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Where to stay in September in the Swiss Alps

Where to stay in September in the Swiss Alps

Old Apr 25th, 2017, 10:50 AM
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Where to stay in September in the Swiss Alps

We plan on staying in the Swiss Alps for 4 days during the first week in September. It's difficult to research where to stay because all the internet wants to do is sell hotels - hard to learn where what towns are best, what hotels travelers prefer, etc.

We're a couple in our late 50's, not interested in night life - just beautiful views and a quality hotel with good service. We also need access to excursions or tours.

I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks in advance!

Bret
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 11:53 AM
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Hotel Schoenegg in Wengen. Especially if you can get the top floor room. Fabulous. Friendly people, beautiful scenery, hiking, etc.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 12:02 PM
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Thanks - I'll check it out. Appreciate your suggestion!
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 12:36 PM
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Wengen delights a lot of Fodorites -no cars can even get there -have to take the train from Interlaken via Lauterbrunnen -and the surrounding Jungfrau Region to me is the most convenient and as awesome as any Swiss Alpine region - SO so much to do - even besides taking thrilling trains or gondolas to mountain tops:

https://www.google.com/search?q=jung...w=1745&bih=864

Other nice mountain villages here are Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen -both more active with tourists because cars and tour buses can reach them (but not beyond)-these are larger towns but also with supreme views. But if not interested in night life that there is more of in these two towns Wengen is perfect (and it too has some night life).

Take trains around the area as well as gondolas -for lots on Swiss trains check www.sbb.ch; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 01:43 PM
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You can do more research on towns through myswitzerland.com
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 02:23 PM
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I'd try to spend a day coming or going in lovely Lucerne and do a boat ride on the lovely lake. Just a short scenic train ride from Interlaken via the Golden Pass scenic train route up and over the Brunig Pass. Can go to Zurich that way.

What are your plans after the Alps- where are you coming for before?
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 03:43 PM
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Hi Bret, I had a thread going about our 10 day itinerary. After much research and fantastic input from Fodorites, we chose Hotel Baeren in Wengen. We will spend 5 nights there the first week in September. We opted for the half board option and reserved on their website. I'm looking forward to celebrating my 60th birthday there!
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 04:54 PM
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To research hotels and other lodging, I strongly recommend booking.com

To research locations (but not hotels), I strongly recommend guidebooks, which will also give you answers to questions you don't even know to ask. For Switzerland, I recommend the Michelin Green Guide and Rough Guide.

No reason to take organized excursions or tours in Switzerland unless that is your preference. Again, a good guidebook or two would serve you very well.

The answers you have received so far focus on the Bernese Oberland -- and with good reason! But that is not the only scenic part of Switzerland....

Hope that helps!
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 05:16 AM
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Wow - thanks so much to everyone for your great feedback! I never expected such good (and quick) response.

To answer PalenQ's question - we are coming from a short stay in Italy (Florence & Rome), traveling to Switzerland via Austria (Salzburg & Innsbruck). We're going to Make a one day stop in Zurich, then on to the Interlaken area for 3 days. We're moving a lot, but we want to see as much as possible.

We haven't settled on whether to fly to Munich then take the train to Salzburg, or take a night train to Rosenheim then transfer to a train to Salzburg. Any suggestions on this would also be welcome.

Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions - much appreciated.

Bret
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 07:30 AM
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Have you ever taken night trains -I have and always sleep well but some can't but if so great -there seems to be a direct night train Florence to Salzburg- arriving about 6:30 am - no transferring required - see www.bahn.de/en for schedules.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 10:48 AM
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On night trains be sure to get private compartment even though it costs much more than a couchette- always noise from others in couchettes - usually six people in bunks - unisex -supposed to sleep in street clothes.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 05:15 PM
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I'm sure you are aware that moving around a lot doesn't necessarily mean seeing a lot -- it depends on how much of that time in moving around is devoted to transportation and logistics. Remember that each change of location means packing/unpacking, checking in/checking out, getting to and from your lodging and transportation, getting lost/oriented, etc. Depending on your style and choices, that can easily mean adding hours of time when you are not actually seeing anything with each change of location. Sometimes, less really is more.

Unless you have a very specific reason for staying in Interlaken, consider staying in Lauterbrunnen or Wengen or Murren or Grindelwald....
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 05:41 PM
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I second the Schoenegg in Wengen.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 08:30 PM
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Hi txdad2002,

I took that night train to Rosenheim (I stayed on until Munich) and I loved it -- but then I adore night trains in general. I had had a vacation in Umbria, then got on the train in Orvieto.

When I take night trains, I get a private cabin with its own toilet (necessary for me) and basin & shower. I have some picnic foods and sometimes a bottle of wine. When the train starts moving, I get undressed, turn off the lights, open the window shades, and get under the covers. I love seeing the night landscape slide by my window -- I feel like I'm in the 1940s. So decadent.

So, obviously, I would recommend the night train. It'll be an unusual and unique experience!

Have fun as you plan!

s
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 12:45 PM
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So, obviously, I would recommend the night train. It'll be an unusual and unique experience!>

But to Salzburg direct as www.bahn.de/en says and not Rosenheim?
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 08:54 AM
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Thanks to all of the great comments we have now switched to the overnight train from Rome to Salzburg, which essentially adds an extra free day to our schedule.

Thanks everyone!
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 12:29 PM
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http://www.eurail.com/en/europe-by-t...s/obb-nightjet

Official site of Austrian night trains - took over control from Germans recently I think.
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