We are planning a trip to Switzerland and Italy in June. We enjoy staying at B&Bs . Can anyone recommend some for the Ticino region. Should we stay in Lugano, Locarno Or Ascona for a base? Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance

Pat, <BR> <BR>Sorry can't recommend a B&B, but I have some opinions on your base question. I've been to Lugano & Locarno but have not visited Ascona yet, and of the two I have seen I prefer Locarno. <BR> <BR>Lugano struck me as too large, crowded, & overbuilt -- the lakeside was dominated by a busy road with apartment buildings & hotels on the other side. The only charming areas were out of the city, but the bus transport was expensive and I wouldn't want to drive in that mess. The old city was charming too, but then you are up away from the lakeside. <BR> <BR>Locarno is a smaller town, and its buildings are on a smaller scale as well. The lakeside is charming and nice for a walk. <BR> <BR>As I said, I've never been to Ascona, but a Swiss family friend swears that *the* place to visit in the Ticino is Ascona. She actually scolded me for staying in Lugano. <BR> <BR>So if charm is your objective, I would rank them Ascona, Locarno, & Lugano in preference. <BR> <BR>Unfortunately, that is the opposite order for convenience as a base. Lugano offers the best connections to the area. Are you driving or using the train? Use www.rail.ch (click on "Travel/Timetables") to check convenient rail schedules; use www.viamichelin.com to check road routes. <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR> <BR>s

Pat, We cycled the Ticino in September of 1995. Can't recommend any B&Bs, when you're on a bike you take whatever comes first, for us 2 star hotels. If you base in Locarno, take the Funivia (funicular) to Orselina and connect with a cable car to Cimetta. Take the train, a small narrow gauge local, to Domodossola, a truly beautiful ride. In planning your route, be sure to include Giornico, a lovely village. Bellinzona is a great place, the Castelgrande is a must see. Our memory of Lugano is arriving to watch a "Little League" bike race, 7-8 year olds, and that evening a wine festival, dancing in the streets. We think of the Ticino as our secret place, much as we regarded the Cinque Terre 12 years ago.

If you will have a car, I suggest you stay at a small town outside Lugano or Locarno. There are many pretty small towns in the area--like Caslano--and it's a compact region. I, too, thought Lugano (and Locarno) were too crowded during tourist season, although the boat cruises around the lakes were nice and I liked the art museum/villa in Lugano as well as its gorgeous city park. Bellinzona is less crowded, but has less atmosphere (except for the three interesting castles and the view from the top one is fantastic). <BR>We always stay at the Hotel Parco Lago in Caslano. About $100 a night for a large double with private bath, well fitted kitchenette, balcony overlooking the lake (Lugano), small private park, private beach and free parking. Breakfast included and the hotel has a restaurant serving full dinner until 9 pm. Caslano is very close to the Ponte Tresa (the bridge that takes you into Italy). <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

Hello, Pat. I must come in to recommend my favorite little two-star albergo in Ticino -- It's the Hotel Panorama in Gerra-Gambarogno. Axel and Hanni Klomann are gracious hosts, the food is wonderful (both Italian and German), and the view from their small dining terrace is beautiful. Gerra is across the lake from Ascona and Brissago. We traveled by train and did day-trips to Lugano's lake as well as places on Maggiore. If you are a rent-a-car person, the wide range of places to visit will be more convenient for you. But don't forget the wonderful lake boats. Gerra is quiet, quiet, quiet, but I'd be there this very minute if I could -- on the terrace with a glass of merlot watching the sun go down. I know you asked about B&B's; this little hotel has that feel to it, only 15 rooms if I'm not mistaken. It is the best two-star I've ever visited. (It will be helpful for you to know that I am fifty-ish, and I always look for peaceful places to come back to at the end of busy sight-seeing days ---- just in case you're looking for a place with a lively night-life. If so, Ascona is your place.) Hope this thread continues; I love just thinking about Ticino. Keep in touch. jw p.s. The hotel has a website; try hotel-panorama.ch or do a search including "Gerra-Gambarogno".

We flew into Zurich for a train trip through Switzerland and Italy a few years ago. We booked a hotel in Lugano for our first night, thinking it would be a good place to work on jetlag before heading into Italy. We booked a hotel on the pedestrian street in the old town (picked from free Swiss tourist book that lists all hotels and star ratings--pretty reliable). Room was fine and the manager great--made us an early breakfast the next day before our train. <BR> <BR>The city was too large for the relaxing day we wanted. The walk along the water was pretty and the old town nice, but it was city with lots of traffic and noise. <BR> <BR>It was convenient because of the train station, but the other towns people are recommending may be more scenic and have a better atmosphere.

Thank you all so much for great leads. Sounds like Lugano would be nice for a visit but not the quiet place we are looking for. You have been very helpful. I'm looking into the above mentioned places and will let you know how it goes.

Hello again, Pat. I'm wondering how your decision-making is progressing. I've already put in my vote for Lago Maggiore and the little Hotel Panorama, but if you're still leaning toward Lake Lugano, then you might consider the little lake towns of Gandria and Morcote. Each quite different from the other (we visited them via the lake boats) and very picturesque. Both are very popular, however. Also, I recall reading a recommendation in Karen Brown's Switzerland book for a B & B near Lugano -- you might want to look into that. It was on the lake toward Gandria but not that far. Keep in touch!

We stayed in Stresa and loved taking the train through Domodossola to Lucarno for the day. It was like traveling through Alaska with all the trees changing colors. We came back via boat. Try to do the train, it was great!

I've been researching and I think we are sold on Hotel Panorama is Gerra-Gambaragno. It sounds like the right place for us. We will have a car and so will be able to travel easily to the different towns. Thanks for the lead jw. If all goes well we should go in early June.

Pat, I'm filled with envy. Tell Hanni and Axel I send my fondest regards, and enjoy Axel's canneloni for me.

Good morning, Pat <BR>Have to cast my vote for Lugano, will <BR>agree with the noise on the outer ring <BR>road alongside the lake but inside the <BR>old town area vehicular traffic is <BR>limited and what really did appreciate <BR>was that our hotel the LUGANO DANTE was <BR>at the base of the funicular, not much <BR>walking or hassle to get to the hotel. <BR>They also have a cabana area on the lake <BR>for use in summer. There are many small <BR>very goodristorantes in this area as <BR>well as the major shopping in Lugano. <BR>and also its casino on the east side <BR>of the old town. Richard of LaGrange Park, Il...