Lake Como - is 4 nights too many?
 

Planning a trip to Lake Como, Switzerland and possibly one more location such as Amsterdam for 9-10 nights. I am thinking about staying in Menaggio, Italy on Lake Como for 3-4 nights, then 4 nights in Switzerland at 2 different locations and then 2 nights in Amsterdam or whatever my last destination will be. ( I have already been to Italy so I do not want to spend time going to other Italy locations. Is 4 nights at Lake Como too may nights?

Also, thoughts from travelers to Switzerland is appreciated. I would like to see the quaint towns and I am not interested in Geneva or Zurich and nothing bigger than Bern. While we may do a mile or two easy hike around a liake, looking at the mountains is more important than climbing them.

What dates are you traveling?

Definitely not too long if you're interested in visiting some of the gardens and other places around the lake.

Where in Switzerland and how do you intend to get to Amsterdam from there? If you go by train, you'll lose most of a day in transit. In a relatively short trip of 9-10 nights, that would be (for me) too much time sitting on a train.

I wouldn't consider 3-4 nights too long on Lake Como. (FWIW Menaggio wouldn't be my first choice). That's only 2-3 full days. But it depends on what you want to see/do there and also on the time of year. If you go in the off season when ferry service is reduced (thru March 24, 2018), you won't be able to fit as much sightseeing into a day as you would in high season, gardens are dull, many restaurants are closed (esp. in Bellagio and Varenna).

Lake Como lies only a few miles from the Swiss border. You may visit some famous places in Southern Switzerland, like

Monte Generoso (view point, cog wheel railway)
Monte San Giorgio Unesco site
Swissminiatur
Lugano with it's churches (frescoes) and parks
Tamaro Park
Copy of Leonardo's Last Supper at Capriasca
Monte Lema (viewpoint, gondolas)
3 medieval castles of Bellinzona
Diavolezza-Bernina glacier area

in day trips from Lake Como

As said above, all will depend on the season you will travel

Yes, it depends on when you go. I loved Lake Como - we were there last September for 6 nights and it was definitely not too long. Recommend using the ferry service to see other towns/Villa Carlotta, etc. and also recommend renting your own boat to explore. The scenery is second to none.

I think the last time we were there it was for 4 nights. That seemed about right, if it's the right season.

Consider some of the smaller towns, like Varenna and the Villa Monastero.

We would be going in July or August.

As for getting to Amsterdam, I think we would fly there from Switzerland out of Lucerne or Zurich rather than spending all day on a train.

In Switzerland I would like to see Zermatt and the Jungfrau region - some or all of Ovengem, Murren Grindewald, Lauterbrunnen

looking at the mountains is more important than climbing them.>

Yes I'd chose Interlaken area and stay in say mountain village like Wengen or for more action Grindelwald - both with views stupendous from your hotel balcony and lifts and mountain trains going off in all directions.

Como to Interlaken is a bit tricky - main rail route you go back to Milan and then to Spiez, changing for Interlaken-Ost for mountain trains to hill towns.

Skip Zermatt if going to Interlaken area and if bent on 2nd base Lucerne would be great - also very close to Zurich for flights to Amsterdam or trains too.

Taking trains to Amsterdam or flying? Unless you break up a long train ride - ideal stop however would be in Rhine Gorge around Koblenz.

For lots on trains check www.seat61.com (great info on discounted tickets); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Several years ago we spent four nights in Varenna and were very pleased with the experience. We booked our room at the Hotel Olivedo with a room facing the lake. The property was extremely clean, the staff was friendly even with a grouchy owner, and it was about 30 meters from the lake boat dock.

We took day trips to Mennagio, Bellagio, and Como using the lake ferry. One day we took a long lake cruise just sitting and relaxing was we sailed along the water.

So, no four nights are not too many.

Buon viaggio,

If eventually going to Switzerland how about substituting Lake Maggiore for Como - a similar type lake with many attractions along its shores and smack right on mainline rail route to where you want to go in Switzerland. Something to consider anyway.

Some timetable datas:

Stresa/Lake Maggiore - Zermatt:
Stresa dp 9.21, 12.21, 13.21, 18.21, 19.21; 2 1/2 hrs journey with 1 train change at Brig

Stresa/Lake Maggiore - Muerren:
Stresa dp 9.21, 12.21, 13.21, 18.21, 19.21; 3 3/4 hrs journey with 4-5 train changes

Locarno/Lake Maggiore - Zermatt:
Locarno dp every hr from 6.49 until 17.49, except 9.49 and 13.49; 4 hrs hrs journey with 2 train changes at Domodossola and Brig

Locarno/Lake Maggiore - Muerren:
Locarno dp dp every hr from 6.49 until 17.49, except 9.49 and 13.49; 5 1/4 hrs journey with 5-6 train changes

Menaggio/Lake Como - Zermatt:
Menaggio dp 6.02, 7.25, 8.30, 10.40, 12.05, 13.30, 14.35, 16.00, 17.05, 17.35; 7 hrs journey with 6 changes,

Menaggio/Lake Como - Muerren:
Menaggio dp 6.02, 7.25, 8.30, 10.40, 12.05, 13.30, 14.35, 16.00, 17.05, 17.35; 7 hrs journey via Arth-Goldau with 8-9 changes, 8 hrs via Centovalli with 9-10 changes

Direct flights to Amsterdam from Zurich, Basel and Berne. Cheapest way via Basel airport, fastest way via Berne airport.

Most scenic itinerary:
Muerren dp 7.06 by train to Interlaken - Basel - Mannheim - Mainz - Bingen ar 14.02
Bingen dp 14.30 by Rhine river boat to Assmannshausen - Bacharach - Kaub - St. Goar - Boppard ar 16.50.
Boppard dp by train 17.39 via Koblenz - Cologne to Amsterdam ar 21.56