Favorite places in Switzerland?
 

Surveying people on their favorite Swiss places since we will be traveling there in late March. How's Bern or Lucerne? Is the Matterhorn incredible? Thanks for your imput.

Lucerne is just great!

Zermatt and the Matterhorn are fantastic.

Switzerland is my favorite country in Europe. My favorite place is a tie between Zermatt and Luzern.

The Berner Oberland in general; Lauterbrunnen in particular -- mainly because of its central location making access to Wengen, the Mannlichen ridge, and Murren so easy.<BR>

If it's the mountains, countryside:<BR><BR>- amen, Bob Brown: absolutely Wengen, and around there (Kleine Scheidegg, etc.). The Eiger is on par with the Matterhorn;<BR>- Sch&ouml;nried/Saanenmoser: not the highest mountains, but some of the nicest countryside and the most stunning chalets;<BR>- Chateau d'Oex (stay at the Hostellerie Bon Acceuil), not far from Sch&ouml;nried; go up to the Videmanette<BR>- the "Engadine" (Pontresina, Sils Maria), some of the best hiking anywhere and the best panoramas;<BR>- Adelboden and environs (and treat yourself nice, stay at the Parkhotel Bellevue);<BR>- Arosa when there's a meter or so of fresh snow; take a horse-and-carriage ride under moonlight;<BR>- the walk through the Aletschforest above and along the Aletschglacier<BR><BR>For cities, towns:<BR><BR>- Zurich "old-town" area between Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmat; cozy, boutiquey, tradition, trendy...<BR>- Bern, it's old-town center<BR>- Chur: old eastern Switzerland <BR> <BR>Everyone says "Lucerne!", but every tour bus stops there. (It's still a nice place, have to admit...)<BR><BR>And yes, the Matterhorn is stunning. When it's clear and sunny. Don't be surprised if the peak is often covered in clouds...<BR>

I have to agree that Lucerne is my favorite. Make sure to take a trip to Mount Pilatus. Boat ride across lake, train trip up mountain to unbelievable views.<BR>Really enjoyed Basel too.

Just got back from Switzerland. We loved the old town of Bern, Lucerne, Zermatt, Lake Geneva cruise, and atop Gonergrat viewing the incredible mountain peaks and the Matterhorn.

I second Sharon's comments, having just got back myself. <BR><BR>Lucerne was OK, but Pilatus was fogged in. (The cruise on the lake was nice, anyway.)<BR><BR>Zermatt was foggy and rainy the evening I arrived, but clear, sunny and stunning the next day. Gornergrat cograil trip was all the Matterhorn, etc. you could want.<BR><BR>Loved Montreux. Two train hours from Zermatt and a wonderful, garden-like lakeside walkway. Take the ferryboat over to Chillon castle for a few hours.<BR><BR>Last but not least: the Chur-Tirano train (Eurailpasses are good) that goes over the Bernina pass. The Val Poschiavo on the sunny south side (Ticino) is stunning -- reminded me of "Lost Horizons." Would love to have stayed there for a few days.

The stretch along Lac Luman from Geneva including: Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux. But I have friends who live there, that I stay with, so I am prejudice in favor of this region. Never been to Bern or Lucerne.<BR>

Where to begin and where to end?<BR><BR>Bern and Lucerne are GREAT.<BR><BR>In late March you'd go to the lakes (Geneva, Thun, Lucerne, Ticino) to get a scent of spring there.<BR><BR>Or you go up in the high mountains (Zermatt, villages in the Engadine/St. Moritz area, M&uuml;rren) to have snow and sun.<BR><BR>Just a little correction for Tim: I absolutely love Valposchiavo, but it is still a part of Grisons/Graub&uuml;nden, not Ticino.<BR><BR>Ingo

Villars is what I pictured Switzerland to look like . . .half timbered houses, lots of flowers in the windows, snow capped mountains in the background. It's a very subjective thing . . . I'd be surprised to hear mention of Villars in this post.

Anywhere in the Ticino. As a longtime Italiaphile I found the Ticino to be the best of both worlds; all of the great food, enthusiasm, wine, love, beauty, art, ancient castles... coupled with Swiss efficiency and cleanliness. Bellinzona is a beautiful town and Lago Maggiore is so peaceful and gorgeous it will make your teeth hurt. The Centovalli is an incredible train and bike ride.

Tim - if you're seriously planning on going to Zermatt in March:<BR><BR>- book way in advance - it will be Spring-season skiing;<BR>- if you can budget a 4-star hotel, try Hotel Julen: has a super wellness center besides being a great hotel.<BR>

Hi Tim C. You have not said how long you will be in Switzerland? That clue will let us know how selective we have to be. There are just so many wonderful places. Are you driving? training? Do you like to stay in one place and day-trip or move every other day? Are you a hiker? Museum visitor? Big cities? Villages? J.

Me, again. Like Ingo, 'Favorite Places in Switzerland' almost overwhelms me. I don't know where to begin, and when I start listing places, I feel like I am being unfaithful to others. If you have nothing to do some rainy afternoon or cannot sleep in the middle of the night, Tim, read our SGFTWLS's part I, II, & III. (Grasshopper, I loved your comment about the beauty of Maggiore making your teeth hurt. What a wonderful expression.) Actually, 'm just topping this in the hope that you'll receive some more responses. I never tire of reading them. Affectionately, J.

Planning a trip to Germany/Switzerland in Sept. next year. Plan on stopping in Lucerne and Lugano. Need suggestions on good quality, reasonably priced Hotels. All help appreciated. Thanks.<BR>P.S. Also need accommodations in Munich.

<BR>Ed,<BR><BR>In Lucerne, the Hotel Des Alpes is reasonably priced (for Lucerne), and has some balconies facing the river for a few extra francs.<BR><BR>In Lugano, The Montarina (hotel, next to the hostel) is decent for around $80, not far from the train station (good or bad, depending...) Having said that: If I was spending a few days in the Lugano area, I would take a flyer on the the Bellavista (tried to find it at Vico Morcote, but took the wrong stairway and had to head back catch the boat).

We were in Lucern in July and Mt. Pilatus was fogged in then also. It was really a disappointment. All three days we were in town were nothing but fog. The nice thing though was there is plenty to do. If you are a hiker( we are just casual walkers) there are plenty of marked maps all over the Vierwaldstettersee area. We walked to Bergenstock , a smaller mountain and had very nice views because it is not as high. Have a great time! Wish I could try Mt. Pilatus again fog free. It was very scary with fog because you did not know where the drop offs were.

We absolutely loved the Berner Oberland! We stayed in Wengen in the Hotel Belvedere (www.belvedere-wengen.ch). The hotel staff was wonderful. We got a room with a view of the Jungfrau, cloudy the first day, absolutely breathtaking the next. If you can take the train to the Jungfrau it is worth every penny to be on top of the mountain. Im not sure how it would be in March, but I absolutely loved it in Wengen in September!

Amen - Wengen is heaven. Have stayed a few times at the Hotel Caprice, also in a room with a Jungfrau-view; nothing can really beat it!

Take a boat trip from Lucerne across the lakes. It was the best part of our trip!!

Good morning, Tim C.<BR>My list of favorite places in CH is as<BR>follows&quot;<BR>1. The Berneroberland, Murren, Wengen<BR>and Grindelwald, Kleine Scheiigg,,<BR>Schlithorn and Jungfrau, seems a berrer<BR>view from Piz Gloria..and the lakes of<BR>Thun and Brienz..<BR>2. Zermatt, with its town, gondolas and<BR>cable cars up to Kleine Matterhorn and<BR>Schwarzeersee, the Matterhorn and<BR>Gonnergrat and Mt. Rosa, and no cars.<BR>View of Matterhorn from Kleine Matterhorn is great..<BR>3. Luzern, with its old down, lion, Swiss Transport Museum, the Lake, Mts.<BR>Rigi, Pilatus and Titlis..<BR>4. Berne, with its arcades, clock tower<BR>and bear pit along with the old, how<BR>closed Kornhauskeller was great in the<BR>past. There arfe many other places within CH but these are the best four.<BR>Richard of LaGrange Park, Il.

I too liked Montreux but thought that Chillon castle was a bit disappointing. It is such a shame that they built it so close to the railway track don't you think?

Brad<BR><BR>You really are a stupid fool. Do you not think that maybe the railway was build after the chateau was?

Will, I think Brad knows that.

hey will: were you really behind the door when brains were handed out or just on the train out of montruex?

xx<BR><BR>I don't think he knows that. Can't you read? Perhaps Brad is a sarcastic one, otherwise he is a very ignorant one. Either way I don't think you can assume he knows that from his post.<BR><BR>As for your peculiar comment JJ, all I can say is that at least I can write you illiterate knob end.

knob end?

Anyone else out there besides Will who really thinks Brad doesn't know the 9th Century castle was built before the 19th century railroad? Anyone?

Is Will correct? Was the castle really bult before the railroad? Geez, that castle is real old then.

Train tracks?<BR><BR>When the train zooms in from Aigle, the ten-second view of Chillon on the lake as it whips by is absolutely stunning...

We seem to have derailed Tim C's thread, but there are more stunning views out of train windows in Switzerland than any other country, no contest.<BR><BR>Favorite places -- Bern, Lausanne, Lugano, Zurich's old town for larger towns, but my heart is in the small lake villages like those of lakes Thun, Brienz, Leman (you must walk the vineyards), Lugano, and Maggiore. And some inland towns -- Solothurn, Schaffhausen, Altdorf, and Chateau D'Oex. J.

Switzerland is probably our favorite country in Europe. My husband and I have visited several times. In fact, we're leaving for Switzerland and Germany tonight for an early Christmas trip. <BR><BR>Unfortunately, it took us three trips to discover the best that Switzerland has to offer - the mountainous region of the Bernese Oberland. The first two visits we stayed in Bern and took day trips to various points in Switzerland. While we had a good time on those visits, we have since discovered that we prefer the serenity of the mountain villages to the hustle and bustle of the cities.<BR><BR>Murren and Wengen are our favorites - they're both quiet, car-free alpine villages with countless hiking opportunities.<BR><BR>The railway to the Jungfraujoch (the highest railway in Europe) is an excellent, albeit expensive, must-see, but only if the weather is good. Our day on the Jungfrau was the highlight of one of our visits. <BR><BR>The cable car to the top of the Schilthorn (a 2,970 meter peak, which provides a spectacular 360 panorama of the surrounding mountains) is also a great excurision (from Murren) but only on a clear day.<BR><BR>The cog wheel train to Gornergrat (from Zermatt)is the most popular railway in Switzerland - it offers views of the Matterhorn from an elevation of 3,100 meters. This trip is best undertaken in good weather conditions and offers ample photo opportunites. Personally, I preferred the Jungfrau and the Schilthorn however, as views to the Matterhorn are quite good from the village of Zermatt.<BR><BR>Yes, the Matterhorn is pretty incredible!<BR><BR>In Murren we stay at the Hotel Alpenruh, a moderately priced hotel with nicely appointed rooms and unobstructed mountain views - www.schilthorn.ch.<BR><BR>In Wengen, our favorite hotel is Hotel Bellevue - a small, moderately priced, family run hotel on a quiet hillside with a great view of the Jungfrau and the Lauterbrunnen valley.<BR><BR>We've also stayed in Zermatt, but we prefer to visit in the off season, when it's nice and quiet. Our hotel of choice in Zermatt is Hotel Biner, which is situated near the river, a 10-15 minute walk from the center of the village - www.hotel-biner-zermatt.ch.<BR><BR>We've stayed in Zurich several times, but strictly overnight for the purpose of catching flights the following day. <BR><BR>Most people who visit the Bernese Oberland base themselves in Interlaken, and then make day trips into the mountains. We did this once, but found that we much prefer staying IN the mountains, instead of merely looking at them.<BR><BR>If you like lots of people and nightlife, you'll enjoy Interlaken. If you prefer quiet and serenity, you'd do better to stay in a mountain village above Interlaken (such as Wengen or Murren).<BR><BR>I hope this helps - enjoy your trip and be sure to take lots of film!

Zermatt is a wonderful town, be it for hiking into the mountains or skiing. Don't know your travel plans but if you are then heading east to Austria, The glacier express is a train that will take you there and it is breathtaking. An 8 hour train ride has never been so enjoyable.

Went ot Switzerland in Sept. with my husband, we loved Bern - medieval center with great views. Also stayed in Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland - it's very convenient for various alps trips. Stayed at Sunny Days Bed and Breakfast for about $95/night. Murren is beautiful and I loved Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) including Vevey and Lausanne. Have fun!

From what I hear Zermatt might be my favorite place but I have yet to make the trip. Getting close. I hear many sad stories about travelers whose one and only chance to view the majesty of the Matterhorn is spoiled by the weather. I had planned to go in June or July of 2003 but learned that July was a wash out this year. Some info from Virtual traveler indicated that mid September to mid october might be the best chance of clear, blue cloudless skys ??