I will be traveling to Switzerland May 31st with my 77 year old Mom (she's is in relatively good physical shape but walks slow)We're trying to decide whether Grindelwald or Interlaken might be the best place to spend several days. We'd like to visit Thun, Murren, Interlaken, Bern and Grindelwald while in this region. If you've visited this area before I'd love to hear from you as to which town would make the best hub. Also, need an inexpensive hotels with a private bath.<BR>Merci

Are you interested in getting into position to see the giants of the Berner Oberland Range as well as the lake towns?<BR>While Spiez and Thun are interesting and scenic towns to visit, the mountains are the chief attraction for most people who visit this area. <BR><BR>Grindelwald is reached by train from Interlaken Ost on a private rail line known as the BOB. Normal Swiss Passes are valid as far as Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.<BR>If you want the mountains stay in Grindelwald, or perhaps even M&uuml;rren or Wengen. The latter two villages are not reached by automobile, at least not by visitors; you take a mountain train to Wengen from Lauterbrunnen and you ride a cable lift and a little train from Lauterbrunnen to M&uuml;rren.<BR><BR>Of the four places, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen, and M&uuml;rren, Grindelwald is the largest, most active, and most crowded. Wengen and M&uuml;rren offer the most gorgeous views. Lauterbrunnen, on the floor of the valley, has a few hotels, and serves as a transportation center although quite a few waterfalls are visible from the main street. (Transportation is why I selected Lauterbrunnen the first time; now I go back because I like the apartment and know how to get around the area.)<BR><BR>If you are going to be in the area for as long as 6 days, why not consider a vacation apartment? They are available and the price is cheaper than hotels with more living space, usually.<BR>(The apartments usually rent by the week in peak season, but 7 days rent on an apartment would be about 5 days rent on a hotel room, or even 4 days.)<BR><BR>I unfortunately have no suggestions for hotels because I don't stay in them when I am in that area. I rent an apartment by the week and spend quite a few days there each visit.<BR><BR>

I have stayed at both Interlaken and Grindelwald and if I were traveling with my 77 year old mom there is no question that I would choose Interlaken. It is perfectly flat and offers the shops and areas I think an older person would enjoy. Grindelwald is about a 35 train ride up the mountain from Interlaken and we primarily stay there for the fabulous lifts/gondolos/walks it has to offer. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you might have. We will be returning to Grindelwald in May for the 3rd time, but we have also spent a good deal of time in Interlaken. Thun is also one of my favorite towns.

I second the recommendation for Interlaken. Its a touristy town but with an older person may be the best idea. We have stayed at Sunny Days. Lovely rooms with baths and great breakfast. Their rooms range from 110-148SF. www.sunnydays.ch.

Rene,<BR><BR>I have to respectfully disagree with Diane & ptmy; I think Interlaken is too spread out for someone in "relatively good physical shape." <BR><BR>I took my 73-year-old mother to Grindelwald last August, and even though Grindelwald is relatively compact, she never got beyond mid-village. Still, she thought Grindelwald was charming. Her favorite village? Wengen. It's smaller than Grindelwald, so she easily walked the length of the main street through town. And she thought the village itself was more picturesque and the mountain views more stunning.<BR><BR>We spent one day shopping the main street in Interlaken, and it simply exhausted her. Really. She looked like she had just finished a marathon run!<BR><BR>So if I were doing this over again, I would stay in Wengen; I would arrange to have an electric cart meet me & mom at the station; I would spend a day on the ferries of Lakes Brienz & Thun rather than shopping in Interlaken.<BR><BR>I've stayed in the Hotel Alpenrose in Wengen, and I think it's a great bargain. Splendid views. Remember, your mother may be staying in the hotel room longer than you normally would when you travel alone, so giving her a cozy "home" with splendid views may be more important than getting to various excursions (my mother and I didn't do **any** of the excursions I had planned).<BR><BR>Feel free to e-mail me!<BR><BR>s

From my experiences from traveling in this area, my own personal preference would be to stay in Grindlewald;however, you mentioned that you would be traveling with an elderly woman. Based on what you said about the age of the woman, I would stay in Interlaken.<BR><BR>But someone also mentioned Wengen. I think a 77 year old woman in fairly good shape could stroll up and down the main street with little problems.<BR><BR>Some of the town of Wengen is an uphill jaunt, but you all could stay close to the rail station to avoid excessive walking.<BR><BR>Since you also want to do Thun and the lake areas, I think Interlaken would be the best choice.<BR><BR>Keep Wengen in mind though if you'r Mother is in good enough shape to do "some" uphill walking

Thanks very much for the different opinions.....me and Mom will decide soon with your help! Merci