shruti2802

Hi.. I am planning to travel to Switzerland with my 5 and 2 year old in the last week of May.
SWITZERLAND: (Zermatt 2N, St Moritz 1N, Interlaken 2N & Lucern 2N)

Start Date: May 20

Duration: 07 Nights & 08 Days

TOUR ITINERARY

Zermatt | MAY 20 – 22, 02 NIGHTS
May 20: Arrival in Zermatt,

May 21: a day with Matterhorn Mountain tour, Overnight in Zermatt

May 22: Glacier express train, From Zermatt to St Moritz

ST. MORITZ |MAY 22 – 23, 01 NIGHT

May 22: , Enjoy a day at leisure, Overnight in St Moritz

May 23: Train Transfer from St Moritz to Interlaken

INTERLAKEN |MAY 23 – 25, 02 NIGHTS

May 22: Overnight in Interlaken

May 23: Jungfraugh, Overnight in Interlaken

May 24: Train Transfer from Interlaken to Lucerne

LUCERNE |MAY 25 – 27, 02 NIGHTS

May 25: , Overnight in Lucerne

May 26: Mt Titilis Tour, Overnight in Lucerne

May 27: Train transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport

I am not too sure how comfortable and interesting this itenary would be for kids.
Do you think Glacier express is a good idea with kids as it is a long journey?
Also need suggestions on any places which can be added or reduced from the tour?

Thnx..

tipsygus

In my personal opinion taking children of that age on an eight hour train journey is not a good idea. You are also planning mountain trips but assuming you can choose just one day, it is possible that one or all the tops you want to visit could be in cloud.

I also think that for the time you have in Switzerland you are doing too much traveling, with young children I would pick one area and stay there the whole time. With children as young as yours I would pick Lucerne, you could go to Titlis, Pilatus or Rigi from there and if the weather is bad there is the wonderful transport museum that children of all ages enjoy. You also have the lake and many cruises.

neckervd

Why do you want to go to St. Moritz if you don't want to visit this area?
How do you want to go from St. Moritz to Interlaken:
by Glacier Express via Brig?
by Glacier Express up to Andermatt and by train via Lucerne?
by Glacier Express up to Chur, by train to Zurich and then via Lucerne?
by Glacier Express up to Chur, by train to Zurich and then by Visp (Zermatt) bound train up to Spiez?

PalenQ

On the trains note you are moving around enough to make a Swiss Pass a great deal it seems - kids go free - for lots on Swiss trains and passes and those areas you are going to check these info-laden sources: www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
and yes that 8-9 hr marathon GE train ride may be a bit long for adults let along kiddos. The GE is not even the most scenic train ride in Switzerland IME - those in the Zermatt and Jungfrau regions are more scenic - re-think the GE or break up the journey with a day half-way like in Andermatt - a lovely Alpine area that see relatively few tourists compared to the other two areas.

nytraveler

I'm sorry - but I'm totally confused. You are are counting a couple of days several times - you have the night of the 22nd listed for both St Moritz and Interlaken. Which is it?

You need to relay out this itinerary with just the days in sequential order instead of in these groupings and you will see you don;t have as much time as you think.

And sorry but 7 nights is 6 full day - not 8 days. You really need to reorganize this to show where you will actually be each day and each night.

Also agree that this is too much train travel for 2 little ones. They will be really cranky by the time you get anywhere.

Finally, you must understand that you cannot just decide to go into the mountains any day. Often there are clouds at the top and if you go you will have spent a lot of money and won't see anything. (We had to stay in Interlaken 3 days before we got one that was clear on the top of the Jungfrau. Not a problem since we had a car and visited a bunch of cute villages and lakes, castles and waterfalls nearby. You need to leave time for this.)

PalenQ

Scratch the Glacier Express if just riding it because you have heard how great it is - GE is IMO one of the most over-hyped and heavily promoted scenic train in Europe but it ain't even the most scenic train in Switzerland - the Bernina Express fills that bill IMO and if going to St Moritz then be sure to take the Bernina Express half way up to the summit stations - kids can get out and do a little walk and have ice cream on the sun terrace at hotels at the summit station and you all can drink in the lovely scenery- many folks walk to a nearby glacier but it may be too much for kids.

But if just going to St Moritz cause that's where the GE takes you then scrap it and head straight to the Interlaken/Jungfrau Region where there are many short easy excursion that kids and adults all will love.

Most adults IME get bored half-way thru the GE marathon run - dwelling more on the unique tilting wine glasses (and filling them) than the so-so for Switzerland scenery most of the way - the best sections are from Zermatt to Visp and just before St Moritz - the Albula Pass portion. And St Moritz to Interlaken is a long long day too. But Zermatt to Interlaken is about 4 hours with train changes en route that break it up.

PalenQ

shruti - what do you think?

suze

No this doesn't sound like it would be interesting for such young kids. Too much moving around, too much travel time, too many places.

While the 5 year old might get a kick out of something along the way, I don't see anything that would appeal to a 2 year old about this plan.

shruti2802

Thanks so much for the great insights.

Now I am clear on the fact that Glacier Express is to be chucked out.

In which case We can base ourselves out of Interlaken and Lucern and explore the nearby areas.

A few queries:

Which could be the possible attractions(cruises, tours, musueums, castles etc) around Lucern and Interlaken?

In case we are boarding our return flight from Zurich, do you think we should visit Rhine falls?

And if I extend my trip by 2-3 days, any other place that could be explored like Lake Geneva or Staad?

PalenQ

And if I extend my trip by 2-3 days, any other place that could be explored like Lake Geneva or Gstaad?>

Lake Geneva would be nice and you could take another scenic train, the Golden Pass, to Monreux, on Lake Geneva and a nice base - lots of things to see nearby - Broc Chocolate Factory - Gruyeres - lake cruises, etc - http://www.goldenpass.ch/en - Chateau Chillon.

suze

Vevey and Montreux are both great towns. As above I think Chateau de Chillon is interesting. There are boat rides on the lake. The tram up the mountain side called Rocher de Naye is fun. Also good street farmer's markets in both towns (Tues/Sat Vevey and Fri Montreux).

PalenQ

Gstaad would be much like the Jungfrau Region in terms of high Alps but Lake Geneva and Montreux would be different - for one thing they speak French not German there and there is a French feel and look to it - things being a bit less pristine than in German Switzerland - there are beaches too for playing in sand but I think the water may be too cool in May to swim.

PalenQ

The 5-year old especially may like to tour Nestle's Maison Cailler chocolate factory at Broc - you can get there easily by train and include neighboring Gruyeres too - one of the finest walled cities in Europe IMO - Or if you want to splurge you could take the special Chocolate Train there from Montreux - using vintage fancy Pullman Cars and giving commentary en route - kids 5 get half-off with the free Swiss Family Pass available at any Swiss train station - 2 yr-old I think always goes free even without that (usually kids under 4 travel free on European trains if they do not occupy their own seat - special scenic trains may have a different policy).

https://www.google.com/search?q=mais...w=1745&bih=868

If going watch your kids so they do not end up like some in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory!

swandav2000

Hi shruti2802,

I'd like to clarify a few things that PalQ has touched on --

First, I don't think that the Gstaad region is all that similar to the Jungfrau region (and I'm a little surprised that Pal would actually say that -- ?). There are a few peaks, but they are around the 2,000m range rather than the 3,000m range of the Jungfrau region, and rather than a dramatic view of peaks and valleys, the Gstaad area has more green, rolling hills and wide valleys. I personally find the rolling hills more beautiful and more inviting than the drama of the peaks, but to each her own.

There is one big peak near Gstaad, the Glacier 3000; it will take about 30 minutes to get to the cable car to reach that peak. The nearby towns (Les Diablerets) don't have the same atmosphere that the Jungfrau area does, though. Instead of a lot of hotels and activity, there are more vacation apartments (and realtor offices, lol); I didn't see many services for first-time visitors to the area, and I didn't see anyone (besides myself!) with a camera wandering around. Actually, the streets were kind of deserted.

Also, I find Gstaad to have more of a French flavor than a German one, even though it technically sits in German Switzerland -- it's right on the imaginary border between the two. Every time I'm there, folks start talking to me in French, not German. I even asked a woman once (a beautician who was cutting my hair) why everyone defaulted to French, and she just mumbled something about the number of French visitors. Not sure what she meant. But all the signs, the cuisine, and like I said, the language, was in French.

Another thing to mention is that the Cailler chocolate factory is actually in Broc-Fabrique -- that is the name of the train stop. So, when you are searching for connections on the train sites, be sure to use Broc-Fabrique instead of Broc.

If you decide to visit Montreux or Gstaad, let us know, and we can give you more information about more things to see/do there!

Have fun as you plan!

s

shruti2802

Great..Thanks so much..Your insights have given so much clarity.
As suggested,would plan my trip from Lake Geneva to Interlaken to Lucerne.
In Lake Geneva, The places that can be visited are:
• Nestle’s Maison Cailler Chocolate factory at Broc & Gruyeres(I believe, we get down at Gruyers and then move to the factory by Bus) thru Golden Pass Chocolate train.
• Montreux (Heard there is some United Nations parade woth watching?)
• Vevey
• Chateaue de Chillon (boat rides)
• Rocher de Naye (tram up the mountain)
• & if possible street farmer’s market
In Interlaken,
• Harder Kulm
• Funky chocolate club Switzerland
• Piz Gloria
• Hohematte Park
In Lucern,
• Stadkeller
• Lake Lucerne cruise
• City train tour/ walk
• Mountain excursion
Now my questions:
1. Any of these places in the mentioned cities which can be cut down ?
2. Any places which should be added?
3. In Stadkeller, any idea if kids are allowed?
4. In Lake Geneva, Interlaken and Lucerne, Would you suggest staying in the main city or nearby village/ town? If yes, which ones?
5. Any good 4 star hotels you would suggest in theses places?
6. In Lucern , which mountain excursion to go for?Apparently there is Mt.Pilatus, Mt.Titlis, Mt. Rigi, Jungfraujuch and Stanselhorn .

Thanks again !!

swandav2000

Hi again,

I strongly recommend that you add a few hours to see the vineyards of the Lavaux, which sit between Vevey and Lausanne. Since you have young children, you may not want to take a walk (which is what I normally recommend), but there are two touristic trains through them:

Lavaux Express (two possible loops, one from Lutry and one from Cully), takes about an hour, and costs 15 chf for each adult, 6 chf for the 5-year-old, and 2-year-old is free sitting on your lap.

Lavaux Panoramic runs from Chexbres to St Saphorin, Chardonne, Rivaz, etc. Only runs on the weekend and on Wednesday, and adults are 12 or 15 chf and children 6-16 years old are 6 chf.

The prettiest Lavaux village is Lutry, imo. It has a pretty lakeside area and a very interesting old town with a sign-posted walk of its medieval buildings.

The Lavaux can easily be combined with a visit to Vevey.

Also -- I think the trip up the Rochers-de-Naye may not be very great for you since you are going to see the big Alps. It is only about 2,000m.

If you do the Chocolate Train (only runs Monday - Thursday in May), it will take up the entire day, from about 09.00 to about 17.00 in the evening. You can also do it on your own (and take the train between Gruyeres and Broc-Fabrique rather than the bus).

The best boat ride, imo, is between Montreux and Lutry or Rivaz -- that's long enough to really enjoy the ride, and it will pass by the vineyards, which are gorgeous. Taking the boat from Montreux to Chillon will only take about 10 minutes. Bleh.

One of the very best things about Montreux is its flowered lakeside promenade. And the best way to see/enjoy it is to walk from Montreux to Chillon, about 45 minutes. After you see Chillon, you can continue your walk on to Villeneuve, the next town on the lake, another 45 minutes. You can take bus #201 back to Montreux (from either Chillon or Villeneuve), which will be free with the Riviera Card you get from your hosts.

For accommodation, I always recommend staying somewhere directly on the lake. You don't have to stay in the center of town because the bus system is very good, with busses coming by every 10 mintues. I would recommend Montreux (more resort-y feel, more hotels) or Vevey (more residential feel, fewer hotels).

For specific hotels, you could check out

Hostellerie Bon Rivage, 3-star, right on the lake, in the suburb of La Tour-de-Peilz outside of Vevey but very near a bus stop.

Hotel Eden Palace au Lac, 4-star, sits directly on the lake near the center of Montreux. I've stayed here 3 times before it added the "Palace" to the name. Perfect location.

Hotel Au Fil de l'Eau, 4 star, sits right on the lake in the quiet district of Clarens. I stayed in this hotel with my mom before it was sold/changed owners. We were kept awake until past midnight because the restaurant was right below us on the terrace, and we had to keep the windows open. If it's a warm May, and you need to open the windows, you may have that problem with noise (or get a room away from the terrace). But it's a great spot.

Have fun!

s

PalenQ

If you want to get a taste of France just take the Lake Geneva boats to Evian-les-Bains, a spiffy thermal resort known of course for its Evian mineral water - Swiss Passes are 100% valid on the boats, even to France.

suze

Well for Lac Leman area, Montreux aor Vevey, and both the "major cities" as well as the towns/villages where I'd suggest you stay.

shruti2802

Thanks...
Any recommendations for good hotels in Lucerne and Interlaken?

PalenQ

I love Interlaken a lot but many do not like it at all - and anyways the mountain villages of Grindelwald, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen are all lovely and closer to the glacier-girdled peaks than Interlaken, from where the Alps are only a distant visage - I like Grindelwald the most - others Wengen or Lauterbrunnen.

You may want to make a separate post about hotels in towns you want to stay in as it will generate much more responses than buried in an old thread.