Hi All,
We'll be spending 4 days in Ravenna this April, staying at the Villa Cipressi (can't wait!).
I've always had a bug about going to Switzerland - nothing specific or informed here - just an image of Alps from Sound of Music (forgive me!). Is it worth an entire day's time traveling to Lugano and then hiking up into the mountains or might I be just as happy hiking up from Ravenna itself? Oh, and have children (9 & 10) and parents (76 & 77) with me Have been to Italy many times, but this is the first time in the Northern lake country.
Thanks.

Ravenna is not in the Italian lake country; it is on the south eastern edge of the Po valley. It is closer to the Appenines (sp?) than the Alps, but the two ranges obviously do not compare.

I think the OP meant Varenna, not Ravenna.

Indeed I did mean Varenna...so sorry...doing too many things at once. Thank you for the correction!

If so, why drive to Lugano which is no closer to the high Alps.