I need help with my Switzerland itinerary, now that we have decided to try and stay in one or two places, between RS tours. We will leave Paris on May 20, and need to be in Lake Como on May 31. Where would be a good base to settle for 5 nights, and then for 6 nights or vice versa to explore the countryside via the trains.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11773 posts
"Two best" depends on what you like to do. Have a look at Rick Steves' Switzerland TV episodes here on the site, or perhaps read his guide book to figure out what appeals to you. Everyone says to go to the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the Berner Oberland, but there is so much more to Switzerland.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2660 posts
The AT A GLANCE section here is a good place to start:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
207 posts
We've done two trips to Switzerland: one week in Interlaken, and one week in Montreux. We felt like they were perfect bases to explore very different parts of the country!
Posted by
Green Bay
21139 posts
The Best of Italy Tour is not very specific about where on Lake Como it will be starting. It sounds like Varenna, but he only says, "Our village home on Lake Como is a quick, easy train connection from Milan."
So you might want to approach it from Pontresina in Switzerland, over the Bernina Pass and through Tirano.
Luzern is probably the most central location with a lot of day trips available in many directions, by boat and by rail.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17417 posts
Given that late May is not the best time to spend a lot of time in the alpine villages of the Berner Oberland, and assuming that the. RS tour starts in Varenna, I would suggest Pontresina for one base. Or maybe Luzern, which offers more daytrip opportunities, but would involve longer travel time on the day they head to Italy.
The other could be Montreux or Vevey on Lac Leman, which should be lovely in May.
Posted by
OP
California
4 posts
Thank you all so much for the quick responses. I have looked at my RS Switzerland book in detail and really needed just two places to stay for recharging before our next tour, which is hard to decide on. The next tour starts in Lecco, Italy. It looks like using the Rome to Rio ap, it would be best to go by train to Vevey, then to Luzern, then to Lecco?