Is my itinerary the Best of Switzerland?
May 4th, 2015, 05:59 AM
#101
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I would assume that OP will only have an afternoon at most in Geneva - but they could take the boat from Montreux to Geneva, ending there to be close to their airport for departure - something I always highly recommend.
May 5th, 2015, 04:43 PM
#102
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No boat from Montreux to Geneva. We will be staying near Geneva Airport and will take a train from Montreux Geneva Airport after breakfast. The hotel provides a free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel every 20 minutes. We'll drop our luggage at the hotel and explore Geneva old town and the lake area. We will definitely take a short 1-1.5 hour roundtrip cruise. I will be Sunday and our last full day in Switzerland.
May 6th, 2015, 03:33 PM
#103
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Have you taken a day trip from Nyon across the lake to Yvoire, France? Yvoire is classified amongst the most beautiful villages in France. I am thinking to take a train from Montreux to Nyon, a boat from Nyon to Yvoire and spend a day in Yvoire. I believe a boat ride is covered by a Swiss Pass. Would it be a good day trip from Montreux?
May 6th, 2015, 05:29 PM
#104
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Lev - you have flummoxed moi - I am always looking for new things to do and I have vaguely heard of your proposed aquatic jaunt - any boat ride on Lake Geneva I believe would be covered by a Swiss Pass in full if it's a Swiss boat, like those to Evian-les-Bains from Switzerland, IME - I'll have to - yes HAVE to for my own interests check out that scenario but sounds wonderful.
Cheers,
Palenque
Cheers,
Palenque
May 6th, 2015, 09:20 PM
#106
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Hi Lev,
I've done the trip to Yvoire as a day-trip from Montreux. Yes, it's a nice day -- Yvoire is a lovely town filled with flowers and ancient stone buildings. There are tons of souvenir shops there, and not much to do besides wander the streets of the small town (maybe an hour) and shop.
The ferry ride isn't all that great, and it's kind of short. I went in the Fall, and it was called a "boat-bus."
In my opinion, walking the vineyards of the Lavaux is a much nicer excursion, so I hope you also have a day for that. The Lavaux vineyards can be combined nicely with a visit to Vevey, which I think is a must-see town. I think the ferry ride along the lake under the vineyards is also nicer than just hopping across the lake --
I think the trip to Gruyeres is also nicer than the trip to Yvoire, but I see you've already planned that; I hope you keep it in your plans.
s
I've done the trip to Yvoire as a day-trip from Montreux. Yes, it's a nice day -- Yvoire is a lovely town filled with flowers and ancient stone buildings. There are tons of souvenir shops there, and not much to do besides wander the streets of the small town (maybe an hour) and shop.
The ferry ride isn't all that great, and it's kind of short. I went in the Fall, and it was called a "boat-bus."
In my opinion, walking the vineyards of the Lavaux is a much nicer excursion, so I hope you also have a day for that. The Lavaux vineyards can be combined nicely with a visit to Vevey, which I think is a must-see town. I think the ferry ride along the lake under the vineyards is also nicer than just hopping across the lake --
I think the trip to Gruyeres is also nicer than the trip to Yvoire, but I see you've already planned that; I hope you keep it in your plans.
s
May 6th, 2015, 09:22 PM
#107
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Ok, I looked at some of your early posts, and I see that you have already planned to see the Lavaux. So, if you're already seeing the Lavaux and Gruyeres, then, yes, Yvoire is a nice excursion.
s
s
May 6th, 2015, 10:08 PM
#108
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Thank you swandav2000, You are right we'll have our trip to Gruyeres on the way to Montreux from the Berner Oberland and we will have the whole day for Chateau de Chillon, Vevey and walking the vineyards of the Lavaux (taking a train from Vevey to Chexbres and walk downhill to through the vineyards to Rivaz). We also have the full day for Lausanne and a day for Geneva (the last day in Switzerland) before taking off from Geneva airport early morning. So we have one extra day in Montreux and I am trying to make it meaningful. Good to know that you are supporting an idea of taking a boat from Nyon to Yvoire.
May 7th, 2015, 08:07 AM
#109
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FYI: Montreux Train Station has a new Baggage schedule for 2015: 07:00 - 19:00 Monday-Friday and 8:00-17:00 Saturday-Sunday. See the link:
http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-service...osid.1300.html
It IS great for those who will be using the Fast Bag Service in 2015. In my particular case, if I hand in my luggage at Interlaken Ost train station, I will be able to get I at Montreux train station between 18:00 and 19:00 the same day(If I hand in my luggage at Lauterbrunnen before 09.30 I'll get it at Montreux on the next day after 12.50). So, I can stay 5 hours in Gruyeres from 12:00 to until 17:00 on the way from the Berner Oberland to Montreux and get my luggage at Monterex train station the same day (train leaves Gruyeres at 16:59, arrives to Montbovon at 17:20, Golden Pass train departs from Montbovon at 17:28 and arrives to Montreux at 18:13. I can't take the next train that departs Gruyeres at 17:59 since the Golden Pass train arrives to Montreux at 19:13).
http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-service...osid.1300.html
It IS great for those who will be using the Fast Bag Service in 2015. In my particular case, if I hand in my luggage at Interlaken Ost train station, I will be able to get I at Montreux train station between 18:00 and 19:00 the same day(If I hand in my luggage at Lauterbrunnen before 09.30 I'll get it at Montreux on the next day after 12.50). So, I can stay 5 hours in Gruyeres from 12:00 to until 17:00 on the way from the Berner Oberland to Montreux and get my luggage at Monterex train station the same day (train leaves Gruyeres at 16:59, arrives to Montbovon at 17:20, Golden Pass train departs from Montbovon at 17:28 and arrives to Montreux at 18:13. I can't take the next train that departs Gruyeres at 17:59 since the Golden Pass train arrives to Montreux at 19:13).
May 8th, 2015, 05:32 AM
#110
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Nyon - Yvoire is a 20 min Lake crossing. Yvoire looks nice (if the weather is fine), but there is nothning to see or to visit properly. It's popular with Geneva people for it's many (not really cheap) restaurants and because it can be reached from Geneva by steamboat (1 - 2 hrs according to the number of stops).
May 11th, 2015, 12:01 PM
#112
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I would like to thank everyone who responded to my post and helped me to significantly improve my 14 day itinerary.
I will explore Zurich on my way from Zurich Airport to Luzern, I will have a day trip to Bern and a separate day trip to Murten and the lake area from Luzern. I will be staying in Lauterbrunnen, not Interlaken. I will be staying in Montreux, not Lausanne. I will use a Fast Bag service from Berner Oberland to Montreux.
I will take a Golden Pass train from Berner Oberland and stay for a few hours in Gruyeres on the way to Montreux. I will combine Chateau de Chillon with Vevey and hike in Lauvaux area. I will take a boat to Yvoire, France and spend some time there. I will stay the last night near the Geneva airport and explore Geneva on the last day in Switzerland.
I think it IS now the Best of Switzerland.
Thanks again!!!!! I highly appreciate your feedback.
I will explore Zurich on my way from Zurich Airport to Luzern, I will have a day trip to Bern and a separate day trip to Murten and the lake area from Luzern. I will be staying in Lauterbrunnen, not Interlaken. I will be staying in Montreux, not Lausanne. I will use a Fast Bag service from Berner Oberland to Montreux.
I will take a Golden Pass train from Berner Oberland and stay for a few hours in Gruyeres on the way to Montreux. I will combine Chateau de Chillon with Vevey and hike in Lauvaux area. I will take a boat to Yvoire, France and spend some time there. I will stay the last night near the Geneva airport and explore Geneva on the last day in Switzerland.
I think it IS now the Best of Switzerland.
Thanks again!!!!! I highly appreciate your feedback.
May 11th, 2015, 01:54 PM
#113
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Sweet as Swiss chocolate - And please do report back!
and take anything you will need with you that is possible - toiletries, essentials as sticker shock is for real in Switzerland.
On the way up to Lauterbrunnen there is a large Coop Super Store right across from Interlaken-Ost station - stock up there to on food, booze, whatever as prices are higher in smaller towns with smaller stores, etc.
Cheers,
Pal
and take anything you will need with you that is possible - toiletries, essentials as sticker shock is for real in Switzerland.
On the way up to Lauterbrunnen there is a large Coop Super Store right across from Interlaken-Ost station - stock up there to on food, booze, whatever as prices are higher in smaller towns with smaller stores, etc.
Cheers,
Pal
May 11th, 2015, 04:34 PM
#114
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Hi Pal,
Thank you for the advise. Will do if the Coop Super Store is open on Sunday - the day of our arrival to Interlaken. I know Switzerland is terribly expensive compared to the Euro zone countries. Well... We'll be on a diet and come back home skinny and fit.
I'll definitely report back when we come back from our trip.
Thank you for the advise. Will do if the Coop Super Store is open on Sunday - the day of our arrival to Interlaken. I know Switzerland is terribly expensive compared to the Euro zone countries. Well... We'll be on a diet and come back home skinny and fit.
I'll definitely report back when we come back from our trip.
May 11th, 2015, 06:25 PM
#115
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PAL is right. The COOP in Interlaken is huge compared to the COOPS in Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. We had fun walking around and picking up snacks for picnics, even bought a couple warmer shirts. I became a sort of vegetarian during our stay in Switzerland because meat was so expensive. Just remember that you cannot just pop into the grocery anytime you wish. They are usually closed anywhere from 1-3pm and then they close promptly at 5pm. Ask me how I know...didn't make that mistake more than once. Have fun!!!
May 12th, 2015, 07:39 PM
#118
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I agree with PalenQ. When I travel in Europe, I usually identify what I want to see reading Rick Steves travel books. I create an itinerary for a certain timeframe based on his advice. It is exactly what I did planning my trip to Switzerland. He gave ‘Don’t miss’ rating (3 stars) to Bern and the Berner Oberland area. He gave ‘Try hard to see’ rating (2 stars) to Luzern and Central Switzerland, Zurich, Murten, Lake Geneva and French Switzerland, Appenzell and Scenic Rail Journeys. He have ‘Worthwhile if you can make it’ (1 star) to Zermatt and the Mattherhorn, Lugano, Pontresina, Samedan, and St.Moritz. I decided to skip the Appenzell area and Liechtenstein. I also decided to skip Zermatt since Berner Oberland has much higher priority. I have never been to the lake area in Northern Italy and I was thinking to skip Lugano and Pontresina this time and taking Bernina Express from Lugano to Pontresina when exploring the lake area in Northern Italy. Does it make sense? So... according to Rick Steves rating my itinerary maybe not the best of Switzerland, but pretty close to be the best of Switzerland. Why shouldn’t I trust the travel expert and you, guys, who polished my itinerary making it much more efficient?
May 12th, 2015, 09:31 PM
#119
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You shouldn't trust us -- because our opinions are all different. As neckervd said, "the best" depends too much on personal preferences of every person.
My own "best of Switzerland" would put the Engadin Valley (St Moritz/Pontresina) far above the Oberland area. Apparently Steves doesn't even mention Gstaad and the Saanenland, and that's my very favorite part of Switzerland after Montreux. And then, the very best, for me, is 2 weeks in Montreux.
I would never, ever rate a scenic train as a destination in itself, as apparently Steves does. A scenic train is fine if you are going to the two destinations anyway, but I would never suggest it as a destination, especially if taking it means less time outside.
The problem with Steves is that he streamlines his recommendations, and he leaves out a whole lot of stuff that can interest travellers. He's done a great job presenting a neat package to help folks who might be intimidated about travelling abroad, but it's not true that he presents a thorough or complete picture in his recommendations.
Once a traveller makes his/her plans, then I feel I can help maximize the time in the place s/he's chosen. But I rarely "help" people decide where to stay. It's just too personal of a decision.
s
My own "best of Switzerland" would put the Engadin Valley (St Moritz/Pontresina) far above the Oberland area. Apparently Steves doesn't even mention Gstaad and the Saanenland, and that's my very favorite part of Switzerland after Montreux. And then, the very best, for me, is 2 weeks in Montreux.
I would never, ever rate a scenic train as a destination in itself, as apparently Steves does. A scenic train is fine if you are going to the two destinations anyway, but I would never suggest it as a destination, especially if taking it means less time outside.
The problem with Steves is that he streamlines his recommendations, and he leaves out a whole lot of stuff that can interest travellers. He's done a great job presenting a neat package to help folks who might be intimidated about travelling abroad, but it's not true that he presents a thorough or complete picture in his recommendations.
Once a traveller makes his/her plans, then I feel I can help maximize the time in the place s/he's chosen. But I rarely "help" people decide where to stay. It's just too personal of a decision.
s
May 13th, 2015, 08:40 AM
#120
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swandav2000,
Please keep in mind that I have never been to Switzerland before and as the first time traveler I do not want to miss something recommended by travel experts and people who have visited this country before. I assume that you traveled to Switzerland more than once, can compare different areas of the country and know what the best of Switzerland is for you as of today. My situation is different and have tried to include ‘must see’ places to my itinerary based on my interests, timeframe, future travel plans and your, guys, opinion. I agree that some people who are visiting France for the first time may skip Paris and some people who are visiting Russia for the first time may skip Moscow and St. Petersburg, but it is not me. My Swiss itinerary may be not the best of Switzerland, but I believe it is pretty good for the first time visitor to the country.
Please keep in mind that I have never been to Switzerland before and as the first time traveler I do not want to miss something recommended by travel experts and people who have visited this country before. I assume that you traveled to Switzerland more than once, can compare different areas of the country and know what the best of Switzerland is for you as of today. My situation is different and have tried to include ‘must see’ places to my itinerary based on my interests, timeframe, future travel plans and your, guys, opinion. I agree that some people who are visiting France for the first time may skip Paris and some people who are visiting Russia for the first time may skip Moscow and St. Petersburg, but it is not me. My Swiss itinerary may be not the best of Switzerland, but I believe it is pretty good for the first time visitor to the country.
