Hi NeoPatrick,

I've spent some time in Gstaad, and have to say I'm amazed that you didn't find all the hiking that's available there.

I just spent 11 nights there, my third time at Gstaad. There are tons of hikes, from about an hour, to 2-3 hours, to 5-6 hours. Some of them are on the nearby peaks (not quite so "peaky" as around Grindelwald), some are on the lush green hillsides, and some are through the valleys. There are lots of biking trails, too.

As for day-trips, you can easily reach Montreux, Gruyeres, Broc and Broc Fabrique, Zweisimmen, Rougemont, Chatead d'Oex, Thun, and Spiez.

If you like food, then I think Gstaad is a hands-down winner. Because of the influence of the rich 'n famous, there are more gourmet restaurants there than anywhere else I've been.

Just to give you an idea of the outdoor activities there, here are links to my albums from some of my trips:

Gstaad & walk to Saanen
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EauGrJq5bMWKO

Walk from Wispile
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EauGrJq5bMWKf

Bike ride from Gstaad to (almost) Gruyeres
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EauGrJq5bMWJx

Have fun as you plan!

s

Actually we did a lot of hiking around Gstadd, but most of it didn't begin to rival the hikes around Zermatt or Grindelwald or even Appenzell or St. Moritz.
We loved our hotel in Gstadd, so I'm not sure what it was -- but it just didn't seem to us to have nearly as much "wow" factor as other Swiss towns. Maybe because it's more rolling hills than dramatic mountains? And we had done Gruyeres from Montreux, which I'm thinking we might do as well -- staying a couple days in Montreux to visit Geneva and cross the lake to that lovely little French village, whose name I forget right now.

I guess I would say Luzern. There is plenty to do, plus you can opt to sit on a bench, lakeside, and just veg... do people watching, etc.

The 'old city' side of the main bridge gets pretty quiet at night, but the other side (bahnhof side) does have areas that are more lively with restaurants and bars that are busy at night (probably locals). There is a smallish park almost next to the Renaissance Hotel where you can play chess with the huge pieces and the walk-around game board. (or you can watch locals play...also interesting)

Of course there are lake cruises. I would love to include one that has a hop on/hop off type of feature that would allow you some time in the various lakeside towns where the boat docks to unload/take on new passengers. I was in Brunnen in May and it was quite nice. It's on the southeastern area of the lake. Lots of boats (ferries) were pulling up, off and on, all day while I was there.

You can take in the view from Pilatus; you can visit the transport museum (neat!!); you can take a train to Bern for a day; Interlaken is not that far away...

Carol, yes, Luzern has a special meaning for me -- my second trip to Europe there ages ago for a week at Christmas, and several return trips. It also has the advantage of quick train direct to the Zurich airport for departure home. It doesn't have that "stay in the Alps" feel, but I guess we can't have everything.
Back about 10 years ago we took friends with us to Switzerland. They actually liked our stay in Luzern more than our stays in Zermatt and Grindlewald that year.

We spent a week with friends in a beautiful chalet style apartment in Grindelwald. The views from our deck were incredible.We enjoyed the town and it's access to transportation options. We had a car as we were traveling in Italy before and after Grindelwald but also used trains for excursions.We took day trips to Wengen, Murren, the Jungfrau, Lakes Thun and Brienz among other places. I had read on this forum that Grindelwald would have many tour buses but we never saw one, nor any crowds. We were there in mid-September. We rented through Drawbridge to Europe, based in Oregon, and were pleased with their service and properties.

Rather than Luzern, have you considered one of the small lakeside villages like Weggis or Vitznau? Easy boat access around the lake and to Luzern, plus nearby Rigi with loads of hiking possibilities.

How about the Allgäu? Not many big cities, but certainly peace and quiet. Since you’re thinking about September, you could time your visit with the “cow parade” and the festivities when the cows come down from the mountains.

Or, what about the Italian Alps – the Dolomites? Much less expensive than Switzerland, fabulous food and wine, all kinds of hiking and wellness opportunities. Plus, not so far from the northern Italian wine country and some interesting villages.

We spent several days in Vitznau -- it was lovely. But Rigi is no Jungfrau. And I guess I'm thinking "what has the biggest WOW factor for someone who has never been to Switzerland, and quite likely never will again. I have to agree with HappyTrvlr that Grindlewald really does impress. And I forgot how close and easy it is to Bern, Brienz, and some other beautiful spots, plus really pretty easy and quick to Luzern/Zurich. Maybe 5 nights there and a couple nights in Luzerne? If I can only talk him out of Geneva all together. . .Or if only we didn't have to incorportate Vienna and Salburg (but I do love them and they add some variety and culture to the trip -- plus can fly free between Vienna and Zurich).

Speaking of Italy, the Dolomites were OK, but we LOVED our stay at Poschiavo, with some really neat near by side trips. There are so many beautiful places in Switzerland, I guess I just want the TOP one for a first and possibly only trip there.

NP: Back about 10 years ago we took friends with us to Switzerland. They actually liked our stay in Luzern more than our stays in Zermatt and Grindlewald that year.

Interesting. We stayed in Grindelwald and Luzern 10 years ago, too. And if I did it over again, I would subtract a day from Luzern and add it to Grindelwald.

Maybe I should mention that we were 6 nights in Grindelwald and only 3 nights in Luzerne as it was.

Hello Neo,

We've gone to Grindelwald most summers for over 15 years. Just today I booked our favorite chalet again, this time for two weeks! Too much to see and do!!

While I'm there, sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not in dreamland. The whole region definitely has the WOW factor you're looking for.

I'll never forget when we took my parents there a few years back. When my 80-year-old father (God rest his soul) came out of the ice cave up at the Jungfraujoch, he remarked, "This is the best day of my life."

We've also stayed in most of the other cities you've mentioned, but truly, our hearts belong in Grindelwald. It certainly makes a great base for us, with or without a car. Easy transportation all over the place. Find a chalet with a view. There's plenty to choose from. Your partner won't be disappointed!

Happy travels!

Yes, the more I think about Switzerland, the more I keep thinking Grindelwald is the best and has the most WOW factor with tons to do.

But in the past we always stayed at a hotel -- the Alpina(?). Any recommendations for a nice one bedroom apartment really close to the train station, and within the main town?

HappyTrvlr, I looked at Drawbridge to Europe and there is one possibility, but most are too large or too far removed. The one I liked shows prices from 2 years ago only, but I guess I'll check it out.

Swisshiker, tell me about your favorite chalet!

Would also appreciate 1 bedroom holiday accomodation website and email and info. Thanks.

The Interlaken-Jungfrau Region IMO is tops by far for the essence of the Swiss Alps and besides trips into the mountains there is a panoply of other great things to do in the area as well - like boat trips on the two lakes bookending Interlaken and day trips if weather in the hills turns funky to nearby gems like Bern or Lucerne.

You have the famous Ballenberg Open-Air museums on Lake Brienz and of course toylike trains trundling into the high Alps, like to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe and excursions like the fantastic Lauterbrunnen-Grutschalp-Murren-Gimmelwald-Stechelberg-Lauterbrunnen loop - my favorite jaunt in this area and of course the famous Shilthorn and Piz Gloria of James Bond On Her Majesty's Service fame and lots lots more

So for the dreamy glacier-girdled Swiss Alps etched in your minds' eye perhaps plus a huge number of other things to do I think for a week stay you cannot beat the Jungfrau Region.

For lots of great info on trains and conveyances and excursions in this area and Switzerland in general I always spotlight these IMO fantastic sites - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com and http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html.

If doing say the Murren Loop from Lauterbrunnen or other area base or staying in Murren or Wengen then investigate the Swiss Pass which covers everything on the Murren Loop in full as well as trains to Wengen, Grindelwald and also on boats on the two lakes as well as granting fee entry to Ballenberg Open-Air museums( and over 400 other Swiss museums - like the fantastic Paul Klee museum in Bern - both about $20 values each.

Also investigate the Jungfraubahn Pass and Berner Oberland Pass which if you are going to the Jungfraujoch could be a better deal because Swiss Passes onlygive a 25% discount from Wengen/Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch.

If buying a Swiss Pass be sure to compare prices in dollars sold here vs prices in Swiss francs for exact same pass sold there - I have bought passes for years and always compare and usually the pass is cheaper here for some reason. But that is not always true so compare and if little difference just buy in Switzerland.

There is also a Half-Fare Card and Swiss Card that could be good deals for you.

If traveling in off season there is often a 2 for 1 sales on some Swiss Passes so check that too when you trip time approaches - typically it is for travel before the end of May and from Sep 1 thru Nov or so.

Neo,

Unfortunately for you, my favorite chalet is quite a ways up the mountain as we usually have a car.

But here's one that's only a 2-3 minute walk into the village. They've got a studio apt. on the ground floor and one with a bedroom on the top floor. You'll notice the top floor has sloped ceilings, but CHECK OUT THE VIEWS from the balcony! Whoa baby! That's what I'm talking about as far as a real WOW!

The chalet name is Chessibach. I can only get this link to give the main page, but if you do a search for Chessibach you should be able to find it here:
http://grindelwald.ch/en/Holidays/ACCOMMODATION/Holiday_Apartment

-or another site in German only (good photos)-
http://www.ferienwohnungen-ferienhaeuser-weltweit.de/3500_d.aspx

or in English (only describes the studio)
http://www.holiday-home.com/3499_e.aspx
You'll notice in the description: "stunning view of the mountain Eiger"

Several years ago, we stayed at a different chalet (again needing a car) that was on the top floor and had the sloped ceilings. We had no problems at all.

I've always booked direct with an owner, but the grindelwald.com site is fine too for booking.

Happy travels!

<or another site in German only>
right click once for a translation by bing.

"right click once for a translation by bing" -- huh? Not for me.

ronkala - that's a great tip! Will save me lots of cut and paste time in the future.

Neo - using ronkala's tip, I opened the posted link, saw the page in German, then I right clicked my mouse. There I saw "translate to English" which I then clicked on. I use Google Chrome, so that's how mine translated, not bing. Hope yours works too.

In any event, most of the info is also on the grindelwald.com site for that particular chalet. The pictures were just bigger on this other one.

Happy travels!

Doesn't work for me. When I right click, I get the usual list of "bookmark this page, back, forward, view page source", etc. But nothing for English or translate!

I have to agree with PalenQ. I stayed in Murren last Sept and it was spectacular. Going up in the gondola from Lauterbrunnen actually took my breath away. There were tons of hikes right there and you do the Jungfraujoch and other surrounding towns. In my 20+ trips to Europe, this was tops.

I second the Swiss Pass. My little Swiss Hotel was Hotel Alpina in Murren. My room had the most amazing view of the Jungfrau, Eiger and Monck for around $100.