2 nights + 3 days in Switzerland, where to go?
Sep 14th, 2015, 12:03 AM
#1
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2 nights + 3 days in Switzerland, where to go?
I plan for a short stay in Switzerland and wonder where i should go and do.
This is the plan:
3/11 morning arrives in Zurich (take night line from amsterdam, but we booked a sleeping room for better rest)
5/11 leave from Geneva for Lyon
the initial plan was to spend one day each in zurich and geneva. now we have three days and we area also aware most planes to europe will land in zurich, so we may be able to save a few hours for other cities, or towns.
people mentioned places like interlaken or chur, etc. it sounds definitely our favourite type of places (we love the south island of New Zealand very much, southern part of the the south island in particular), but we dont have much time.
I hope people on this forum could give me some suggestions. really appreciated it.
This is the plan:
3/11 morning arrives in Zurich (take night line from amsterdam, but we booked a sleeping room for better rest)
5/11 leave from Geneva for Lyon
the initial plan was to spend one day each in zurich and geneva. now we have three days and we area also aware most planes to europe will land in zurich, so we may be able to save a few hours for other cities, or towns.
people mentioned places like interlaken or chur, etc. it sounds definitely our favourite type of places (we love the south island of New Zealand very much, southern part of the the south island in particular), but we dont have much time.
I hope people on this forum could give me some suggestions. really appreciated it.
Sep 14th, 2015, 01:25 AM
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Wow -- if I understand your plans, from this and other posts, you are REALLY trying to fit a LOT in. Your call.
Your trip is in November? That makes a HUGE difference to what one might recommend for Switzerland!
Assuming Nov., you might want to consider Lucerne.
But it really depends on what YOU want to see and experience. Do consider consulting a good guidebook or two. After all, you are about to spend a LOT of money to take this trip! The cost of a guidebook or two will be nugatory, and you can probably consult them at a local library or bookstore...
Your trip is in November? That makes a HUGE difference to what one might recommend for Switzerland!
Assuming Nov., you might want to consider Lucerne.
But it really depends on what YOU want to see and experience. Do consider consulting a good guidebook or two. After all, you are about to spend a LOT of money to take this trip! The cost of a guidebook or two will be nugatory, and you can probably consult them at a local library or bookstore...
Sep 14th, 2015, 04:44 AM
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Nov is really low season in switz - many hotels, restaurants and cable cars/mountain RRs are closed for repairs/renovations for the upcoming winter season. Even if not closed all together there may be much less frequent, esp the various Lake steamers.
Also, the mountains are often shrouded in clouds - so ascending them for the sights may be a very expensive exercise in frustration. And don;t expect the charming Switz you see in posters - green meadows sparkling with wildflowers and inhabited by cute cow with huge bells. These are definitely warm weather sights - by Nov flowers are gone, grass is brown and cows are in their barns and days are often grey and dreary.
So you have to determine what you really want to see/do and check on availability before planning anything.
At the moment it looks like you are just going for Zurich (business) and Geneva (UN and other international orgs) which I would not reco.
Lucerne is one option that is still charming and the lower mountains surrounding it may be less subject to clouds but you really need to check with site of each mountain to see options (Pilatus, Rigi, Titlis).
Also, the mountains are often shrouded in clouds - so ascending them for the sights may be a very expensive exercise in frustration. And don;t expect the charming Switz you see in posters - green meadows sparkling with wildflowers and inhabited by cute cow with huge bells. These are definitely warm weather sights - by Nov flowers are gone, grass is brown and cows are in their barns and days are often grey and dreary.
So you have to determine what you really want to see/do and check on availability before planning anything.
At the moment it looks like you are just going for Zurich (business) and Geneva (UN and other international orgs) which I would not reco.
Lucerne is one option that is still charming and the lower mountains surrounding it may be less subject to clouds but you really need to check with site of each mountain to see options (Pilatus, Rigi, Titlis).
Sep 14th, 2015, 01:50 PM
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thanks so much, nytraveler and kja.
when we booked the round the world trip, we didnt realise that the season means a lot to what we would expect in some part of europe. i will focus on Lucerne and do some researches on the details, such as activities and accommodation.
another question, do you think it is worth spending a night or a few hours in Zurich or Geneva? my wife wants to (sort of) skip Geneva, but may stay in Zurich for a night? what would you suggest considering my current plan?
when we booked the round the world trip, we didnt realise that the season means a lot to what we would expect in some part of europe. i will focus on Lucerne and do some researches on the details, such as activities and accommodation.
another question, do you think it is worth spending a night or a few hours in Zurich or Geneva? my wife wants to (sort of) skip Geneva, but may stay in Zurich for a night? what would you suggest considering my current plan?
Sep 14th, 2015, 05:47 PM
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I agree with Kathie -- with so little time, moving about doesn't make much sense!
It's your call, though. I enjoyed both Zurich and Geneva (Zurich a bit more), but then I like the things that cities offer (museums, etc.) and my time in Switzerland was long enough to include both cities and mountains. If you do go to Zurich, don't miss the glorious Chagall and Giacometti stained glass in the Fraumunster.
It's your call, though. I enjoyed both Zurich and Geneva (Zurich a bit more), but then I like the things that cities offer (museums, etc.) and my time in Switzerland was long enough to include both cities and mountains. If you do go to Zurich, don't miss the glorious Chagall and Giacometti stained glass in the Fraumunster.
Sep 14th, 2015, 10:42 PM
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i will definitely go to Zurich. anyway our train will stop there and its the only train we have booked (apart from eurostar from london to brussels) so far. i will study lucerne and report back when i have more detailed plan.
