Hi Nonconformist,

Good idea to find these smaller & lesser-known (to tourists) towns as an alternative to Interlaken. I think they'll give you great convenience and charm, too.

Sorry, no personal experience with them though.

But you can find the bus/train schedules into Interlaken and around at the Swiss Rail site,

www.rail.ch

Have fun!

s

Thanks for the link - I hadn't realised buses would be on the rail website. From that, it looks as though Bonigen is slightly more convenient - only one bus an hour to Wilderswil, but two trains to Bonigen and I presume also lake steamers. But there are other factors as well - and I would think they're also both walkable.

I personally think Wilderswil is a good choice. I love the Hotel Alpenblick there. Bönigen is not directly on the rail route from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen/Grindelwald and thus less convenient IMO. Also, the cog-train to Schynige Platte starts right in Wilderswil.

If you prefer lake views, however, stay in Bönigen.

That's one of the factors we're going to have to consider - we do like lakes; OTOH Wilderswil does look pretty too.

I've walked several times from Interlaken across fields to Wilderswil - just over a mile at most.

Lovely little village - trains to Interlaken Ost and buses as well hourly as said above.

It's practically in Interlaken as is lakeside Bonigen. Views from Wilderswil are finer i believe.

The Matten part of Interlaken is laden with guesthouses and B&Bs (i highly recommend Walter's) with a quiet rural view of the BOB peaks - very mellow and a short walk from town center. Very quiet - cows and all.

Even though I have never stayed in Wilderswil, I have been through that little village or town many many times. Once in Wilderswil, I caught one of those Swiss parades they sometimes do. These people were dressed up like these dangerous animals and trolls. It was frigtning to the little kids. lol Anyway, the town looked great and is actually not far from Interlaken up the line a bit. I agree that it would be a good choice to stay.

Now playing:

Derek Trucks Band: Too High

Frank Marino and Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Key to the highway

Now playing at least in my mind: Radio Ga-Ga which i saw performed live at Wembley in some mega relief show and it took the crowd by storm - said to be the highlight of a circa 1987 Wembley against hunger or for Africa, etc. concert perhaps set up by George Harrison?

Anyway the Murren loop is a fantastic day trip - yes a dinner at Walter's in Gimmelwald will linger in your mind for years, perhaps as the highlight of your trip!

Well, as you can clearly determine that the music playing on my computer as I post these things is a throwback to progressive rock radio in the tradition of a KMET FM in LA or KSAN FM in San FRan. This is NOT classic rock, but deep cut vintage album radio. As XM radio's Deep Traclks likes to say: You had to live it to get it. LOL

Anyway, I never had dinner at Walter's but I have spoken to others that have and they told me Walter cooked up some good dinner. Best I can say is that I have sipped coffee outside his place and watched the paragliders drift down into the Lauterbrunnen valley.

Walter's full time job is that of a chef in Bern - so he may know how to cook. I've only had breakfast there and it was great and filling for a long day hiking.

Have you checked out Spiez as an alternative to Interlaken? It's only about 20 mins away by train.

I'm a bit hesitant to stay too far away on either lake, in terms of ease of acess of sightseeing. But Spiez might be a possibility.

Back to Walter's Auberge (or whatever name it is but run by affable Walter)

it's a rather older guesthouse in a really quiet part of Interlaken - Matten and is so typically Swiss quiet area - we had breakfast on our balcony and Walter's is one of my very favorite places to stay in Europe.

Highly recommend for an authentic Swiss guesthouse - not a fancy hotel. Clean and great food.

Matten is an interesting part of Interlaken - the William Tell playhouse is here and also Balamer's Auberge, one of Europe's hotspots for backpackers - so it's a mixed bag - Balamer's manages to keep the kids quiet at night so the area is still cool.

Hello, Nonconformist. I've just happened upon your thread. If you are still leaning toward lakeside, I can add Brienz (popular, but with beautiful view across the water, and it's on the rail line to Lucerne), Iseltwald (the tiniest of places on Brienzersee, reached by lakeboat), and Leissigen (on Thunersee, not far from Interlaken, I've stayed there and loved the quiet; more peaceful than Brienz, but w/o the spectacular view, convenient to Spiez and Thun, too.)

PalQ? Could you elaborate on that Walter guesthouse in Interlaken? I think this is one of the few mentions I've read that describe a place to stay in Interlaken that is appealing. That Sunnyside house is the other.

Have fun planning, NCF. Hello, Ingo. Waiting to hear from S!
J.

I'm still not quite sure - actually, I'm slightly leaning towards Wilderswil at the moment, but I think the final decision will be up to my travelling companions - I'll suggest various alternatives and see what they like. Thanks to everyone for your helpful sugestions, anyway.

Walter's - unfortunately i can't think of his last name which the guesthouse is named and since it's in some books may be booked.

But it's rustic but clean and budget priced - great breakfast served in your room (or on your balcony)

I'll try to find the name and get back.

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