Switzerland/Italy Advice
 

My son will be studying abroad in Lugano this fall. We've booked flights into Zurich on a Saturday, out of Milan the following Sunday. Our plan is to spend the first three nights somewhere in Switzerland where we can hike, explore during the day, the next three nights in Lugano, and the last two nights in Milan. Where would be a good place to spend the first three nights...Lucerne? Interlaken? We don't *love* overly touristy towns but realize they can be convenient. We love going on long hikes and exploring off the beaten path locations. I'm also looking for good day trip ideas from Lugano. My son will be in class all day and we'll be meeting him later each evening for dinner so we have entire days free.
Any suggestions are most welcome (regarding Milan, as well)!

I would suggest Locarno/Ascona as one of your day trips from Lugano. We have visited this area many times. Ticino is a lovely (Italian) part of Switzerland!

I also love Lucerne as a base for mountain/lake views and strolling. I also have stayed in Interlaken a couple of times and enjoy it, but when you mention "touristy" this might disqualify it. Lucerne gets a LOT of tourists (by the bus load down by the Bucherer store and major shopping area), but you can escape the throngs quite easily. The tourist buses are usually there for the shopping. If you are not into shopping you should be able to find much quieter areas of Lucerne.

You can escape the Jungfrau Region crowds too - the area for hiking is vast - even in August I've been all alone on some trails - of course the most popular ones like the Manlichen to Kleine Scheidegg Ridge walk would be mobbed - most visitors to the area in summer do not hike much - most take the train to the Jungfraujoch or go to Schilthorn, etc.

Anyway to me the Interlaken area is much more an awesome Alpine Wonderland than is the Lucerne area - nice as that is but not really right smack in the Alps as say Grindelwald or Wengen, perfect bases for hiking are.

anyway take trains from Zurich to Lucerne and or Interlaken and then to Lugano - you may look into some kind of Swiss Pass or Half-Fare Card, etc - great sites for info - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

From Lugano I've taken postal buses into the surrounding hills and did some lovely walks.

Thank you Simpson and PalenQ! (forgive my delayed response) Excellent information. Sounds like I can't go wrong w/ Lucerne or Interlaken and both would be suitable. And there should be lots to see based in Lugano. I'm sure I will reach out as I finalize my plans. Thank you!!

Lauterbrunnen (about 20 mins from Interlaken) is in the valleys and not touristy at all! It is also a very convenient base to get to Jungfrau, Wengen and Murren. Ample hiking opportunities in this region.

Also, do try to take the bernina express from Switzerland into Lugano - it is beautiful!

Also, do try to take the bernina express from Switzerland into Lugano - it is beautiful!>

Yes Bernina Express is awesome but it does not go to Lugano but Tirano, Italy from St Moritz - there is a Bernina Express bus that connects to go to Lugano however.

If wanting to do the Bernina Express then head from Zurich to St Moritz - make that or a smaller town your Alpine base for hikes to glaciers, etc. and then take the Bernina Express to Tirano, Italy for connecting trains to Milan.

And there should be lots to see based in Lugano>

But not nearly so much of the awe factor as in the Lucerne area or Interlaken/Jungfrau Region.