Traveling with 2 teenage boys and we have a very short time in Switzerland - 2 days. Better to spend it in Bern or Geneva? <BR>Thanks

claudia, <BR>With due respect, I wonder why you've chosen these two cities . . . is your itinerary driven by business or other travel plans? I wouldn't choose either for a vacation, especially if this is your first trip to Switzerland (which you have not indicated . . .). I think you might be better off choosing between Lucerne (ferry trips across the lake & getting lost in the old town to amuse the boys) or the Berner Oberland (getting lost in the mountains can't be beat). Do a text search here for those two destinations to get some ideas. If you want to get a taste of the French part of Switzerland, I would recommend going to Vevey or Montreux on Lake Geneva, about 1:30 hours by train from Geneva. I prefer them because I prefer the serenity, the ambiance, and the beauty of smaller towns. Again, do a text search here for more ideas. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR> <BR>s

Neither city would be at the top of my list to recommend for a short visit to Switzerland. If you have business reasons for being there, fine. If you've chosen them because the TGV goes there, or another, perhaps arbitrary, reason, consider an alternate. <BR> <BR>If this is your first exposure to Switzerland you might wish to think about Luzern. It's quite picturesque, and looks about as most North Americans would guess Swiss cities look. (Most of them don't, but Luzern does!) <BR> <BR>An interesting, attractive and scenic city in its own right, there are several worthwhile excursions as well. The Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument and world-class Transportation Museum top the list in-city. Lake steamer excursions and the mountains of Pilatus, Titlis and Rigi come first to mind for excursions. <BR> <BR>See www.twenj.com/swissdest.htm if you're interested in more about Luzern as an alternate. <BR> <BR>Depending on interests I'd probably chose Geneva, though Bern is a mighty find city as well. Good base for excursions, which Geneva is not.

Thanks for the input - very helpful. I really appreciate it! I will rethink our plans. <BR>

I have spent a lot of time in Switzerland. Geneva is my least favorite city or town there, in fact one of my least favorites in all of Europe. Bern comes in a close second. Lucerne is wonderful and would probably be my first choice for such a short stay, smaller places like Grindlewald or Murren are even greater. Or near Geneva at least pick Montreaux on the lake. And even Zurich has a lot of charm and character. With only two days I understand the transportation problem, but I'd really try to pick a more interesting city than either Bern or Geneva.

I first saw Geneva 50 years ago. My verdict then: dullsville. An office town. I have returned since. My verdict persists. If it's mountains you want to see, Geneva is not your place. They are usually lost in the mist. Bern? If anything, even duller.

As an aussie working in Bern - I LOVE BERN!! <BR> <BR>THe city has charm. It's amazing to walk through it's medieval streets and not think it a treat. If you're around in the summer .. then you'll notice every corner having something and there's the good ol' swim in the Aare. Depends on when you'll be here. <BR> <BR>A day's trip would suffice for this though BErn is a good base for many things. <BR> <BR>I didn't think much of Lucerne and I've been there many times. I guess it does have the lake going for it and the Lion Monument is brilliant. It is the only reason I bother to go there. It is one of the most expensive places to be in Switzerland. <BR> <BR>But if you're after a lake try lake thun or brienz in the BErner Oberland. Pick a swiss village inthe berner oberland alps (not interlaken) and go for hikes (if summer) or ski (winter). <BR> <BR>Take a trip down to Lake Geneva - Lausanne, Montreaux are good places to be. Not Geneva.. unless you're going to pay homage to the UN .. I can't think of any reason to go there <BR> <BR>B.