Hi, I'm traveling to Switzerland this August and am flying in and out of Zurich. First, I plan to go to the Bernese Oberland, but then want to go down to the lake region of Ticino/Lake Como. I will not have a car, will have a Swiss rail pass, and stay in budget hotels. I am torn between staying somewhere in or around Lugano vs Varenna. Then, I read about Stesa on this forum, and then, about Lake Garda. Now, I'm totally torn. I want to stay in an area that is relatively easy to get to by myself with one rolling suitcase. I need a town big enough to have easily accesible restaurants and markets. And one easily accesible to getting around the lake I'm on and hopefully, getting from one lake to the other fairly easily. I'm planning on 3-4 days for all this. I am looking for scenery as well as gardens, castles, pretty little towns, etc. I'm also hoping to avoid extreme crowds. One final question--is A/C a necessity in this area during August? So, looking for recommendations on towns to stay in and good budget hotels. Hope this is specific enough, thanks in advance for your advice

Libby,

Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words. It's 9:20 p.m. and I just walked in the door.

I will post photos of Stresa for you. BTW, the train station is 2-3 minutes away from the main drag.

I agree with Stresa if you don't have a car. Only visited, but really liked it. The train station is only a couple of blocks from downtown.

I would definitely recommend against Lugano. We passed thru the city on the way to Mennagio, and then took a day trip. Big mistake in my opinion. It was crowded, and it was more like just another big city vs. the small town atmosphere of Stresa, Bellagio, etc, but haven't been to Varenna. Someone else can chime in as it is on the train route.

I would go to Locarno. It has everything you're looking for and is easily accessable by train. You can take boat rides on the lake (Maggiore) to Stressa as well as the islands with gardens. Bellinzona is a 20 minute train ride away, with it's 3 beautiful old castles. Lots of restaurants. I loved Albergo Navegna, right on the lake. It also has a wonderful restaurant.

We stayed in Varenna and Belaggio last fall. Easy access with the train stopping in Varenna. The ferry from Varenna to Belaggio is a short ride across the lake. We split our time between the two. Access to that area of the lake without a car is either train or bus. We took a taxi to Varenna from Malpensa airport, ferry to Belaggio (be careful, they go on 24 hour strikes at a moments notice), ferried back to Varenna and took the train to Milan for a few nights.

Do try and go to Varenna at some stage and dine at Vecchia Varenna, on the veranda overlooking Lake Como. Sensational food with a view to die for.
Another time go up the hill and try the terrace at Hotel du Lac with more sensational views - 2 of the best vistas you will ever see.

For Switzerland, another vote for Locarno.

You can see:
- walk from Locarno to Tenero along lakeside and catch train back
- beautiful church (Madonna del Sasso)
- Ascona (10 min. by bus)
- Centovalle train
- Verzasca Valley (by bus)
- Brissago island (by ferry)
- Cannobio and Luino markets (by ferry)
- Stresa (by ferry)
- Bellinzona castles (by bus)
- Bosco Gurin in Maggia valley (by bus)

That should be enough for starters.

I second what schuler wrote.

Also the Swiss Franc hasn't risen like the Euro has the last year so the hotels may be less expensive.

Hello, Libby. You mention your Swiss Pass, so I'll add a couple of things. Locarno and Lugano are both better choices as bases for daytrips with the Swiss Pass. However, if you are planning to enjoy the lakeboats, then those on Lugano's lake participate in the Swiss Travel System, but the boats on Lago Maggiore do not. You would have to purchase a lakeboat pass for that Lake.

Heaven knows I'm devoted to Lago Maggiore (Gerra-Gambarogno, Ascona, Locarno), but Lugano is a delightful city. The lakeboat-accessible villages of Gandria and Morcote are lovely. I think Locarno may have an edge from the point of view of the budget traveller (additional lakeboat costs notwithstanding). It presents a more peaceful ambience, certainly.

What I don't know, Libby, is how the added transportation costs of staying in Stresa or Varenna might be balanced by (perhaps) lower costs in other areas. The wonderful transportation system you'll find in Swiss Ticino gets my vote everytime. Nowhere else can I imagine my daytrip from Gerra-Gambarogno(Lago Maggiore) to Carona (south of Lugano) with relative ease. If you like daytrips via public transportation, Switzerland is the answer to your prayers. J.

Another vote for Locarno. I was just there in May. It's a smaller city than Lugano and very convenient to the small towns in the area and boat trips on Lake Maggiore - where you can do day trips to Stresa and lots of other neat Italian villages. Stresa seemed very touristy to me. When in Locarno I stayed at the Rondinella Hotel, which cost a little less than $100/day US for a double room with a balcony looking over the lake. The hotel is a block from the train station, so it is very convenient.
Martha

Where's Libby?

Hi, Thank you all so much for your help. Sorry to be MIA, had some unexpected company for the weekend. You've really helped me--I think I will opt for Locarno and daytrip it over to Lake Como. Any particular (budget) hotels you would recommend?
Thanks for the list of things to do on Lake Maggiore. But, I don't think the pictures came thru--at least I couldn't get past the front page. Thanks again everyone

If you are set on Locarno, I wouldn't bother on a day trip to Como. Getting there and back wouldn't leave any time to see anything.

There is plenty to see on Lake Maggiore for 3-4 days, and maybe that won't even be enough.

I'm glad others chimed in to suggest Locarno; it really does seem the best choice with your criteria. And it's a nice place.

However, a daytrip to Lake Como is not easy. You can take a train to the town of Como, then a boat on the lake. But the train ride is an hour and a half each way with a change in Bellinzona.

It's easier from Lugano; you just take a bus to Menaggio.

I'd concentrate on Lago Maggiore. Be sure to take the boat to the Borromean Islands. We took the comfortable Swiss postal bus (covered by your Swiss Pass and an experience in itself) back into the Val Verzasca.

And we flew out of Geneva, taking the famously scenic Centovalli train from Locarno to Domodossola, then switching to the main line train to Geneva.

The Centovalli train, followed by the regular train to Geneva is a BEAUTIFUL trip! I agree with the suggestion to stick to Lago Maggiore. There are many little towns for you to visit. Also, don't miss Bellinzona.