Switzerland
 

We are spending two weeks in Provence and then another week in Switzerland. We prefer to stay in one location as we are travelling with 3 children. Their ages are 7,5, and 2. We would rent a villa or stay in a kid-friendly hotel. We are thinking the Lugano area, but we are open to suggestions. Any thoughts?

You don't mention what time of year, but for a single location for a week, I can't imagine doing better than somewhere like Grindelwald, but certainly in that area. Tons to do close by and with a Swiss Pass, even the boattrips are "free" and fun for the kids, with brief stops in various towns. Frankly Lugano seems kind of dull for me and not sure what all the kids would do there for a week.

Thanks for the input. It actually is June. We will be renting a car in France. Should we just use the trains in Switzerland?

Hi Beth,<BR>It depends on what you want to see in Switzerland. Do you want a taste of the Alps, the Swiss German culture, the French culture, the Italian culture etc. While I am not a fan of Lugano, it may make a good base. I like Ascona better. I think it is a more charming, arty village...but may be too small for a base. I would keep the rental car and explore the Italian and Swiss lakes. Check out the small villages of Lake Maggiore, Lake Como. You can easily lose yourself in the area for a week and it is incredible. If you want to go further afield, you could drive over to Verona (about 1 -1 1/2 hours) or up to the Engadine through Chiavenna and Soglio.<BR><BR>There is a great kid hotel near Ascona. Website is http://www.hotellagodilugano.ch/de/default.htm. Also, check www.myswitzerland.com for more recommendations. Lots of apartments and perhaps, villas in the area.<BR>Good luck!<BR>Jan

We divide our trips to Europe into driving and non-driving ones depending upon our destinations. Often we prefer to drive, but Switzerland is one place we are always happy with the trains. We usually get Swiss passes and spend a lot of time hopping on and off trains. The pass also gives you discounts on many lifts and private cog trains, etc. And especially nice, it gives you free passage on the lake steamers -- a great way to get from point to point and enjoy the wonderful air at the same time. Of course, if you want to stay within one close destination, then the pass is likely not to be worthwhile for you. But to date the only place we've missed seeing that I wanted to do is Gruyeres, very difficult to get to without a lot of transfers and busses. Otherwise, the trains run like clockwork and will take you nearly anywhere at nearly anytime you want to go -- with well-planned connections.

Beth, we were in Switzerland last summer and were in Lugano and the Berner Oberland area. I think your kids would like the Berner Oberland area (Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Murren) a lot better than Lugano. The mountains are simply beautiful, there are lots of trains which the kids will like as well as cable cars. <BR><BR>