Switzerland in May - Golden Pass Scenic train
Sep 20th, 2008, 09:27 PM
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Switzerland in May - Golden Pass Scenic train
I have previously asked about Swiss rail trips and the Golden Pass Scenic train seems the way to go. My husband and I will hopefully be visiting in May next year. I have read other posts and now have 2 questions.
1. Golden Pass Train - someone raved about Gstaad. What is so good about it and would you break your journey and stay a night there?
2. A possible itinerary - what do you think?
Geneva (1 night) then train to Interlaken. Either stay here (3 nights) and do day trips to Murren, Wengen and Grindelwald or stay at Murren or Wengen. Though I have just read about Lauterbrunnen and this is another possible place to stay - advice please!!
From Interlaken or Wengen etc to Lucerne (1 night) and then to Zurich (1-2 nights.)
We are from Australia and have just turned 50 - we like walking, though not all day hikes. Not interested in skiing but love scenery and want to see the "real" Switzerland so will not be doing any organised tours.
Thanks in advance.
1. Golden Pass Train - someone raved about Gstaad. What is so good about it and would you break your journey and stay a night there?
2. A possible itinerary - what do you think?
Geneva (1 night) then train to Interlaken. Either stay here (3 nights) and do day trips to Murren, Wengen and Grindelwald or stay at Murren or Wengen. Though I have just read about Lauterbrunnen and this is another possible place to stay - advice please!!
From Interlaken or Wengen etc to Lucerne (1 night) and then to Zurich (1-2 nights.)
We are from Australia and have just turned 50 - we like walking, though not all day hikes. Not interested in skiing but love scenery and want to see the "real" Switzerland so will not be doing any organised tours.
Thanks in advance.
Sep 21st, 2008, 02:47 AM
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Hi Susanne07,
I'm probably the one who raved about Gstaad -- it's becoming my favorite spot in Switzerland (after 15 visits to the country). Here are my "reviews" of the area, w/photos to give you an idea:
Gruyeres
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Fribourg.html
Saanen
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html
Gstaad
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html
Basically, I like the landscape more than the massive peaks of the high Alps areas because the gentle rolling hills seem more calming and more peaceful.
About your itinerary -- I would probably stay in Montreux, not Geneva. One reason is that I just don't like big cities and prefer a smaller city; another reason is that I just think the lakeside walk is much prettier than the one I saw in Geneva. The third reason to stay in Montreux is that that's where the Golden Pass route departs from, so you'll be positioned for an easy departure.
If you were going in June or July, I would argue that you ought to stay in Wengen or Mürren instead of Interlaken (personal preference again -- I just don't like that over-run tourist town). But since you're going in May, both Wengen and Mürren may be virtually shut down as the season won't have started yet. Another option might be the city of Thun, which is much more charming than Interlaken, is never over-run with tourists, and is only about 20 minutes' travel time from Interlaken. Thun sits right on Lake Thun, so it's really beautiful there.
Lauterbrunnen is another place that just never appealed to me. It sits in the shadow of the huge cliffs of the mountains, and I would really get clautrophobic staying there.
Anyway, have fun!
s
I'm probably the one who raved about Gstaad -- it's becoming my favorite spot in Switzerland (after 15 visits to the country). Here are my "reviews" of the area, w/photos to give you an idea:
Gruyeres
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Fribourg.html
Saanen
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html
Gstaad
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html
Basically, I like the landscape more than the massive peaks of the high Alps areas because the gentle rolling hills seem more calming and more peaceful.
About your itinerary -- I would probably stay in Montreux, not Geneva. One reason is that I just don't like big cities and prefer a smaller city; another reason is that I just think the lakeside walk is much prettier than the one I saw in Geneva. The third reason to stay in Montreux is that that's where the Golden Pass route departs from, so you'll be positioned for an easy departure.
If you were going in June or July, I would argue that you ought to stay in Wengen or Mürren instead of Interlaken (personal preference again -- I just don't like that over-run tourist town). But since you're going in May, both Wengen and Mürren may be virtually shut down as the season won't have started yet. Another option might be the city of Thun, which is much more charming than Interlaken, is never over-run with tourists, and is only about 20 minutes' travel time from Interlaken. Thun sits right on Lake Thun, so it's really beautiful there.
Lauterbrunnen is another place that just never appealed to me. It sits in the shadow of the huge cliffs of the mountains, and I would really get clautrophobic staying there.
Anyway, have fun!
s
Sep 22nd, 2008, 03:09 AM
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Thanks swandev2000. Is Gstaad very expensive though?
In regards to Murren and Wengen being "shut down" does this mean most of the shops and accommodation? I assume you can still visit for the day by train?
Thun certainly sounds like a possible alternative. I am a bit put off by the idea that Interlaken is filled with wealthy tourists - is this true?
In regards to Murren and Wengen being "shut down" does this mean most of the shops and accommodation? I assume you can still visit for the day by train?
Thun certainly sounds like a possible alternative. I am a bit put off by the idea that Interlaken is filled with wealthy tourists - is this true?
Sep 22nd, 2008, 03:25 AM
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Hi again,
Gstaad can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you like. There are four or five 5-star hotels in that one tiny town, so obviously if you stay in one of those, it will be expensive. But there are 3-star hotels and B&Bs that are less expensive. Or you can stay in Saanen, where there are a few more 3-star hotels, and they are even less expensive.
Again, eating can be as costly or as cheap as you like. My Christmas Eve dinner at a 17-point GM restaurant cost about 150 chf for one person. But then again you can have a pizza or a prix fixe menu for about 20-30 chf. Or -- one of my favorite ways to eat -- grab some fresh bread, local ham, Swiss cheese, etc, and have a gourmet picnic. There is a gourmet grocer in town to help you with that!
Yes, by "shut down," I mean the hotels and some shops will be closed. Of course, you can always visit by train.
Ummm. . . Interlaken doesn't really draw the wealthy crowd; you're more likely to see back-packers, families, and tour groups there. You will find the wealthy in Gstaad.
Have fun!
s
Gstaad can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you like. There are four or five 5-star hotels in that one tiny town, so obviously if you stay in one of those, it will be expensive. But there are 3-star hotels and B&Bs that are less expensive. Or you can stay in Saanen, where there are a few more 3-star hotels, and they are even less expensive.
Again, eating can be as costly or as cheap as you like. My Christmas Eve dinner at a 17-point GM restaurant cost about 150 chf for one person. But then again you can have a pizza or a prix fixe menu for about 20-30 chf. Or -- one of my favorite ways to eat -- grab some fresh bread, local ham, Swiss cheese, etc, and have a gourmet picnic. There is a gourmet grocer in town to help you with that!
Yes, by "shut down," I mean the hotels and some shops will be closed. Of course, you can always visit by train.
Ummm. . . Interlaken doesn't really draw the wealthy crowd; you're more likely to see back-packers, families, and tour groups there. You will find the wealthy in Gstaad.
Have fun!
s
