10-12 nights in Switzerland and France

Old Feb 9th, 2015, 10:32 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
10-12 nights in Switzerland and France

Hi everyone.

My husband and I are planning to visit Switzerland and Paris (and if possible French Riviera too) mid of April. This will be our first time thus need your assistance in planning the trip well. Could you please advise:

1. A recommended itinerary to cover the must visit places
2. Best ways to travel within the places
3. If it is possible to include the French Riviera, if yes, which all places can be done
4. How the weather would be that time of the year
5. If it makes sense to take a group tour or to be on our own

Thank you very much.

Shveta
Shveta is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2015, 10:36 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Shevta,

Our suggestions will be much more helpful to you if you could give us a little more information --

What are you interested in seeing in Switzerland -- imo all of it is a must-visit! Do you want to see mountains, valleys, countryside, towns, villages? Have you heard of something you want to do or see while there?

How long will you have for your trip overall?

What are your interests? Do you like to walk, hike, visit museums, shop, stroll through town, drink wine, etc?

In general, the weather in April is as varied as your destinations -- rather warm in the Ticino or in Vaud, and still cold and maybe skiing in the mountains.

Have fun as you plan!

s
swandav2000 is online now  
Old Feb 9th, 2015, 10:48 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry Swandav for such an open ended query but the problem was that I had not put too much of a thought into it since I am at the very initial stages of planning .... now that you have directed me well, the following are the things that come to my mind:

We will be more interested in the mountains and the valleys.... walking and strolling through the town would be good too ... may not be too interested in hiking and shopping ....

Any good site where I can read more about the destinations and then probably I will be on a better ground ...

Thanks S, your inputs are much appreciated ...
Shveta is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2015, 01:21 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi again,

Sorry I didn't notice your title on my post above -- So, you have 10 to 12 nights. I hope that doesn't include your flying days so that you'll have 12 nights on the ground.

Here

Fly into Nice, spend 3-4 nights at the base town of your choice, then take the high-speed train to Paris; spend 4-5 nights in Paris, then take the train to Grindelwald or Wengen via Basel; spend 3-4 nights in Grindelwald or Wengen, then take the train to Zurich or Luzern for an overnight before you depart.

Note that the best fares for the trip from Nice to Paris and from Paris to Basel go on sale about 90 days early, so it's a good idea to get familiar with the train sites and to buy your ticket asap. Also note that the advance-purchase discount tickets are valid only for the train and day and time that you selected; if you change your plans, you'll have to get another ticket, at the walk-up price.

For the trip from Nice to Paris:
www.capitainetrain.com
www.voyages-sncf.com

For the trip from Paris to Basel:
www.capitainetrain.com
www.voyages-sncf.com
www.sbb.ch

I personally would enjoy the trip more with fewer stops, so I would probably cut out Nice and the Riviera and save that for another trip.

Have fun as you plan!

s
swandav2000 is online now  
Old Feb 10th, 2015, 04:49 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks Swandav ... if we increase our trip by about 3 days then can we club the Riviera?

I was going through the trip report by Indiancouple (you had assisted them a lot in their planning the trip so wonderfully!), but that was way back in 2008 ... can I still take it as a base for planning since they had given the more famous place as Interlaken a miss while all the travel agents here do include it ...

I take your point that if I have to stick to 12 nights (yes sans travelling time) we will give Southern France a miss this time ....

In my earlier reply I had negated doing hikes but if that means long walks I am game for it .... and experiencing a bit of the countryside would be an added advantage since we would have about 7-8 days in Swiss ...

Thanks again for all your help ...
Shveta is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2015, 05:31 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, but April in Switz in the valleys can be pleasant with spring flowers starting but the further up into the foothills you get (never mind the actual mountain peaks) the colder and either muddier or snowier it will get.

In Paris, April is definitely spring with moderate temps but rain fairly likely.

I would not do Nice in April, IMHO too early in the season - not beach weather at all.

I would read a couple of guide books to identify what your must sees are.

Interlaken is not a place to tour but a base to get to other places from - it's at the foot of the mountains and you need to head up by train - if the weather is good. If not, you can easily visit Thun and Brienz, the lakes Interlaken is between and the charming and historc towns around the lakes (lovely old villages, castles, museums of Swiss life) and even hop a train to Lucerne for the day (a ton to see there).

For hotel info you would need to provide a specific budget in francs.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2015, 07:43 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi again,

Sorry, but I don't really remember what questions or solutions were in Indiancouple's thread. Did they also travel in April?

I guess most of the information would be correct -- times for excursions and train rides. Maybe the prices have gone up since 2008!

In April, you may not find a lot of nice walks to take -- the paths may be under snow or ice or melting snow and mud. You could stay in the more flat areas and try walking in the valleys.

Normally I encourage people to stay in Wengen up in the mountains, but since you're going in April, I'm recommending Interlaken (lower) or Grindelwald.

Let us know if you have more comments or questions as you continue planning!

s
swandav2000 is online now  
Old Feb 10th, 2015, 07:50 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just a quick note to say - thank you, Swandav, for your courtesy. So many people would jump right in with sarcasm in asking for more info, but your reply was very nice.

Good luck with your planning, Shveta!
Iwan2go is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2015, 07:54 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What a nice remark, Iwan2go! You've made my day a lot brighter!

s
swandav2000 is online now  
Old Feb 10th, 2015, 09:37 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For Switzerland you may have a look at
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html
http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/en/
http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en
neckervd is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2015, 09:57 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks all of you for your inputs .... I will study a few options and come back with more specific questions this time : )
Shveta is offline  
Old Feb 13th, 2015, 10:25 AM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi again ...

Out of my research till now I have decided upon making Lucerne the base of the first leg of my stay in Switzerland. However for the next leg I am rather confused. The travel agent suggests Interlaken however, on a separate forum I have been advised against Interlaken and to either base myself at Breinz or give Bernese Oberland a miss and go to Montreuz/ Vevey instead...

Now my questions are - would Montreux / Vevey be a better bet than Bernese Oberland during our proposed time?

If yes, what all can we do in Montreux? Will we have to miss Jungfraujoch?

We will be flying into Zurich. Should we stay the first night there or head straight to Lucerne?

I am getting a feeling that I have chosen the wrong time to visit this beautiful country but I have no other choice so please help me in making the best out of it .... thanks again ...
Shveta is offline  
Old Feb 13th, 2015, 11:47 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Shveta,

Can I be controversial and suggest that you consider dropping Switzerland and dividing your time between the south of France and Paris, leaving Switzerland for another time? (summer!).

April can be a very pleasant time in both the Cote D'Azur and Western Provence and there is much to see.

Of course, I'm not sure what, "liking walking but not hiking", actually means to you; however, there are many opportunities to walk and hike in Southern France and April would be good for much of that.

I would certainly suggest that you do some research and decide what best matches your interests.
jtpj777 is offline  
Old Feb 13th, 2015, 11:57 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
forget what you've heard about basing in Brienz or Interlaken - go right up into the hills from Interlaken by train to Grindelwald or Wengen or other towns up in the Jungfrau Region - to me and many the very essence of the dreamy picture of Switzerland etched in many folks' minds - glacier girdled peaks rising thousands of feet above lush cow-bespotted valleys - from your hotel balcony you can get intoxicated on the views (not however from Interlaken hotels)

Yes this is me and many is the absolute highlight of Switzerland - mountain-climbing trains and toylike gondolas going off in all directions - hiking paths for all abilities - from easy to those requiring special gear - base yourself in say Wengen or Grindelwald and you will find something so so surrealistcally gorgeous you will not find in Brienz or Lucerne or practically any place in Switzerland - nice as those places are.

Trains will take you from Interlaken to Grindelwald in 20 minutes or so - Wengen is 20 minutes more. Family-run hotels and guesthouses - cozy places - abound. Spend days doing lovely excursions - even down to places like Bern or Lucerne.

Trains are the best way to get around Switzerland in general IMO for the tourist and certainly the Jungfrau Region, where cars are largely banned and you must take public transportation to higher climes.

For lots of Swiss trains and those transports in the Jungfrau Region (A K A Berner Oberland, which is actually a much wider area) chekc these superb IMO sites: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com.

Glimpses of the awesome beauty of the Jungfrua Region:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Jung...=1600&bih=1075

Make this you number one destination and you will be awed and love it so so much - much more than Swiss cities or even IMO other Alpine areas.

Brienz is a nice small town but not in the high Alps - a sweet day trip from say Grindelwald or Wengen would be to go to Interlaken and hop a lake boat on Lake Brienz to Brienz - an area that offers several neat things like the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum of traditional Swiss edifices and farming practices, etc or the Rothorn Bahn steam train up a mountain behind Brienz, etc. But Brienz asa base for the Jungfrau Region - no no way - to far removed from what most come to see - the glacier-girdled Swiss Alps - you can take the Jungfraubahn up to Europe's highest train station and a sea of snow and ice and glaciers - ice tunnels - walk to a glacier - dog sled rides - a Top of the World scene as they call it.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Feb 13th, 2015, 09:53 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi again Shveta,

I adore the Montreux/Vevey region and visit often -- but it won't give you the big-mountain and dramatic scenery you're coming to Switzerland for.

The Montreux/Vevey (or Lake Geneva region) lies at the base of the pre-alps in the French section of the country. Its architecture, language, ambiance, cuisine, and influence is French; it can resemble the French Riviera more than Switzerland. You can see some mountains across the lake and behind town, and you can ascend some peaks -- but they're more in the range of 2,000m rather than the 3,400m in the Jungfrau area.

Yes, even though the weather might well be dreary and there may not be any snow left around the towns, I think you should still head to the Jungfrau region. If this is the only time you can get there, and you want to see the Swiss Alps, then by all means do it!

Have fun as you plan!

s
swandav2000 is online now  
Old Feb 13th, 2015, 10:55 PM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi jtpj777, I could not agree more with you theoretically. But the nature of my work is such that it would never let me bask in Swiss summer .... so go to Switzerland, I must and that too April end : ) but your point well taken ...

PalenQ and Swandav I can't thank you enough for making life easier and reinforcing that my Swiss dream can indeed be achieved this time .... we could not go there for our honeymoon : (

So finally it is 3 nights Lucerne and 3 nights Grinderwald ... where can I place the 7th night or are these 6 nights enough? How do I travel from Grinderlwald to Paris? Is there a direct TGV?

I will keep coming back for finer details once I book my tickets and hotels ...

In awe of the spirit of the fellow members! You guys rock!

Shveta
Shveta is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2015, 06:27 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The 7th night - you could take the Golden Pass scenic train from Interlaken to Montreux, onlovely Lake Geneva for a brief taste of French-speaking and cultural Switzerland - Montreux is a neat old town on the lake - and it is just a few miles from Lausanne from where you get direct TGVs to Paris.

The Golden Pass is a special scenic train tdhat rolls thru lovely Alpine valleys and the upscale resort of Gstaad before switch-backing down to Lake Montreux thru vineyards to its Montreux terminus.

From Grindelwald you have to go down to Interlaken always and change there to get anyway - the closest TGV service to Paris would be from Bern.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2015, 07:22 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi again,

I would spend that extra day/night in Grindelwald -- believe me, you won't run short of fun things to do and see in the Jungfrau area.

I wouldn't go all the way to Montreux then Geneva to catch the train to Paris. The quickest connection is via Interlaken and Basel, about 5h48 total. Going via Geneva makes the trip 7h or 7h30.

The best way to get tickets for this is to buy them about 90 days early -- get the advance-purchase discounted fares. So, you should be doing this right away! The discount fares sell out quickly. You can use one of these sites:

www.capitainetrain.com/search/
www.voyages-sncf.com
www.sbb.ch

Check each of them and see which one is easiest to use with the cheapest fares. I repeat -- you should do this asap to get the best fares.

Have fun as you plan!

s
swandav2000 is online now  
Old Feb 14th, 2015, 07:28 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"You can see some mountains across the lake (Geneva) and behind town, and you can ascend some peaks -- but they're more in the range of 2,000m rather than the 3,400m in the Jungfrau area."

The mountain that you see from everywhere in Montreux is the Dents du Midi (3200m). But as soon as you take a local mountain railway (may be to Rochers de Naye, 50 min ride) or a boat down Lake Geneva, you will of course be in front of
Mont Blanc (4808m), Mont Maudit (4465m), Grandes Jorasses (4208m), etc. on the French side
and Grand Combin (4314m), Les Diablerets (3210m), etc. on the Swiss side.

But there is no doubt that Grindelwald is much closer to the mountains than Montreux.

For a 360 degrees mountain panaroma from Mont Blanc to Italian and Swiss mountains up to Jungfrau and Central Switzerland, you must go to Glacier3000 (round trip ticket 40 CHF with Swiss Travel Pass).

I fully second Palen's advice to board your Paris bound TGV at Lausanne. The itinerary Lausanne - Paris is much more scenic than the other one's.
If you want to go directly from Grindelwald to Paris, you better change at Basel (more and faster connections than from Berne).
neckervd is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2015, 07:43 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, that's true, neckervd, the route from Grindelwald to Paris via Lake Geneva is undeniably prettier.

However, that would mean a longer train ride or an overnight stop. I think that travelers lose about half a day of "outside" time with every move due to the chores of packing up & checking out, then checking in & unpacking again. Plus it would mean not enough time at Lake Geneva to do it justice.

For those reasons, I say maximize the time in Grindelwald and in Paris, and take the shortest train trip to get between the two.

s
swandav2000 is online now  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -