We’re two lifelong 69y/old friends first trip to Europe together. We’re flying in out of Milan mid September to October 4. Our current plan is to train to Varenna -ferry to Belagio area for 4-5 days. We want to spend 2-3 days in Switzerland. Take scenic train. Enjoy outdoors easy hikes 5miles, picturesque towns, beautiful scenery, history, art.
Not big on shopping or big cities. We travel 1 bag each. Next stop will be Venice (hopefully the water levels will Be up).
Recommendations for trains and realistic destinations in Switzerland-first time for both of us. Italy will be first time for my travel partner. . Looks like train from Varennato Tirano is a good starting point.
Any other train routes recommendations from CH to Venice besides Milano Centrale?
Thank you
Posted by
Paris
6897 posts
What a lovely plan!
For 3 days in Switzerland, starting from Lake Como, your intuition is correct: the train to Tirano is the way to go, and from Tirano you can travel to the Engadin region on the stunning Bernina railway.
You could spend 4 nights in Pontresina, Samedan, Zernez further down the valley, or any nearby town/village (avoiding St Moritz itself if possible, it is expensive and less charming), to have time for hikes and all.
4 nights in Lake Como would be ideal, more sounds like a bit too much. Bellagio is beautiful but on the fancy side; many people here recommend Varenna instead: basically just as pretty, cheaper, and far more convenient.
Between Switzerland and Venice, how adventurous are you?
The standard route would be to travel back to Milan and take the train from Milan to Venice. Total travel time is roughly 4 hours from the Engadin to Milan, then 3 to Venice. It goes through Verona, a great place to stop for 1-2 nights (3 if you want to see lake Garda).
There is also a very interesting "back road" from the Engadin into Italy through the Alps. From the Swiss town of Zernez, there are buses (on a very scenic road) to the Italian station of Mals, from where a local railway leads to Trento on the main Italian train network.
From Trento, you can easily reach Venice by train with a connection in Verona.
Along the way, the spa town of Merano would be a lovely stop at the foot of the mountains for a day or two. Zernez to Merano takes about 3 hours, Merano to Venice takes 4-5 hours.
Posted by
San Diego, California
4698 posts
Balso, I'm bookmarking this for the next time I'm in the area. Your alternate route sound inviting and delightful! Thx