Switzerland and Italy in October...would you do it?

Posted by Jay (san diego, CA, United States) on 08/31/14 12:00 AM

We really want to go to the Engadine region and the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland but are afraid its going to be cold, snowy and poor conditions so we are looking at southern Swiss and the lake district of northern Italy. Any recommendations? We will be leaving in mid october and staying for two weeks.
Should we follow our hearts and do the areas we really want to see or settle for Locarno, Morcote, Varenna, stressa, balagio, bellinzona all of which we would like to see as well. We would also like to spend half of our time in Tuscany.

I would love to hear your suggestions. I can really use the help as I am new to the region and don't really know what is feasible.
Thanks in advance

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Posted by Paul

NYC area

08/31/14 01:03 AM

2974 posts

Hi Jay,

I responded to your other post just now, but we've also been to Switzerland, meaning the Berner Oberland (stayed in Wengen), Luzern, Zermatt and St. Moritz in mid October years ago. It was the perfect trip. I wouldn't hesitate at all to go in October again.

Paul

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

08/31/14 05:26 AM

32350 posts

Jay,

There are never any guarantees that the weather will be the same from one year to the next, so if you decide to go you'll just have to take your chances. Does your two weeks include your travel days, your time in Switzerland as well as Tuscany?

I believe it was June the last time I was in the Engadine / Graübunden part of Switzerland. The weather wasn't bad, but mostly overcast with some rain during the time I was there. The latest I've been in the Berner Oberland was mid-October and on that trip I had good weather. The days were sunny, but the evenings quite "chilly". I didn't bother turning on the heater in my room, and one thing I remember vividly is how cold the room was in the morning (they provided a thick Duvet so it was still comfortable to sleep).

It probably won't be "cold and snowy" but I suppose that's possible.

Posted by Rosie

Rick Steves' Europe

09/05/14 08:31 PM

123 posts

If those are the places you have your heart most set on, I would definitely go in October. You could go in June, July and August expecting nice weather and it could dump snow. Alpine weather changes so often and so fast. You will be more pleasantly surprised if you're anticipating bad weather and it ends up being beautiful, as it very well could be in October. You might also get some gorgeous autumn foliage and certainly less crowds. We say go for it!

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

09/06/14 07:33 AM

33810 posts

I'd love to be there for that time of year.

Posted by Tom

Milwaukee, WI, USA

09/06/14 01:37 PM

197 posts

Every two years I have made the trip to Murren/Gimmelwald sometime during the first two weeks of October and have rarely been disappointed. As Rosie said, the color on the sides of the mountains can be sublime which is why fall is my favorite time to visit (the leaves turning in Paris at this time makes it the best time to visit there also). As for the weather in Murren, the best forecast is what is it like when you wake up in the morning. There are usually clouds to start but, unless it is raining, these will burn off. Check the various TV monitors around town to see what the conditions are on top of Schilthorn if you are considering going there. There may be clouds in the valley but it might be sunny up top and this still makes it a fantastic view from there. I have always been amazed at how warm it gets when the sun is out this high in the Alps at this time of year (even at the top of Schilthorn). Things are a little quieter in Murren but the hiking and paragliding are still available. IMO, October is a "go" in the Bernese Oberland!