Is Murren a Good Place to Base Oneself in the Berner Oberland?
Jan 29th, 2008, 11:08 AM
#21
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Swiss breakfasts are not as elaborate and varied as Danish breakfasts, but a whole lot better than Italian.
The typical Swiss hotel breakfast is a cold buffet, with an assortment of breads and rolls, maybe croissants or brioche, jams, butter, sliced meats and cheeses, boiled eggs, fruit (whole or cut up), yogurt, Müesli and other cold cereals, and several juice choices.
The Alpenrose has a photo of theirs:
http://www.alpenrose.ch/SiteAlpenrose.html
And the Bellevue describes theirs:
"There is coffee, tea, milk, ovomaltine or chocolate, rolls, croissants, ′muesli“, cereals, jam, honey, butter, boiled eggs, ham, salami, different Swiss cheeses, fruit juice, fruit and yogurt. Hot food is not included in the breakfast (you can order scrambled or fried eggs). The bread is freshly delivered by our bakery every day."
The only differences I have found between different hotels is in the freshness and variety of breads offered, the flakiness of the croissants, and the number of different jams and cereals. The cheeses and ham are pretty much standard. One place we stayed even offered an assortment of butters, from rustic butter from a local farm, to the more standard.
I think any of the hotels you are considering will have a top-notch Swiss breakfast, with the freshest possible breads, etc.
I love this kind of breakfast. When my adult kids (with whom we have been to Switzerland twice now) come to visit, we always make a good Swiss-style Frühstück.
The typical Swiss hotel breakfast is a cold buffet, with an assortment of breads and rolls, maybe croissants or brioche, jams, butter, sliced meats and cheeses, boiled eggs, fruit (whole or cut up), yogurt, Müesli and other cold cereals, and several juice choices.
The Alpenrose has a photo of theirs:
http://www.alpenrose.ch/SiteAlpenrose.html
And the Bellevue describes theirs:
"There is coffee, tea, milk, ovomaltine or chocolate, rolls, croissants, ′muesli“, cereals, jam, honey, butter, boiled eggs, ham, salami, different Swiss cheeses, fruit juice, fruit and yogurt. Hot food is not included in the breakfast (you can order scrambled or fried eggs). The bread is freshly delivered by our bakery every day."
The only differences I have found between different hotels is in the freshness and variety of breads offered, the flakiness of the croissants, and the number of different jams and cereals. The cheeses and ham are pretty much standard. One place we stayed even offered an assortment of butters, from rustic butter from a local farm, to the more standard.
I think any of the hotels you are considering will have a top-notch Swiss breakfast, with the freshest possible breads, etc.
I love this kind of breakfast. When my adult kids (with whom we have been to Switzerland twice now) come to visit, we always make a good Swiss-style Frühstück.
Jan 29th, 2008, 01:39 PM
#22
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Swisshiker: Is your reference to the Hotel Edelweiss the one in Muerren or Wengen? I'm interested because the Hotel Edelweiss in Wengen seems to be a budget choice in which I'm interested for this summer, and there are only 2 reviews on TripAdvisor. Did you like it?
Jan 29th, 2008, 03:48 PM
#23
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lovisa, I was speaking of the Hotel Edelweiss in Murren:
www.edelweiss-muerren.ch
Dukey - here's a link to the triathlon. It's August 23rd. It was absolutely unbelievable to watch all these runners cross the finish line on the deck of the Schilthorn, knowing the tremendous effort they just accomplished. If nothing else, check out this link (under the heading "Triathlon" at the top) just to see their route of swimming, biking, and running. I'm certain this has to be one of the toughest triathlons in the world.
http://www.inferno.ch
enzian - I love the Swiss breakfasts, especially the muesli. Certainly you've got a recipe you could share
www.edelweiss-muerren.ch
Dukey - here's a link to the triathlon. It's August 23rd. It was absolutely unbelievable to watch all these runners cross the finish line on the deck of the Schilthorn, knowing the tremendous effort they just accomplished. If nothing else, check out this link (under the heading "Triathlon" at the top) just to see their route of swimming, biking, and running. I'm certain this has to be one of the toughest triathlons in the world.
http://www.inferno.ch
enzian - I love the Swiss breakfasts, especially the muesli. Certainly you've got a recipe you could share
Jan 29th, 2008, 06:52 PM
#24
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We are planning a 2 night stay at Interlaken in early october mainly to get a sense of Switzerland. Do you think it is the best place to base ourselves. We are travelling by train to Venice after. How far apart are all these villages you mention ie Murren, Wengen. Is it a good day trip from Interlaken. Sorry so many questions.
Jan 29th, 2008, 07:09 PM
#25
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Hi Dukey.
My travel companion and I will be returning to Lauterbrunnen for the 9th time in July.
So, why Lauterbrunnen and why the return visits?
The return part is easy: We love the mountains and Chalet Horner is a known, convenient entity.
Now, why do we continue to stay in Lauterbrunnen when other options abound?
Most of all, it is most convenient for everything we want to do.
From Lauterbrunnen we can go anywhere we are able in the Berner Oberland. We do indeed visit the other villages during the day, but we return to Lauterbrunnen to sleep!
For example, Mürren on the west side of the valley is easily reached from Lauterbrunnen. It is very easy to go up there for a beautiful lunch on the terrace of several good places to eat and/or drink. The views are astoundingly beautiful, ones we never tire of.
Wengen, on the east side of the valley, is also very easy to reach by train. It too provides beautiful views.
From Wengen, one can go higher to Kleine Scheidegg, the jumping off point for the Jungfraujoch by train, or several excursions on foot.
Also from Wengen one can go higher by cable lift (Luftseilbahn) to the crest of the ridge which towers over the valley for panoramic views of the whole Berner Oberland.
Grindelwald is easily accessible by train or car from Lauterbrunnen. From Grindelwald, a gondola takes you higher to a station called First which has the most beautiful terrace around. It provides unbeatable views of the north face of the Eiger.
Or from Grindelwald you can take the Post Bus to Grosse Scheidegg (great or large pass) where there are trails to various views, or you can sit on the terrace of the cafe and enjoy the views just as you can at First.
Also, if you are so inclined you can ride the short cable lift up to a station on the side of the mountain called Pfingstegg and walk the trail to Stieregg. Once there, you are in a position to view the innards of the mountain and glacial world of the high Alps.
If you want to range farther afield, you can take the train and bus to the Museum of Swiss Life (outside) for a full day of viewing restored farm houses and farm equipment.
Also the boat rides on Lake Brienz or Lake Thun are easily available from Interlaken, which is about 7 to 8 miles away depending on where you go.
If you have a car and really want to roam, Luzern is not all that far over the Brünig Pass. On the other side of the Berner Oberland is the Valley of the Rhone. In one day we have driven to Zermatt, taken the train to the Gornergrat, and returned in the same day with daylight to spare.
I could go on, but those are the essential reasons why we continue to visit Lauterbrunnen: convenience, transportation, and accessbility to the views.
My travel companion and I will be returning to Lauterbrunnen for the 9th time in July.
So, why Lauterbrunnen and why the return visits?
The return part is easy: We love the mountains and Chalet Horner is a known, convenient entity.
Now, why do we continue to stay in Lauterbrunnen when other options abound?
Most of all, it is most convenient for everything we want to do.
From Lauterbrunnen we can go anywhere we are able in the Berner Oberland. We do indeed visit the other villages during the day, but we return to Lauterbrunnen to sleep!
For example, Mürren on the west side of the valley is easily reached from Lauterbrunnen. It is very easy to go up there for a beautiful lunch on the terrace of several good places to eat and/or drink. The views are astoundingly beautiful, ones we never tire of.
Wengen, on the east side of the valley, is also very easy to reach by train. It too provides beautiful views.
From Wengen, one can go higher to Kleine Scheidegg, the jumping off point for the Jungfraujoch by train, or several excursions on foot.
Also from Wengen one can go higher by cable lift (Luftseilbahn) to the crest of the ridge which towers over the valley for panoramic views of the whole Berner Oberland.
Grindelwald is easily accessible by train or car from Lauterbrunnen. From Grindelwald, a gondola takes you higher to a station called First which has the most beautiful terrace around. It provides unbeatable views of the north face of the Eiger.
Or from Grindelwald you can take the Post Bus to Grosse Scheidegg (great or large pass) where there are trails to various views, or you can sit on the terrace of the cafe and enjoy the views just as you can at First.
Also, if you are so inclined you can ride the short cable lift up to a station on the side of the mountain called Pfingstegg and walk the trail to Stieregg. Once there, you are in a position to view the innards of the mountain and glacial world of the high Alps.
If you want to range farther afield, you can take the train and bus to the Museum of Swiss Life (outside) for a full day of viewing restored farm houses and farm equipment.
Also the boat rides on Lake Brienz or Lake Thun are easily available from Interlaken, which is about 7 to 8 miles away depending on where you go.
If you have a car and really want to roam, Luzern is not all that far over the Brünig Pass. On the other side of the Berner Oberland is the Valley of the Rhone. In one day we have driven to Zermatt, taken the train to the Gornergrat, and returned in the same day with daylight to spare.
I could go on, but those are the essential reasons why we continue to visit Lauterbrunnen: convenience, transportation, and accessbility to the views.
Jan 29th, 2008, 08:33 PM
#26
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bob_brown---it sounds like you travel with a car in Switzerland. In that case, Lauterbrunnen makes sense.
But without a car, I would prefer to stay in the higher villages, where I have those gorgeous views the first thing upon rising in the morning, and the last thing before bed at night (moonlight off the Jungfrau, anyone?)
Wengen down to Lauterbrunnen is 12 to 13 minutes on the train.
Mürren down to Lauterbrunnen is a bit longer---from 22 to 28 minutes, which includes a thrilling cablecar ride.
But without a car, I would prefer to stay in the higher villages, where I have those gorgeous views the first thing upon rising in the morning, and the last thing before bed at night (moonlight off the Jungfrau, anyone?)
Wengen down to Lauterbrunnen is 12 to 13 minutes on the train.
Mürren down to Lauterbrunnen is a bit longer---from 22 to 28 minutes, which includes a thrilling cablecar ride.
Jan 29th, 2008, 09:49 PM
#27
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Bob,
Thanks very much for your wonderful detailed post...just the sort of information I appreciate. In the past we have not used a car in Switzerland but would not rule it out, either.
Enzian also, thank you for pointing out those travel times and for the information about the breakfasts (my favorite meal of the day0.
SwissHiker..thanks for that rather awesome link...WOW!
Thanks very much for your wonderful detailed post...just the sort of information I appreciate. In the past we have not used a car in Switzerland but would not rule it out, either.
Enzian also, thank you for pointing out those travel times and for the information about the breakfasts (my favorite meal of the day0.
SwissHiker..thanks for that rather awesome link...WOW!
Jan 29th, 2008, 10:12 PM
#28
Mariebut -
We too, chose Interlaken as a base one year but instantly regretted it, as everything we wanted to see was ABOVE Interlaken. We've since been back many times and always choose Wengen, Murren or Grindelwald. We're eyeballing Lauterbrunnen for "next time".
You can reach any of the villages mentioned from Interlaken, but if you want to stay IN the Alps instead of merely look up at them, you might want to go a wee bit higher.
We too, chose Interlaken as a base one year but instantly regretted it, as everything we wanted to see was ABOVE Interlaken. We've since been back many times and always choose Wengen, Murren or Grindelwald. We're eyeballing Lauterbrunnen for "next time".
You can reach any of the villages mentioned from Interlaken, but if you want to stay IN the Alps instead of merely look up at them, you might want to go a wee bit higher.
Feb 17th, 2008, 03:58 AM
#30
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I have stayed in Murren and Grindelwald a few times and once in Wengen. Each has it's own merits but one of the things I appreciate about Murren is the sunset view over Eiger and Mönch. These "main" mountains changed their color to sort of orange when I stayed in Murren for the first time about 20 years ago. Probably that's what made me a Murren fan. In oder to see that, you have to have a accomodation there or at least stay there late enough. But after dark, it's true, the village becomes so quiet. Good thing to some, not so to others.
This was taken a bit too late for the sunset I described above. Eiger & Mönch. Jungfrau is hidden when you are in Murren. Sky next to Eiger is still slightly pink.
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...fert050026.jpg
This was taken a bit too late for the sunset I described above. Eiger & Mönch. Jungfrau is hidden when you are in Murren. Sky next to Eiger is still slightly pink.
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...fert050026.jpg
Feb 17th, 2008, 08:10 AM
#31
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We have done the Berner Oberland with and without a car. The first visit, no car. We confined our travel to Wengen, Mürren, Grindelwald, Wilderswil, and Interlaken.
For 3 days, Mürren or Wengen. For a week, where I am going various places, I prefer Lauterbrunnen.
As for the car, we have tried it both ways. A car adds to the cost, but boosts the freedom and flexibility of travel.
Last year we drove from Munich to Lauterbrunnen. Having done it once by car, I doubt if I will use the train again until I get too old to drive. (Which may be sooner rather than later.)
Of course any trip to the Alps is going to be a combination of car and mountain transportation.
At least at Chalet Horner, I don't pay extra for the parking spot.
For 3 days, Mürren or Wengen. For a week, where I am going various places, I prefer Lauterbrunnen.
As for the car, we have tried it both ways. A car adds to the cost, but boosts the freedom and flexibility of travel.
Last year we drove from Munich to Lauterbrunnen. Having done it once by car, I doubt if I will use the train again until I get too old to drive. (Which may be sooner rather than later.)
Of course any trip to the Alps is going to be a combination of car and mountain transportation.
At least at Chalet Horner, I don't pay extra for the parking spot.
