Two weeks in Switzerland
Jul 29, 2007 | 5:45 pm
#31
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: DL (NW) Silver, UA (CO), AA, AC
Posts: 296
Now for some more comments which hopefully won't confuse you more than help. I've been to Switzerland several times (with & without teenagers) and love it. Why? For the hiking -- no bears but wonderful infrastructure and inns & restaurants in the most unlikely places -- and casual cycling, primarily. The foods okay (nowhere near as good as French except in top $$ restaurants), the people are friendly & helpful (much as Canadians), everything works and everything is clean. Despite being from Alberta with the Rockies being at my doorstep before I moved, I prefer the Bernese Oberland and other parts of Switzerland. Because of the tremendous infrastructure, especially the aerial "railways", you can get to spectacular places very easily and quickly.
Regarding your proposed itinerary, I would not stay in Interaken. I would pick a village and use it as a base. My suggestions would be Grindelwald, Wengen or Lauterbrunnen. Grindelwald is a bit like Banff in that has its touristy parts and can be busy. Wengen is very peaceful in comparison as it is car-free, and has the best views in my opinion. I've not stayed in Lauterbrunnen but is well located as well. If you really want to be close to Interlaken, I would stay in Wilderswil, just south of Interlaken. I used to think it was just a stop on the BOB train, but the old center of the village is away from the train and very pleasant as we stayed there 2 nights this June, although not "in the mountains" as much as the other 3. The ships that ply the lakes -- Thunersee and Brienzersee -- are very pleasant, especially the old steam paddle-wheelers. When we were cycling last month, we even took the bikes on a ship (and up funiculars & aerial trams).
Ticino is also very beautiful and very different from the rest of the country. Italy without the strikes (and a bit costlier).
Check out Rick Steves's site for info on the various rail passes. You wil definitely want one, but there are many options.
I echo the comments re Lausanne -- nice but one day max. I'd probably skip it and change locales less often. As for Zurich, we flew out of ZRH last month, but spent the last night at an arty, new hotel overlooking the lake (or the train station if you are on the other side) 10-15 minutes south in Thalwil. There are a couple of direct trains to ZRH each hour.
In summary, I'd spend less to no time in the big cities. With 14 days, you will really gain an appreciation for the country.
Regarding your proposed itinerary, I would not stay in Interaken. I would pick a village and use it as a base. My suggestions would be Grindelwald, Wengen or Lauterbrunnen. Grindelwald is a bit like Banff in that has its touristy parts and can be busy. Wengen is very peaceful in comparison as it is car-free, and has the best views in my opinion. I've not stayed in Lauterbrunnen but is well located as well. If you really want to be close to Interlaken, I would stay in Wilderswil, just south of Interlaken. I used to think it was just a stop on the BOB train, but the old center of the village is away from the train and very pleasant as we stayed there 2 nights this June, although not "in the mountains" as much as the other 3. The ships that ply the lakes -- Thunersee and Brienzersee -- are very pleasant, especially the old steam paddle-wheelers. When we were cycling last month, we even took the bikes on a ship (and up funiculars & aerial trams).
Ticino is also very beautiful and very different from the rest of the country. Italy without the strikes (and a bit costlier).
Check out Rick Steves's site for info on the various rail passes. You wil definitely want one, but there are many options.
I echo the comments re Lausanne -- nice but one day max. I'd probably skip it and change locales less often. As for Zurich, we flew out of ZRH last month, but spent the last night at an arty, new hotel overlooking the lake (or the train station if you are on the other side) 10-15 minutes south in Thalwil. There are a couple of direct trains to ZRH each hour.
In summary, I'd spend less to no time in the big cities. With 14 days, you will really gain an appreciation for the country.
