7 night Swiss stay tips with toddler and pregnant wife
Apr 17th, 2017, 02:48 PM
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7 night Swiss stay tips with toddler and pregnant wife
Hi Fodors community,
Posted this on another forum as well. I have been reading and researching a lot, and figured to ask experts and fellow travelers who have visited Switzerland for some tips.
We are planning for 7 nights in mid May (first time to Switzerland). Have a 4 year old who is a good traveler so far
, and a 5 month pregnant wife. Wanting to do this trip before it becomes harder for her to travel for some time.
Here is the tentative plan I have developed so far, and would love to get tips and also ideas on what we could do given that we can't hike too much, and that the weather in May could be quite rainy (forecast shows quite a bit of rain unfortunately). Also, I am into photography, so I would really appreciate tips on great "not to be missed" spots if you can please share. I do plan to drive to gain have flexibility of luggage etc. Will also buy train pass as we plan to take day trips via the train system.
Day 1 : Zurich
Check in to Hotel in city center. Take some rest, and then maybe stroll down to St. Peter, Grossmünster and Fraumünster area. I think there maybe a carousel for kids that my daughter may enjoy. Depending upon how tired we are, we may climb up to Lindenhof for a city view. I plan to take a few pictures here.
Day 2 and 3 : Lucerne. Check into the apartment in the city center close to lake.
Walk around Chapel Bridge, Hit Mount Pilatus, and try to go up to Burgenstock and take some photos.
Questions
Is it too much to think of going to Titlis? Is the Hammetschwand lift open? Can I drive up there when I go to Burgenstock? Any other spots I could hit?
Day 4 and 5 : Lauterbrunnen.
Take a stroll in Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, go to Harder Kulm, maybe hit Jungfraujoch (depends on pregnancy constraints on altitude).
Questions
What else can I hit while in Lauterbrunnen? What if the weather is not cooperative? Any parks that I can take my daughter to?
Day 6: Not decided yet. May go to Vevey or decide to go to Grindelwald. What other area can I hit for one night. Is Zermatt worth going in this season?
Day 7: Head back to Lake Lucerne and stay at Villa Honegg for a night. I hope it does not rain so my wife can use the pool for the views.
Day 8 : Fly out of Zurich.
I know a few of you folks would think there are too many bases, but we wanted to check out the Villa Honegg for one night. Would you recommend any changes to this plan? I still have flexibility for my stay in Zurich, and 6th night.
Thank you again for all the help and suggestion.
Posted this on another forum as well. I have been reading and researching a lot, and figured to ask experts and fellow travelers who have visited Switzerland for some tips.
We are planning for 7 nights in mid May (first time to Switzerland). Have a 4 year old who is a good traveler so far
, and a 5 month pregnant wife. Wanting to do this trip before it becomes harder for her to travel for some time.Here is the tentative plan I have developed so far, and would love to get tips and also ideas on what we could do given that we can't hike too much, and that the weather in May could be quite rainy (forecast shows quite a bit of rain unfortunately). Also, I am into photography, so I would really appreciate tips on great "not to be missed" spots if you can please share. I do plan to drive to gain have flexibility of luggage etc. Will also buy train pass as we plan to take day trips via the train system.
Day 1 : Zurich
Check in to Hotel in city center. Take some rest, and then maybe stroll down to St. Peter, Grossmünster and Fraumünster area. I think there maybe a carousel for kids that my daughter may enjoy. Depending upon how tired we are, we may climb up to Lindenhof for a city view. I plan to take a few pictures here.
Day 2 and 3 : Lucerne. Check into the apartment in the city center close to lake.
Walk around Chapel Bridge, Hit Mount Pilatus, and try to go up to Burgenstock and take some photos.
Questions
Is it too much to think of going to Titlis? Is the Hammetschwand lift open? Can I drive up there when I go to Burgenstock? Any other spots I could hit?
Day 4 and 5 : Lauterbrunnen.
Take a stroll in Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, go to Harder Kulm, maybe hit Jungfraujoch (depends on pregnancy constraints on altitude).
Questions
What else can I hit while in Lauterbrunnen? What if the weather is not cooperative? Any parks that I can take my daughter to?
Day 6: Not decided yet. May go to Vevey or decide to go to Grindelwald. What other area can I hit for one night. Is Zermatt worth going in this season?
Day 7: Head back to Lake Lucerne and stay at Villa Honegg for a night. I hope it does not rain so my wife can use the pool for the views.
Day 8 : Fly out of Zurich.
I know a few of you folks would think there are too many bases, but we wanted to check out the Villa Honegg for one night. Would you recommend any changes to this plan? I still have flexibility for my stay in Zurich, and 6th night.
Thank you again for all the help and suggestion.
Apr 17th, 2017, 05:27 PM
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1) I would NOT travel to Zermatt. It is an outlier. You have enough mountain views/excursions planned.
2) Jungfrau trip is VERY expensive. You have to jump on a day with good weather to get anything near your $'s worth. If I were 5 months pregnant, I wouldn't do it.
3) Have you checked out myswitzerland.com for more info on Buergenstock? It does state "can be reached by a mountain road" OR funicular at boat pier landing Kehrsiten-Buergenstock.
2) Jungfrau trip is VERY expensive. You have to jump on a day with good weather to get anything near your $'s worth. If I were 5 months pregnant, I wouldn't do it.
3) Have you checked out myswitzerland.com for more info on Buergenstock? It does state "can be reached by a mountain road" OR funicular at boat pier landing Kehrsiten-Buergenstock.
Apr 17th, 2017, 05:40 PM
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Additional research finds that "the Buergenstock Bahn (electric funicular from 1888) will remain closed until the reopening of B'stock Resort" sometime in 2017. No clearer date is given.
The Hammetschwand Lift opens May 6th.
It looks like one can hike the "impressive cliff path" with "giddying views", "not for the feinthearted" up to Buergenstock...
Guess that explains why I never did it!
Will you have your son in a child-carrying backpack?
The Hammetschwand Lift opens May 6th.
It looks like one can hike the "impressive cliff path" with "giddying views", "not for the feinthearted" up to Buergenstock...
Guess that explains why I never did it!
Will you have your son in a child-carrying backpack?
Apr 17th, 2017, 06:01 PM
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Sorry, you have a daughter!
Harder Kulm's 8 minute funicular leaves Interlaken Ost. There is a restaurant at the top, and good views. It is cheap at 32 CHF per adult, roundtrip. Will you use it as a beginning point to hike? Or just a nice lunch? Or....
From Interlaken Ost, you can take a nice boat cruise to Brienz for a relaxing change of transportation.
From Brienz's boat dock and train stop, catch the coordinating bus up to Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg, an outdoor "museum" showcasing old architectural styles from all over Switzerland.It is set in a forested area with small playground areas and picnics. An informal restaurant is also available. Often, some of the buildings will have a demonstration happening.
Return to Brienz by the bus, then to Interlaken Ost by train IF you left the car there.
Harder Kulm's 8 minute funicular leaves Interlaken Ost. There is a restaurant at the top, and good views. It is cheap at 32 CHF per adult, roundtrip. Will you use it as a beginning point to hike? Or just a nice lunch? Or....
From Interlaken Ost, you can take a nice boat cruise to Brienz for a relaxing change of transportation.
From Brienz's boat dock and train stop, catch the coordinating bus up to Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg, an outdoor "museum" showcasing old architectural styles from all over Switzerland.It is set in a forested area with small playground areas and picnics. An informal restaurant is also available. Often, some of the buildings will have a demonstration happening.
Return to Brienz by the bus, then to Interlaken Ost by train IF you left the car there.
Apr 17th, 2017, 08:41 PM
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Hi ggandg,
I understand why you want to stop in Zürich for one night, but if I were you, I would really try to push on to Luzern and eliminate that overnight.
There is a train station in the basement of the airport, and the train to Luzern is about 1h and is direct. To me, that would be a much smaller hassle than getting to a hotel, checking in, unpacking the adults & the child, and then packing every up again and checking out the next day.
If you try to push on to Luzern, you'll be able to wake up on your first day in Switzerland already where you wanted to be.
You can do your exploration of Zürich as a day-trip from Luzern either on your first stop or as you are leaving the country.
Have fun as you plan!
s
I understand why you want to stop in Zürich for one night, but if I were you, I would really try to push on to Luzern and eliminate that overnight.
There is a train station in the basement of the airport, and the train to Luzern is about 1h and is direct. To me, that would be a much smaller hassle than getting to a hotel, checking in, unpacking the adults & the child, and then packing every up again and checking out the next day.
If you try to push on to Luzern, you'll be able to wake up on your first day in Switzerland already where you wanted to be.
You can do your exploration of Zürich as a day-trip from Luzern either on your first stop or as you are leaving the country.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Apr 17th, 2017, 11:47 PM
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Zurich: you may visit the zoological garden.
Vevey: would mean a whole day in trains
Zermatt: weather there in May is not worse than at Lauterbrunnen (usually much better)
bad weather: check Trummalbach Falls and St. Beatus Cave
Burgenstock rope railway: will probably begin to run on August 1st
Vevey: would mean a whole day in trains
Zermatt: weather there in May is not worse than at Lauterbrunnen (usually much better)
bad weather: check Trummalbach Falls and St. Beatus Cave
Burgenstock rope railway: will probably begin to run on August 1st
Apr 18th, 2017, 01:31 AM
#7
I'd move straight on from Zurich to minimise all the moves. I'd also try to cut at least one more move from the trip.
Recognise that your plan may go up in smoke day one.
In all honesty I'd just have one base for the entire trip
Recognise that your plan may go up in smoke day one.
In all honesty I'd just have one base for the entire trip
Apr 18th, 2017, 02:21 AM
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Just another option:
Take the train direct to Luzern as recommended above. Spend two to three nights there. You can do some very easy, not too far away, day trips into the mountains or along the lake. Then head down to the Ticino -- an easy train ride from Luzern (two hours, no changes, not as pretty a ride as it used to be but faster). Spend a few nights there. The weather is more likely to be cooperative there and everything will be in full bloom. In Lugano, your daughter can ride the musical see-saws in the new cultural district, play in the city gardens, and you can easily get to Swiss Miniature, a popular family attraction. http://www.swissminiatur.ch/en/
IF (and only if) your wife likes to shop, you can be a hero and entertain your daughter at Swiss Miniature while your wife shops at nearby Foxtown, the large discount designer mall. http://www.foxtown.com/
Then head back to the Luzern area for the Villa Honegg and on to Zurich.
Take the train direct to Luzern as recommended above. Spend two to three nights there. You can do some very easy, not too far away, day trips into the mountains or along the lake. Then head down to the Ticino -- an easy train ride from Luzern (two hours, no changes, not as pretty a ride as it used to be but faster). Spend a few nights there. The weather is more likely to be cooperative there and everything will be in full bloom. In Lugano, your daughter can ride the musical see-saws in the new cultural district, play in the city gardens, and you can easily get to Swiss Miniature, a popular family attraction. http://www.swissminiatur.ch/en/
IF (and only if) your wife likes to shop, you can be a hero and entertain your daughter at Swiss Miniature while your wife shops at nearby Foxtown, the large discount designer mall. http://www.foxtown.com/
Then head back to the Luzern area for the Villa Honegg and on to Zurich.
Apr 18th, 2017, 02:25 AM
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FYI, if you consider Lugano, a big thumbs up to the Hotel Dante. Great location, wonderful service, family (and pet) friendly. Even has a little section in the lobby salon with toys and games for kids.
Apr 18th, 2017, 08:10 AM
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You have one week. For me, that is not enough time for any more than 2 locations. Moving is basically lost time. It is time you do not spend IN places seeing and doing things. The less you move, the more you see and do.
Day by day and nearly hour by hour itineraries are something I would consider a nightmare. This is your vacation, why are you trying to schedule it like you would your work day? Hello, vacation is about getting away from your everyday scheduled life.
The only comment I have specifically on your questions is in regard to, "Any parks that I can take my daughter to?". You might want to consider a half day visiting Ballenberg if you stay in the Jungfrau region. Fun for both adults and kids.
https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid...8#q=ballenberg
It will of course take up a full day by the time you get to and from it.
Like bilboburgler, if it were me, I would have only 1 base for the entire week. Unlike most, I would opt for a less well known location with easy train access to everywhere else and I would not bother with a car at all. It makes no sense to have a car and use the trains. If you have never used the trains and postal buses in Switzerland, you cannot know how easy it is to travel using them.
https://travelmamas.com/train-travel...n-switzerland/
This is a vacation, why make it complicated? Buy a Swissrail pass, go directly from Zurich airport to your destination as suggested and then stay there for a week. If you want a taste of Zurich, then travel there on the morning of the day before your departure. Keep it simple, you'll enjoy it more.
Day by day and nearly hour by hour itineraries are something I would consider a nightmare. This is your vacation, why are you trying to schedule it like you would your work day? Hello, vacation is about getting away from your everyday scheduled life.
The only comment I have specifically on your questions is in regard to, "Any parks that I can take my daughter to?". You might want to consider a half day visiting Ballenberg if you stay in the Jungfrau region. Fun for both adults and kids.
https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid...8#q=ballenberg
It will of course take up a full day by the time you get to and from it.
Like bilboburgler, if it were me, I would have only 1 base for the entire week. Unlike most, I would opt for a less well known location with easy train access to everywhere else and I would not bother with a car at all. It makes no sense to have a car and use the trains. If you have never used the trains and postal buses in Switzerland, you cannot know how easy it is to travel using them.
https://travelmamas.com/train-travel...n-switzerland/
This is a vacation, why make it complicated? Buy a Swissrail pass, go directly from Zurich airport to your destination as suggested and then stay there for a week. If you want a taste of Zurich, then travel there on the morning of the day before your departure. Keep it simple, you'll enjoy it more.
