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Heading down to Italy and thinking we will go via Switzerland probably Basel to Como. We have a couple of days and it looks nice in pictures and on the map but I've no idea what it is like there. We have a tent and a dog. Car camping and day hiking not backpacking, no bikes either. Is there anywhere good to head for? Would be nice to find a good campsite and set up for a couple of nights. Looks like a lot of lakes so somewhere to swim would also be great.
Hey nickjb
We entered Switzerland via Basel on our roadtrip last year (with our most southerly destination being Garda). We ended up staying around Lucerne. Firstly, an AirBnb near Baldeggersee for a couple of nights with local swimming, day trips on the steamer on Lucerne and a trip up Stanserhorn before heading to Alpenresort Einwaldi for activities in around Titlis. Finally we stayed at Camping International Giswil, with a pitch pretty much lakeside for those early morning swims and views before coffee.
After that, we exited Switzerland via the Italian influenced south via the Verzaska Valley (which is an f'in awesome swim spot and was one of the highlights of the trip; although maybe it was to do with having been baked for the last 48-72 hours in 30 odd degree heat only to find a cold river to swim in). Either way, I'd go again. We then stayed at a simple campsite called Moretto just north of Lugano which was next door to a really good restaurant.
It's expensive. I'd recommend a Lucerne based tourist/travel card as it gets you access to boats, lifts, etc. Certain things need pre-booking (there was a funicular railway I'd have liked to go on which had zero availability the 5 days we were there).
We were tempted to go again this year on route, especially with the potential the Lionesses might be in Basel on Sun 27th. Yet we're going more direct to our destination through Germany and Austria.
Also, if you need a stop over on route to Switzerland. North of Basel is a French town called Ribeauville which we liked. The campsite 'Pierre something or other' was on the edge of town, near a municipal pool, with a short walk to a supermarket or town for the bakery, restaurants, etc.  Â