Reims or Zermatt?
May 10th, 2004, 03:17 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reims or Zermatt?
good morning!
if you had to choose b/w 2 nights in Reims, or, 2 nights in Zermatt, which would you choose and why? (I know, completely different areas/ambiance/culture etc.)
Two nights in Zermatt may mean no visit to Reims whatsoever. Zermatt is definitely an overnight no matter what happens.
I'm leaning to Zermatt for 2 nights so that I am seeing one place with at least some depth, instead of two very rushed.
if anyone can convince me otherwise, please do!!
if you had to choose b/w 2 nights in Reims, or, 2 nights in Zermatt, which would you choose and why? (I know, completely different areas/ambiance/culture etc.)
Two nights in Zermatt may mean no visit to Reims whatsoever. Zermatt is definitely an overnight no matter what happens.
I'm leaning to Zermatt for 2 nights so that I am seeing one place with at least some depth, instead of two very rushed.
if anyone can convince me otherwise, please do!!
May 10th, 2004, 03:44 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Depending on two things: time of year and what you want to do. It won't take long to "do" the village of Zermatt to the deepest of the deep...probably less than a day. If you want to take in the surrounding area, etc., that could take as little longer.
I love Zermatt but let's face it, if it weren't for the Matterhorn there would be a LOT less reason to visit the place.
I love Zermatt but let's face it, if it weren't for the Matterhorn there would be a LOT less reason to visit the place.
May 10th, 2004, 04:24 AM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thank you!
time frame - next month. mid-June...
Singletail - my thought in staying two nights means I at least have the day in between to hike around a bit. so it's likely gonna give me enough time to do exactly as you describe.
time frame - next month. mid-June...
Singletail - my thought in staying two nights means I at least have the day in between to hike around a bit. so it's likely gonna give me enough time to do exactly as you describe.
May 10th, 2004, 06:43 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You could erase the Matterhorn and still have enough towering peaks around Zermatt to occupy your time. The Gornergrat rail line takes you to a view point overlooking Monte Rosa and those huge alpine glaciers.
Then there are a host of other spectacular peaks around the area, like Dente Blanche.
I admit the Matterhorn is the most spectacular of the all, but the point is that there are other mountains to look at and hike toward.
The trails around Zermatt are for the fit and energetic, that is for sure.
I agree that the village is a Swiss mountain tourist village with the usual restaurants, hotels, vacation apartments, and shops.
I think the choice depends on what you want to see. How high on your satisfaction scale do you rate beautiful mountain scenery?
I put it at the top of mine, but there are many people who would go elsewhere.
Then there are a host of other spectacular peaks around the area, like Dente Blanche.
I admit the Matterhorn is the most spectacular of the all, but the point is that there are other mountains to look at and hike toward.
The trails around Zermatt are for the fit and energetic, that is for sure.
I agree that the village is a Swiss mountain tourist village with the usual restaurants, hotels, vacation apartments, and shops.
I think the choice depends on what you want to see. How high on your satisfaction scale do you rate beautiful mountain scenery?
I put it at the top of mine, but there are many people who would go elsewhere.
May 10th, 2004, 07:11 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
excellent, thanks! I figured I was making a good choice.
now to figure out where to stay on the journey from Bayeux to Geneva - or do I just plow on through to Geneva. it would be a Very Long Day.
now to figure out where to stay on the journey from Bayeux to Geneva - or do I just plow on through to Geneva. it would be a Very Long Day.
May 10th, 2004, 07:15 AM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reims is ugly as sin. The cathedral is closed half the time due to restoration, and all the historic sites have been swamped by modern concrete blocks, to the point of loosing all their impact. Go for Zermatt!
May 10th, 2004, 08:15 AM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
I suppose I should just let this pass but my point was that the village ITSELF isn't much and takes only a few hours to see, if that. I suppose the quality of the information received depends, in part, on the amount of information one is given.
Have a great trip.
Have a great trip.
May 10th, 2004, 09:13 AM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Zermatt it is. likely even gonna drop the car at Orly now to fly to Geneva instead of driving - oh how this trip is morphing.
Singletail - you can take flygirl to the mountains, but surely you can't take the mountains away from Zermatt! \
/
Singletail - you can take flygirl to the mountains, but surely you can't take the mountains away from Zermatt! \
/
May 10th, 2004, 04:21 PM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks everyone!
well, I have now committed to 2 nights in Zermatt, with the middle day for hiking and sightseeing.
I just got my tickets on easyjet from Orly to Geneva in the evening, and at some point the next day will take the train to Zermatt.
I'd like to stay in Vevey the night before, but it doesn't appear the train goes from Vevey to Zermatt, I'd have to backtrack through Geneva anyway - bummer. anywhere you'd suggest I stay that night before I hop the train to Z-town?
do tell more about the cemetery! that sounds interesting. sad and morbid, but still interesting. I find cemeteries to be so peaceful and actually seek them out most trips.
isn't it funny, barely 2 weeks ago I didn't even have this trip in mind and now it's all coming together - and I leave in barely two MORE weeks.
well, I have now committed to 2 nights in Zermatt, with the middle day for hiking and sightseeing.
I just got my tickets on easyjet from Orly to Geneva in the evening, and at some point the next day will take the train to Zermatt.
I'd like to stay in Vevey the night before, but it doesn't appear the train goes from Vevey to Zermatt, I'd have to backtrack through Geneva anyway - bummer. anywhere you'd suggest I stay that night before I hop the train to Z-town?
do tell more about the cemetery! that sounds interesting. sad and morbid, but still interesting. I find cemeteries to be so peaceful and actually seek them out most trips.
isn't it funny, barely 2 weeks ago I didn't even have this trip in mind and now it's all coming together - and I leave in barely two MORE weeks.
May 11th, 2004, 04:58 AM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
flygirl,
you would most certainly NOT have to backtrack from Vevey to Geneva on your way to Zermatt! Check out the full train schedules on:
www.rail.ch
There are regular connections with an easy change in Visp.
You have a great plan, enjoy your trip!
Hope this helps,
Andre
you would most certainly NOT have to backtrack from Vevey to Geneva on your way to Zermatt! Check out the full train schedules on:
www.rail.ch
There are regular connections with an easy change in Visp.
You have a great plan, enjoy your trip!
Hope this helps,
Andre
May 11th, 2004, 05:17 AM
#17
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flygirl, It's hard to write about a cemetery because it evokes emotion about the mountain. I think if you've been a climber or "outdoors" person you may appreciate that that beautiful mountain must also be respected. I can only say that to read the stories on the grave markers personalizes your whole experience of the Matterhorn.
May 11th, 2004, 05:31 AM
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks again.
Andre, I have since found that site - let me just say Rail Europe sucks. thank you for posting it here for others.
Rail Europe does not have incorrect info per se, just incomplete. I arrive in Geneva off easyjet at 930 pm, and it listed a 918 train to Vevey and an 1130 - completely missing the 1018 which I think I could just catch. it also didn't even register that you could go Vevey-Zermatt! I have since found that there are nearly hourly trains to Zermatt from Vevey and it's less than 3 hours. so I am for sure going to try to stay in Vevey that night, hang out in Vevey, and then get myself to Zermatt that evening for 2 nights.
John, I do want to find this cemetery now. those stories sound so poignant.
Andre, I have since found that site - let me just say Rail Europe sucks. thank you for posting it here for others.
Rail Europe does not have incorrect info per se, just incomplete. I arrive in Geneva off easyjet at 930 pm, and it listed a 918 train to Vevey and an 1130 - completely missing the 1018 which I think I could just catch. it also didn't even register that you could go Vevey-Zermatt! I have since found that there are nearly hourly trains to Zermatt from Vevey and it's less than 3 hours. so I am for sure going to try to stay in Vevey that night, hang out in Vevey, and then get myself to Zermatt that evening for 2 nights.
John, I do want to find this cemetery now. those stories sound so poignant.
May 11th, 2004, 08:17 AM
#20
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flygirl,
Allow me to suggest the following itinerary for your day in Zermatt. Go to the base station of the SUNNEGGA alpine metro and purchase a ONE WAY ticket to ROTHORN. You will take an underground funicular, then 2 cable cars. Each stop has phenomenal views! On the cable car from Sunegga to Blauherd, look out for mountain goats on the rock wall to your left (if you're facing forwards). After looking around Rothorn, purchase a one way ticket back down to BLAUHERD (1 cable car ride). From there, you can take a very easy and pleasant approx. 2.5 hour hike to the RIFFELALP train station - the route is clearly marked. From there, you can take the train to the top station called GORNERGRAT from more stupendous views. After that, take the train all the way back down to Zermatt.
If you haven't been there yet, check out
www.zermatt.ch
for lots of info.
Hope this helps,
Andre
Allow me to suggest the following itinerary for your day in Zermatt. Go to the base station of the SUNNEGGA alpine metro and purchase a ONE WAY ticket to ROTHORN. You will take an underground funicular, then 2 cable cars. Each stop has phenomenal views! On the cable car from Sunegga to Blauherd, look out for mountain goats on the rock wall to your left (if you're facing forwards). After looking around Rothorn, purchase a one way ticket back down to BLAUHERD (1 cable car ride). From there, you can take a very easy and pleasant approx. 2.5 hour hike to the RIFFELALP train station - the route is clearly marked. From there, you can take the train to the top station called GORNERGRAT from more stupendous views. After that, take the train all the way back down to Zermatt.
If you haven't been there yet, check out
www.zermatt.ch
for lots of info.
Hope this helps,
Andre
