Will only be in northern Italy for 4 days in mid-March '98. Not interested in city life. Have heard of the beauties of Ticino, Como, Zermatt, Wengen, Jungfrau, to name a few. Might stay in southern Switzerland, but unsure. Any suggestions as to which place we should choose and why? Not limited to these named above. Would like INEXPENSIVE, clean places to stay (with a bathroom!). Love the mountains, but am not a skier....don't care to stay in the snow. Any suggestions? Thanks,

I've been to two places in Northern Italy -- Venice and Bellagio (Lake Como). Venice is one of my favorite cities on earth, and it's so unique that I consider it a must-see. But if you're looking for small villages, Bellagio is beautiful. It's on Lake Como's penninsula and is a very small, relaxful town. Also, the small towns in Switzerland which I have visited in Grindlewald and Zermatt. I loved both, but prefer Zermatt if I had to choose -- it's a very charming small Swiss village surrounded by the Alps and the gorgeous Matterhorn in particular. None of these places are exactly inexpensive, as you requested. In all of them (I know in Venice and Zermatt for sure) there are youth hostels, so you can find inexpensive lodging. I can recommend the hotels I stayed in Bellagio and Zermatt, but they are both about $115-$130/night for a double room in the summer: Hotel Belvedere in Bellagio, and Hotel Alpenblick in Zermatt. If you want their numbers, I have links to thier websites at my personal travelogue of my European trip last summer -- at http://www.lunadesigns.com/travels/. You may also be interested in my travelogue because it has photos of some of the places I discussed here. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me. And have fun!

Venice is great. A lovely city with no cars but a lot of boats instead. There arn't many other things as romantic as a boat trip with a real venice gondoliere in the sunset.We were at the hotel Henry in Rio Terà Farsetti in venice. It was very simple with the bath on the floor, but cheap.
In the Toscana Siena must be very beautiful, but I haven't been there yet.
For southern Switzerland I'd go to Lugano. Situated at the nothern end of the Lake Lugano it's just beautifull. You may go up to the San Salvatore (the mountain next to Lugano) or also the Monte Generoso. There's a youth hostel a few minutes from the railway station which costs about 40 SFr. per person, but I don't remember the name but at the station.
In the mountains the most popular tourist destinations are Zermatt and Grindelwald/Wengen (from where you can visit the Jungfrau) but they are also quite expensive, but it's also very beautiful. A trip from Grindelwald up to the Jungfraujoch is about 100 SFr. A village I like very much is Saas Fee. It's situatet just next to Zermatt also surounded by 4000 meter high mountains. As Zermat cars aren't alowed in the village and it's about the same price range.
So its up to you. If you want to have enjoy the spring stay in Italy or in Lugano, if you want to be in the mountains take one of the others.

Markus

Don't go to the Ticino. Go to Venice, Bellagio, Zermatt. The Ticino has no Americans, only Italian/German folks, nothing to do but take walks in the hills. Stay away.

Sarah, All of these places are wonderful, but be
realistic. You only have 4 days, it is March, and
you are on a budget. You cannot afford Zermatt,
Wengen or Venice. Do yourself a favor and go to
Lake Garda and eat pizza with the German tourists
and ride the lake---with side trips into Sirmione
and Verona. Next time, when you have more time, ask
about all of the up-scale expensive resorts.