How to spend a glorious week in Switzerland?
Aug 29th, 2016, 06:00 PM
#21
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I wouldn't want to have to choose between the Bernese Oberland and the Lower Engadine (or other parts of Graubunden). Both are gloriously beautiful; they are also surprisingly different.
Again, when you want to go is critically important.
Again, when you want to go is critically important.
Aug 29th, 2016, 09:26 PM
#22
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Hi Loacker,
Different people like different areas of the country. Some like the Engadin Valley the most (I've found this to be true of mainly German-speaking visitors who like to hike into the mountains). I personally favor the scenery around Gstaad (lower and greener rolling hills with peaks only at around 2000m).
The Jungfrau region does have an advantage with tourist infrastructure, though. It has many, many hotels and vacation apartments at every level; it has many, many restaurants and cafes at every corner; it has easy and convenient transport into the region & throughout the region; and it has a whole, whole lot of folks who speak English as well as you and I. So, for a first-time, English-speaking visitor, the Jungfrau region is a convenient and easy way to see the glory of the Alps.
Like PalenQ above, I think the most scenic train ride in Switzerland is the Bernina Express, especially the part from Poschiavo to Scuol.
However, I would never exchange time outside on a mountaintop or on a mountain trail for time inside a scenic train, sitting passively and watching the scenery through windows. The views are multitudes better when you get away from man-made stuff and get the sun on your face & wind in your hair.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Different people like different areas of the country. Some like the Engadin Valley the most (I've found this to be true of mainly German-speaking visitors who like to hike into the mountains). I personally favor the scenery around Gstaad (lower and greener rolling hills with peaks only at around 2000m).
The Jungfrau region does have an advantage with tourist infrastructure, though. It has many, many hotels and vacation apartments at every level; it has many, many restaurants and cafes at every corner; it has easy and convenient transport into the region & throughout the region; and it has a whole, whole lot of folks who speak English as well as you and I. So, for a first-time, English-speaking visitor, the Jungfrau region is a convenient and easy way to see the glory of the Alps.
Like PalenQ above, I think the most scenic train ride in Switzerland is the Bernina Express, especially the part from Poschiavo to Scuol.
However, I would never exchange time outside on a mountaintop or on a mountain trail for time inside a scenic train, sitting passively and watching the scenery through windows. The views are multitudes better when you get away from man-made stuff and get the sun on your face & wind in your hair.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Aug 29th, 2016, 11:26 PM
#23
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Some scenic train rides in Switzerland:
Tirano - Bernina Pass - Pontresina - Albula Pass - Schyn Gorge - Reichenau - Ruinaulta Gorge - Ilanz - Oberalp Pass - Andermatt - Schoellenen Gorge - Goeschenen - Leventina - Bellinzona - Locarno - Centovalli - Simplon Pass (by Postbus) - Brig - Old Loetschberg line - Kandersteg - Spiez - Gstaad - Montreux - Martigny - Chamonix - St. Gervais;
Bellinzona - Laveno (plus ferry to Intra - Stresa);
Lausanne - Pidoux-Chexbres - Vevey - Les Pleiades;
Biel/Bienne - Neuchatel - Yverdon - Ste Croix;
Thun - Brienz - Lucerne;
Neuchatel - La Chaux-de-Fonds - Saignelegier - Glovelier;
Bellinzona - Lugano - Capolago;
St. Moritz - Scuol (plus bus to Martina - Mals and train Mals - Meran);
Zermatt - Brig - Oberwald (plus bus to Meiringen or Airolo);
Tirano - Bernina Pass - Pontresina - Albula Pass - Schyn Gorge - Reichenau - Ruinaulta Gorge - Ilanz - Oberalp Pass - Andermatt - Schoellenen Gorge - Goeschenen - Leventina - Bellinzona - Locarno - Centovalli - Simplon Pass (by Postbus) - Brig - Old Loetschberg line - Kandersteg - Spiez - Gstaad - Montreux - Martigny - Chamonix - St. Gervais;
Bellinzona - Laveno (plus ferry to Intra - Stresa);
Lausanne - Pidoux-Chexbres - Vevey - Les Pleiades;
Biel/Bienne - Neuchatel - Yverdon - Ste Croix;
Thun - Brienz - Lucerne;
Neuchatel - La Chaux-de-Fonds - Saignelegier - Glovelier;
Bellinzona - Lugano - Capolago;
St. Moritz - Scuol (plus bus to Martina - Mals and train Mals - Meran);
Zermatt - Brig - Oberwald (plus bus to Meiringen or Airolo);
Aug 30th, 2016, 11:57 AM
#25
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No, check out this article http://www.transitionsabroad.com/pub...f_europe.shtml
*thank you all for your suggestions by the way.
*thank you all for your suggestions by the way.
Aug 30th, 2016, 01:30 PM
#26
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OK - but that is something no one who has taken other Swiss train routes would say - No one -maybe Rick made a mistake -that was from 2000 in another magazine besides his own - I bet he don't say that on his current web site.
Sep 4th, 2016, 01:35 PM
#27
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I'm planning to take this trip next summer. But I like to plan early for the fun of it.
So here's the revised itinerary:
Lucerne (2 days)
Bern (1 day)
Wengen (4 nights)
With a Day trip to Murren and Gimmelwald
What about that cable car that goes to the top of the Schiltorn or Matterhorn (can't remember). Would you recommend I do this whole in Wengen?
Does Wengen offer selfie opportunities with a Swiss cow?
So here's the revised itinerary:
Lucerne (2 days)
Bern (1 day)
Wengen (4 nights)
With a Day trip to Murren and Gimmelwald
What about that cable car that goes to the top of the Schiltorn or Matterhorn (can't remember). Would you recommend I do this whole in Wengen?
Does Wengen offer selfie opportunities with a Swiss cow?
Sep 5th, 2016, 08:12 AM
#28
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What about that cable car that goes to the top of the Schiltorn or Matterhorn (can't remember). Would you recommend I do this whole in Wengen?>
do it on your day trip to Murren and Gimmelwald - take the long cable way from Murren to Schilthorn/Piz Gloria (the latter the name of the building there with the famous revolving restaurant in it) - a great day all told -not much to linger for in Gimmelwald.
do it on your day trip to Murren and Gimmelwald - take the long cable way from Murren to Schilthorn/Piz Gloria (the latter the name of the building there with the famous revolving restaurant in it) - a great day all told -not much to linger for in Gimmelwald.
Sep 7th, 2016, 03:28 PM
#30
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<i>How to spend a glorious week in Switzerland?
Posted by: Loacker on Aug 28, 16 at 6:56pm
I know my honesty has earned me a few enemies here, so please no snarky comments from the trolls.
What's there to eat beside the famous Swiss chocolate? Do they offer cow watching tours?</i>
Honesty? Never heard of you before. Honestly.
When is this glorious week? What do you want to do? See everything or kick back?
I like Geneva. Most people don't because they don't know the city and don't take the time to get into it. I had some great experiences there in a two month stay.
Cow watching? Who is the snarky one? This is projection perfecto.
Posted by: Loacker on Aug 28, 16 at 6:56pm
I know my honesty has earned me a few enemies here, so please no snarky comments from the trolls.
What's there to eat beside the famous Swiss chocolate? Do they offer cow watching tours?</i>
Honesty? Never heard of you before. Honestly.
When is this glorious week? What do you want to do? See everything or kick back?
I like Geneva. Most people don't because they don't know the city and don't take the time to get into it. I had some great experiences there in a two month stay.
Cow watching? Who is the snarky one? This is projection perfecto.
Sep 8th, 2016, 08:35 AM
#31
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I like Geneva. Most people don't because they don't know the city and don't take the time to get into it.>
I have stayed in Geneva and looked all around it and the area and yes it is nicer than most folks here portray it BUT IMO there are much more nicer areas in Switzerland if on a short trip to spend your time in.
Geneva, Zurich, Bern, Basel are all really nice cities but the lure of Switzerland for many is in its gorgeous Alpine areas.
I have stayed in Geneva and looked all around it and the area and yes it is nicer than most folks here portray it BUT IMO there are much more nicer areas in Switzerland if on a short trip to spend your time in.
Geneva, Zurich, Bern, Basel are all really nice cities but the lure of Switzerland for many is in its gorgeous Alpine areas.
Sep 22nd, 2016, 12:31 AM
#34
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Heidi didn't exist in real life. Heidi is just the main person in a story invented by the Swiss Author Johanna Spyri.
The Alp mentioned by Johanna Spyri may be somewhere above Maienfeld , in a not breathtaking area. Therefore all Heidi movies were made in other, more postcard like areas, some of them more than 50 kms away.
Some 30 years ago, the tourist managers of Bad Ragaz invented the brand "Heidiland" for their area.
The Alp mentioned by Johanna Spyri may be somewhere above Maienfeld , in a not breathtaking area. Therefore all Heidi movies were made in other, more postcard like areas, some of them more than 50 kms away.
Some 30 years ago, the tourist managers of Bad Ragaz invented the brand "Heidiland" for their area.
Sep 22nd, 2016, 11:11 AM
#37
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We stayed in Lauterbrunnen for a week and were never bored for a minute. It was very scenic and quiet. Every day we did a day-trip, hike, or some other activity like a chocolate tour in Interlaken.
Our trip was in 2006. I remember doing the following:
The Jungfrau
Trummelbach Falls
The Golden Pass railroad
Day hikes
Chocolate Making Tours
Day Trip to Bern
Our trip was in 2006. I remember doing the following:
The Jungfrau
Trummelbach Falls
The Golden Pass railroad
Day hikes
Chocolate Making Tours
Day Trip to Bern
Sep 22nd, 2016, 02:13 PM
#38
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We stayed in Lauterbrunnen for a week and were never bored for a minute.>
This is why I always recommend the Jungfraujoch Region over say Zermatt because there is a plethora of varied things to see and do here and not just one famous mountain that may or may not appearfor days on end.
Hiking in Zermatt is great but the Jungfraujoch area has hikes for all wishes - pick up a copy of Jungfrau Magazine (may be online now) in your hotel free lit rack and all the main trails are color-colded in three colors - from a piece of cake- average and difficult- chose one to fit your wishes.
This is why I always recommend the Jungfraujoch Region over say Zermatt because there is a plethora of varied things to see and do here and not just one famous mountain that may or may not appearfor days on end.
Hiking in Zermatt is great but the Jungfraujoch area has hikes for all wishes - pick up a copy of Jungfrau Magazine (may be online now) in your hotel free lit rack and all the main trails are color-colded in three colors - from a piece of cake- average and difficult- chose one to fit your wishes.
