Mango7

Hi, my wife and I want to go to switzerland for 5 days in late Dec, or Early Jan. Where would be the best place to stay so as to take easy train trips to surrounding big cities? I was going to go to Italy, but I think a warmer time would be better. Thanks

Kurt

where2

Are you interested in staying in a small town and day-tripping to big cities? What big cities are you interested in? Geneva, Zurich, Montreux, Lucerne, Bern. . . these places are fairly spread out. Did you want to stay in/near the mountains? What else do you plan on doing there, any snow activities?

If you are going at Christmas break time it will probably be busy with skiiers in the mountains.

Mango7

Hi Where. Gosh, I only know that I would like to visit the most popular cities/towns that have the most things to do/see. Thanks!

Kurt

Jean

Do a little reading in guidebooks to see which cities/towns have things that would appeal to you. I like Luzern (which everybody seems to like) and Bern (which is not quite as popular). I can't tell you which you'd like more.

Luzern has a lovely setting on a lake with beautiful scenery on the lake and river. Bern, being the capitol, has particularly good train service. It has more museums and indoor attractions, and the main street has arcaded sidewalks.

But I'm not sure why you'd skip Italy in Dec./Jan. and go to Switzerland instead.

simpsonc510

I would agree that Lucerne is a nice place to base yourself. There is plenty to do in Lucerne itself; and then Zurich is only an hour by train, Basel about the same, and Bern as well.

You could also base in Zurich and then train to Lucerne, Bern, Basel, St Gallen... but Lucerne would be my first choice.

Switzerland is beautiful and clean! Enjoy your trip.

Carol

Mango7

Thanks Jean and Carol!!! Sorry I was late in my response

Kurt

suze

Flying into either Geneva or Zurich is easy enough, as the airport and the train stations are attached, both places.

suze

It's going to be just as cold in Switzerland (or colder) as it would be in Italy, so I don't really understand that logic!

Mango7

Suze- I think that Switzerland will be in its "natural" setting in the winter whereas Italy should be more temperate. Thanks for your opinion!

kleeblatt

Staying in Switzerland, especially in the big cities, is no guarantee for snow. Looking out the window, I see a few patches of snow here and there but most of it's gone. And I live at 950 meters.

Five days only? I'd say Bern or Lucerne. Lucerne is nice because it's right on the lake, very central and has a medieval taste to it.

For traditions, exhibitions, etc during your stay, see:
http://www.myswitzerland.com/jvk_as_...rts/EN-web.pdf

Mango7

THanks alot Schuler!!!