Hello,
I will leave Bern on the last Sunday of May and shall take my plane back home a week later (the Sunday after).
My plans are to rent a car in Bern, heading to Lausanne, Aosta and then to Piemonte, where we could stay from 3-5 days. Then going to Lake Como area and finally arriving in Zurich to take our plane back home.
I would like your help for building our itinerary. I thought of doing the following:
- Sunday: sleep in Lausanne or Aosta
- Monday: sleep in Aosta
- Tuesday - Thusday: sleep in Piemonte (maybe in the Agriturismo Marcarini -- www.marcarini.it .)
- Friday-Saturday: Sleep in Lake Como area
- Sunday: plane back home from Zurich at 22h30.

Any inputs will be very helpful. Hotel recommendations (range: 70-150 Euros) will also be excellent.
Thank you very much,
gpm

I would train in CH and get your car in Lugano--and drop it there as well. At Logo Como look at Hotel Du Lac or Hotel Bellavista in Menaggio.

Marcarini is absolutely beautiful!

Another option that I am considering. Please tell me your opinions...
- Sunday: sleep in Aosta
- Monday - Wednesday: sleep in Piemonte (maybe in the Agriturismo Marcarini -- www.marcarini.it)
- Thursday: sleep in Cinque Terre
- Friday: sleep in Cinque Terre
- Saturday: Sleep in Lake Como area
- Sunday: plane back home from Zurich at 22h30.

Any inputs?

For me that would be too much driving from place to place and not enough time to discover each area. I just do not think it is a good plan to drive all that way and only stay for two nights. But I do like to keep things on the relaxing side. Does it have to be CT? MAybe anther Ligurian coastal destination?

Also keep in mind that you cannot drive to most CT villages.

Have you been to any of these areas before? Do you have to start/end in Bern/Zurich?

I agree with ekscrunchy. Too much driving for too little time.

I'd pick either the coast or a lake but not both. Your choice. I'd only go as far south as Camogli or Rapallo.

Thanks! I might skip CT and stop near Alba. Then move north to Lake Como. Or I could also skip Lake Como. What are your opinions?
I have never been to these areas before. I have to depart from Bern and end in Zurich.

Hi GPM,

I agree with Jean and some of the others......why not make a more leisurely time of it? I know Aosta valley well, and think you'd enjoy a bit more time there than just one night! You could stay in a lateral valley (like Cogne) or in Aosta itself and spend some time visiting the medieval castles and/or hiking.

Thank you. I will make a more leisurely trip. I am planning to take the car in Bern and head south, passing through Aosta Valley, then Piemonte. Then head north in direction of Lake Como and finally end in Zurich, a week later. Any suggestions of itineraries, hotels and restaurants?

I've done that route a number of times. Most of it is valley driving, but you can add a few passes if you want to get on top of the mountains. All you need to do is study a good road map first (Michelin has my preference.).