Switzerland and Italy [fixed so it is easier to read]
Aug 24th, 2012, 10:57 AM
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Switzerland and Italy [fixed so it is easier to read]
Hopefully this works, so there are split paragraphs and not just a blob of copy.
Hi all. My husband and I are traveling to Geneva for 5 days for his work conference. We decided to extend as long as we were able- coming 1 day early and leaving 5 days late. We want to do and see as much as possible, as with 2 small children we don't get the chance to travel by ourselves much, so we don't know when the next time we will be in Europe is. We are not allowing ourselves any jet lag, but will sleep on the plane from the US and start our day on local time. Here is my tentative itinerary. Any hints/tips/feedback would be very much appreciated. I am planning on using a Swiss Pass for our time in Switzerland. (Is the FlexiPass the best option?) We will purchase at the Zurich Airport train station.
Arriving Sunday at 8:00 into Zurich. Taking train from the airport at Zurich to Luzern. Exploring as much of Luzern as possible in 1/2 day. [I know that it is impossible to see it all in a day, but that is all we have. Any must-see's? We want to see Lake Luzern, Chapel Bridge, Weinmarkt Square for sure.] We will take either the 16:55 or 17:55 train [2.5 hours?] to Lauterbrunnen and stay the evening there (we want to be as close to Jungfraujoch as possible, since we will be spending the next day there).
Monday take the 7:55 train from Lauterbrunnen and go to Jungfraujoch (I believe it arrives at 9:37). I understand it will be about $92(American) each for the train. The weather should be sunny, 0% chance of rain and about 37F. (I know the weather can change, but we'll hope for the forecast to maintain). I plan on having about 4 hours to see the mountains, the observatory and walk along the glacier, then leave at 14:00 to head to Geneva, where the work conference is.
Tuesday we have from about 12:30-17:30 free. I thought we could take the train to Gruyeres and see the village. (The morning will be filled with meetings and the evening we have a dinner at the hotel). Is there any possibility of seeing Montreux this afternoon? I heard Gstaad is gorgeous, is there a way to stop and see it for a little while?
Wednesday we have a tour (from viator) to Chamonix/Monenvers/Mont Blanc. It will take up pretty much our whole day.
Thursday we only have from about 12:00 to 16:00 free. I thought we could take the train to Montreux [1 hour?], see the town and it is my understanding we can take a short bus to Chillon. Then we will head back to Geneva for our company dinner at 16:00.
Friday we will check out from the hotel early and will have a car to take us to the GVA airport. We will take the 7:24 train to Zermatt via Visp (4hours?). We will take a cable car to Blauhard and hike to the Stellisee. We want to go to Milan that evening. It is my understanding that we can buy a ticket in Zermatt to get there. I think it's called the Bernina Express? Do we go through Domodossola to Milan? I think there is an IR train that goes from about 17:13 to 21:35? We will stay the night in Milan. I wanted to see Lake Como or Garda or Varenna (I've heard all these towns mentioned). Is there a better way to get to Milan to be able to see these?
Saturday we will see a bit of Milan in the morning (I want to see Duomo for certain) then travel toward the Cinque Terre. Is there a convenient train route to take there? I was thinking we would stay in Monterosso, since it seems to be the most resort-like, which my husband loves, and this will be "his" part of the vacation. I understand you can get a state park pass to hike between the 5T for about 10Euros. We will spend most of the next few days swimming and staying at the beach and exploring the 5T. [Any must-see's, or must-do's, or must-eat's?]
Sunday- 5T, staying in Monterosso
Monday- 5T, staying in Monterosso
Tuesday we will leave Monterosso for Venice. I think there is a 7:30 train that arrives in Venice at 13:15. I want to explore as much of Venice as possible. I want to take a romantic Gondola ride (of course!) and see the Wall of Reformers for sure. We will stay the night in Venice [any suggestions?]
Wednesday we will see a little more of Venice in the morning, then head to the airport. We depart for the US at 13:10.
I know that is a lot of questions. The few days that we don't have a home "base", what should we do with our luggage? I saw something on myswitzerland.com about luggage delivery to your next destination. Is that reliable? Is there a better way to see and do the things we want? I have heard great things about Y'voire, France. Is there some way to make it work in our trip? Even just a short visit? I know I'm trying to squeeze a lot into a little time, but I need to make the most out of our trip.
I would appreciate any advice or tips very much!
Hi all. My husband and I are traveling to Geneva for 5 days for his work conference. We decided to extend as long as we were able- coming 1 day early and leaving 5 days late. We want to do and see as much as possible, as with 2 small children we don't get the chance to travel by ourselves much, so we don't know when the next time we will be in Europe is. We are not allowing ourselves any jet lag, but will sleep on the plane from the US and start our day on local time. Here is my tentative itinerary. Any hints/tips/feedback would be very much appreciated. I am planning on using a Swiss Pass for our time in Switzerland. (Is the FlexiPass the best option?) We will purchase at the Zurich Airport train station.
Arriving Sunday at 8:00 into Zurich. Taking train from the airport at Zurich to Luzern. Exploring as much of Luzern as possible in 1/2 day. [I know that it is impossible to see it all in a day, but that is all we have. Any must-see's? We want to see Lake Luzern, Chapel Bridge, Weinmarkt Square for sure.] We will take either the 16:55 or 17:55 train [2.5 hours?] to Lauterbrunnen and stay the evening there (we want to be as close to Jungfraujoch as possible, since we will be spending the next day there).
Monday take the 7:55 train from Lauterbrunnen and go to Jungfraujoch (I believe it arrives at 9:37). I understand it will be about $92(American) each for the train. The weather should be sunny, 0% chance of rain and about 37F. (I know the weather can change, but we'll hope for the forecast to maintain). I plan on having about 4 hours to see the mountains, the observatory and walk along the glacier, then leave at 14:00 to head to Geneva, where the work conference is.
Tuesday we have from about 12:30-17:30 free. I thought we could take the train to Gruyeres and see the village. (The morning will be filled with meetings and the evening we have a dinner at the hotel). Is there any possibility of seeing Montreux this afternoon? I heard Gstaad is gorgeous, is there a way to stop and see it for a little while?
Wednesday we have a tour (from viator) to Chamonix/Monenvers/Mont Blanc. It will take up pretty much our whole day.
Thursday we only have from about 12:00 to 16:00 free. I thought we could take the train to Montreux [1 hour?], see the town and it is my understanding we can take a short bus to Chillon. Then we will head back to Geneva for our company dinner at 16:00.
Friday we will check out from the hotel early and will have a car to take us to the GVA airport. We will take the 7:24 train to Zermatt via Visp (4hours?). We will take a cable car to Blauhard and hike to the Stellisee. We want to go to Milan that evening. It is my understanding that we can buy a ticket in Zermatt to get there. I think it's called the Bernina Express? Do we go through Domodossola to Milan? I think there is an IR train that goes from about 17:13 to 21:35? We will stay the night in Milan. I wanted to see Lake Como or Garda or Varenna (I've heard all these towns mentioned). Is there a better way to get to Milan to be able to see these?
Saturday we will see a bit of Milan in the morning (I want to see Duomo for certain) then travel toward the Cinque Terre. Is there a convenient train route to take there? I was thinking we would stay in Monterosso, since it seems to be the most resort-like, which my husband loves, and this will be "his" part of the vacation. I understand you can get a state park pass to hike between the 5T for about 10Euros. We will spend most of the next few days swimming and staying at the beach and exploring the 5T. [Any must-see's, or must-do's, or must-eat's?]
Sunday- 5T, staying in Monterosso
Monday- 5T, staying in Monterosso
Tuesday we will leave Monterosso for Venice. I think there is a 7:30 train that arrives in Venice at 13:15. I want to explore as much of Venice as possible. I want to take a romantic Gondola ride (of course!) and see the Wall of Reformers for sure. We will stay the night in Venice [any suggestions?]
Wednesday we will see a little more of Venice in the morning, then head to the airport. We depart for the US at 13:10.
I know that is a lot of questions. The few days that we don't have a home "base", what should we do with our luggage? I saw something on myswitzerland.com about luggage delivery to your next destination. Is that reliable? Is there a better way to see and do the things we want? I have heard great things about Y'voire, France. Is there some way to make it work in our trip? Even just a short visit? I know I'm trying to squeeze a lot into a little time, but I need to make the most out of our trip.
I would appreciate any advice or tips very much!
Aug 24th, 2012, 11:21 AM
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If doing that much train travel in a 4-day period then investigate the 4-day Swiss Pass that covers most Swiss trains, lake boats (like on Lake Geneva from Geneva or nearby Lausanne), postal buses and city buses and trams as well as free etnry to over 400 Swiss museums. And if you are traveling before the end of November this year there is a 2 for 1 sale of 4-consecutive-day and 4-day flexipasses which would make a Swiss Pass for all this trip a great deal I suspect.
Anyways lots of fab info on Swiss trains - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com. I have bought Swiss Passes for years and often for some reason the exact same pass has often been cheaper if bought in US than in Switzerland so always check pricing (including any possible shipping charges or credit card fees for foreign transactions if buying there - often 3% fee) before buying.
Anyways lots of fab info on Swiss trains - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com. I have bought Swiss Passes for years and often for some reason the exact same pass has often been cheaper if bought in US than in Switzerland so always check pricing (including any possible shipping charges or credit card fees for foreign transactions if buying there - often 3% fee) before buying.
Aug 24th, 2012, 11:32 AM
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To be perfectly honest, if I were you, I'd cut out Italy altogether and stay in Switzerland so you can see the places you're interested in there after the conference. You really don't have time to do anything out of Geneva on your half days - test the train timings on the sbb.ch website and you'll see how little time you'll manage anywhere if you need to be back at a certain time.
The train luggage system in Switzerland is great, but you need to make sure it's going to arrive the same day as you, and what time the office is open until to pick it up.
The train luggage system in Switzerland is great, but you need to make sure it's going to arrive the same day as you, and what time the office is open until to pick it up.
Aug 24th, 2012, 12:29 PM
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You are confused about the Bernina Express---it goes from St.Moritz to Tirano Italy---nowhere near Zermatt.
You need to go back to the drawing boards---you are jumping all around with no clue about geography. If you want to see a lake in Italy then take the train via Brig and Domo. to Stresa on Lago Maggiore and forget Milan.
You need to go back to the drawing boards---you are jumping all around with no clue about geography. If you want to see a lake in Italy then take the train via Brig and Domo. to Stresa on Lago Maggiore and forget Milan.
Aug 24th, 2012, 05:39 PM
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I'm afraid you just haven;t allowed enough time for any of these trips - even the main sight - never mind adding the two or 3 other things on to it.
For instance - you have only 4 hours free. And the train to Montreux is. So with the two train rides and getting to and fro the train station - you have already used 3 of your hours. No - you cannot get too Chillon. By the time you got there you would have to turn around and come back - and you would have no time in Montreux. And to see Chillon you want to leave at least 1.5 to 2 hours. So a trip from Geneva to Montreux and Chillon - starting from your hotel or meeting room or whatever is 6 to 7 hours - not 4.
Similarly - your other estimations are way to low for how long things will actually take.
And I don;t see any time when you will see the sights of Geneva.
I agree you are trying to pack too much into too little time.
And you just don;t have time for Gruyere - which is a pity since it's a charming town with lovely views, an interesting castle and a chance to see the cheese being made. We did this as a day trip (by car) from Interlaken. But we took the whole day, leaving right after breakfast and returning about 7 pm.
I would bag Italy and actually see some of Switzerland. Or if you want to go to Montewhatever for family reasons do that - and don;t try to stuff in a few hours in Venice.
You really need 1) a map, 2) a train schedule, and 3) to figure out how long things take.
Allow 30 minutes from where you start to actually getting on the train - both coming and going.
For instance - you have only 4 hours free. And the train to Montreux is. So with the two train rides and getting to and fro the train station - you have already used 3 of your hours. No - you cannot get too Chillon. By the time you got there you would have to turn around and come back - and you would have no time in Montreux. And to see Chillon you want to leave at least 1.5 to 2 hours. So a trip from Geneva to Montreux and Chillon - starting from your hotel or meeting room or whatever is 6 to 7 hours - not 4.
Similarly - your other estimations are way to low for how long things will actually take.
And I don;t see any time when you will see the sights of Geneva.
I agree you are trying to pack too much into too little time.
And you just don;t have time for Gruyere - which is a pity since it's a charming town with lovely views, an interesting castle and a chance to see the cheese being made. We did this as a day trip (by car) from Interlaken. But we took the whole day, leaving right after breakfast and returning about 7 pm.
I would bag Italy and actually see some of Switzerland. Or if you want to go to Montewhatever for family reasons do that - and don;t try to stuff in a few hours in Venice.
You really need 1) a map, 2) a train schedule, and 3) to figure out how long things take.
Allow 30 minutes from where you start to actually getting on the train - both coming and going.
