Fixtravel5

We are a family of five and are trying to see as much as possible in 10-12 days (without going broke). We are starting in Paris for 4 days and then would like to explore the Alps for about 6 days and see Geneva and possibly Bern while there. Does anyone have suggestions for families? We like to see cities but would really like to stroll the Alps (we are not extreme hikers, though). Grindelwald, Montreux and Lucerne look amazing but seem much more expensive than other cities such as Chamonix. Is it possibly to stay in Chamonix and then just do a day in Geneva and fly out of there? Would this give you the ultimate Alps experience? Or is better to base in Wengen or another nearby city? There seems to be a lot of price fluctuations between cities. Any ideas would be great. I know nothing about the region and need all the advice I can get. I am searching VRBO for rentals and many seem to be booked.

Fixtravel5

Hi Again,
This is for a trip at the beginning of July. Kids are 10, 13, 17.
Thanks!

tower

We had an enoyable visit 2009 to Switzerland, staying at a hotel in Interlaken 10 minute walk to the Ost Station, and scheduling daily train trips from there. It was a very hassle-free comfortable way to visit the Berner Oberland. We stayed at the Swiss Hotel Goldey on the tranquil side of town, the north bank of the River Aare, with every day and evening gorgeous views of the Alps from our balcony. The hotel arranged tix for us at a reasonable price, even two whole days free on a special deal. It was fall, and the foliage was quite beautiful. Just sayin'.....

Gretchen

I always have to ask "why so much time in the "alps"?" I LOVE the Alps. A couple of days--OK. But again, it is your trip.

Fixtravel5

Gretchen, is it better to stop in Lyon and just spent 3 days in the Alps? It's hard to know how long to spend where. We want to see a lot of France but have been warned against trying to pack too much in so we just picked Paris and the Alps. We are pretty open minded about places to go.


Tower, thanks for the info!

PJTravels

Our family of 4 stayed in Combloux for 5 nights several years ago. We found it to be a perfect location for viewing, and hiking in, the Alps. There were trails from town, as well as easy drives to ski lifts which did some of the hard work. One day we drove to Chamonix, took the gondola up the Aiguille du Midi, hiked most of the day, and finally caught a little cog railroad train back to Chamonix.

Our hotel was Au Coeur des Pres, with swimming pool and views across to Mt. Blanc. Swiss cows with bells provided "Alpine atmosphere."

neckervd

SWiTZERLAND WITH CHILDREN

As public transport is rather expensive in Switzerland, study carefully the sites about Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flexy and Swiss half fare card: http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/home.html

Check the Swiss Travel System Family Card
The Swiss Travel System Family Card is issued at no cost to parents who wish to take along their children under the age of 16 at no cost. Please note that at least one parent has to travel with the child/ren.

Some ideas:

historic steamboats on Lake Geneva:
http://www.cgn.ch/horaires/pdf/AffA2-ete-10.pdf
http://www.cgn.ch/eng/flotte

Swiss Vapeur Park Le Bouveret:
http://www.swissvapeur.ch/en/index.php

Signal de Bougy:
http://www.parc-aventure.ch/Signal-de-Bougy/
http://www.signaldebougy.ch/

Menhirs at Yverdon
http://www.yverdonlesbainsregion.ch/...menhirs_clendy

Blonay-Chamby historic railway:
http://www.blonay-chamby.ch/index-en.php

Chillon castle:
http://www.chillon.ch/en/

Gruyeres castle, cheese diary and chocolate factory:
http://www.chateau-gruyeres.ch/e/mul...spectacle.html
http://www.la-gruyere.ch/en/navpage-...FR-120085.html
http://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch/inde...=142&Itemid=56
http://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch/inde...=142&Itemid=56

Chatelard-Emosson (Mont Blanc area):
http://www.chatelard.net/english/pages/descr_e.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emosson
http://www.emosson.ch/PublicEN/default-en.htm

Zermatt-Gornergrat:
http://www.gornergrat.ch/home/index.php
http://www.klein-matterhorn.ch/photos/
http://www.zermatt.ch/en/index.cfm

Entirely walled city of Murten:
http://www.murtentourismus.ch/en/nav...nFR-99305.html
http://www.murtentourismus.ch/en/nav...-MurtenFR.html
Medieval city of Bern:
http://www.berninfo.com/en/page.cfm/Information
http://www.kleinbahn-gurten.ch/

Swiss Village Park Ballenberg:
http://ballenberg.ch/en/Welcome

Lugano and Swissminiatur:
http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/en/291/default.aspx
http://www.swissminiatur.ch/

Seewen in the Jura close to Basel:
http://www.bundesmuseen.ch/musikauto...x.html?lang=en

Rapperswil:
http://www.zuerichsee.ch/en/page.cfm...FamilyDRZ/1230
http://www.knieskinderzoo.ch/
http://www.zuerichsee.ch/en/page.cfm/SightsRZ
http://www.zuerich.com/en/page.cfm/r...gion_zuerich_x

Rhine Falls Adventure Park
http://www.rheinfall.ch/Attraktionen...ark?lang=en-US

Furka steam train
http://www.furka-bergstrecke.ch/eng/train/timetable.php

You may have a look at
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/interests/family.html
http://www.takethefamily.com/where/s...ays-and-breaks
http://www.eparenting.co.uk/family_h...tzerland.shtml
http://www.reka.ch/en/rekaferien/Pages/default.aspx
http://littletravellers.com/destinat...y-switzerland/

surfmom

My personal opinion? If you want to see the Alps... go TO the Alps. Visit a mountain village, don't view from afar.

We were just in Switzerland - a family of 5 people - kids ages 14, 12, 10 years. Had a great time! It isn't cheap, though.

We landed in Geneva - stopped at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (kids loved it), then to the Castle of Chillon (kids loved it). Drove to Zermatt. Spent 3 nights in Zermatt - took cable cars/train up... hiked down. Explored the town. Zermatt was great - stayed in an amazing hotel, but wasn't budget.

Went to the Jungfrau region - stayed in Wengen in a rental apartment - much more affordable (made the average cost/night work out better). Did some fun mountain adventures - kids loved this area. Were there 3 nights (I think).

Went to the St. Bernard Pass and did a hike with St. Bernard dogs... very fun!

Spent 1 night in Lucerne - fun to explore. Stopped at Mount Pilatus on the way for a day of outdoor fun.

We went via London - I had used miles to get there and so we spent an overnight on the way there and 2 nights on the way back. I wish we could have spent more time in Switzerland, but it was still a great trip!

casperjj

Our family of 5 visited Switzerland for several weeks two summers ago but we were based in one city for most of our stay. We did take 6 days and explore areas that were too far from our base for daytrips and it was wonderful. We stayed 3 nights at an apartment attached to the Chalet Fontana in Murren (we definitely could have stayed a few extra days). We did many walks, cable cars, etc and it was the highlight of the kids trip. We then reserved VIP seats on the Golden Panoramic train to Montreux and stayed in the small town of Vevey just outside (Hostellerie de Geneve). We visited the vineyards one day and Chateau de Chillon another day. The boardwalk in Vevey was wonderful and in the evenings the kids swam in Lake Geneva. We stayed two nights there but again, could have added another day. We left early in the morning and visited the Callier Chocolate Factory in Broc Fabrique and then continued on to Gruyere. We stayed in the Hostellerie St Georges. Just gorgeous room and hotel with great breakfast. We visited the Castle in Gruyere, explored the small town, had a lovely meal and the next morning visited the demonstration cheese factory. We then returned to our base city. Our six nights could have easily been longer but we truly enjoyed them. The lodging costs were reasonable in all places for a family of 5.