Stresa, Italy or Locarno, Switzerland

We are planning a trip south from the Benelux through the Alps with a stop in Stressa but no stops in Switzerland as we have been there and done that, twice.

If you like the good life, La dolce vita, it is Italy all the way for food, wine and otherwise.

A quiet but lovely spot in Switzerland will have more germanic foods and you are headed there anyway but what are you leaving besides Milano and will you have your fill of the good life?

If the calendar dictates that your stay must be too short to fully explore Lago Maggiore, perhaps Locarno would be ideal, reserving a later time for exquisite views combined with the good life.

Tailor the choices to your constraints as well as your preferences but do have a wonderful time either way.

This is just one stop on our way through Switzerland to Fussen then on to the Dolomites ... then 4 days in Venice and 7 days in Tuscany and 4 days in Rome.... which we've been to prior to this trip!

We are planning a trip south from the Benelux through the Alps with a stop in Stressa but no stops in Switzerland as we have been there and done that, twice.
If you like the good life, La dolce vita, it is Italy all the way for food, wine and otherwise.
A quiet but lovely spot in Switzerland will have more germanic foods and you are headed there anyway but what are you leaving besides Milano and will you have your fill of the good life?
If the calendar dictates that your stay must be too short to fully explore Lago Maggiore, perhaps Locarno would be ideal, reserving a later time for exquisite views combined with the good life.
Tailor the choices to your constraints as well as your preferences but do have a wonderful time either way.

jean,

The answer will likely depend on what sort of "experience" you're looking for, and how much travel time you're willing to tolerate.

While Locarno is a beautiful place, it's somewhat "off the beaten track" so may not be as convenient for transportation links onward to Fuessen. Stresa is not much faster if you're travelling by rail, and the shortest trip will still be about 8.5 hours with three changes. Stresa is on a major rail line, so travel will be a bit easier than from Locarno.