Lake Country Italy vs Lucerne Switzerland for final 2 nites

The last two years I have flown into Zurich and took a train down into Italy for two weeks and then to the train back to Zurich for the flight home. I would vote on extra time in Lake country. Why not try another lake? My favorite is Lake Maggiorie. The Hotel Pironi in Cannboio is wonderful and right on the lake front. YOu can take a boat around the lake. there is no train into Cannobio. YOu would have to take the boat up from Stresa. Or you could stay in Stresa...it is right on the waterfront and the Hotel Eden there is good. Take a boat across to one of the islands (Pescatori...not spelled right) for lunch.

I don't think there is a "better" option, but one may suit you better than the other. If you have had enough of Italy or the idea of an alpine retreat appeals to you, you could spend Sunday night up on Rigi, outside Luzern, on your way. The rustic hotels at Rigi Staffelhöhe and Rigi Kaltbad are set among green rolling pastures and wildflowers, with views over the lake (Lake Lucern or Vierwaldstaettersee). Hopefully you would arrive in time to take a stroll before dark. To get there, get off the train from Milan to Luzern at Arth-Goldau, and change there for the cogwheel train up Rigi to the top (Rigi Kulm). There is a hotel there where Mark Twain slpet in his travels in Switzerland (see A Tramp Abroad for his account). The train then goes down the other side of the mountain, facing the lake, with stops at Rigi Staffelhöhe and Rigi Kaltbad. My choice would probably be Hotel Edelweiss at Rigi Staffelhöhe. From there, the following day, you ride the train down to Rigi Kaltbad and either continue on down to the lakeside at Vitznau, or transver to a caablecar for the exciting ride 4,000 feet down to the lake at Weggis. From either Weggis or Vitznau you would ride a lakeboat to Luzern for your final night before your flight. This would probably be more expensive than staying Sunday night in Italy. You would also need good weather for the best experience, but chances are good in September. Either way you need to spend your final night in Luzern, so you are really talking about a place for one night. If you choose Lago Maggiore you should check the train times to see how much time that adds to your travel to Luzern. You probably would need to return to Milan first. On the other hand, the train between Milan and Luzern stops at Lage di Como, in the town of Como. If you want to spend Sunday night in Italy, maybe ferry from Como to ????

Wow, excellent, thanks to you both for the helpful advice and suggestions. Off to do some travel planning...will let you know what we come up with. Thanks again.

Any place in betw is wonderful. Lindau, Germany a short train ride from Zurich airport is what I do .
Or even 2 days in Berner Oberland area of Switz. Stay in Lauterbrunnen , train stops there. Lucky you to have choice. Lucerne of course if you have not been is a terrific choice.