Switzerland Itinerary in 5 days early-June
Dec 5th, 2016, 08:29 PM
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Switzerland Itinerary in 5 days early-June
Hi everyone,
Myself and my husband (late 20's) are planning on leaving Germany on May 29th to head to Zurich, Switzerland. We have the flights from Los Angeles to Munich already, and have 5 days there first, and then plan on heading to Switzerland by plane. Seems to be the best choice to fly into Zurich (according to the flights I've checked that are only 55 minutes and cheap). So we would theoretically (unless we change something) have 5 full days to spend in Switzerland after flying into Zurich. We are big foodies, we LOVE entertainment (listening to music, watching shows or traditional dance, we love comedy etc.), we love outdoor activities, nature, fun tours, and enjoying the culture in whatever way possible. Museums are not our favorite thing to do, but we do want to make sure we see some of the most prominent and important historical/cultural monuments, etc. We are open to any suggestions and recommendations, but we also greatly appreciate not shaming our choice to only spend 5 days there (due to work schedules we always only get about 15 full days abroad after flying time, and we always choose to visit 3 places for 5 days each: this time we are thinking 5 days Germany, 5 days Switzerland, 5 days Vienna with a 1 day-trip to Budapest, unless someone helps us plan something better). Thank you in advance for any and all advice and recommendations! (hotels/airbnbs/restaurants, etc would also be great).
Myself and my husband (late 20's) are planning on leaving Germany on May 29th to head to Zurich, Switzerland. We have the flights from Los Angeles to Munich already, and have 5 days there first, and then plan on heading to Switzerland by plane. Seems to be the best choice to fly into Zurich (according to the flights I've checked that are only 55 minutes and cheap). So we would theoretically (unless we change something) have 5 full days to spend in Switzerland after flying into Zurich. We are big foodies, we LOVE entertainment (listening to music, watching shows or traditional dance, we love comedy etc.), we love outdoor activities, nature, fun tours, and enjoying the culture in whatever way possible. Museums are not our favorite thing to do, but we do want to make sure we see some of the most prominent and important historical/cultural monuments, etc. We are open to any suggestions and recommendations, but we also greatly appreciate not shaming our choice to only spend 5 days there (due to work schedules we always only get about 15 full days abroad after flying time, and we always choose to visit 3 places for 5 days each: this time we are thinking 5 days Germany, 5 days Switzerland, 5 days Vienna with a 1 day-trip to Budapest, unless someone helps us plan something better). Thank you in advance for any and all advice and recommendations! (hotels/airbnbs/restaurants, etc would also be great).
Dec 5th, 2016, 08:59 PM
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Well, the flight from Munich to Zurich might be only 55 minutes – but once you count getting to / from the airport, you’re probably talking about closer to 3 hours, and of course you may have to be at the airport well in advance…. Personally, I’d take the train. Your trip, your call.
Have you consulted a good guidebook or two? For Switzerland, I found the <i>Rough Guide</i> and <i>Michelin Green Guide</i> particularly helpful.
With 5 days in Switzerland and your particular set of interests, I think you will face some interesting challenges.
• While I ate well while there, in honestly, I would not consider Switzerland a clear choice for foodies. But of course, you do have some worthy options if you take the time and effort to hunt them down and reserve in advance. Have you consulted the <i>Michelin Red Guide</i>?
• For outdoor activitivies and nature, I think many of us would recommend the Bernese Oberland, perhaps Wengen or Lauterbrunnen. But I don’t think either would be a great destination for your foodie / entertainment / cultural goals.
• While there are good museums, and especially some good small museums scattered across Switzerland, Zurich would probably be your best bet for those options.
I can’t imagine trying to see Budapest as a day-trip from Vienna. It’s what, 2.5 hours each way? I wanted 4 full days in Budapest!
I’m not trying to “shame” your choices, just trying to provide advice that will allow you to make the most of the time you have.
Good luck!
Have you consulted a good guidebook or two? For Switzerland, I found the <i>Rough Guide</i> and <i>Michelin Green Guide</i> particularly helpful.
With 5 days in Switzerland and your particular set of interests, I think you will face some interesting challenges.
• While I ate well while there, in honestly, I would not consider Switzerland a clear choice for foodies. But of course, you do have some worthy options if you take the time and effort to hunt them down and reserve in advance. Have you consulted the <i>Michelin Red Guide</i>?
• For outdoor activitivies and nature, I think many of us would recommend the Bernese Oberland, perhaps Wengen or Lauterbrunnen. But I don’t think either would be a great destination for your foodie / entertainment / cultural goals.
• While there are good museums, and especially some good small museums scattered across Switzerland, Zurich would probably be your best bet for those options.
I can’t imagine trying to see Budapest as a day-trip from Vienna. It’s what, 2.5 hours each way? I wanted 4 full days in Budapest!
I’m not trying to “shame” your choices, just trying to provide advice that will allow you to make the most of the time you have.
Good luck!
Dec 5th, 2016, 09:21 PM
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I suggest you fly to Geneva instead of Zürich, take the train from the airport to go base yourselves in Montreux on the lake Geneva (Lac Léman in French, Genfersee in German), it has good restaurants, it's an upper-class kind of place, always has been.
And at the end of May, if you take the mountain-goat of a train up to Les Rochers de Naye, you'll be in a wildflower paradise with unbeatable views across the lake onto Mont Blanc and the French-Swiss alps. See http://www.goldenpass.ch/en/goldenpass/offer/view?id=12
As a daytrip you can visit the chocolate factory Cailler in Broc and also a cheese-making facility - easily done on your own, as described here:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...n_of_Vaud.html
Lausanne is nearby, also a classy place up on the rise, with Ouchy down below. Lausanne is known for concerts - aside from Geneva it is the major city in the region.
There are public boats criss-crossing the lake, a beautiful way to travel and enjoy the views. See www.cgn.ch/en
The Chillon castle is nearby, even a good long walk away if you need that leg stretch - see www.chillon.ch/en/index.cfm
Montreux-Vevey-Lavaux is the stretch along the lake called "Swiss Riviera" - they make a lot of wine and you can take a tour as described here:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...n_of_Vaud.html
There's much more, but see if you like any of this for now.
And at the end of May, if you take the mountain-goat of a train up to Les Rochers de Naye, you'll be in a wildflower paradise with unbeatable views across the lake onto Mont Blanc and the French-Swiss alps. See http://www.goldenpass.ch/en/goldenpass/offer/view?id=12
As a daytrip you can visit the chocolate factory Cailler in Broc and also a cheese-making facility - easily done on your own, as described here:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...n_of_Vaud.html
Lausanne is nearby, also a classy place up on the rise, with Ouchy down below. Lausanne is known for concerts - aside from Geneva it is the major city in the region.
There are public boats criss-crossing the lake, a beautiful way to travel and enjoy the views. See www.cgn.ch/en
The Chillon castle is nearby, even a good long walk away if you need that leg stretch - see www.chillon.ch/en/index.cfm
Montreux-Vevey-Lavaux is the stretch along the lake called "Swiss Riviera" - they make a lot of wine and you can take a tour as described here:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...n_of_Vaud.html
There's much more, but see if you like any of this for now.
