Planning a trip to Switzerland late month or early October (would like to see a cow parade), and want to venture into Northern Italy lake region for a couple of nights. Of the lakes mentioned above, which do you recommend? We have been to Italy many times, just never to the Como area, other than by train on a route to somewhere else. Lugano in Switzerland looked lovely, but what we are looking for is the experience. Beauty, lakefront hotel, food, taking it all in. Thoughts?
Posted by
Ithaca, NY, USA
1015 posts
We stayed at La Luna Nel Porto in Stresa in May 2024. Beautiful suite with a balcony and gorgeous lake views. That was a couple of years ago so you’d want to check recent reviews, but we loved the accommodations and everything in Stresa was within walking distance. The hotel breakfast was great, too.
Posted by
627 posts
"mentioned above" are towns not lakes. Como and Verenna are on Lake Como, Stresa is on Lake Maggiore. Each has it's plus points and given you have so little time access should be the first thing to check. Como and Stresa are easy to reach from Switzerland. Varenna less so - unless you are planning a ride on the Bernina Express train, in which case it becomes the easiest.
So I suggest you find your Swiss cows then work from there. If the cow dates are a little late it might work better to do the Italian part first.
And we also have to consider which airport you will fly home from. Stresa is easiest for Malpensa, Como easiest for Zurich.
You are probably right to think beyond Lugano
Posted by
OP
Gulf Coast, usa
1305 posts
Thanks for the info. I have been through the region a few times, never stopping to enjoy any of the Lakes. My schedule is very flexible. I am still deciding on whether to make this the last part of my trip then grab the train to Paris before flying home. The idea is to fly in to Zurich, do the Oberland area, but visit some areas I have not been to. I am very familiar with the Oberland, but definitely looking for suggestions. I plan about 5-6 days in Switzerland before heading down to one of the lakes, then either flying home from Milan, or training to Paris for a couple of nights or 3 before flying home. When I was in Paris in March, it was quite rainy and cold, so looking forward to a bit warmer weather. I go to Paris one to two times a years, so quite familiar and done all the major things except Giverny! Back to Italy, so open to suggestions.