Swiss/Italian Lakes - which one??
Discussion
Hi
Planning a road trip down through Germany, Austria,Alps to N Italy and then back via Switzerland. With all that driving we want to spend 2-3 nights at a Lake but we are not sure which one.
Criteria would be
- Small town with a hotel that is walkable to bars/restaurants
- Suit couple in their 40's - no kids/raves/not too noisy
- Situated in nice area with small towns/attractions nearby as I wont want to do toooo much driving when we are there
- Relaxing
My first thought was Lake Garda but am open to better suggestions.
Any help appreciated
Cheers
Planning a road trip down through Germany, Austria,Alps to N Italy and then back via Switzerland. With all that driving we want to spend 2-3 nights at a Lake but we are not sure which one.
Criteria would be
- Small town with a hotel that is walkable to bars/restaurants
- Suit couple in their 40's - no kids/raves/not too noisy
- Situated in nice area with small towns/attractions nearby as I wont want to do toooo much driving when we are there
- Relaxing
My first thought was Lake Garda but am open to better suggestions.
Any help appreciated
Cheers
this is where I stayed on a similar trip. Has an underground car park as well.
http://www.europa-hotel.net/gardalake/index.htm
Had 3 nights there then down to Maranello to see shiny red things, then a night in Pisa, a week and a half in Tuscany and then a train (with the car) to Frankfurt a couple of nights to stay with a mate, then home.
A short stroll along the beach into town (Malcesine), there's also some cable car thing up the hill (didn't try that), boats to various places (didn't do that either) and some interesting places to drive to around the lake and beyond (did more of that)
http://www.europa-hotel.net/gardalake/index.htm
Had 3 nights there then down to Maranello to see shiny red things, then a night in Pisa, a week and a half in Tuscany and then a train (with the car) to Frankfurt a couple of nights to stay with a mate, then home.
A short stroll along the beach into town (Malcesine), there's also some cable car thing up the hill (didn't try that), boats to various places (didn't do that either) and some interesting places to drive to around the lake and beyond (did more of that)
Folks - these are great 
please keep them coming
We have a 10 night window to complete the trip and I do want to get over the Timmelsjoch and Stelvio Passes again (did it 6 years ago in my TVR). We will also want to come back via N France (we have some favourite places there).
My initial thoughts so far are
1) Koblenz
2) Munich
3) Obergurgl - for the passes
4) Grosio - recover from the Passes
Then its the lake thing:
I was thinking either a couple of nights at Lake Garda and then across to Switzerland OR 3 nights at a lake in Switzerland.
Anyone have any experience of Lake Geneva - Montreux?
Then take a couple of days to cross N France
Cheers
please keep them comingWe have a 10 night window to complete the trip and I do want to get over the Timmelsjoch and Stelvio Passes again (did it 6 years ago in my TVR). We will also want to come back via N France (we have some favourite places there).
My initial thoughts so far are
1) Koblenz
2) Munich
3) Obergurgl - for the passes
4) Grosio - recover from the Passes
Then its the lake thing:
I was thinking either a couple of nights at Lake Garda and then across to Switzerland OR 3 nights at a lake in Switzerland.
Anyone have any experience of Lake Geneva - Montreux?
Then take a couple of days to cross N France
Cheers
Ascona on lake Maggiore is a great place, there is a pedestrianised frontage on the lakeside with some nice restaurants and a good range of hotels both on the waterfront and slightly back for a few streets. The lanes behind the waterfront have a great range of local shops and restaurants. All in all well worth a couple of days/nights. Also the drive over the mountains back towards Montreux has some great scenery and good driving roads.
Given the choice I would choose Ascona over Montreux, I have been to both, Montreux is OK but very pricy. Having said that some towns near Montreux are interesting, Vevey for example is well worth a visit and the lakeside road towards Geneva (not the motorway) is a fun drive - not fast, just good scenery and interesting towns/villages.
Given the choice I would choose Ascona over Montreux, I have been to both, Montreux is OK but very pricy. Having said that some towns near Montreux are interesting, Vevey for example is well worth a visit and the lakeside road towards Geneva (not the motorway) is a fun drive - not fast, just good scenery and interesting towns/villages.
Edited by Nollub on Friday 21st January 17:11
Here you go:
http://www.hotelreginalakecomo.com/Ing/
Lovley family owned/run place. Gravedona is 5 mins walk away & has some good restaraunts & superb atmosphere.
In the evening the whole village (from young children to eighty year olds) seem to congregate at the local ice cream shop & sit & chat & watch the sunset over the lake. Beautiful place, nice feel.
http://www.hotelreginalakecomo.com/Ing/
Lovley family owned/run place. Gravedona is 5 mins walk away & has some good restaraunts & superb atmosphere.
In the evening the whole village (from young children to eighty year olds) seem to congregate at the local ice cream shop & sit & chat & watch the sunset over the lake. Beautiful place, nice feel.
Lake Como for me every time! Stay in Varenna for the 'Italian' experience, and regular boats to beautiful Belaggio, or take a boat all the way down the lake to Como! There are two great hotels in Varenna: - Hotel du Lac and Albergo Milano - There are also some great restaurants nearby, although the food at the Albergo Milano is superb!
A stunning lake in Switzerland is Brienz near Interlaken and THE hotel to stay in has to be the Grand Hotel Giessbach
A stunning lake in Switzerland is Brienz near Interlaken and THE hotel to stay in has to be the Grand Hotel Giessbach
itsnotarace said:
Interlaken and then you have the Eiger/Jungfrau to explore via the railway
Second that -huge amount of things to do around here and public transport free or heavily discounted if you stay in hotel or on campsiteLakes -Maggiore, Orta -but they are all stunning -Como busier -and slip down to Monza -the park and track are open to walk around for E3.....
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