Wondering if Ticino is a good place to visit in the week between Christmas and New Year? Is it lively? Hotels/restaurants open? Any other suggestions in Europe for family of 4 in or around (driving distance) Switzerland?

This is a very personal opinion, but I find the Ticino pretty dead even at the height of the summer tourist season.

I would think that a town centered on skiing would be much livelier during the holidays. Even if you don't ski, you would be sure that hotels and restaurants are open.

How about Locarno? It's relatively warm down at the lake front, but has a funicular/suspended gondola/ski lift leaving from the center of town. Nice town but I've never been there in the winter.

Thanks Eloise,
Any other suggestions for week afte Christmas in or around Switzerland???
Anybody???

You live in Geneva is that right? Do you want to ski do walking or cross country, etc? Just because you don't ski is no reason to not go to the gorgeous mountains. If you can let me know more about your interests, that might help. Are there children and what are their ages?

You could easily take the train to Paris and spend a week there. Museums might be a bit crowded, but I think workable. Train time is very quick and easy, I have not driven but the drive may not be bad either. There is so much to do and see in Paris and you could go into the countryside too.

Berlin is another option with a lot to see and do, I would fly there rather than train or drive.

Of course London for a week is great and tons to do there....

IMO the problem with the Tocino is that (i) ferries aren't running on the lakes as far as I know, and (ii) I think you will find a lot of things like restaurants closed as it is a summmer and later spring and early fall place. Check guidebooks or the listings above for closures.

My husband's aunt and uncle used to live in the Ticino (first near Bellinzona, then later near Lugano). It's an absolutely gorgeous part of the world, but it doesn't shine at its best around Christmas, unfortunately. It can be very damp, chilly and foggy. Not cold enough for snow, no skiing, but not warm or sunny enough to want to be outside. And many places will be closed.

What about Appenzell? They have a wonderful New Year's custom of bells and costumes. The houses are very picturesque.

See: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/even...vent_id=747026

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Cicerone, I actually do like to ski (although I don't do it very well!) but it has been between 10-15 degrees here so far. I can see Mont Blanc and the Alps from my house (I know, it is spectacular)....just some traces of snow so far. Re: London, I do love London, but as an American expat still paid in USD, it is very expensive to go there right now and I am not too excited about the weather there this time of year. I would love to go to Paris but can't talk my husband into it. We have 2 kids, age 13 and 10...they are good little travelers, but like most kids, get bored of the museums after a day, so just trying to find something to keep all of us amused and keep us from being homesick!!