enzian

Planning on another trip to Switzerland next July/August. This is our fifth trip there, focused mainly on hiking. We will have three nights free at the beginning, before meeting up with family in Bettmeralp. We will travel by train, no car.

I plan to spend the first night (after the long-haul flight from the US via LHR) in Luzern, just to sleep. After that, I am trying to decide ide between Gandria or Morcote for two nights. We would want to do some hiking, swimming in the lake, and wandering the village streets. A small hotel on the lake, with a balcony, would be ideal.

Thinking of Elvizia al Lago for Gandria, but do not have an idea for Morcote.

It looks like we would get to Morcote by Bus from the Lugano train station. For Gandria, would it be taxi from the train station to the pedestrian path?

Thanks for your help.

annhig

Is there some reason why you'd not want to stay in/near Lucerne? or even somewhere between Lucerne and Bettmeralp?

According to my wonderful SBB timetable app, it'll take about 2 ½ hours to get from Lucerne to Grancia [presumably slightly longer to Morcote] but a wapping 5 hours on the bus from Grancia to Bettmeralp.

enzian

Hi Annhig---

We would like to go somewhere new, and I know my husband would enjoy the "Mediterranean" feel of Ticino and the chance to speak Italian (he knows no German so has to rely on my in the rest of Switzerland).

ticino

I would go for Gandria, then if you get bored you can take the boat to Lugano or walk along the sentiero di Gandria by the water which is actually quite nice. Gandria itself is tiny. I also prefer the views from Lugano towards Gandria than from Lugano towards Morcote.

Not sure what you mean by the pedestrian path, do you mean the sentiero di Gandria? If yes, no, it's possible to drive all the way to Gandria, there's a road higher up. In order to drive into the village you need a permit, but it's possible.

But the hotel you mention is towards Lugano, not in Gandria itself. Can't they pick you up by boat? I would call the hotel and ask what's best given how much luggage you think you'll have.

annhig

enzian, I understand the lure of the new but it's a lot of travel for what will end up being a day and a half, with a long journey to your next destination.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a great trip.

[BTW in Thun we ate at an italian restaurant where the owner spoke hardly any German or English so you might be surprised how many opportunities your DH has to speak italian even in the German speaking area.]

kja

Interesting choice!

I think ticino makes some great points.

And I would say that I enjoyed the views FROM both Gandria AND Morcote a lot, perhaps a bit of a nod to Gandria on that count, but either could offer an awesome view, IMO.

I must admit that while I enjoyed Gandria, I was DONE there in a little over an hour – most of which was spent sitting with a glass of merlot and a lovely view. But the views are quite lovely, and you can, I believe, use either ferries or buses to get into Lugano.

But I also enjoyed Morcote, which is on an easy bus line – and a ferry line – to/from Lugano.

Are you planning to hike Monte San Salvatore? It’s a great hike, IMO, about 4 hours generally downhill from the chair lift from Lugano. If so, Morcote would, perhaps, make more sense….

enzian

The goal would be a beautiful -and romantic place where we can just "hang out", enjoy a swim and a half-day walk or hike, some good food, and a glass of wine on our balcony. A place to relax after the long journey and before we meet up with adult children and twin 6-year-old grandchildren for ten days.

I am definitely leaning toward Gandria. As I understand it, the hotel I mentioned is not in Gandria proper, but on a pedestrian bath between there and Castagnola--- not accessible by car at all. Which is fine with us.

kja

I just looked up the hotel you mentioned near Gandria, and confirmed that I walked by it, so I do know where it is. Beautiful, yes, but IMO, a bit inconvenient -- but if you can get yourselves and your luggage there, maybe it's just what you want? it is a lovely area, IMO, and sounds like it might meet your interests rather well....

Enjoy!

neckervd

Transport from Lugano railway station to Albergo Elvezia al lago:
https://www.elvezialago.ch/boutique-...--contact.html

2 hiking trails from Albergo Elvezia to Bre Paese (via Gandria or via Ruvigliana). Tons of trails from there to Alpe Bolla and scenic villages in Switzerland and Italy.

At Morcote, I would have a look at Hotel Al Batello or Hotel della Posta.
You may also check Carona (bus from Lugano, trails from Monte San Salvatore and from Morcote): Romantik Hotel or Casa del 1577.

As to the logistics, things would be easier if you would stay on Lake Maggiore (Locarno area) instead of Lake Lugano.
Morcote - Bettmeralp takes 5 hrs (and 5 changes) whereas Locarno - Bettmeralp can be done in 3 1/4 hrs (and 3 changes)

enzian

Thanks---is there a lakeside village similar to Gandria near Locarno on Lago Maggiore?

And does the shorter route to Bettmeralp use the Centovalli railway? That might be nice.

enzian

I appreciate the advice about train times and checked on those. Locarno area would indeed offer shortened travel times both ways, and we could use the scenic Centovalli railway on our way to Bettmeralp.

So how about Ascona? Looks pretty upscale/resorty, but also offers plenty of what we will want to do, and nice lodging choices.

Any thoughts on Ascona?

neckervd

Gandria and Morcote are smaller and more charming than the touristy lakefronts of Locarno, Ascona and Brissago. Small historic hotels are not on the lake, but in the small medieval centers, like the Vecchia Posta in Ascona.
Connaisseurs stay rather in the small villages above the lake, like Ronco sopra Ascona (Hotel Ronco) or in the valleys in the hinterland.

kja

I enjoyed Ascona, but I wouldn’t have thought it a particularly good fit with your description of what you want for these two nights. I agree with neckervd that Gandria and Morcote are more charming and that the lakefront in Ascona draws many tourists. (Understandably, as it is a lovely waterfront.) I haven’t been to the villages neckervd describes, and so add anything there….

kja

... and so <b>can't</b> add anything there.... Sorry.

WeisserTee

kja: It’s a great hike, IMO, about 4 hours generally downhill from the chair lift from Lugano.

Kja, where is the chairlift on San Salvatore? I've taken the funicular several times and have never seen a chairlift. Or did you mean the funicular?

kja

@ WeisserTee: My mistake. It was, indeed, a funicular from the Lugano - Paradiso MS station. Thanks!