luvtotravel

I just booked a frequent flyer ticket LAX to Zurich for mid-May. Usually I like to fly into one city and out of another, but I was able to get a ticket for the dates I want so I booked it. At least for the moment I’m traveling alone, and plan on spending 13 nights.

I am in my mid-50s with nightlife low on my list of priorities, with the exception of strolling a promenade in the evening. I like to walk a lot, but I can no longer handle steep inclines. My primary goal is take lots of photographs, preferably shots of quaint chalets with windows brimming with flowerpots, as well as lovely scenery.

Based on the research I’ve done on this board, I think it makes sense to start in Lucerne—my flight lands in Zurich in the morning—maybe spending three nights. Is that enough? Too much? I would like to work my way to Varenna in Italy, staying there for several nights, then perhaps to Lugano for a couple of nights. Or is Lugano much like Varenna? Would I be better off with a side trip to Verona instead? I’ve been to Venice several times, and can skip this time around.

The last night’s hotel is booked at the Renaissance near the Zurich airport, also on points. That gives me several nights unplanned. I welcome suggestions on places to add to my itinerary as well as sequence. I will most likely buy a train pass. A rental car for a day or two would be possible, but in Switzerland; I’m not sure I want to drive in Italy!

Lodging: As my finances are modest, I’m looking for small, charming, quiet inns or B&Bs with character—en-suite bathroom. Also, I don’t like requesting single rooms in Europe as I usually wind up in a closet, so I may request a double room as a single where they charge a higher rate. I’m hoping to keep the average room rate to about $125 including breakfast. I realize this will be a challenge. Anyway, I welcome lodging suggestions.

Thanks much for your help.

Diane.

kleeblatt

Hi Diane,
In Lucerne, definately take the ferry ride around the lake. Get off at one of the towns (Weggis, Vitznau or Gersau) and walk a bit, take pictures and then catch the next boat. No hills!

If you do go to Interlaken, see if you can stop in Brienz. Beautiful houses with gorgeous flowers. Or go to the open air museum of old houses in Switzerland in Ballenberg. No major hills and GREAT pictures.

Restaurants: In Lucerne, go to the Stadtkeller to watch Swiss folklore and have a nice Swiss dish. It's right in the middle of the city.

Hotels? Sorry. Can't help you there.

Edward2005

I think 3 nights in Luzern is too much. 2 is sufficient. "The B&B" is a good place to stay in Luzern. It's in a quient residential area and only a 5 minute bus ride to the city center. A single is 79 euro, shower down the hall.

http://www.thebandb.ch/

Keep in mind that the Zurich airport is only 1.5 hours from Luzern, so you could put Luzern at the end of your trip and skip staying in Zurich all together.

I haven't been to either Lugano or Varenna, so I can't tell you if they are really similar. From what I gather from this forum they are. Since I think redundancy is a great itinerary sin, I'll assume as much.

Varenna to Verona is about a 2.5 hour train ride with a change in Milan (not counting the layover in Milan). You could do Verona as a day trip, but it may be easier and more fun simply to spend a few nights there.

May is a great time to visit Switzerland. I was there this past May and got some great pictures, mainly from the Berner Oberland region. It may be worth a detour in your itinerary.

http://spaces.msn.com/members/goflah...wner=1&_c=

Edward2005

Correction, the B&B price is 79 francs, or about $64 for a single.

taxatty

There is more to do in and around Lugano than in the Lake Como area, but it isn't quite as scenic. Both are worth a visit. You could easily do both by taking the bus between Menaggio and Lugano, and the boat from Menaggio to Varenna, or a train from Lugano to Como and the lake boats from there to Varenna. Verona can easily be done in a day or two--don't miss the Roman Arena and theatre.

luvtotravel

Thanks for the advice. I have plenty of time to refine my itinerary. I am now thinking of adding Venice -- fly from Zurich to Venice and work my way back. Somehow I want to add Asolo to the list. If only I could take a month!

Mimar

Just want to step in to point out it is possible to use frequent flyer miles for an open-jaws ticket. We did it with BA into Munich, out of Zurich.

jmw44

Hi, luvtotravel. Let me second schuler's recommendation of Brienz and Ballenberg. In fact, I'd try to schedule a couple of nights there -- 3 if you can. Schuler, are the flowers in bloom mid May? You'll love the outdoor museum at Ballenberg. Try to visit Thun and Oberhofen on neighboring Thunersee. If you like painted fountain figures, daytrip to Bern. If you stay in Lucerne, do visit lakevillages. Rapperswil is another winner. It's on Zurich's lake.

I have not been to Lake Como, so I have no business commenting, but I'll bet there are more flowers in Bellagio than in Varenna. I loved Lugano and its neighboring tiny lakeside village, Gandria -- it's a photographer's dream -- but does have steps. Can you manage them?

Toward the north, Stein am Rhein has amazing painted buildings and flowers of its own. For your last night, you might consider staying in Bulach, a 15 minute busride or taxi from the Zurich flughafen. I stay at the Zum Goldenen Kopf and find Bulach to be a quiet, but lovely last night. You can train to Stein am Rhein from there or into Zurich to shop. J.

Pospisilova

Lugano is wonderful -- you'll love it! Did you ever consider Zermatt? It's a bit annoyinng to get to but it's well worth it, you'll have plenty of quaint chalets and a great view of the Matterhorn for snapshots! It's also very neat because no cars are allowed, and everyone drives around in little electric cars. I would try to fit in two days there and skip Italy altogether!

suze

Agree with the above. 2 weeks is not too much time to spend in Switzerland
!! Maybe save Italy for the next trip?

Don't bother renting a car. Use the train in Switzerland either on a pass or point-to-point tickets depending how many times you will use it.

Cicerone

I can post more on an intinerary later, but in mid-May, you may find it hard to find lots of flowers in bloom, esp in windowboxes. I always planted mine on May 1, as there was invariabley a cold snap prior to this date which would kill off earlier plantings. Brienz is a great suggestion and there are several houses on the main street with virtually a wall of window boxes, but I don't think they will be at their best then, as it is a bit early. If you can move your flight a few weeks into early June you will get better shots; if not, then you may need to adjust your expectations a bit as to what you will find in bloom. Wildflowers up on the Alpine meadowns will also not be blooming until June as well, which are also quite glorious. You may find more in bloom in Lugano, but this will not be the window boxes in chalet variety, as Lugano does not have that typical Swiss style of architecture, so again you will have to adjust your expectations. Lugano is more subtropical in vegetation, you will find palm trees and blooming plants.

luvtotravel

I'm disappointed to hear about my timing as it relates to flowers, but June does not fit into my work schedule. I'll just have to readjust my expectations a bit.

Edward2005

Don't freak out about the flowers. I was there in late May and there were flowers aplenty. See photos below. Of course, maybe I lucked out and they are normally not there that time of year.

http://spaces.msn.com/members/goflah...wner=1&_c=

jmw44

The early summers have been getting warmer (at least in my experience), so perhaps you'll get lucky with the flowers. Keep your fingers crossed. J.

TravelDSG

I am taking a similar trip - leaving this Friday with my boyfriend! Here is our planned itinerary:

Sat: arrive in Zurich, take 3hr train to Lugano

Sun: Lugano (Dante Swiss Q Hotel)

Mon - Wed: Varenna (Hotel du Lac)

Thurs-Sat: Zurich (Sofitel)

There have been so many helpful suggestions on this board to help us plan our way, and you have any more suggestions please let me know! We'd like to do some hiking around Lake Lugano and Lake Como, and try some great restaurants..

Thanks! I'll make sure to write a trip report when we get back.

LLindaC

Hi Diane- my husband and I were there in mid-June and are returning next June. We definitely want to book only small villages/towns next time, as the charm is exceptional. I wasn't overly fond of Lugano. I liked the region, but your stroll along the lake promenade will be loud with lots of traffic. The old town is pretty, but it's filled with glitzy, high-priced stores and is pretty fast-paced. The side trips, especially from the lake, are fun (Gandria, Morcote) but do have lots of steps! Lugano was just too busy, IMO. I prefer the Berner Oberland- Wengen, Murren, Lauterbrunnen for peace, great hikes, views and side trips. You might also enjoy some of the small towns on Lac Leman such as Vevey, Rivax, the whole Lavaux region with it's wine trail linking all the lovely, small villages. Easy walking and you can hop on and off trains for the inclines. Forget cars, it's so very easy to do with a Swiss Pass (trains, bus) We are going to visit the small villages in the Engadine next summer as well as taking in some areas in the Valais- outside of the busier places such as Zermatt. Also, Chateau D'Oex and Gruyeres were gorgeous towns where you can have great food, scenery and take awesome pics. You will feel safe there, that is the wonderful part!

metlc

I take mild exception to Linda's take on Lugano. Yes, the first part of the lakeside promenade is noisy, but the eastern half diverges from the main road and is quite nice. I would, however, find a way to stay in Vico Morcote rather than Lugano itself.

If you're into lakeside promenades, you shouldn't miss visiting the world class winner: Vevey-Montreux-Chillon. It's an easy four-hour train ride from Zermatt. Which would also be good for you, as the Gornergratt cogway takes non-hikers right up into the thick of the Alps with stunning Matterhorn views.

luvtotravel

Lots of good information here.

TravelDSG, please be sure to let us know how you trip goes, and have a wonderful time.

Edward, nice photos. I enjoyed your website.

Metlc, I've been to Montreux and Chillon, but that was many years ago.