Is there an area in Switzerland similar to Lake Como?

Have you looked at Lake Lugano? RS has info on it. https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/lugano-the-sunny-side-of-switzerland

Cj, I have been to Lugano, as part of a RS Tour. For whatever reason, I didn't fall in love with that city.
Thx for taking the time to post, and best wished for future travels!

It's on the tour I hope to take in Sep but isn't a part I'm particularly looking forward to. It seems a bit "faded glory". What didn't you like and what did Lake Como have that you did?

For whatever reason, I didn't fall in love with that city.

I actually enjoyed Lugano but I can understand why some might not be totally enamored with it. Have you looked at staying at one of the other towns/villages on the lake besides the city of Lugano?

Is there a reason you don't want to 'venture' into Italy and visit Lake Como (or Lake Maggiore, which I loved)?

What about the part of Lake Maggiore that extends into Switzerland? I stayed in Canobbio, on the Italian side, and thought it was lovely. I really didn't spend time on the Swiss side because it was so much more expensive than the Italian side, so I can't recommend any towns there.

We drove over to Lake Lugano from Lake Como for lunch. I thought it was lovely but not as pretty as Lake Como, Lake Garda or Lake Maggiore. The town of Lugano was nice.
Have you been to Lucerne, also situated on a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains?
Alsace is the prefect destination for biking and wineries. Strasbourg is a beautiful small city. The only place we didn’t care for in Alsace was Colmar and we’re glad we stayed in a wine village.

When we stayed in Varenna on Lake Como, I liked the peaceful evenings on the balcony, overlooking the lake, with a glass of wine. During the days, we took the ferries to Bellagio, Mennagio, and Villa Balbianello . The shops seem more locally-owned, and the natural beauty of the area spectacular, with the Alps outlining the lake.

Downtown Lake Lugano reminded me more of downtown La Jolla, [a local area], with high-end expensive shops. There were members of our RS tour that did enjoy hiking thru the olive groves along the lake, so I don't want to criticize an area that folks do love.

If the airline rates change, the ideal plan for us is to fly into Milan, stay in Varenna, train to Tirano, where we can then take the Bernina Express to Chur. After that, there's so much more of glorious Switzerland to explore.

If the airlines rates remain at the current levels, we will go in/out of Zurich, and perhaps still go to Lake Como.

I was nowhere near ready to plan a Europe trip, until my husband showed me these low Business Class rates. Oh, can I take the heartache of planning another trip, only to possibly cancel?? Admittedly, a first-world problem, and I am grateful for our good health throughout this pandemic.

Thanks to you all for taking an interest in this query and helping out!

Suki, Luzern is definitely on the itinerary [ and Mt. Rigi.] I love that town.
Thx!

On a prior trip we visited Lucerne and then drove to Lake Como for a few days before returning to Switzerland. It is very doable and the drives are pretty.

I‘d suggest Morcote or Ascona. For views you could take a cable car from Locarno to Cimetta-Cardada.

Pat,

There are a few areas of Switzerland you could have a look at......

• Locarno - it's a larger city than Varenna but as I recall there are some hotels along the lake that may offer lake front balconies. While there you could visit the Madonna del Sasso Franciscan Monastery and then take the Cable Car up the mountain to Cardada. The views from there are spectacular! If you time your arrival at the top for lunchtime, stop at the hotel right beside the cable car station and have a fine lunch, while enjoying the views.
• Lausane / Montreux area - again the cities in that area are larger but it's a nice area.
• Vevey - also a very scenic area and not quite as large
• Stresa area - if you don't mind considering another place in Italy, have a look at Stresa, which is at the other end of the lake from Locarno. There are some nice smaller towns adjacent to Stresa or you could stay right in Stresa. The hotels fronting the lake are probably a bit posh but if you don't mind the cost that shouldn't be a problem.

Just about everywhere you go in Switzerland will have great scenery but as always, with travel in Switzerland be sure to pack lots of money!

I haven't been yet, but I fell in love with Montreux and the Grand Swiss Hotel after watching this video from How to Switzerland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAT3YVfhQ4g (If you're not comfortable clicking on the link, you can go to You Tube and search for the How to Switzerland channel. They have lots of other videos on Switzerland that I have found very helpful in my planning).

Seems like there are a lot of good options for days trips too from the area--Gruyeres, Vevey, Lausanne, to name a few.

Carrie, I loved that video- definitely putting Montreux on the itinerary. I was there briefly as part of our RS tour, but we stayed in Lausanne then. Thanks so much!

Ken, I will follow up on your suggestions, so thanks for taking the time to be so thorough. Yes, Switzerland is expensive, but the Swiss efficiency and organization, along with the natural beauty, is definitely worth it.
Good wishes for future safe and healthy travels.

I've been to Lugano, Locarno, Ascona and Stresa. For me, none of them compare to Lake Como (we have stayed in both Varenna and Como town).

I've started a new thread with a draft itinerary- pls feel feel to add your wisdom. Thx so much again!