Swiss / French / Italian borders area - recommendations?

[Gruber]

As per the title really, we're thinking about heading off down this way for a couple of weeks at the start of September. Probably looking to stay in hotels / B&Bs at two or three places for a few days each.

So, if we say 100 mile radius from Geneva...

Any recommendations for nice places to stay and / or visit?

We're probably looking for a mix of walking / hiking, sight-seeing, relaxing, etc.

[itsnotarace]

Chamonix would be a good place to start, there are some epic driving roads nearby

[qualityscrew]

I suggest the following: -

Annecy for two days, wonderful place and great scenery.
Megeve
Chamonix for two days
Mont Blanc tunnel
Aosta
Milan
Lake Como for three days
San Gotthardo pass
Furka pass
Grimsel Pass
Interlaken for two days
Zurich
Appenzell for two days, pretty town and walking&hiking

I can help with hotel suggestions depending on your budget.

[Gruber]

Blimey! I wasn't expecting an itinerary, but that's ace - thank you!

I need to look into rates, and don't really know how far your money goes out of season, but does £150 a night get you into half-decent places?

[qualityscrew]

Gruber said:

Blimey! I wasn't expecting an itinerary, but that's ace - thank you!

I need to look into rates, and don't really know how far your money goes out of season, but does £150 a night get you into half-decent places?

You're welcome, I used to own a company doing exactly this type of driving holiday.

For hotel recommendations and approximate rates Tripadvisor is your friend.

If you go to stunning Lake Como, try to stay in Varenna, more 'Italian' than some other towns, and the Hotel du Lac is worth paying a bit more for! Take one of the frequent ferries to nearby Belaggio, beautiful lake-side town.

If you need any more help or advice send me an email.

[Gruber]

qualityscrew said:

You're welcome, I used to own a company doing exactly this type of driving holiday.

For hotel recommendations and approximate rates Tripadvisor is your friend.

If you go to stunning Lake Como, try to stay in Varenna, more 'Italian' than some other towns, and the Hotel du Lac is worth paying a bit more for! Take one of the frequent ferries to nearby Belaggio, beautiful lake-side town.

If you need any more help or advice send me an email.

Brilliant - thank you.

I'll take a look with Mrs G over the weekend and I might well take you up on that very kind offer.

Hugely grateful!

[The Leaper]

Following on from Qualityscrew's comments, I'm recently back from Lake Como after a week there (three couples). We opted to be based in Bellagio and the Hotel Metropole. When I go back there I'd do exactly the same. Bellagio is easily the best place to be based because of the frequent ferrys to most lake towns etc and the Metropole is a good hotel only 50 yards from the foot passenger ferry terminal and 150 yards from the car ferry terminal.

Varena etc are all nice towns to visit for lunch, a wander etc.

By the way the car ferry is pretty expensive at, I think, €20 each trip and it's really only a short journey.

If you want more central Lake Como info let me know.

R.