NicoleW

Hi!

I'm finally going to Europe (Italy) for the first time at 45 years old! My parents are treating my two sisters and me to the trip of a lifetime, (we're leaving husbands and children at home - guilt).

We're flying into Milan and touring Tuscany for two weeks. My question is, do we have time to visit Switzerland for a couple days at the beginning or end of our trip? We'd like to explore, eat and shop in a few old villages. I'd love to see the scenes and drive along Lake Como but my mother's done that and said she'll never drive on that road again, (afraid of heights - but loves the Alps - go figure! What is the best way to get there and where do you suggest we go? Would love to get a sense of old world Switzerland. Any suggestions would be so appreciated.

Thanks

nytraveler

You can certainly spend a few days in Switzerland (pending time of year) - and might want to spend a few days in the berner oberland villages.

However, if you have never been to europe before just spending time visiting small towns in Tuscany (for which you will need a car) seems to me a waste. I would consider visiting at least one of the cities - rome, Florence or Venice - to get more of a picture of the entire culture.

bobthenavigator

That is quite doable from MXP. I would do it as you arrive.
What time of year? You would not need to drive.

kybourbon

Sounds like your parents have decided what the trip will be. You will have to come back another time with spouses (and maybe kids?) and see Lake Como.

NicoleW

Thanks! We're going the end of May and are renting a car for the two weeks. My parents suggested we visit Florence, drive to Pienza in the D'Orcia valley and see the little towns around it; ie: Multipulciano, Montalcino, San Quirico D'Orcia... then stay near Sienna and San Gimigianno, etc. for about 3 days and then on to Cinque Terra for a night or two. We already have reservations in a couple Agriturissmos. (Please excuse any misspellings). Any more suggestions?

bobthenavigator

So, why not plan 2 nites in Stresa or Lugano after you arrive?
And, perhaps 2 nites in Portovenere on your way back to MXP.

NicoleW

Thanks, I'll research those places!

Mimar

The only part of this itinerary for which you want is car is for visiting the hilltowns of southern Tuscany. You don't want to drive in Florence (too easy to drive into a ZTL, a locals-only area, and get a ticket). And the small towns of the Cinque Terre have stayed small because there's no road between them. Insead you walk or take the boat or the train. There is a road inland. You can pay to park at a lot up high and walk down to the town. And walk back up when you leave.

Bob's is a good suggestion (though you need a car for Portovenere). It's not advisable to drive immediately after a long overnight flight. You could take a bus from Malpensa Airport to Stresa or Lugano or Menaggio or a train to Stresa or to Varenna and ferry to Bellagio. Note: of these cities only Lugano is actually in Switzerland, though Stresa is very close to the border.

Jinky

Promise me you will go back with your husbands! Italy is too romantic to only see it with your sisters and mother. But wow, what an amazing trip you all will have.

What is in Milan that you want to see? Have you considered flying into Florence?

We stayed here in Montepulciano: http://www.santantonio.it/en/tuscan-resort.aspx (I highly recommend it .. amazing)

We were there for 9 nights and rented a car for a week. From there, we easily drove to many of the places you mentioned, such as Pienza, Montalcino, San Quirico D'Orcia, and also to Assisi and Cortona. Amazing drives, just beautiful.

So, you may consider one spot to stay for 5-7 days as a "home base" and do some lovely day trips.

Where are your reservations so far?

Jinky

NicoleW ?? You there?

NicoleW

I'm here just busy working and doing fun travel research (my new hobby). My mother is somewhat handicapped so they want a car for the entire time. Do these smaller cities accommodate with handicap parking? I love your (Jinky's place in Montepulciano, thanks!

New question: Of the following cities in Southern Switzerland; Martigny, Verbler, Zermatt, Zscona, Lugano and Bellinzona, which ones would give us the best old Swiss experience/autentic feel? ie: neat restaurants, quaint shops, interesting architecture, view of the Alps, etc... How long does it take to get to these places from Milan?

swandav2000

Hi NicoleW,

Zermatt is the closest one to the idea of wooden chalets, etc. Martigny is nearby the mountains, not in them, and is in the French part of the country. Ascona, Lugano, and Bellinzona are in the Italian part of the country. I haven't been to Verbier, but from what I've heard from travellers and seen from photos, it has too many modern buildings in it to have that "Swiss" feeling.

However, Zermatt is car-free. You have to leave your car in the (paid) parking lot at Täsch and take the train the rest of the way. Normally your hotel in Zermatt will have an electric car/van to pick you up at the station.

s

annhig

if you are going to need a car for the whole time, and you HAVE to go to Florence, consider staying in Siena and just going for a day trip, [and hour on the bus] or in Fiesole [just north of Florence and about 20 mins on the bus].

Alternatively stay somewhere outside the ZTL, like the pension that I found to the east of the centre:

http://www.residenzacasanuova.it/

but in your situation, i think that the place that Jinky has mentioned looks a very good bet. with a party of your size, and "older" travellers whose mobility is restricted, having a home base will be a lot easier [and therefore more enjoyable] than a lot of hopping about. being able to tour gently in the day and then come back to a nice meal in the evening without the stress of having to find a restaurant you all like, get there, get parked, etc. etc. will make you all happy.
Trust me, I did a touring holiday with my very mobile and fit 80 year old mother earlier this year - never again!

annhig

ok - i had another look at the place jinky recommends. it does indeed look lovely but there is no on site restaurant. I think that in your situation i would stay somewhere where you did at least have this as an option.

this might help:

http://www.agriturismo.it/en/farmhouse/tuscany

bilboburgler

florence has car access restrictions, can't remember details but check the city website

Jinky

<<ok - i had another look at the place jinky recommends. it does indeed look lovely but there is no on site restaurant. >>

I did not realize they needed a restaurant on site.. I figured they will have a car and will be driving and eating various places. The villas all have full kitchens, so they can do some shopping and make a few meals there. So relaxing and enjoyable.

One of the best parts about it, is that you can wake up, make your own coffee and breakfast.. or just warm up some toast or croissants. Some evenings we made dinner there, and it was wonderful. No worries about finding a place to eat, dealing with crowds, etc..

The owner, Nico, is amazing. If you have concerns about mobility/handicap, just email him, he will get back to you and help you with anything you need. Certainly, he will also make sure your trip is perfect. He helped us get settled, made us maps, gave us incredible advice on all the areas, etc. He lives on the property, and is always available too. There were a couple older *80's) ladies staying there when we were there and they were bragging about how Nico made sure they were comfortable, even making special concessions for them. They told me, because of this, they have been staying there every year.

Here is another link, with reviews. Truly, I recommend this place 100%. I'd never stay anywhere else in Tuscany! http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...o_Tuscany.html

annhig

I did not realize they needed a restaurant on site.. I figured they will have a car and will be driving and eating various places. The villas all have full kitchens, so they can do some shopping and make a few meals there. So relaxing and enjoyable. >>

jinky - the OP didn't have that as one of her requirements, but it's my experience that it's very helpful to have that option.

OTOH, she has your very strong recommendation to go by, so as ever, it's up to her.

NicoleW

Are you two fighting? This is more fun than a trip to Italy!!

Thanks to all for your recommendations. I'll ask my mother if she wants/needs a restaurant on site. I love the web sites you both have given me.

My mom and dad don't want to spend over 350 euros for a place a day. Two rooms for 5 people. And my mother can't climb much more than 3-4 stairs. Overwhelming, so many choices!

Jinky

No fighting.. I just misunderstood I thought maybe I missed something. I was confused because I've never stayed at a villa or apartment that had a restaurant on site. See, I actually learned something!

Really, it's all personal preference. When I traveled with my Mom years ago, she actually preferred to stay in at night and we cooked there.

PS: I'd suggest emailing Nico, as well as the owners of other apartments and villas you have bookmarked. Ask about their facilities and how they could cater to someone who needs a bit of special care. This will be an amazing trip, and you don't want anything left to chance.

I will say, however, all over Italy (and Europe in general) there are a LOT of steps.. everywhere. And in Tuscany, there is a reason they are called "hill towns" .. So much walking uphill.. and then downhill. Make sure to research these things.

When I took my mother to Europe, there were many sights that she could not enjoy, due to the steps and stairs (or steep hills). It made me very sad, and it was hard to enjoy myself when I knew she couldn't participate in a few things. Of course, we still had an amazing time, but you may want to be aware of these things ahead of time. It's much different when you travel with older or handicapped parents. I was so afraid she'd fall or slip.. I was on edge a lot of the time. I also wish I had a video of me driving in Ireland and her screaming, "Slow down! Move over! Stop! You're going to kill us!!!!" Ahh, good times.. haha

This link may be very helpful. I also recommend the site in general. Wonderful tips, and lovely people post there from all over the world.


http://www.slowtrav.com/europe/seniors.htm

annhig

not, we're not fighting are we, Jinky? [well, I'm not, anyway!]

i do agree with you that Italy can be challenging for the elderly/immobile of any age. i can remember a thread about this a while ago, and the town of Pienza was mentioned as being particularly and unusually flat. here's a link to the thread that discussed it:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...tepulciano.cfm

[there are a few more - put Pienza into the search engine and see what you come up with].

I was terribly on edge during our trip with my mum - and she is relatively fit. [and we were only in Holland, so not much hill-climbing there!] You will probably find that you do far less walking than you would normally do, have far more stops, and do quite a lot more driving as that is a nice restful way for your parents to see the countryside. [restful for them that is].

Stu Dudley has produced some great driving routes around Tuscany - you could search for him in the search engine too and see what you can find.