Favorite places in Switzerland?
#6
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If it's the mountains, countryside:
- amen, Bob Brown: absolutely Wengen, and around there (Kleine Scheidegg, etc.). The Eiger is on par with the Matterhorn;
- Schönried/Saanenmoser: not the highest mountains, but some of the nicest countryside and the most stunning chalets;
- Chateau d'Oex (stay at the Hostellerie Bon Acceuil), not far from Schönried; go up to the Videmanette
- the "Engadine" (Pontresina, Sils Maria), some of the best hiking anywhere and the best panoramas;
- Adelboden and environs (and treat yourself nice, stay at the Parkhotel Bellevue);
- Arosa when there's a meter or so of fresh snow; take a horse-and-carriage ride under moonlight;
- the walk through the Aletschforest above and along the Aletschglacier
For cities, towns:
- Zurich "old-town" area between Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmat; cozy, boutiquey, tradition, trendy...
- Bern, it's old-town center
- Chur: old eastern Switzerland
Everyone says "Lucerne!", but every tour bus stops there. (It's still a nice place, have to admit...)
And yes, the Matterhorn is stunning. When it's clear and sunny. Don't be surprised if the peak is often covered in clouds...
- amen, Bob Brown: absolutely Wengen, and around there (Kleine Scheidegg, etc.). The Eiger is on par with the Matterhorn;
- Schönried/Saanenmoser: not the highest mountains, but some of the nicest countryside and the most stunning chalets;
- Chateau d'Oex (stay at the Hostellerie Bon Acceuil), not far from Schönried; go up to the Videmanette
- the "Engadine" (Pontresina, Sils Maria), some of the best hiking anywhere and the best panoramas;
- Adelboden and environs (and treat yourself nice, stay at the Parkhotel Bellevue);
- Arosa when there's a meter or so of fresh snow; take a horse-and-carriage ride under moonlight;
- the walk through the Aletschforest above and along the Aletschglacier
For cities, towns:
- Zurich "old-town" area between Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmat; cozy, boutiquey, tradition, trendy...
- Bern, it's old-town center
- Chur: old eastern Switzerland
Everyone says "Lucerne!", but every tour bus stops there. (It's still a nice place, have to admit...)
And yes, the Matterhorn is stunning. When it's clear and sunny. Don't be surprised if the peak is often covered in clouds...
#9
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I second Sharon's comments, having just got back myself.
Lucerne was OK, but Pilatus was fogged in. (The cruise on the lake was nice, anyway.)
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.
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.
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.
Lucerne was OK, but Pilatus was fogged in. (The cruise on the lake was nice, anyway.)
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.
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.
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.
#11
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Where to begin and where to end?
Bern and Lucerne are GREAT.
In late March you'd go to the lakes (Geneva, Thun, Lucerne, Ticino) to get a scent of spring there.
Or you go up in the high mountains (Zermatt, villages in the Engadine/St. Moritz area, Mürren) to have snow and sun.
Just a little correction for Tim: I absolutely love Valposchiavo, but it is still a part of Grisons/Graubünden, not Ticino.
Ingo
Bern and Lucerne are GREAT.
In late March you'd go to the lakes (Geneva, Thun, Lucerne, Ticino) to get a scent of spring there.
Or you go up in the high mountains (Zermatt, villages in the Engadine/St. Moritz area, Mürren) to have snow and sun.
Just a little correction for Tim: I absolutely love Valposchiavo, but it is still a part of Grisons/Graubünden, not Ticino.
Ingo
#13
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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.
#15
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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.
#16
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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.
#18
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Ed,
In Lucerne, the Hotel Des Alpes is reasonably priced (for Lucerne), and has some balconies facing the river for a few extra francs.
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).
#19
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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.
#20
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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!