Italy and Switzerland June 2023: your advice needed.
Oct 21st, 2022, 11:03 AM
#41
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We are also planning for a similar trip late June/early July next year
Berner Oberland (Murren) 4 nights
Lake Maggiore (Stresa) 4 nights
Sils Maria (Hotel Edelweiss) 5 nights
Dolomites (haven't booked yet) 4 nights
Will fly into and out of Zurich, rent a car for the whole trip. I'm not sure you wouldn't be wasting a lot of time with too many flights to catch, and these days who knows if they will arrive/depart on time or be cancelled.
If you are planning on staying in an Airbnb or Vrbo, you might want to get started booking. I had a terrible time finding a place at any of the Lakes for my husband and I, and my brother and his wife. So minimum 2 bedrooms, 2 baths.
Filtered for internet, kitchen, free parking, balcony, washer and dryer, just what I knew we had to have. OnceI put in filters my choices were reduced radicallyTip ~ skip asking for a dryer, most have drying racks which we used in Sicily and worked well. However, best if you have a covered balcony in case of rain.And forget AC (but ask for fans)
And check out the pictures carefully.2 single beds can sometimes be put together for a large King size bed, but sometimes the 2 singles are bunk beds. King size beds very rare.
For "chilling" Ravello on the Amalfi would be my pick, but I think maybe a different trip? Few big tour buses/ships.
If you wanted one more place for a taste of Italy, Florence is lovely.
We thought Venice pretty for a day or 2, but somewhat Disney Land.
Google the Engadine Valley, it's beautiful.
Lots to do Bernina Express over high pass to Italian town and back, Most hotels there give you a free pass for local buses, trains, and for 5 Cable cars which take you to the top for spectacular views and easy hiking,
Fex Valley a a beautiful car free valley to walk through, Soglio a spectacular village on the side of a mountain with gorgeous views, Church, old historic Hotel, Roman history
By the way this is the place we booked in Stresa, might work for you.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1589617...UfjD5iUIaOIe2l
Wrenwood
Berner Oberland (Murren) 4 nights
Lake Maggiore (Stresa) 4 nights
Sils Maria (Hotel Edelweiss) 5 nights
Dolomites (haven't booked yet) 4 nights
Will fly into and out of Zurich, rent a car for the whole trip. I'm not sure you wouldn't be wasting a lot of time with too many flights to catch, and these days who knows if they will arrive/depart on time or be cancelled.
If you are planning on staying in an Airbnb or Vrbo, you might want to get started booking. I had a terrible time finding a place at any of the Lakes for my husband and I, and my brother and his wife. So minimum 2 bedrooms, 2 baths.
Filtered for internet, kitchen, free parking, balcony, washer and dryer, just what I knew we had to have. OnceI put in filters my choices were reduced radicallyTip ~ skip asking for a dryer, most have drying racks which we used in Sicily and worked well. However, best if you have a covered balcony in case of rain.And forget AC (but ask for fans)
And check out the pictures carefully.2 single beds can sometimes be put together for a large King size bed, but sometimes the 2 singles are bunk beds. King size beds very rare.
For "chilling" Ravello on the Amalfi would be my pick, but I think maybe a different trip? Few big tour buses/ships.
If you wanted one more place for a taste of Italy, Florence is lovely.
We thought Venice pretty for a day or 2, but somewhat Disney Land.
Google the Engadine Valley, it's beautiful.
Lots to do Bernina Express over high pass to Italian town and back, Most hotels there give you a free pass for local buses, trains, and for 5 Cable cars which take you to the top for spectacular views and easy hiking,
Fex Valley a a beautiful car free valley to walk through, Soglio a spectacular village on the side of a mountain with gorgeous views, Church, old historic Hotel, Roman history
By the way this is the place we booked in Stresa, might work for you.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1589617...UfjD5iUIaOIe2l
Wrenwood
Oct 21st, 2022, 08:09 PM
#42
Wrenwood, I’ve booked Stresa, Sils Maria and Corvara for next summer, lol.
I booked early too, because demand is high.
But Dolomites family run hotels only just released dates for booking next summer, so lots of availability there still.
I booked early too, because demand is high.
But Dolomites family run hotels only just released dates for booking next summer, so lots of availability there still.
Oct 22nd, 2022, 06:18 AM
#45
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Wrenwood,
thank you, lots on information and help. The Stresa property looks awesome, but a bit expensive for us. We have kind of decided on which towns or cities we'll visit, but when someone posts about a place we haven't been to, then I start doubting if we shouldn't add it to our itinerary, or replace one of the ones we have decided upon. So many places, so little time!
thank you, lots on information and help. The Stresa property looks awesome, but a bit expensive for us. We have kind of decided on which towns or cities we'll visit, but when someone posts about a place we haven't been to, then I start doubting if we shouldn't add it to our itinerary, or replace one of the ones we have decided upon. So many places, so little time!
Oct 22nd, 2022, 02:14 PM
#46
Duvies, I checked the hotels on TripAdvisor or Booking,com for reviews/ location (we travel by public transport so prefer a hub) / and any red flags. Then I check the hotel website for prices / room options (as we prefer a larger room) and if they offer half board. Then I send an email request for an offer. These are small family run businesses, often only open mid June to late September for summer season, then open again for winter season. You pay a deposit to secure your booking. I was surprised the prices for 2023 are not much higher than 2022.
Half board includes breakfast and dinner. We previously booked it in Wengen, Montreux, Sils Maria, San Candido…always great, quality, lots of choice. Very worth considering, especially in smaller towns where restaurant options may be minimal. We booked an apartment in Ortisei and had to carry shopping up a hill or head out again for dinner.
Duvies, deciding on an itinerary is tough, so many options. I choose ours and then do my marketing ‘sale’ to DH
, he gets confused as I then add or subtract and he might say ‘thought we were doing …’ and I’m thinking oh yeah, that was itinerary draft 64….
Wrenwood, we will be there before you, late May, mid June.
Half board includes breakfast and dinner. We previously booked it in Wengen, Montreux, Sils Maria, San Candido…always great, quality, lots of choice. Very worth considering, especially in smaller towns where restaurant options may be minimal. We booked an apartment in Ortisei and had to carry shopping up a hill or head out again for dinner.
Duvies, deciding on an itinerary is tough, so many options. I choose ours and then do my marketing ‘sale’ to DH
, he gets confused as I then add or subtract and he might say ‘thought we were doing …’ and I’m thinking oh yeah, that was itinerary draft 64…. Wrenwood, we will be there before you, late May, mid June.
Oct 23rd, 2022, 01:59 AM
#47
Join Date: Oct 2022
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In fact, I want to do a journey like that. Could you tell me how much money you spent on the vacation and how you got around? I suppose the general structure.
I have flight miles and an uncle in Geneva, Switzerland. I'd love some advice on how to set things up in this situation.
I have flight miles and an uncle in Geneva, Switzerland. I'd love some advice on how to set things up in this situation.
Oct 23rd, 2022, 03:03 AM
#48
Rainbirds, if I had an uncle in Geneva, I’d be very happy!
use rome2rio and try options for daytrips for example
https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Geneva/Chamonix
or Annecy, and the lovely towns along the lake, Montreux, Lausanne, Lutry, etc,
I don’t know if you’ve read trip reports, but my last one has quite a few links and details of logistics in it, plus prices.
Our month in Switzerland
use rome2rio and try options for daytrips for example
https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Geneva/Chamonix
or Annecy, and the lovely towns along the lake, Montreux, Lausanne, Lutry, etc,
I don’t know if you’ve read trip reports, but my last one has quite a few links and details of logistics in it, plus prices.
Our month in Switzerland
Oct 23rd, 2022, 05:15 AM
#49
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Totally agree about booking half-board. You can usually search the reviews on TA for "dinner" to see how good the restaurant is.
Edelweiss in Sils is wonderful, we did half-board last time we were there, breakfast (which is also wonderful) is included. And we are doing half board again this trip, The Dining rooms are also lovely.
Our rental in Stresa is also more than we want to spend. However it does have pretty much everything we want, and pickings were slim at all of the Lakes, many have a 7 night minimum.It also has a generous cancellation policy, 100% refund if cancelled before 30 days of arrival. Be sure to check that when booking.
Edelweiss in Sils is wonderful, we did half-board last time we were there, breakfast (which is also wonderful) is included. And we are doing half board again this trip, The Dining rooms are also lovely.
Our rental in Stresa is also more than we want to spend. However it does have pretty much everything we want, and pickings were slim at all of the Lakes, many have a 7 night minimum.It also has a generous cancellation policy, 100% refund if cancelled before 30 days of arrival. Be sure to check that when booking.
Oct 23rd, 2022, 06:25 AM
#50
We had half board in Ortisei at Hotel Grones as it was required at the time we booked. The meals were delicious, couldn’t have done better anywhere else. We were tired after hiking and it was nice to just walk downstairs for dinner.
