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Ideas for places to see between Portofino and Aosta

My husband and I are starting to think about next year's trip (May-June). We're starting with some time with his family that lives in Lucca, and ending with time with our daughter who lives in Lucerne.

This year we did the Cinque Terre, Lake Como, and Ticino (among other places). The Aosta area was on my list but I couldn't fit it in. Portofino is high on my list too. We've never done the western half of Switzerland, so this could work out well with leaving western Italy and then heading for Sion. My question is: what's good to see between Portofino and Sion, Switzerland? We are open to traveling by train, renting a car, or I guess even a bus. We like to get outside, see some history or nature, my husband is an avid cyclist, and we both like good food.

We have about 3 weeks in all, and want to spend about a week in the Lucca area, and at least 10 days in Switzerland. That leaves 4 days to use here. Grazie mille.

Posted by
3551 posts

Zermatt is gorgeous, but can be iffy as weather sometimes rolls in. Lausanne is also very nice more urban but enjoyable with lake Geneva, paddle2he3l ferries to montreux a delight. Boat one way , cycle back to Laussane.

Posted by
91 posts

Fenis, near Aosta, has an interesting castle. Aosta itself has enough sights for 1-2 days.

Posted by
7269 posts

To me, Piedmont / Turin. 2 days around Barolo and its beautiful rolling wine country, and 2 days in Turin, with its stately palaces and impressive museums. Exceptional food, too.
If the wine country interests you, a car is essential, and it would also be useful in Aosta, so I would rent one all the way. You'll just need to return the car in Italy, not Switzerland.

Posted by
375 posts

Thanks for all of these! Definitely gives me some places to start researching.