agb526

In March, I'll be traveling to Engelberg as a result of winning a week-long ski trip (I know, poor me!) I'd like to plan a couple of non-skiing day trips (so as not to incur the cost of an overnight stay, since our hotel in Engelberg is free) and perhaps a longer visit to somewhere worthy of spending a night or 2. I'm leaning towards heading straight to Engelberg once we arrive in Zurich, planning 1/2 day - full day visits to Lucerne and Interlaken mid-week, spending a night or 2 in Lugano, and for our very last night spending it in Zurich. Are these good choices? Any other overall advice, particularly with regard to Engelberg?

rex

Can't actually answer personally, but I can/will bring your answer back up "to the top - - since it is your first message here, ever...

(Click on your own name - - that's how it's easy to know it's your first post)

Best wishes,

Rex

jmw44

Hi. I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help, other than topping your request. But Ingo or others are sure to see this soon and share their knowledge with your. I can say that the train ride to Interlaken is almost three hours, so it will be a long daytrip indeed if you intend to ride up to Grindelwald or Murren from there.

I'm not sure what you're interested in. If I were staying in the mountains already (Engelberg, yes?), I'd visit the smaller places on lakes Brienz and Thun on my Interlaken day, and not bother to go uphill (ha) again. There is a marvelous outdoor museum near Brienz called Ballenberg, and Brienz itself is a charmer full of woodcarvers.

The rail route from Hergiswil (where you'd change trains) to Brienzersee is beautiful, so the ride itself will be a treat. There are some small places along that route that are interesting-- places like Sarnen and Sachseln, and I hear that Stans is a nice place to visit.

Your daytrip to Lucerne will be convenient, so you might even be able to manage a boatride on its beautiful lake.
And yes to Lugano (with Gandria and Morcote boatrides) and to Zurich for your evening before (lovely old streets near the river with cafes and a wonderful shop with Swiss crafts). Continue to post, and perhaps do a search here for Engelberg. I know it's come up before with positive comments. J.

agb526

I appreciate these great suggestions. This entire site and all of the helpful advice I've found throughout have only made me more excited for my trip!
Any tips on Engelberg would be great since I haven't heard a lot about the area and since it will be our home-base for the week.

Melnq8

I've only been to Engelberg once (currently planning trip #2 for early December), so I'm hardly an expert, but I'll put in my two cents.

Our favorite restaurant was Engel Gasthaus, which is located very near the monastery. This place had the best barley soup I've ever eaten, and we went back every day.

The monastery offers tours (also in English) if you're interested. There's a cheese factory in the monastery that has an interesting display of how to make cheese and a small cheese shop.

There are some good hikes in the area, even in the winter, and if memory serves, Engelberg has a tobaggan run.

You can take a gondola/cable to the top of Mt Titlis, but you may already be doing this if you're skiing.

Engelberg is only about 30 minutes by train to Lucerne, so that's definitely a good choice for a day trip.

We went to Engelberg from Grindelwald, and it took us 3.5 hours by train. That's a wee bit long for a day trip, but it might give you and idea of distances to the Berner Oberland from Engelberg.

It takes about 90 minutes to reach Zurich from Engelberg by train, so it's certainly close enough for a day trip as well.

Have fun.

Ingo

You received some good advice from the previous posters.

I agree that Interlaken and the Bernese Alps are quite a distance away - note that it is 3.5 hours one way. That doesn't make sense IMO.

Engelberg itself has spectacular mountain scenery to offer as well. Definitely go up to Mt. Titlis for the views. I can also recommend to spend an hour or two half way up at Trübsee, walking in the snow and having a nice meal on a terrace watching the skiers/snowboarders.

Not to miss is a visit to Fürenalp, a few km from Engelberg (frequent bus service). A small cable car takes you up, walk around a bit, enjoy the scenery, relax and have a beer or glass of wine again. The views of Mt. Titlis and other mountains are gorgeous. Same with Brunni (this cable car starts right in Engelberg). Both places are very sunny, Fürenalp is quieter.

I personally love to walk in the snow, relax in the sun (which is well doable in March) and would not include too many cities.

Lucerne is a good day trip, Lugano will offer a nice change of scenery/ambience.

Ingo

Melnq8

Hi Ingo - you've piqued my interest in Furenalp. Do you happen to know if the bus and cable car will be operating in early December and if both are covered by the Swiss Pass?

Ingo

I am afraid the Fürenalp cable car does not operate before Christmas (Dec 24). And as far as I recall it is not covered by the Swiss Pass. (but the fare is small)

Melnq8

Thanks Ingo. Maybe next time.

JN

agb:
unless you have an early flight out of zurich or have a burning desire to stay there, you might consider spending your final night in Luzern. This is a beautiful small city, clean, easy to get around, great food etc. and only 1.25 hours by train to the Zurich airport. We found Luzern to be much more to our liking than Zurich, which we found to be too much of a bustling, big city, with drunken street people and impersonal service. Not everyone feels this way, of course, but that was our experience. Something to consider.

rach

agb:
Hope you are still reading your responses!?
I LOVED Engelberg, you lucky dog!
Have you checked out the town's website (available in english) at www.engelberg.ch?
Train schedules can be found at www.rail.ch (although its not clear what your mode of transport will be).
The trip from Zurich flughafen is 2.5 hours with a change in Luzern.
I also loved Brienz, 2:24 away with a change in Hergiswil.
Zug was another nearby beautiful gem (1:40 away, change Luzern).
Stans is only 35 minutes by train and is highly recommended as well.
I envy you!

sb_fool

I just returned to the US, after living 3 years near Zurich. We made many weekend day trips to Engelberg and Interlaken, Luzern, etc. Though Interlaken is a long way by train - because of the many stops and changes - by car it is only about 45min from Luzern. Though Interlaken is interesting for a few hours, a real treat awaits about 30min South, in the Lauterbrunnen valley and up at Kleine Scheidegg. Though touristy in the summer and peak ski seasons, we found this to be one of the most breathtaking places on earth! Perhaps you can rent a car in Luzern for the day and make it over there...have fun!

agb526

Am most certainly still checking out all these helpful responses. The feedback is great and I've definitely taken to heart the long train ride to Interlaken. We may hold onto that as a plan B if we're looking for something else to do once in Switzerland (or look into driving there from Lucerne) Sounds like our other choices are good ones, thanks everyone!

agb526

Due to blackout dates (our flights are comped and thus full of restrictions!) we are now thinking about moving our trip up to January.

As a novice skier and someone who prefers somewhat milder weather, how different will the climate and overall experience be in mid-January versus mid-March for our proposed itinerary?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

swandav2000

Hi agb526,

I think it'll be sunnier in Jan than in March, so I think you'll have a great time!

You may also want to check out the Snow Festival (ice sculpting competition) in Grindelwald and the world-class Lauberhorn ski race in Wengen, both in mid-January.

Hope this helps!

s

Ingo

sunnier in Jan? huhuhuhu ... maybe, but usually colder!

Why don't you go in April if this is called a "ski" trip? I recommend to go right after Easter holidays - and 2005 Easter is in the last days of March.