best way to visit Mustair & Convent of St John
May 20th, 2016, 07:41 PM
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best way to visit Mustair & Convent of St John
Please help with logistics. DH and I will be staying in Pontresina in August, and going from there to Guarda in the Lower Engadine. Should we send our 2 small bags ahead on the train to Guarda, and stop en route to see the Convent? It looks like we will detrain at Zernez and continue to Val Mustair by postal bus.
Perhaps it would be better to just go from Guarda?
There is so much to do in our few days in the Lower Engadine! I would like to use our time wisely.
Thank you, Fodorites for so many wonderful ideas for our Swiss itinerary!!
Perhaps it would be better to just go from Guarda?
There is so much to do in our few days in the Lower Engadine! I would like to use our time wisely.
Thank you, Fodorites for so many wonderful ideas for our Swiss itinerary!!
May 21st, 2016, 12:20 AM
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I would make it a full day from Guarda. Will you have a Graubünden pass for public transportation? This would make a loop by train and bus via Austria (Nauders) and South Tyrol/Italy (Lake Reschen, Mals e.g.) possible. Very scenic!
If not, add a short hike/walk in the National Park/around Pass dal Fuorn to the visit of convent St. John. Or a visit of the National Park info centre in Zernez.
If not, add a short hike/walk in the National Park/around Pass dal Fuorn to the visit of convent St. John. Or a visit of the National Park info centre in Zernez.
May 21st, 2016, 01:58 AM
#3
Both trips will be memorable and highly recommended. Guarda is a beautiful traditional village, almost a living museum, that shouldn't be missed.
As for the National Park, Ofenpass and Mustair, they all are very beautiful as well.
There's so much to do in the Engadin area. Enjoy your stay!
As for the National Park, Ofenpass and Mustair, they all are very beautiful as well.
There's so much to do in the Engadin area. Enjoy your stay!
May 21st, 2016, 06:57 AM
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Perhaps an overnight in Mustair is preferable as kja planned?
I see there will be construction work along Bus 811 route with limited service, and NONE to Glurns.
Are there transportation options here? The Lodge in Guarda is not available until 2pm.
Thank you, thank you!!
I see there will be construction work along Bus 811 route with limited service, and NONE to Glurns.
Are there transportation options here? The Lodge in Guarda is not available until 2pm.
Thank you, thank you!!
May 21st, 2016, 08:58 AM
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I am not a fan of one-nighters. And I don't think it's necessary.
According to sbb.ch the roadworks mean detours, Glurns will be skipped in direction from Mals to Müstair - Zernez, all as usual in the opposite direction. No problems with going Mals to Müstair to Zernez.
Well, you're not saying you don't know what to do with your time the day you move from Pontresina to Guarda, do you? You could stop in Zuoz (beautiful village with two churches to see, keys at tourist info, great for an hour walking around ...) or Zernez (a visit in National Park centre) e.g.
Or leave later from Pontresina, check out museums there, or stop in Samedan (churches, Chesa Planta ...)
According to sbb.ch the roadworks mean detours, Glurns will be skipped in direction from Mals to Müstair - Zernez, all as usual in the opposite direction. No problems with going Mals to Müstair to Zernez.
Well, you're not saying you don't know what to do with your time the day you move from Pontresina to Guarda, do you? You could stop in Zuoz (beautiful village with two churches to see, keys at tourist info, great for an hour walking around ...) or Zernez (a visit in National Park centre) e.g.
Or leave later from Pontresina, check out museums there, or stop in Samedan (churches, Chesa Planta ...)
May 22nd, 2016, 01:23 PM
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Thank you, Ingo!!
We'll definitely visit Samedan and Zuoz.
I have had a blast living vicariously the day trips you recommended in the dynamite TR by melanq8. (And several others you have written!!) THAT is the reason we have plenty of ideas for our time in the Engadine.
Just a few details are still on my plate. Some have suggested the Jungfraubahn pass in the Bernese Oberland, and you asked about the Graubunden Pass.
We will have the Swiss Travel Pass, but do not plan to take the train up Junfraujoch. The mountain hikes are what we are looking forward to. Do you think we need the Jungfraubahn pass also?
The Pontresina hotel provides Public transportation AND cable cars for the days we are there.
We have 5 nights in Guarda, plus en route Pontresina->Guarda if we stop at Kloster San Jon, so, 4 1/2 days. Which Graubunden Pass should we get? Is it easy to get one before we leave Pontresina?
When I read your replies, I can see your smiling face in front of that gorgeous vegetable salad--I think it was the Restaurant at Muottas Muragl?
Thank you so very much for being so generous with your time & knowledge!
We'll definitely visit Samedan and Zuoz.
I have had a blast living vicariously the day trips you recommended in the dynamite TR by melanq8. (And several others you have written!!) THAT is the reason we have plenty of ideas for our time in the Engadine.
Just a few details are still on my plate. Some have suggested the Jungfraubahn pass in the Bernese Oberland, and you asked about the Graubunden Pass.
We will have the Swiss Travel Pass, but do not plan to take the train up Junfraujoch. The mountain hikes are what we are looking forward to. Do you think we need the Jungfraubahn pass also?
The Pontresina hotel provides Public transportation AND cable cars for the days we are there.
We have 5 nights in Guarda, plus en route Pontresina->Guarda if we stop at Kloster San Jon, so, 4 1/2 days. Which Graubunden Pass should we get? Is it easy to get one before we leave Pontresina?
When I read your replies, I can see your smiling face in front of that gorgeous vegetable salad--I think it was the Restaurant at Muottas Muragl?
Thank you so very much for being so generous with your time & knowledge!
May 23rd, 2016, 09:41 AM
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Thanks for the kind words, you're welcome!
To your questions -
No, I do not think you'll need the Jungfraubahnenpass on top of the Swiss Pass. You can travel free with that Swiss Pass to the villages (Grindelwald, Mürren, Wengen) and get a decent discount on the cable cars/cog-railways that run higher up. I do not think it would pay off to buy the Jungfraubahnenpass, too.
Same goes for Graubünden Pass. If you have the Swiss Pass for all the days you are in Guarda, then you don't need the Graubünden Pass.
LOL, no, the salad was not had at Muottas Muragl. Don't know exactly which picture you refered to, but it wasn't there.
Enjoy your trip and if any other questions come up, don't hesitate to ask.
I.
To your questions -
No, I do not think you'll need the Jungfraubahnenpass on top of the Swiss Pass. You can travel free with that Swiss Pass to the villages (Grindelwald, Mürren, Wengen) and get a decent discount on the cable cars/cog-railways that run higher up. I do not think it would pay off to buy the Jungfraubahnenpass, too.
Same goes for Graubünden Pass. If you have the Swiss Pass for all the days you are in Guarda, then you don't need the Graubünden Pass.
LOL, no, the salad was not had at Muottas Muragl. Don't know exactly which picture you refered to, but it wasn't there.
Enjoy your trip and if any other questions come up, don't hesitate to ask.
I.
Jun 10th, 2016, 11:12 PM
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I've just now come across this thread (I was traveling) and see that you already got advice from experts. 
As a rare traveler who honestly does not mind single-night stays, I was very glad that I made time for a single night in marvelous Mustair. One of my most enduring memories of my stunningly memorable month in Switzerland was walking through a field of grain edged by blooming flowers near the ancient monastery there as the sun set, listening to a few moments of an intense chorus of cowbells high on the hill (dinner time!), as I watched lights coming on in various farm and town buildings and as shadows stretched their arms across the fields. Then a truly memorable meal at the Helvetica (oh, the pizoccals!), a brief visit to its spa, an exceedingly comfortable night, and a deliciously diverse breakfast.... No, no reason to spend a night there. ;-)
Honestly, though, there is no need to stay a night there -- I was also glad to spend several nights in both Guarda (such charm!) and Pontresina (such easy access to the delights of the Upper Engadine!). FWIW, I loved the Hotel Meisser in Guarda -- worth considering, IMO.
Please raise a glass for me while in this amazing part of the world! No matter how many glorious places I have been fortunate enough to see, I sometimes still awake to images of the walk from Guarda to Ardez, or the walk through the Val Bregaglia, or the panoramic walk from Muottas Muralg to Alp Languard. OMG, I got to see those places!!! And trust that you, too, will be awed.
Enjoy!
As a rare traveler who honestly does not mind single-night stays, I was very glad that I made time for a single night in marvelous Mustair. One of my most enduring memories of my stunningly memorable month in Switzerland was walking through a field of grain edged by blooming flowers near the ancient monastery there as the sun set, listening to a few moments of an intense chorus of cowbells high on the hill (dinner time!), as I watched lights coming on in various farm and town buildings and as shadows stretched their arms across the fields. Then a truly memorable meal at the Helvetica (oh, the pizoccals!), a brief visit to its spa, an exceedingly comfortable night, and a deliciously diverse breakfast.... No, no reason to spend a night there. ;-)
Honestly, though, there is no need to stay a night there -- I was also glad to spend several nights in both Guarda (such charm!) and Pontresina (such easy access to the delights of the Upper Engadine!). FWIW, I loved the Hotel Meisser in Guarda -- worth considering, IMO.
Please raise a glass for me while in this amazing part of the world! No matter how many glorious places I have been fortunate enough to see, I sometimes still awake to images of the walk from Guarda to Ardez, or the walk through the Val Bregaglia, or the panoramic walk from Muottas Muralg to Alp Languard. OMG, I got to see those places!!! And trust that you, too, will be awed.
Enjoy!
Jun 11th, 2016, 05:54 PM
#9
<<oh, the pizoccals!)>>
ABSOLUTELY don't miss them!
We didn't...thanks to kja.
As I described in my trip report following that visit, the
pizoccals were absolutely fabulous; little pockets of melt-in-your-mouth heaven, a light gnocchi/pasta-like creation covered in cream, butter and bits of air dried beef and sausage. Eating them was almost a religious experience.
Ah man, now I'm hungry.
ABSOLUTELY don't miss them!
We didn't...thanks to kja.
As I described in my trip report following that visit, the
pizoccals were absolutely fabulous; little pockets of melt-in-your-mouth heaven, a light gnocchi/pasta-like creation covered in cream, butter and bits of air dried beef and sausage. Eating them was almost a religious experience.
Ah man, now I'm hungry.
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