - Meiringen - Swiss Post Bus - Grimsel Pass - Furka Pass Ice Cave - Andermatt>

I've done this - it is an awesome bus ride going up the Grimsel Pass - Swiss Passes valid the whole route. And the Bernina Express is to me Europe'smost awesomely scenic train - yet this route will take 2 full days but if you have time so so awesome. Stay in Pontresina before the Bernina Express or regular trains that go over the same route.

The dramatically scenic Bernina Pass Railway:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bern...w=1920&bih=955