Day trips from Vitznau, Switzerland
Oct 17th, 2005, 05:50 AM
#1
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Day trips from Vitznau, Switzerland
We are slowly putting our 1st trip to Europe together. We are planning on using Vitznau as our home base, and will be there from May 17-21. We would like to do some hiking and some general sightseeing. We'll have a car, and don't mind traveling an hour or two to a great spot. Does anyone have any suggestions for some great day trips or some "must see/do" things?
Oct 17th, 2005, 06:40 AM
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Hello mary,
Vitznau is a wonderful lakeside community. We stayed at the Park Hotel a few years back, and it was a delight!
Hiking is always a highlight in any Swiss region. I'm sure you know all about Rigi and Pilatus in the immediate area around Lucerne.
There is also the train for day trips to just about anywhere. I remember taking the train to Lugano one day, a long day but had a great lunch and gelato - made it all worthwhile!
I could spend the whole week hiking and taking ferry rides around the lake. Those are must-dos for us. The lake has a great paddlewheeler that's fun. I'd recommend the 1st class level (top floor-less crowded). Try to eat in the Queen's Gallery onboard. A real treat!
Returning to Vitznau from one of our day trips, we happened upon the paddlewheeler and their sunset dinner cruise, a great way to end any day.
Happy travels!
Vitznau is a wonderful lakeside community. We stayed at the Park Hotel a few years back, and it was a delight!
Hiking is always a highlight in any Swiss region. I'm sure you know all about Rigi and Pilatus in the immediate area around Lucerne.
There is also the train for day trips to just about anywhere. I remember taking the train to Lugano one day, a long day but had a great lunch and gelato - made it all worthwhile!
I could spend the whole week hiking and taking ferry rides around the lake. Those are must-dos for us. The lake has a great paddlewheeler that's fun. I'd recommend the 1st class level (top floor-less crowded). Try to eat in the Queen's Gallery onboard. A real treat!
Returning to Vitznau from one of our day trips, we happened upon the paddlewheeler and their sunset dinner cruise, a great way to end any day.
Happy travels!
Oct 17th, 2005, 06:47 AM
#3
Vitznau is beautiful but definately off the beaten path. Good thing you have a car.
Day trips:
1. Take the train up to the Rigi.
2. Climb the Mythen.
3. Do a day on the ferry and take the train up to Seelisberg. Go back down and continue your ferry ride.
4. See Lucerne
5. Do a loop drive and go through Schwyz, Rothenthurm to Einsiedeln. See the monastary in Einsiedeln. Continue to Oberiberg and back down to Schwyz.
6. Drive to Muothathal, over the Pragel pass, over the Klausen, down to Buergeln and Altdorf and back to Vitznau.
7. Go to Engelberg and see Titlis.
8. See the Tierpark in Goldau.
9. Take the Stoos bahn and walk around the small town and take the lift to the top.
10. Go to Bristen and take the lift up to Golzern.
11. Drive over the Susten and stop in Ballenberg, the open air museum of traditional Swiss houses.
12. Take a hike at Klewenalp.
13. If it's raining in central Switzerland, go to Ascona, Tessin, and have a coffee in a cafe along the lake and walk along the lido.
These are just a few ideas that came into mind. Enjoy!
Day trips:
1. Take the train up to the Rigi.
2. Climb the Mythen.
3. Do a day on the ferry and take the train up to Seelisberg. Go back down and continue your ferry ride.
4. See Lucerne
5. Do a loop drive and go through Schwyz, Rothenthurm to Einsiedeln. See the monastary in Einsiedeln. Continue to Oberiberg and back down to Schwyz.
6. Drive to Muothathal, over the Pragel pass, over the Klausen, down to Buergeln and Altdorf and back to Vitznau.
7. Go to Engelberg and see Titlis.
8. See the Tierpark in Goldau.
9. Take the Stoos bahn and walk around the small town and take the lift to the top.
10. Go to Bristen and take the lift up to Golzern.
11. Drive over the Susten and stop in Ballenberg, the open air museum of traditional Swiss houses.
12. Take a hike at Klewenalp.
13. If it's raining in central Switzerland, go to Ascona, Tessin, and have a coffee in a cafe along the lake and walk along the lido.
These are just a few ideas that came into mind. Enjoy!
Oct 17th, 2005, 11:57 AM
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Kopp- Thanks for the tip on the train. Do you think that's easier than dealing with a car? I know that some of the villages are "no car". We'll be staying at the Arabella Sheraton. From the website, it looks exquiste! (At least compared to our normal Motel 6 kind of travel!!!)
Schuler- WOW!! So many choices! I think I need 2 weeeks in Switzerland, not just a few days.... I will definitely research each of your suggestions. Thank you. Can you go inside the monastary in Einsiedeln?
Schuler- WOW!! So many choices! I think I need 2 weeeks in Switzerland, not just a few days.... I will definitely research each of your suggestions. Thank you. Can you go inside the monastary in Einsiedeln?
Oct 17th, 2005, 08:55 PM
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Vitznau is a great choice, really gorgeous views from that part of the lake, and so much quieter and more charming and less crowded and much much less touristy than Lucerne.
Some comments on the above.
You cannot go inside the monastery at Einsiedeln, but can go inside the quite magnificent baroque cathedral which houses the black Madonna and walk the grounds. They also sell wine which they make at the monastery. Einsedeln was one of the stopping points on the pilgrims walk to Santiago de Campstello in Spain. There is a small old town there as well.
The Susten which Schuler mentions at #11 above one of the three passes in the area, but in May it will probably still be closed, you will just have to wait and see. They officially do not open until June, but if there has been enough snowmelt, they may open passes in May, it will just be up to luck. The other passes worth driving if open are the Grimsel and the Furka. Get a good detailed map of this area as I find road signage to be quite poor.
A car is a nice luxury, you will find parking hard to find and expensive in the towns, esp Lucerne. Gas is going to be over US$6 a gallon as well. Take ferries on lake Lucerne as much as possible rather than driving. You should confirm that your hotel offers parking and whether it is included in your room rate.
Neither Schuler nor you have mentioned the Jungfrau valley which is very doable from Vitznau, esp. if you take the car ferry across the lake and drive over to Latuerbrunnen. Lake Thun and Brienz are gorgeous and of course of trio of the Monch, Eiger and Jungfrau and hard to beat. Very good walking in this area, but you will find good walking in virtually every part of Switzerland, even just above Vitznau. The best is to overnight in the Jungfrau area, but a day trip is OK esp as evenings are light quite late. Murren and Wengen are car free but you park in Lauterbrunnen and take the little trains up.
The little town of Zug would be less than an hour from Vitznau. I think this would be a better choice for a rainy day than driving all the way to Ascona. It has a very will preserved old town along the shore of their lake. If you like the work of Klimit, Schiele, and other 20th century artists, the Kunsthaus would be a great place to visit. Go to http://www.kunsthauszug.ch. There are several other museums in town, check their website. A very good restaurant there is the Gausthaus Rathauskeller. It is in the old town.
Gausthaus Rathauskeller
Ober-Alstadt 1
Tel: 41-41-711 0058
Switzerland’s walking and hiking trail system is extensive and well marked. You can do many walks by yourself, esp in the lower elevations and in good weather. There is an excellent walking guide published by Lonely Planet called Walking in Switzerland which I would suggest you get. It rates hikes by difficulty and length/time and also gives directions for getting to and from walks by public transport.
Yes, you could easily spend 2 weeks just in this region of Switzerland.
I see from your other posts that you collect Mare Antoinette memorabilia and your original itinerary included Salzburg. Are you also going to Vienna? You will find much more of her history there, where she was born and raised, than in Paris, where she was pretty much loathed by the populace. You might want to add Vienna to your itinerary.
Some comments on the above.
You cannot go inside the monastery at Einsiedeln, but can go inside the quite magnificent baroque cathedral which houses the black Madonna and walk the grounds. They also sell wine which they make at the monastery. Einsedeln was one of the stopping points on the pilgrims walk to Santiago de Campstello in Spain. There is a small old town there as well.
The Susten which Schuler mentions at #11 above one of the three passes in the area, but in May it will probably still be closed, you will just have to wait and see. They officially do not open until June, but if there has been enough snowmelt, they may open passes in May, it will just be up to luck. The other passes worth driving if open are the Grimsel and the Furka. Get a good detailed map of this area as I find road signage to be quite poor.
A car is a nice luxury, you will find parking hard to find and expensive in the towns, esp Lucerne. Gas is going to be over US$6 a gallon as well. Take ferries on lake Lucerne as much as possible rather than driving. You should confirm that your hotel offers parking and whether it is included in your room rate.
Neither Schuler nor you have mentioned the Jungfrau valley which is very doable from Vitznau, esp. if you take the car ferry across the lake and drive over to Latuerbrunnen. Lake Thun and Brienz are gorgeous and of course of trio of the Monch, Eiger and Jungfrau and hard to beat. Very good walking in this area, but you will find good walking in virtually every part of Switzerland, even just above Vitznau. The best is to overnight in the Jungfrau area, but a day trip is OK esp as evenings are light quite late. Murren and Wengen are car free but you park in Lauterbrunnen and take the little trains up.
The little town of Zug would be less than an hour from Vitznau. I think this would be a better choice for a rainy day than driving all the way to Ascona. It has a very will preserved old town along the shore of their lake. If you like the work of Klimit, Schiele, and other 20th century artists, the Kunsthaus would be a great place to visit. Go to http://www.kunsthauszug.ch. There are several other museums in town, check their website. A very good restaurant there is the Gausthaus Rathauskeller. It is in the old town.
Gausthaus Rathauskeller
Ober-Alstadt 1
Tel: 41-41-711 0058
Switzerland’s walking and hiking trail system is extensive and well marked. You can do many walks by yourself, esp in the lower elevations and in good weather. There is an excellent walking guide published by Lonely Planet called Walking in Switzerland which I would suggest you get. It rates hikes by difficulty and length/time and also gives directions for getting to and from walks by public transport.
Yes, you could easily spend 2 weeks just in this region of Switzerland.
I see from your other posts that you collect Mare Antoinette memorabilia and your original itinerary included Salzburg. Are you also going to Vienna? You will find much more of her history there, where she was born and raised, than in Paris, where she was pretty much loathed by the populace. You might want to add Vienna to your itinerary.
Oct 18th, 2005, 02:22 AM
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Hi. Such wonderful suggestions! I can vouch for Ballenberg (with a spectacular drive to get there) and Altdorf. Some folks mentioned trains. I think Brunnen is your nearest rail connection, but you can enjoy the lakeboats from where you will be. Sounds like a nice trip; wish you could stay longer. J.
Oct 18th, 2005, 01:24 PM
#7
Brunnen is the nearest train station.
As for the Zug recommendation, it is very nice for an afternoon visit. The old city is quaint but small, however you can walk along the lake. Zug has the most amazing sunsets.
However, if you've had rain and want to warm yourself in the sun, (and the weather forecast has confirmed that the Tessin is sunny) then I'd still recommend that trip to Ascona or go to Lugano, walk to Gandria and then take the boat back (or vice-versa). Both places are a lovely change from the Innerschweiz.
As for the Zug recommendation, it is very nice for an afternoon visit. The old city is quaint but small, however you can walk along the lake. Zug has the most amazing sunsets.
However, if you've had rain and want to warm yourself in the sun, (and the weather forecast has confirmed that the Tessin is sunny) then I'd still recommend that trip to Ascona or go to Lugano, walk to Gandria and then take the boat back (or vice-versa). Both places are a lovely change from the Innerschweiz.
Oct 18th, 2005, 01:51 PM
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Hello again mary,
The Arabella Sheraton is a lovely hotel. We ate dinner there one night. It was delightful! There is an old and a new section, if that's important to you.
In the Park Hotel, we were booked in the old section but they upgraded us to the new section. It was a real plus because it was so hot when we were there (late July). The new section had the A/C in the rooms. But in May you probably wouldn't have that problem.
We would always prefer to use the train instead of a car. Switzerland is so beautiful that none of us want to miss a thing along the way, and the train allows us to just be a tourist and gawk!
Happy travels!
The Arabella Sheraton is a lovely hotel. We ate dinner there one night. It was delightful! There is an old and a new section, if that's important to you.
In the Park Hotel, we were booked in the old section but they upgraded us to the new section. It was a real plus because it was so hot when we were there (late July). The new section had the A/C in the rooms. But in May you probably wouldn't have that problem.
We would always prefer to use the train instead of a car. Switzerland is so beautiful that none of us want to miss a thing along the way, and the train allows us to just be a tourist and gawk!
Happy travels!
Oct 18th, 2005, 09:51 PM
#11
Danke! I assume you usually took the ferry to Lucerne when you wanted to take the train since the train station is very close to the boat station.
In Brunnen, you have to walk ten minutes from the boat station to the ferry station. It's an easy walk, however, and very doable. I lived next to Hotel Eden one winter long and did this on a daily basis.
In Brunnen, you have to walk ten minutes from the boat station to the ferry station. It's an easy walk, however, and very doable. I lived next to Hotel Eden one winter long and did this on a daily basis.
Oct 20th, 2005, 03:00 AM
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Hi. I'm taking note of your sunset recommendation for Zug, schuler, as well as C's description of the town. I've often wondered about staying there for a couple of nights before a flughafen flight (though I'm quite attached to Bulach). I remember seeing a pretty lakeside town at the southern end of the lake from the train. (can't recall the name and my map is not with me, but I think it started with a 'W'. I'm always interested in small places with good rail connections.
Mary, you have a wonderful trip to anticipate. What a pretty area, and staying in a small lakeside town is perfect. Gersau is on my personal list for the future. You're going to wish you could stay there longer. J.
Mary, you have a wonderful trip to anticipate. What a pretty area, and staying in a small lakeside town is perfect. Gersau is on my personal list for the future. You're going to wish you could stay there longer. J.
