My sister and I are trying to plan my mom's 70'th birthday. She's made her preferences clear. Starting from Venice a couple of days, then straight train to (Milano?) anyway, There is so much to see. We've narrowed it down to about 12 days but we're flexible. We want to cover the Dolomites (Tyrol) Lake Como or Maggiore, Lucerne (not neccesity)and if possible the Oberland. From what I'm reading we've picked a horrible time of year to travel i.e. the first few weeks of December. Either things are closed or dead. Is this true. Doesn't make much sense with the avid skiiers of the world. I need some honest feedback and perhaps suggestions on how to fanagle this trip. We prefer taking the trains or buses and need to be situtated where we have close access to amenties like food etc. Should we give up on winter all together? Any input would be greatly appreatiated

Thanks,
Pepper

>From what I'm reading we've picked a horrible time of year to travel i.e. the first few weeks of December. Either things are closed or dead.

Not necessary. It is the beginning of the skiing season. You have a good chance of getting wonderful snow&sunshine weather up in the mountains, and while the skiing ressorts won't be as lively as a month or two later it can be very nice. Or you can get stuck in a snowstorm - but this is always a risk when going to the mountains in winter.

On the other side, the lowlands (Venice, Milano, Lake Como, Lucerne) will be probably grey, foggy and miserable. Although at least in the cities on the northern side of the Alps you have the Christmas markets with Glühwein to dispel the gloom

As mentioned above, the weather will not be perfect for Lake Como.

I think that November is the usual closing/remodel month and most places would be open for December.

I was in Venice in December and thought it a wonderful time to go. NO MOBS OF TOURISTS. It is not truly cold, but it is often foggy and chilly, so my advice is that you look at the Winter Silks catalog and invest in long underwear. Otherwise, dress as you would for a trip to Washington DC, with warm socks, waterproof shoes, toasty scarf, hat and gloves a priorty.

There are many, many things to do indoors in Venezia if you get rain. I stayed at the Ca'Pisani hotel, which was heated very comfortably.

Milano is a very nice winter destination, but I think Lago di Como is very iffy. I suggest you substitute Verona -- so that your trip is Venice-Verona-Milano-Lago Maggiore-Oberland.

I have traveled from Stresa (on Lago Maggiore) to the Bernese Oberland in a single day. I caught a train in Stresa at 10am and was in Spiez (on Lake Thun) by 2pm. Spiez is a great place to stay, I think, because you have easy access to the high peaks if it is sunny but also can easily visit Bern if it's not. And lakeside setting is very picturesque.

I'm sorry I can't advise you at all about the Dolomites, but the itinerary I've suggested is already a lot for 4 days.

Ooops! I meant to write "a lot for 12 days."