I’m in the dreaming/early planning stages of another 3 week trip to Italy and then over the Alps by train to Switzerland (my hubby’s big dream). We’re both retired, so our time is very flexible. We’ve been to northern Italy once in October of 2019 for 3 weeks and absolutely loved Lake Como (stayed in Varenna for 4 nights).
My thoughts are to fly into Milan and return to one of the northern lakes for 4-5 nights. Any recommendations for which one? Then maybe 2-3 more days in Italy? But where?
I want to book a scenic train to go over the Alps and end in Switzerland for another 2ish weeks.
We could also do the trip exactly backwards. I know it depends on the season. Initial thoughts are fly to Milan end of May, fly home from Zürich 3 weeks later. Is this a reasonable time of year for this plan?
My mind is swirling. Lol.
We enjoy easy to moderate hikes. Love being around mountains as well as lakes. Prefer out of doors always but don’t mind a few museums, historical sites etc. Not crazy about big cities and huge crowds. Don’t want to rush around. Prefer Airbnb lodging.
So many questions..help?? But so excited!!
Posted by
Florida
45 posts
I stayed in Bellagio for 4 nights in the fall and loved it. It's a very short ferry & bus ride to Lugano so that would be a great second stop. Lugano is a good hub to catch the train to Luzern or the BO. With your time frame I would go to the Lauterbrunnen area (Murren or Wengen or both) for 4-5 nights and then head to Luzern before flying out of Zurich.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17418 posts
There are three “scenic trains” that go over the Alps between Italy and Switzerland, instead of under them in a tunnel: the Bernina Express between Lugano (or Tirano to Chur, the Gotthard Panorama Express between Lugano and Luzern, , and the Treno Gottardo between Locarno and Luzern ( or Zurich). The latter two use same tracks over the mountains by way of the Gotthard Pass, but the Gotthard Panorama Express includes a boat ride across the Vierwaldstättersee (aka Lake Lucerne) for the northern part of the journey.
https://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/experiences/gotthard-panorama-express/
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/experiences/treno-gottardo/
https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/topics/treno-gottardo.html
You (or your husband);can choose between them on the basis of the amount of time you have, or your preference for starting and ending points. That is, if you are heading to Switzerland from Varenna on Lake Como, then the Bernina Express (or a regional train on the same tracks) is very convenient and makes the most sense. Or if your last stop in Italy is Lago di Garda, Lago Maggiore, or other area of Lombardy or nearby, the Gotthard Pass trains would be easy to access from Milan. And maybe you would like the connection with the boat ride across the lake.
You will hear a lot of praise here for the Bernina Pass route, but most of that will come from people who have only done that route, not both. We have ridden both train routes (but not the boat ride) and I don’t have a favorite. Look at the photos on the websites, and see if one appeals more to you personally.
Posted by
Schaumburg, IL
279 posts
Would definitely do Switzerland second and let the snow on mountains melt a few extra days.
Posted by
OP
Indy
59 posts
We could also fly to Switzerland mid to late August or early September for 2 weeks and then end our trip in Italy. Would that make more “weather and crowd” sense? I’m also looking at Lake Garda vs Lake Como since we’ve been there. Thoughts? So many fantastic options!
Thank you all for your input!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Since you're headed for Switzerland after Italy, you might consider spending a few days at Stresa on Lago Maggiore. While there you could take a day trip to Locarno CH via the Cento Valli Railway - https://www.myswissalps.com/centovalli . While in Locarno you could spend a few hours hiking and enjoying the gorgeous scenery in Cardada (accessible by cable car above Locarno) - https://www.cardada.ch/en/cardada-cimetta/the-place-to-be .
Return to Stresa in the early evening by boat. After that travel by train to the Berner Oberland or other parts of Switzerland.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17418 posts
For two week in Switzerland we prefer September over June. The one time we went in June (late June) it was cool and rainy about half the time. We will be in Switzerland next September ourselves, with our adult children and two grandchildren.
We like Varenna on Lake Como, but we love Lago di Garda, especially the northern part of the lake. Take a look at Malcescine:
https://www.visitmalcesine.com/en
Only the southern end of Garda is served by train, with stops at Desenzano and Peschiera on the line between Milan and Verona. But you can travel to Malcescine from either town by ferry, a scenic ride up the lake. Or many of the hotels will arrange a shuttle from the Verona train station.