Switzerland and Northern Italy
 

My husband and I are going to Switzerland at the end of September for our anniversary. First time to Europe. We have about 10 days. We fly into Zurich then are going immediately to Lucerne and staying 4 nights. This is the only part we are definite on and have booked. We are trying to figure out how to spread out the rest of the time. We know we can't see/do everything, but would like to travel to Northern Italy for maybe about 3 days. Any recommendations on where to stay (Como, Bellagio, Mennagio, or somewhere else)? We are thinking of renting a car, possibly in Lugano to take into Italy as we would like to visit some vineyards and I have read there are not many in that exact area at least an hour or so drive to possibly Sondrio or Morbegno. Any recommendations are welcome on where to stay, eat, must sees both in Switzerland and Northern Italy. We are from Texas so prefer our accommodations to have AC! :)

Thanks in advance!

Tell us your plans while based in Luzern first.

We're still trying to get everything planned. My husband would like to see some castles. I know we can see most of Lucerne the first day and plan to do a day trip to Bern, Mt. Pilatus, and Matterhorn. We have an extra day or two after the 4 nights in Lucerne before heading towards the Lugano/Como area so are open to any ideas of where to stay or what to see.

Thank you. I am certain others will have suggestions given what you'd said thus far.

Chiavenna is a beautiful town in Northern Italy that you will not read about in the guide books. It is worth a day trip while staying on Lake como. There are many places to stay on the lake on the Airbnb website that are lovely and inexpensive. I'm not too sure about vineyards close enough to Lugano to see.

Thank you, wazzumama. I will look up Chiavenna. What about the Piedmont region? It seems like that wouldn't be terribly far if we have a car I am thinking.

You don't say where you will fly home from--back to Zurich or from Milan???
Be sure to double check the costs of renting a car in one country and returning it in another, if Milan. Last time we tried to do it in the opposite direction, there was a 500 euro surcharge. You could always take the train from Lucern to Como and rent a car there.

We are flying back from Zurich as well. I'm now wondering about the Piedmont region as well as far as staying there and taking day trips to Como. I was thinking we would rent a car just before the border (possibly in Lugano) and just return it in the same place and then take the train back to Zurich.

If you have your heart set on Northern Italy, I'd head there first and work your way back to Zurich. Maybe you could fly immediately to Turin, drive around for a couple of days and then train back into Switzerland. (Or fly home from Milan instead of Zurich at the end of the trip.) Do some searches on how long it takes to get from point to point, either both car and train, and decide how much time you want to spend covering a lot of geography v. actually sightseeing.

Piedmont (9800 square miles!), Lake Como, Lugano, and Lucerne with those multiple day trips... that's a lot to cover in just 10 days. I think you're short-changing Lucerne, and if it was my trip I'd spend all 10 days in Switzerland.

Unless your flight to home departs in the evening, you'll need to be reasonably close to Zurich on the last night. Lucerne would work which is another argument for putting it at the end of your trip.

If spending 4 days in Lucerne area (fine!) and taking trains about daily to the many possible awesome sights (Titlis at Engleberg is the Alpine Wonderland of your dreams); Pilatus; lake boats around the lake; Rigi, Bern, etc and then taking a train to Lugano (via Arth-Goldau) strongly look at a Swiss Pass that covers not only trains but lake boats -gives free entry to museums like in Lucerne and Lugano- postal buses and city transports - virtually everything that moves in Switzerland except cows!

Get a Flexipass + half-off Half-Off Card that you can buy with it and use it to return from Italian border to Zurich or Lucerne then to Zurich the final day.

For lots of good info on Swiss trains and passes (others besides the Swiss Pass) check these excellent IMO sites: www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

You need air conditioning at the end of September? That will definitely limit your lodging choices somewhat.

Thanks PalenQ! I'll definitely check out those websites. I've been a little overwhelmed trying to navigate the many websites on the train systems and trying to figure out what the best budget option is for our time there. Also, the dilemma on whether to get train tickets (at least from Zurich to Lucerne) ahead of time or not.

You can only get the tickets from Zurich to Luzern 30 days ahead online.

Yes- we are leaving 9/22.

If Piedmont is still in the mix, you might want to check hotel availability where you're thinking of going. Late September is very high season, and if you have a strict budget or a particular type of property in mind your options at this point may be limited.

You can only get the tickets from Zurich to Luzern 30 days ahead online.>

No need to pre-book these tickets - no real discounts I believe as it's a short train ride with a cheap full fare - if no pass just buy as you go. Seat reservations are optional and extra- few Swiss seem to bother.

Great thanks so much!

My wife and I are seniors, we spent 16 days in Switzerland last September. I am so glad we rented a car instead of the train. Got a great rate from Enterprise at the Zurich airport. Switzerland is so easy to drive. We are going to northern Italy next week to do some hiking. Try to fit Grindenwald / Wengen (spelling?)region.

There are a good many vineyards, and reportedly some excellent wines, in the province of Varese, a short drive from Lugano. For that matter, there are vineyards in the Ticino, the canton of Lugano. I'm no wine expert, but maybe someone else can elaborate.

Try to fit Grindenwald / Wengen (spelling?)region.>

If going to Wengen you can't by car so staying in Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen would be better perhaps for motorists.

I agree driving in Switzerland can be so exciting but only if you get off the Autobahns and take the often sinuous side roads and Alpine passes - but if only going to the Interlaken or Zermatt areas a car is useless once there as they cannot go beyond Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald - you have to pay to park them and the rent you pay on them is a waste if in the areas very long.

But cars are a great exciting way to go around Switzerland - I have done it and liked it though now I prefer leaving the driving to train drivers.