Hello,
I will be traveling in July of 2018 with hubby and 2 kids ages 14 and 11. We are fairly seasoned travelers and don't mind moving around by car/train. We travel fairly light- small/medium suitcase for each person. Don't mind a apartments/ B&B....not as interested in Hotels. I'm planning on getting the rail passes if we decide to travel by rail.
I have a general itinerary and need guidance on if it makes sense.

Fly into Milan from Los Angeles
2 or 3 nights Milan
train to Lake Como area...most likely 3 or 4 nights stay in Bellagio( this part we want to rest and take it easy seeing the area.
Train to Lucern - use it as a base to see Bern and other areas? This is one of my concerns....should we stay in Lucern, Interlaken area Bern? we would probable be in this area about 5/6 nights. should I break it up 3 nights Interlaken, any nights in Bern? 2 or 3 nights in Lucern?
we would hike in this area, train to mountain, boating on lake etc.

Lucern via train to Zurich( we would fly out of this location after a 2 nights...maybe even 1 night). The other option is to fly out of Geneva....

Are there specific things on Lake Como that you want to see? I love the mid-Lake Como area, but in your scenario I'd consider Stresa on Lake Maggiore. Then a few nights in the Berner Oberland area (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen) and a couple of nights in Luzern. I wouldn't spend any nights in Zurich unless there were specific things I wanted to see there.

Staying in Bellagio adds a step (and time) in traveling onward to Switzerland. You first have to ferry to Varenna and train to Milan -or- ferry to the town of Como to catch the same train that originated in Milan.

Substituting Stresa, the train journeys are:
Milan-Stresa, 1 hour
Stresa-Interlaken, 2.5 hours, onward to Luzern, under 2 hours
Stresa-Lauterbrunnen, 3 hours, onward to Luzern, 2.5 hours
Stresa-Grindelwald, 3.5 hours, onward to Luzern, about 2.5 hours
Luzern to Zurich airport, about 1 hour
(FYI, Luzern to Geneva airport is 3 hours.)

If you'd rather stay in Luzern the entire time, Stresa-Luzern is 3:39 hours. Bellagio to Luzern would be at least 4.5 hours. And Bellagio to one of the mountain towns I mentioned would be 6-7 hours.

I like Bern more than most, but if your focus is hiking and boating, I wouldn't stay overnight in Bern. Whether you visit the town for a day is up to you, but I think there's a lot to see.

Hi Jean,
Thank you for your quick response. Zurich is mainly for flying out of....so perhaps one night then just for travel purposes. Lake Como...just used more for relaxation really...always wanted to see the area. I do realize it would add time to the journey to Switzerland. We have the days to add that so I would love that.

Thank you for the Stresa idea...May I ask what you like about Stresa over the Como region? I will look into that! I like your options a little better than my initial idea. Between Stresa and Lugano? which is better ? because Lugano was also on my short list.

My hesitation..or my concern is they(Luzern, bern, Interlaken are somewhat close-so should I split it up with a stay in Bern and a stay in Luzern with day trips to the Interlake area?

Hi monicatripqueen,

Yes, Bern is a lovely city -- but it is a city, and Europe abounds in them. What Switzerland offers that is different and unique and astounding is the high mountains, so I would head to them. I would suggest a stay up in the mountains, rather than a city or town in the flats, someplace like car-free Wengen, which offers amazing views and excellent opportunities to hike or walk in the Jungfrau region. Wengen is especially appealing in July, when the towns in the valley (Interlaken) fill with tour buses, and the town cannot easily absorb the huge masses of the off-loaded day-tripping passengers.

You can easily stay in Wengen and take day-trips out to Bern or Interlaken or Grindelwald ... I think that's much more appealing that staying down in the valley and taking quick trips to the mountains.

If you want to stay somewhere that is more convenient for traveling a bit, you could try staying in Thun, which most folks just ignore.

Have fun as you plan!

s

For your time in Switzerland, give serious consideration to using public transportation – it is excellent! Convenient, comfortable, frequent… Here’s the info:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

For a trip in July and with the interests you describe, I’d definitely consider spliting time between Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland, and for the later, I would choose Wengen, if you are willing to pay for a room with a truly stunning view, or Lauterbrunnen, if not. YMMV. And you might see if you can add time to one or both areas….

And I’m a great fan of Berne, but given your interests, would think it more of a back-up for a rainy day than a must-include destination. Same with Thun. JMO.

I loved Lugano… don’t know if you have time for it….

IMO, Zurich is seriously underrated, but again, from what you say of your interests, you might want to keep your time there to a minimum so you can put as much time as possible into other locations in Switzerland. And, depending on when, exactly, you would need to fly out, you might not even have to be in Zurich the night before. (I usually recommend that people make sure they are in their departure city the night before, but Swiss trains are frequent and reliable enough that it isn’t always necessary.)

I would strongly encourage you to consult either the Rough Guide or the Michelin Green Guide to decide what YOU want to see and experience before committing to a specific itinerary.

And you might find some useful information in my trip report. Do use the search feature, as I added a chunk after I thought I had completed it. ;-)
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...any-thanks.cfm

Hope that helps!

Swandav- You have exactly described our travel likes...off the beaten track locations are ideal. My only question with Wengen is what mode of transport? how accessible are the trains from there? or would it be buses?

I will take a look at Thun...interesting idea.

KJA- Thank you for the idea's...yes I'm starting to see your point in splitting my time in both Lucerne and the Bernese Overland. I'm also no leaning towards just a day trip to Bern. Lugano is also on my list...not sure how I would fit it in....

I appreciate your suggestions of Michelin Green Guide and Rough Guide. I'll take a look at your trip report tomorrow first thing.

Hi again,

Yes, trains go up regularly to Wengen. You can get the exact schedules at the Swiss rail site

www.sbb.ch

You can also get schedules information at the German rail site

www.bahn.com

I've stayed at Wengen 2 or 3 times (can't remember exactly), and there was never a problem or a wait.

Have fun!

s

Monica, as I said, I love the mid-Lake Como area. (We've spent a couple of anniversaries there.) But in some itineraries, Stresa (and/or Lugano) can make the travel logistics easier. You may prefer to stick with Bellagio knowing you'll spend more time (and connections) moving to your next destination. It's your trip, your choice. I don't think you'd have trouble relaxing in any of the three, although Bellagio would probably be the most crowded (esp. on a summer weekend).

If it matters, Zurich can get high temps in July. There were several days in the upper 80s and low 90s this past July.

Oh I should add that Wengen is not exactly off-the-beaten-track. It is well known and well loved by many visitors to Switzerland, and it is often recommended. It has a ton of hotels and some restaurants, and everybody you'll see will speak good English.

It is only a small place, and accessible only by rail, so it retains a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

And of course, the views are terrific!

s

For me the scenery of Lago di Como tops that of Lago Maggiore but a considerable margin.

Stresa versus Lugano versus Menaggio/Bellagio/Varenna:

all 3 lakes are beautiful, but somewhat different nevertheless.

STRESA is close to Malpensa airport: direct buses from the airport to Arona - Stresa - Pallanza and tons of trains from Gallarate railway station (only a few miles from MXP) to the same destinations.
Only 2 direct trains to Berne (2 hrs), Basel (3 hrs) and Geneva (3 hrs). Journey time to Interlaken 2 1/4 hrs and to Lucerne 3 3/4 hrs.
Many boats from Stresa to the Islands of Isola Bella (botanical gardens and castle), Isola Madre (botanical gardens), Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen's Island, with many good restaurants) as well as to Pallanza and Intra (scenic old lake towns). Car and passenger ferry from Intra to Laveno (connecting trains to Varese - Saronno (- Como) and gondola to viewpoint Sasso del Ferro). 2 daily boats from Stresa to Luino - Ascona - Locarno as well as to Arona. Gondola from Stresa to Monte Mottarone (4900ft, panorama over lakes and mountains from Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso up to Matterhorn - Bernina, Ortles).

LUGANO is the most important town of Southern Switzerland. Trains to all Swiss destinations at least every hr. Direct trains to Milan (1 1/4 hrs), Lucerne (2 hrs), Zurich (2 1/4 hrs), Basel(3 1/4 hrs). Local airport with flights to Geneva and Zurich (in connection with international flights). Direct buses to Milan Malpensa airport. Rope railways to viewpoints Monte Bre and Monte San Salvatore until late in the night. Boats plying the Lake from morning until late evening. Cog wheel railway to Monte Generoso (5500ft, panorama over 6 lakes and mountains from Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso up to Matterhorn - Bernina, Ortles). Gondola to Monte Lema (5400ft) with similar panorama.
Fine churches with medieval frescoes, Swiss Miniatur open air Museum, Tamaro Fun Park, Archeological Park of Monte San Giorgio, Copy of Leonardo's Last Supper at Capriasca (free entry), Smmuggler Museum at Cantine di Gandria, some hundred miles of well signmarked scenic hiking trails around lakes and to scenic villages and Mountains.
3 medieval castles of Bellinzona at less than 30 min by train.
Despite the scenic situation on the Lake, Lugano doesn't live from tourism. Therefore, the whole infrastructure works all the year round.

VARENNA is small and touristy. Almost everything closed in winter. Train connection to Milan city (1 hr) and MXP airport (2 1/4 hrs) at least every 2 hrs; to Bernina - Pontresina (3 1/2 hrs) every 2 hrs. Many car and passenger ferries to Bellagio and Menaggio (connecting buses from menaggio to Lugano), many boats to Como, only few boats to Colico.
Journey time to Interlaken 5 hrs and to Lucerne 4 hrs.

Yeh in Switzerland trains are best if going to Alpine regions and IMO the Interlaken/Jungfrau Region is the best place forfirst-time Swiss travelers to head to. Check out Swiss Travel Passes that cover trains, lake boats (great!), city transit -virutally everything that moves- good soures of info: www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.sbb.ch; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Stay also a few days in Lucerne area - lovely boat rides and nice smallish big city.

Stresa I liked a lot - especially the neat three Borromean Islands just opposite it - each with a different surprise on it.

But I agree that for 3-4 days Lake Como may have more to offer.

If taking trains to Lucerne Como is best - for Interlaken area Stresa is better - both on mainlines to each respectively.

Lugano to me is a large modern city that for me at least did not have the small-town charm of a smaller lakeside city.

1. Why should Lake Como ofer more than Lake Maggiore?

2. Nobody must stay in the city center of Lugano. Check rather places like these:
https://www.elvezialago.ch/home_en.html
http://www.hotelcolibri.ch/?page_id=25&lang=fr

Wow I'm overwhelmed by all these idea's. Thank you all for the idea's. I have a lot of work ahead of me.... It will take me some time to process all this. I did forget to mention its out 20th anniversary. So the Como region felt like a appropriate place for that.

I appreciate all your responses....I'm sure I will have questions after I start looking at your ideas.

after visiting Bellagio in high season and seeing how inundated the little 'fishing' village was by tourists - each boat ejaculating hundreds of people when docking - I would look elsewhere for your quest for a restful place (even though after the day tripping hoards have gone the town can be rather cool folks say) - but also check out other lakeside gems and just do not gravitate to Bellagio because it is world famous and you have heard of it.

1. Why should Lake Como ofer more than Lake Maggiore?>

Because it is more famous and has Bellagio the most famous lakes' resort town in Italian Lake District?

I really liked Stresa and Lake Maggiore and Como too. Who can say one is better than the other?

Palen:
"Because it is more famous and has Bellagio the most famous lakes' resort town in Italian Lake District"

I fully agree if you write "Because it is more famous WITH NON EUROPEAN PEOPLE"
German and Swiss people for example prefer Locarno and it's hinterland by far, whereas Dutch holiday villages can rather be found in the mountains south of Luino.

Yes with Americans who often ask such questions about lakes here.