In October, we will be in Paris and want to travel through the Champagne & Burgandy region to Italy. We would like to see Switzerland but really know nothing about it. I have just heard that it is beautiful. Once in Italy we want to see Milan/ Venice then to Florence and the Tuscany region. Is this an impossible driving trip or would trains be the best option. I know train will be quicker but can you see and enjoy the countryside? Our trip will be about 16 days. I was considering train through France and Switzerland then rent a car for Italy. Any thoughts?

Hi lb1962,

Oh yes, I think your plan is great -- train through France & Switzerland, then rent for Italy. There's no reason to use a car in Switzerland, and there are plenty of places that you just can't get to by car. Of course, you can see the scenery from the train -- and you'll be enjoying a picnic of cheese, bread, and wine while enjoying it!

How many days do you intend to spend in Switzerland? The TGV from Paris goes directly to Lake Geneva, which is a beautiful area (and one of my personal favorites) but does not really meet our expectations of brown-wood mountain chalets (architecture & interiors are Belle Epoque).

From Lake Geneva, you can be in the mountains by going to Zermatt (www.zermatt.ch), Brig (www.brig.ch), or to Gstaad (www.gstaad.ch). Brig would be the most convenient for you (I believe --), followed by Brig & Gstaad. You can research your train trips at the Swiss rail website, www.rail.ch.

Have fun!

s

Oops, should read, ". . . followed by Zermatt and Gstaad."

Sorry!

s

I mostly agree with Swanday as to taking a TGV either to Geneva or to Lausanne and moving more slowly from there, perhaps stopping off in Montreux and perhaps even taking the trip up from Brig to Zermatt. If you had enough time you could "backtrack" somewhat geographically to include places like Gstaad (which is NOT one of MY personal favorites but everybody's different).

Brig is definitely a rail gateway into Lombardy and the lakes and Milan.

Be aware that Switzerland is geographically about the size of West Virginia and you could actually cross the entire country by rail in about five hours.

At this point you might want to actually have a look at a map so you can see where all of this fits in and give you some better perspective.

Thanks for your replys. I have looked at the areas you suggested and I have been reading about it. The most time we would probably spend there would be two nights. Is that worth it just to see it? Also after reading about the Valais area, October may not be a great time to go because scenery will lack foilage and snow. We really don't care about the snow because this is not a ski trip but we do appreciate beautiful scenery. Maybe we should just train through it, down to Milan?

Hi lb1962,

Well I am a huge fan of Switzerland, so I would never suggest that you just get through it without stopping!

I think Brig would be fine for a few days in October; the mountain areas can be spectacular if you catch the change of season right. I know that October would be splendid for the Lake Geneva region --

I would say it's a toss-up between Brig or Montreux.

s

I've been to the entire area in October and believe you me, those mountains and Lac Leman are just as "spectacular" then as they are in the snow, to include the summit of the Matterhorn, the view over the Monte Rosa Massif, and the 1 hr 20 min rail journey to Zermatt from Brig.

I think you will regret not taking a couple of days to see this small segment of Switzerland.....and it is right on your way and EASY to do by rail.

Hi lb,

If you pick up a car in France and rop it in Italy or Switzerland you will pay a hefty drop off charge.

I would drive through France, train via Switzerland to Italy and then pick up another car.

I haven't been as lucky as Intrepid to be there in October, but the photos I've seen are spectacular----many areas have larch trees which turn a lovely soft gold. I keep a postcard photo of our favorite Oeschinensee, a lake above Kandersteg (just above Brig) in the fall on our refrigerator because it is so beautiful.

But I suppose the weather could be iffy, and that is a consideration too.

More on my own experience with the weather. We went more or less from one end of Switzerland in early to mid-October. We began in Zurich and Lucerne, stayed in Appenzell, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Interlaken, and along Lac Leman.

Some of the early mornings were crisp but never bitter cold and as the days wore on the temperatures were quite pleasant.

Another nice aspect was the lack of throngs of visitors.

I agree the weather could be more dicey then than earlier in the year but I woulnd't hesitate to visit in October in the future.

My concern for THIS particular OP is the fact that they can easily pass through Switzerland en route to Italy, can easily take in some major sights via rail, probably benefit from lower hotel rates, etc., and all in the couple of days they have possibly allotted.

I am so grateful for the responses. Not knowing what to expect makes this so wonderful to chat with someone who has been there, during that particular time. I really did not want to just pass through but our time is so limited so if it is worth seeing, we will put it our itinerary. Brig or Montreux? Is Brig more remote? Montreux is near Lake Geneva, correct?

Re: France, how far is the Champagne and Burgundy regions from Paris. Can they be considered day trips or would that be too much.

Hi lb1962,

Brig is a mounain town -- go there if you want to see, feel, & ramble on the mountains.

Montreux or Vevey are right on the lake with the mountains at some distance away. They are both larger than Brig and both have an international flavor (lots of tourists from all over the world -- Asia, Africa, Middle East, etc). They also have a definite French flavor -- Belle Epoque architecture & interiors, French language, French cooking, etc.

Good luck deciding!

s