Hi All,

Trying to narrow down our plans here as we leave in November.

We are first timing it to Alsace and CH. As such this is the plan....

Arrive in Alsace on Wed. night and stay there for 3 nights/2 days, traveling the area on the wine route. Then, drive to Luzern....either options 1 or 2 or 3?

1- Spend the day in Luzern...then at end of day, drive to Interlaken and spend 3 nights there (maybe in Murren?)...we want to do the highlights (Jungfrau and Schilthorn), then off to Paris

2 - leave Alsace and spend day and NIGHT in Luzern, then, leave Luzern and spend 2 nights in Interlaken...then off to Paris

or

3 - Spend 3 nights in Luzern and day trip to the Berner Oberland area....then, off to paris

I am struggling with:

weather will determine what we do, so I am not sure if we should stay in B/O area the whole time for sleeping....

and, if you were just trying to see the highlights and didn't have a lot of time, would you stayin Interlaken or Murren? Many places are closed this time of year.

Thank you so much!

and, if you were just trying to see the highlights and didn't have a lot of time, would you stayin Interlaken or Murren?

I have not been to this area in November, only summer. I can tell you that Interlaken would be better for train connections as it takes extra time to get down from Murren to Interlaken. Additionally, check the train schedule as there are fewer trains after approximately 10 a.m. (if I remember correctly). Many people like Lauterbrunnen because of it's proximity to the train. Perhaps this might be an option for you.

Zacky,

Unfortunately, November is probably the worst possible month to visit the Alps - most places will be closed and weather conditions are generally bad. I would nix the Interlaken area, there's hardly anything to do if the weather is bad - Murren is not an option(I doubt any hotels are open anyway). Luzern is an option, as it's a pretty town with stuff to do if it rains (Rosengart collection, Transport Museum). Otherwise, I would recommend Bern.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Andre -
Are you serious? You are breaking my heart! I want to take my husband here and see this area so very much.

Actually, plenty of places are still open and we have plenty of options to stay within the B/O area. but, yes, some places are indeed closed.

What about staying in Interlaken for one night and trying it out...then the other 2 nights in Luzern?

Thank you for your help!

Zacky,

I'm looking out of my office window in Zurich right now and it's cold (about 7?C) and rainy. This is the kind of weather you are very likely to encounter throught the end of November. Needless to say, it will be snowing in higher elevations. As mentioned, I would avoid the Interlaken area due to a lack of indoor activities should the weather not cooperate, but you can always gamble...

If you're feeling like a splurge, check out the Victoria-Jungfrau hotel though. It has superb indoor sports/spa facilities.
www.victoria-jungfrau.ch

Are there really hotels open in Mürren in November?? Wow.

Another thing to consider is the possibility of snow on the Brünig pass connecting Interlaken and Luzern - if your car doesn't have snow tyres, you'll have to take a lengthy detour.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Andre,
Wow! Thanks for the info. You have helped us to make our final plans, then. As sad as I am not to stay in the Interlaken area, I think you are right. Besides - you are there as we speak and know first hand. We are thinking of staying at Chateau Golden gate in merlischachen, just 8 km from Luzern. I read about it in the karen brown guide. Do you know the town? Itis so close to Luzern adn has so much to do at the property, I thought it woudl be a nice, relaxing break. Or, we could just stay in Luzern?

Thanks,

Zacky,

Here's a link to their web site:
http://www.schloss-hotel.ch/

Hmmm... doesn't strike me as particularly appealing to be honest, but then themed rooms aren't really my thing. Why don't you do a search on this forum? There are tons of posts here about lodging in & around Luzern.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Hi all. Andre, if you have not already, perhaps you might visit the Switzerland/Austria thread to advise the couple who want to drive all over Switzerland and Austria in November. Ingo has tried to discourage that, but maybe your vivid weather description will help. J.

Oh, apologies, Zacky, for interrupting your thread. An Alsace/Swiss combination sounds wonderful. I hope the weather gods will smile on you. By the way, Thun on its lake near Interlaken is a lovely town to visit. J.