Will be in Lake Como near the end of June with 7 days remaining for the honeymoon. Would like to go to Tuscany, but want to avoid crowds. Is it possible to do so in early July? Not as interested in big cities (Florence, Siena). Would like to stay in high end places. An alternative is to go from Lake Como to Switzerland. That is why I can't sleep. I don't know what to do. Please advise. Thanks.

OK. I still can't sleep, but realized that in my early morning stupor, I wrote an idiotic message. I will be on my honeymoon during late June, early July and will be first staying at Lake Como. After staying at Lake Como for 3 days, I have 8 days left for the honeymoom. Our interests are in wine tasting, exploring, eating, touring the countryside in northern Tuscany. Or alternatively, we would like to do some exploring, hiking, eating in Switzerland. Now that I'm fully awake, I need some advice!

Joe <BR>Well, Phil Collins recently got married and honeymooned in Montreux at Lake Geneva -- pretty good company! Although it won't be an easy traverse, you can get to Montreux from Milan or from Zurich. The reward will be fewer crowds (I was there in August and found plenty of personal space). The Lavaux Corniche region around Lake Geneva is a terraced wine-growing area with a reputation for great food and good wine. The area includes Cully, Lutry, Rivaz, Chexbres, & St. Saphorin. You can wander around the vineyards and then eat in an auberge overlooking the lake & mountains in the distance. In addition, the Montreux tourist office has a brochure with six different walks along the lake and in the nearby mountains. It's an altogether charming and restful area. You can get more information at www.montreux.ch. Also look at Hotel Victoria from the Relais & Chateaux chain. <BR>Good luck. <BR>suzann

Thanks Suzanne. Sounds like Montreaux could be great. The Palace looks like a fantastic hotel, but is a little big for my liking (sorry, Phil). I'll find other nice places to stay. Any thoughts on renting a car vs. train in Switzerland? We're flying into Milan, need to get to Lake Como and then if we head to Montreaux and later the Alps, we may need a car. Half the Fodorites say get a car in Switzerland and half say use the train.

Joe, <BR>Ummm, I think actually Phil did his nups at the Mirador above Vevey. For other hotel ideas, I really recommend you check out the 4-star Hotel Victoria in Glion above Montreux; I've stayed there twice. Except for not being right on the lake, it's a wonderful place. I also recommend the Ermitage in Clarens, right on the lake. It's also a 4-star, though it's more like a restaurant with rooms, and I found it on a lakeside walk during my last trip. I'm booked there for my next trip to Mx. You can find out more information on both of these hotels from the Mx website. <BR> <BR>I've been to Montreux three times in the past five years, and I've never had a car. But, then, I usually have six or seven days to spend there, and I enjoy soaking up the atmosphere, using public transportation, and meandering around on foot. If you only have a few days, you'll want a car so you don't waste time getting to the rail station or making connections in Vevey to get to Chexbres, etc. If you stay in Glion, you may want a car because it's a funicular ride from Territet or a connection from the Montreux Gare. <BR> <BR>If you go on to the Berner Oberland from Montreux, you might want to ditch your car. The train ride to Interlaken is spectacular, and the connections between Interlaken, Wengen, Grindelwald, and Murren are all pretty good. Again, though, you'll be facing 15/20 minutes in connection time (sometimes 45 minutes), and only you can tell if this will dampen your mood. Check out some timetables at www.sbb.ch and see how convenient they look to you. Bottom line: I always take the train. When I travel between cities, I usually send my luggage ahead so I'm unencumbered for connections. <BR> <BR>Another thought: spend one afternoon at Gruyeres and be sure to eat some fondue and some fruit w/creme-double. <BR> <BR>Write if you need more info. <BR>suzann

Joe, Get rid of your pills and rest easy. The answer is easy. From Como go <BR>to Lugano to drop the car and then train to Interlaken. However, stay in <BR>Wengen or Grindelwald--a short ride via local trains. This is the Berner Oberland--the best of the Swiss Alps and <BR>spectacular. I would plan 4 days in this area to see the many sites. Then, <BR>train to Luzern for your last 2 nites <BR>and depart from Zurich---only an hour <BR>train ride from Luzern direct to the <BR>Zurich airport. If you want, you could <BR>sandwich a day or 2 at Zermatt enroute.