How to spend a glorious week in Switzerland?
 

Based on StCirq's suggestion, I've decided to take a trip to Switzerland.

I am calling on the Helvetia experts here to custom-make me a week-itinersry in Switzerland.

I know my honesty has earned me a few enemies here, so please no snarky comments from the trolls.

How about 3 days in Bern, 1 day in Lucerne, and 3 Murren/Gimmewlad?

I once saw a picture of a famous guesthouse in Gimmelwald which has sweeping views over the Alps. But I can't remember the name. It goes by the name of the lady who owns it.

What's there to eat beside the famous Swiss chocolate? Do they offer cow watching tours?

Thanks in advance

Bern for three days - one day is great but unless doing day trips why Bern- spend that time better IMO on Lake Lucerne or in the Jungfrau Region.

And yes check out the Swiss Pass- fully valid for travel to Murren and Gimmelwald (a tiny place I stayed one night in the local hostel next to the local hotel - won't be hard to track down that lady's place.

One night drove me crazy but if into remote areas with nothing to do but watch the awesome scenes (cows are in the hills until cold weather) - Murren is a proper town and just a few mile walk or gondola ride from Murren.

Murren is too isolated IMO from the main sights of the Jungfrau Region - you have to go down to Lauterbrunnen to get anywhere else- everyone who stays in Wengen loves it - a car-less town like Murren and better located.

For lots on Swiss trains and passes and things like the Half-Fare Card check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com - all have lots on the Jungfrau region as well.

Lake Lucerne offers so much more than Bern IMO - lovely boat rides - thrilling train up Mt Pilatus, Lucerne's mountain and Mt Rigi, a celebrated viewpoint. Swiss passes pass fully on lake boats, city transports, trains and give 50% off most gondolas and cables to mountain tops. Can buy on arrival in Switzerland.

Thanks PalenQ. Very informative.

I chose Murren, because I want three days to get away from it all. Isn't that what the Alps are all about?
But I will consider Wengen. It looks lovely.

Why don't Geneva and Zurich get much love from the travel experts?

Agree with Pal: More time in the Lauterbrunnen Valley (my pick is Wengen). You can go Bern as a daytrip from there on a less than perfect weather day.

Am not sure how you would "watch" cows. All they do is stand in a pasture and eat grass - or chew their cud. Probably one of the least interesting animals anywhere.

You might want to visit the Ballenberg Museum of Swiss Life near Brienz, which will have examples of swiss farms and traditional buildings and I'm sure some cows.

Th eonly real event is when they are taken up into the mountain pastures in late spring or back into the lowlands at the end of the summer. But this is a single event - and again not really that interesting.

Much as I love Berne, I'd shift a day to the Bernese Oberland. Like twk, I prefer Wengen to Murren; neither is a bad choice.

I found much to enjoy in both Geneva and Zurich, but it doesn't look like you have time for them.

You might want to look at my trip report for some ideas.

And get yourself a copy of the <i>Michelin Green Guide</i>.

<< I found much to enjoy in both Geneva and Zurich, >>

I did also!

Hi, I happen to love Murren. Spent about 3 days there some years ago, there were waterfalls all around our mountain cabin across from the cabin on the mountains. There is a tram up to the top of the mountain which is lovely. great food, cheese fondue. If you like nature, it is a really nice spot. Maybe not a hot night spot for young people. Sue

BTW, season makes a huge difference -- when would you take this trip?

Mürren is a very good choice if you want to get away from things. Especially in the evenings, when the day trippers are gone, it is very quiet. I also prefer it over Lauterbrunnen, the latter is in a narrow, deep valley with tall cliffs towering above the town which can have a threatening, depressing effect to some people.

Wengen is a bit larger, has more hotels, is also sunnier (especially in the afternoon). My favourite in the Jungfrau region actually.

Three days in Bern are fine if you want to be in a city. Good for day trips to the lakes region (Neuchatel, Biel, Murten), too. I once spent four nights there and didn't run out of things.

Frankly, I'd shift one day from Bern to Lucerne. The latter also has lots of things to do.

I like Zürich a lot, Geneva not so much, btw.

As for food - cheese of course, dried meat (Bünderfleisch) and salsiz (sort of small salami), all sorts of fish from the lakes (Egli fillet e.g.), excellent Swiss wine, the bread, carrot cake, Zuger Kirschtorte (cherry fancy cake) and so many other delicious things ...

With only a week? Bern would (actually MIGHT get) one day, tops. I'd spend more time in Zurich than Geneva; you haven't even thought about eastern LacLeman or the beautiul Graubunden and I agree with getting as far ABOVE Lauterbrunnen as possible but not for more than three days.

Some of my favorite typical (basic places) Swiss dishes:

Rosti potatoes
Perch filets (different from perch in the US)
Soups in chilly weather (esp asparagus)
Fondue/scraped potatoes
Bunderfleisch

What you mut know about switzerland :
- Bâle est un trou;
- on trouve Mademoiselle Fell à Sion, pas ailleurs;
- Zurich's airport is called Kloten, which means balls in flemish. Makes for dicey landings;
- swiss chocolate has dramatically improved since they bought some belgian chocolate makers.

I have been numerous times in Switzerland and don't like much the cities (I like Geneva and Bern I think, dislike Bâle) but love the alps.
I have been mostly skiing but I gather it is also ok in summer time.

So for me CH is not fully appreciated if you don't go into the mountains. You didn't say when you were going btw.

Ah, CH is quite expensive... Swiss franc (CHF) went through the roof a few years back and never really came back at reasonable level.

What are your interests?
Do you want to visit the "postcard" places popular with Asian and American tourists (Lucerne-Berne-Jungfrau area) or do you want to get a impression of real Switzerland?

I chose Murren, because I want three days to get away from it all. Isn't that what the Alps are all about?>

Well Gimmelwald is paramount of all places in the Jungfrau Region for that. Murren is just a short walk away for amenities of a proper town.

I like Murren too but logistically from what most do it is more remote- have to take two devices to get down to Lauterbrunnen - a train and then cable car. Swiss Pass is however valid the whole way so a factor if staying in Murren-Gimmelwald (from latter cable to Stechelberg then postal bus or flat few mile walk to Lauterbrunnen, with Trummelbach Falls (must!) on the way.

I chose Murren, because I want three days to get away from it all. Isn't that what the Alps are all about?>

there are many places in the Alps where you can get away from it all better than Murren or Gimmelwald - heavily touristed - maybe go to some other Alpine area and really seclude yourself like in an Alpine hut?

1-Thanks everyone.
I don't mind touristy as long as pretty.

What would you say is the most beautiful village/region in all of Switzerland. Is it not the Bernese Oberland?

2-Has anyone taken the train journey from Chur to Martigny? Rick Steves recommends this as the most scenic train ride in Europe.

Does he ride with his head out the window on the way to Martigny, the way he usually does?

2-Has anyone taken the train journey from Chur to Martigny? Rick Steves recommends this as the most scenic train ride in Europe.>

Yes that is part of the Glacier Express route and is hardly the most scenic train IME in Switzerland let alone Europe.

Martigny to Chamonix is IMO much prettier as well as the Bernina Pass Railway, to me Europe's most scenic railway.

Are you sure Rick rates that section # 1? Hard to believe.