My husband and I are taking a trip to Lake Como and Switzerland for our anniversary in mid September. We will spend 2 or 3 nights at Lake Como. We want to spend 2 or 3 nights in 2 or maybe 3 places in Switzerland and do day trips from those spots. Any recommendations on where we should stay and places we shouldn’t miss?
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1661 posts
You will get more help if you list your arrival and departure airports in Europe.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2311 posts
Most people recommend one of the villages in the Berner Oberland area. Which one you choose depends on your preferences. A few are not accessible by car, only by train or cable car. The Rick Steves videos have great overviews of these towns: Murren, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, and Grindelwald to name a few.
Posted by
OP
20 posts
We are flying in and out of Milan.
Posted by
Michigan
412 posts
Not sure how much time you'll have, but I can recommend another lake experience that wasn't overly crowded with tourists in 2019, in case you'd like to have another Italian Lakes experience. From Milan, we stayed on Lago Maggiore for three nights, and really enjoyed Stresa, and exploring the Borromean Islands there. There are gorgeous tiered gardens on Isola Bella, as well as splendid white Chinese peacocks roaming the gardens! Also, Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta was a lovely day trip from there. We thought if we went there again, for our next stop we'd travel north to Switzerland and go right to the Berner Oberland.
We had reservations to stay in Murren in 2020, after much careful researching on this forum, and unfortunately that was postponed due to Covid. From there, we thought we'd have lots of beautiful vistas, living 5,000 feet up from the valley for a week. Hiking trails all over the place, and serenity...those were what we'd been hoping for, and look forward to rescheduling. I think once you got on a train from your Italian destination to the Swiss border and then took a Swiss train, you could get to the Lauterbrunnen Valley easily, and choose your spot in the Berner Oberland.
I've not heard of a single person here who did not like that region of Switzerland. This forum has lots of posts to learn about great places. We'd already visited Lucerne, so we were seeking a more nature-focused trip, and loved the idea of living in the Alps for a week or so, staying in Murren. Maybe 2023?😊
Have a great trip!
Laurie
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1661 posts
I have spent time at Lake Como, but not much in Southeastern Switzerland. I am sure many will make suggestions for you. Because you only have 2 or three days I would try to limit your travel distances because you have to get back to MIlan.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2311 posts
Laurie, Thanks for that report on Lake Maggiore. I have a trip next summer in the works, and planned on a few days in Stresa followed by 5 nights in Wengen. Glad to hear that worked well for you!
Posted by
20 posts
At first I thought this was my post, as my Husband and I are also going to Lake Como and Switzerland a few day in September! :)
It's the tale end of a 2 week trip of Northern Italy, and a taste of Switzerland. We are staying in Bellagio, on Lake Como. Our stay is at Residence L'ulivo. We have access to the beautiful Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. Then we are heading for 2 nights in Lucerne, staying at Penthouse by Art Deco Montana..splurged on a room with a view and hot tub on balcony. From there, one night in Grindelwald then onto Zurich airport hotel. I haven't been to any of these places yet, but have been researching daily on each location. So much to offer, wish we had more time but can come back after we retire in a few years. All so beautiful.