We are driving north from Italy to Lucerne next week and are looking for an overnight stayover somewhere north of Lugano and south of the Gotthard Tunnel, perhaps in the Bellinzona area. Prefer to stay under $150 and would like to find an interesting place rather than take pot luck. Don't really want to be in the cities of Lugano or Lucarno. We've found good spots for all of our other nights but can't find much information about places along this part of out route.

I would consider Ascona on the Lake just south of Locarno. Very nice.

http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/guide/ticino/valleleventina.html<BR><BR>Hello, BPA, I don't know if this will help, but you might want to read this description of Giornico, north of Bellinzona. Sounds like an interesting town and perhaps you can find a small hotel there if you search the net. Of course, there are several hotels in Bellinzona itself. J.

I would definitely overnight in Bellinzona itself which is also the capital of the Ticino Canton, but highly underrated. It's a lively small town and not as touristy as the other wellkwown places in that area.<BR><BR>The two best hotels in town are either Unione*** (www.hotel-unione.ch) or<BR>Internazionale*** (www.hotel-internazionale.ch)<BR><BR>Both are around/under $150 for a double room.<BR>The Internazionale is a little cheaper though.<BR><BR>Other possibility, Biasca, which is a little closer to the Gotthard Tunnel, and again right on your way there.<BR>Hotel Al Giardinetto*** (www.algiardinetto.ch)<BR><BR>However, Biasca is much smaller, rather a village. <BR>Bellinzona will be nice at night with the illuminated castles.<BR><BR>Sorry, I haven't stayed at any of these places, because I usually drive through Bellinzona. But again, it's a most underrated town.<BR><BR>While Ascona is a charming and often very overrun place, I wouldn't recommend it at this time of the year. <BR>Also, it's not exactly on your route. It can bell real dull, especially with the bad weather that has just arrived over here.<BR>Hope this helps.

Forgot to add that the three castles, the defensive wall and ramparts of the market-town of Bellinzona are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.<BR><BR>jmw: Not even sure, Giornico has any overnight possibilities. Maybe B&amp;Bs. My Swiss hotel guide does not list anything though!

<BR>Just returned for a sunny skiing weekend in the Biasca area.<BR><BR>I am unsure what you mean by 'traveling next week', but the Bellinzona area is presently celebrating carnivale big time.<BR><BR>The Bahnhof was jammed with partiers, some streets closed for parades. great fun - lots of families. Celebrations will continue thru Saturday.<BR>

By &quot;next week&quot;, I mean that I will be driving from Italy up into Switzerland next Thursday (March 12th). Still looking for a good place to stay around Bellinzona, Biasca or maybe north of Locarno in one of the mountain valleys.

Hi, I see a (minhotel) Giardinetto when I do an image search for Biasca. It's a three-star. You might want to take a look at hotels-suisse.ch or ticino-tourism.ch. Good look, J.

jmw, I mentioned the Al Giardinetto already above. Looks cute.<BR><BR>And the carneval will be over next week and Bellinzona becomes again a Sleeping Beauty at night!

I second Ursula's advice: stay in Bellinzona. It is definitely quieter than Lugano and very charming.<BR><BR>However, if you want to stay outside the towns, I recommend to have a look at the small village Gudo, right on a sunny hillside southwest from Bellinzona (toward Lago Maggiore). In Gudo you find Locanda Brack; it is a cosy, typical two-star inn/hotel. Nothing fancy, but clean and standard comfort, very good food. Email [email protected]<BR><BR>Ingo

Any more suggestions from anyone else? Leaving Saturday! Thanks.

http://www.ticino-gastronomico.ch/bellinzonese/ristoranti/a_sheet_e/brack_fe.htm<BR><BR>This is where I found a picture and a bit of info about Ingo's recommendation, Locanda Brack. Looks like a charmer. Ingo, how do you discover these places? J.