Hello, I'm looking for suggestions on where to stay (town/village) if we arrive/depart from Zurich in late August(picked for fantastic airfare). We have 2 weeks and our goal is to spend at least a week in the Italian Dolomites. I envisioned 3-4 days on either side of the Dolomite week in Switzerland or Austria or Bavaria so we wouldn't lose any days just staying near the airport.We like smaller towns, few American tourists, scenery/walks/hikes over museums. We have been to Lucerne in distant past and outside of Innsbruck (Mutters) last year prior to a Munich departure. Any ideas for a roundtrip route? I've been scouring the internet but have so little experience in these areas,I'm finding it hard to narrow my focus. Our group is extended family including children (ages 9 and 11) so we are interested in farm stays or apts. - nothing very fancy. Thanks for any thoughts.

I just came back from Zurich. I stayed in Winterthur with family, so I can't help you with accomodations.
I can suggest spending a few days in the Bodensee area. The Bodensee is a lake that borders Switzerland Germany and Austria. Your desire for many small towns will be satisfied by the lake front towns. Konstanz in Germany (only about a one hour train ride from Zurich) is a charming town. There is a hop off hop on train that runs from Romanshorn to Konstanz that will allow you to explore the southern shore of the Bodensee. There are numerous lake boats to take tou to other shore towns as well in Germany and Austria.
Also close to Zurich (about a two hour train/bus ride) in the Apenzell Alps including Santis Berg. These Alps are distinct from the Dolomites but a picture postcard trip of small Swiss towns and gorgeous mountain scenery.
Then you can go south to Ticino Canton (Italian speaking region) for the Swiss Dolomites - Locarno and Lugano, Bellinzona and the valleys of Alto Ticino. I did not to the latter but my family recommends it.
Some Swiss German for your trip:

1. Grüezi (hello)
2. (Uf) Widerluege (good bye)
3. Merci vilmal (thanks a lot)
4. En guete (have a nice meal)
5. Äbä, genau (yeah, right, exactly)

Here is Santis where you can see six countries (Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and Italy) on a clear day, from the base in the village of Schwalgalp.

quote:

Originally posted by avvocato:
***Swiss Dolomites ***

Of course some research indicates there are no Swiss Dolomites. Ticino is in the Lepontine Alps.
Geography of the Alps

I assume you will have a car; trips are still possible with train, but your choices and daily touring would be severely limited.

Dolomites are Dolomites, and they have few substitutes. I would consider some place like the Alpe di Siusi (say, Fiè allo Sciliar) or the high Pusteria valley, e.g. Dobbiaco (not as spectacular, but a larger valley with general better weather, and 30 to 60 minutes drives to some of the most spectacular areas). Gardena valley is maybe nicer but narrower and sometimes weather is not as good as in more open areas.

I love Ticino very much (let us say we had our marriage trip there and we go back every year) but it is not a substitution for Dolomites. As a general rule, I find hotels and restaurants in Ticino not as good value for money as other Swiss areas.

For another (prior) destination I would consider Garmisch in Germany. Nice places, some walks, and Munich as a day trip. For the very last leg, you need some place close to Zurich. The Bodensee idea is good, just consider if it close enough to get to your flight in time.

WEe will be doing that route in Sep as we spend a week transitioning between Venice and Bellgio. We plan to spend 2 nites in the beautiful Engadine valley in Guarda and at the Hotel Meisser. Before that, we will spend 2 nites in Ortisei in the fabulous Val Gardena--my favorite base for the Dolomites. The drive to Cortina from there is the best of the Dolomites. Look at Hotel Grones and Hotel Adler in Ortisei or the Haus Silbernagl in Castelrotto. Have fun !