We will be traveling from Nice France to Milan Italy by train. We are trying to decide which direction to go to spend a few days by the Alps. Looking for Recommendations! Do we take the train to Chamonix France or go to Bolzano Italy? Thank you!!!
Pp
do you not have any interest in the best Alps? In Switzerland?
(places tin hat firmly on bonce awaiting incoming shrapnel)
I really do think so
I agree with Nigel!
Plus from Milan, the closest and most logical choice is Switzerland. You can reach the Berner Oberland (main villages Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren) in about 4 hours by train from Milan, and it is arguably the most scenic corner of the entire Alps.
Chamonix is great too, but more limited: the views are great, but there are very few easy hikes.
As for the Dolomites, they are really beautiful too but they do not look like the rest of the Alps. It is an altogether different experience to me.
We HOPE to be in Switzerland in the fall, and go to Lake Como, but we are concerned about the covid-related requirements for crossing borders. Obviously, we won't know until much closer to the dates. But if each country requires a covid test for entry or re-entry, it is a major consideration for planning, and may require some built-in flexibility.
Safe travels!
Rick just did a new show with Chamonix, what did you think of it?
I also vote for Switzerland
A train from the Nice Ville station to Milano Centrale will take 5h 30m and require a connection. To get to Chamonix from Milan’s Centrale station you’ll need to connect three times taking 4h 30m. To get to Bolzano from Milano Centrale you’ll need to connect once taking a total of 3h 30m.
Thank you everyone for your input! Swiss Alps won out!!!!
I am doing the Bolzano route from Milan. Decided not to stay in Switzerland for several reasons.
Mid September may be cold at night in the dolomites but Bolzano is significantly warmer but access to the dolomites in as little as 40 minutes.
You may find that accommodations in Switzerland are significantly more expensive than in Italy; in my travel research that has been the case.
Due to the fact that restrictions to enter a country are still in flux, I would only fly into the country of my destination. So if I were going to Switzerland I would fly into Zurich or Geneva.
