sonodust

We will be in Italy for a week (Umbria) and have decided to extend our trip for an additional week to visit some areas of France we have not yet seen (Strasbourg, Champaigne, Verdun). Taking the train from Italy to a mid point in Switz seems like a good idea, and we would enjoy seeing some of Switz. I need help choosing a location for our 2-3 days in Switz. Our route would be by train from Italy, and thenwe would rent a car once near or destination in Switz. After the time in Switz we would drive to Strasbourg. My first thoughts were Lausanne or Evain on the Fr side, but I''ve recently read about Montreau and Vevey. Please help me decide.. Keep in mind the train ride from Italy (Bologna or Milan) is likely to be long, so I would not want the destination to be difficult to reach.

Thanks

swandav2000

Hi sonodust,

Yes, Montreux or Vevey would be lovely spots -- though you don't say when you'll be travelling. They are lovely in the spring, with gorgeous flowers coming out on the lakeside promenade, but can be pretty crowded and overrun in the summer months of July and August. You should know that these have a real French feel to them in the architecture, language, cuisine, etc. So you will not see a Swiss-chalet-mountain ambiance there if that's what you're seeking.

You should also know that a car could be a real hassle in the area as well. I drove there twice and regretted it both times; parking is difficult to find and often expensive, roads are dense and thick with traffic, and you'll be contributing to the horrible brown haze that sits above the lake in the summer months. Public transportation is wonderful and easy throughout the region, and it's a delight to take one mode out and another coming back -- a bus to Chillon then a walk back or a train to Vevey and a ferry back, etc.

So, I would wait until leaving, then pick up a rental car on the French side of Geneva and continue from there.

Here are links to my "reviews" (w/photos" of my favorite things to do around the lake:

Montreux old town
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Lavaux
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Promenade Fleuri
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html

Gruyeres
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Fribourg.html

Saanen
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Gstaad
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Have fun!

s

sonodust

Thank you Swandav. Your idea about delaying the car is a good idea. How difficult would it be to get to Vevey or Montreaux by train (from Italy?) Looks like we could travel to Geneva or Lausanne and then on to one of the samller towns. Is that reasonable?

swandav2000

Hi again,

No, that would be backtracking. Take a look at the Swiss rail site at

www.rail.ch

Be sure to use the European format for the date and the time.

It's a straight and easy train trip. For instance, from Milan to Montreux it is about 3h30 with 0 changes on the Cisalpino.

If you use the Swiss rail site, after you get the connection, you'll see some small words in blue at the bottom of each connection. Click on "map" to see the route.

Have fun!

s

sonodust

Sorry I should have mentioned we are going in Mid June...

swandav2000

Perfect! June is great along the lake!

s

bobthenavigator

Look at the Swiss rail site and input Perugia to Basel or Strasbourg. I would pick Lugano as my mid-point--a lovely place in June.