I am trying to plan a two week trip with a week in each country. We are 5 adults and two children, 5&7. Am thinking of staying in Wengen and Baveno. We would fly into Zurich and out of Milan, coming from Boston. I am having a hard time figuring out accommodations and would welcome any help anyone might have. We will not be going until mid May 2027, so many places do not have their calendars of availability yet. I welcome all suggestions!
Posted by
San Diego, California
7142 posts
Stay away from the May 1 holiday- the week before and after. Particularly in Italy, this holiday brings out the crowds!
You are early for the Alps, so at least plan them for the end of the trip. Many lifts and passes aren't open in Switzerland until mid-June.
Have a wonderful family vacation.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you. I was thinking around May 16-23 in Switzerland and 23-30 in Italy. I am traveling in Italy after that with my brother, as the other 5 will be going home. That is why I would like to do Switzerland first.
Posted by
6906 posts
There are some apartments/chalet rentals and some hotels offer apartment type rooms, so I’d check that type for your group first, if you want to all be together.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you! Have you any recommendations?
Posted by
6906 posts
I stayed in Murren, not Wengen, but that was my strategy and I think it would go double for a large family where a house can be a better deal than multiple hotel rooms, plus allow you to make meals and accommodate small children. Here is one website, but there are many others: https://wengen.swiss/en/discover/marketplace.html
I searched all the local community pages but ended up going with VRBO. I am not well versed in the seasonality aspect there, but I visited in the shoulder season of late October and scored a fantastic deal on a chalet that I never could have splurged for in high season. It is best to start too early because these places are small, and expensive!
I’ve been to Italy many more times and always use Booking.com.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you! I have almost always used Booking .com for the past 6 years when going to Italy, but it has only ever been two people. Seven surely changes everything, but we want to have one more family vacation abroad. I will check out your suggestions for apartments!