We just returned on Saturday from a wonderful two weeks based in Grindelwald, Switzerland. Any questions, please feel free to ask. Diane.

I am going to Switzerland in mid June. I plan to stay in Interlaken for two nights, 2 nights in Luzern and one night in Zurich. I am not sure if I should choose a base city like you did and then make day trips to Interlaken Luzern and Zurich. How's your experience in Grindelwald? Did you stay in hostel there? <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance

I hope I can give you some good advice for your trip, but we have never stayed at a hostel. At this stage of our life, we prefer a hotel with private bath. As to location, we found Interlaken to be so crowded that would not be my first choice as a home base. We were there 6 years ago, and I could not believe how much it has changed. Grindelwald is about 35 minutes by train from Interlaken and well worth the extra trip away from the congestion. We stayed in Luzern the last evening of our trip, and while it is a busy city, was very enjoyable. We have stayed in Zurich several times over the past few years as our final evening prior to departure to home, and it too is a big city, but very interesting. If you would like more specifics, please let me know. Diane.

Thanks Diane. I definitely need to look at my itinerary again and consider staying at Grindelwald instead of Interlaken.

Hello! <BR>I've heard that Grindlewald is overrun with tourists and overpriced. What is your opinion? Did you visit Gimmelwald or Murren? We might go this summer and spend a few days hiking. Is Grindlewald right in the mountains? Thanks!

Good afternoon, Paige <BR>True, that a large number of tourists <BR>move thru Grindelwald in a day, Hotels <BR>and other accomodations are in all classes available. A couple of <BR>definate pluses for Grindelwald is <BR>for the hiker, here are a few examples <BR>On Grindelwald First <BR>Grindelwald First to Schynige Plate-6hr <BR>First-Bussalp Grindelwald- 5 hrs. <BR>First-Grosse Scheidegg-Grindelwald-3 1/2 hrs <BR>First-Oberhaus-Grindelwald - 2 1/4 hrs. <BR>Bort-Bussalp- Grindelwald 3 1/2 hrs. <BR>plus many others <BR>From Grindelwald is the gondola bahn <BR>to the top of the Mannlichen, from <BR>there trails. e.g Mannlichen-Kleine <BR>Scheidegg- 1 1/2 hrs. <BR>Wengen-Kleine Scheidegg - 3 1/2 hrs <BR>again plus many others. <BR>In order to reach Gimmelwald you take <BR>a cable car from the valley floor. <BR>to reach Murren, either by incline <BR>railway/street car or cable car. <BR>Here you would have to return to the <BR>valley floor to get to the other places <BR>in the area... <BR>Ricard of La Grange Park, Il...

The Bernese Oberland is really amazing. Anywhere you stay you will have a great trip. <BR> <BR>Having said that, it is my opinion that every place mentioned in these posts is "touristy" in some way or other. You just have to decide what is most important to you. <BR> <BR>I like Gimmelwald because it has all the amenities, a range of hotels, restaurants, etc., and the tourists tend to be older and European, and so more low-key than tourists in places like Interlaken. You can spend all day in the mountains and then return home to a comfortable hotel and a good dinner. Also there seems to be a good range of hotels: from hostels to fairly high end places. <BR> <BR>Interlaken is a sprawling place overrun with tourists, mostly young American backpackers. It may be a better choice for the hostel crowd, although I would think it would be far less convenient for doing anything in the mountains. <BR> <BR>Gimmelwald and Murren are pretty, but are very remote and are filled with Americans. One shouldn't go there expecting to get to stay in a traditional Swiss Alpine village. Both places are very small, but there are tons of tourists walking around with the Rick Steves' guidebook.

I am planning on going there this Sept 18. Is the weather still nice then and are the major crowds thinned a bit? I was thinking of staying in Lucerne the first night on the way to Mureen for a few and then on to Geneva 1 night on the way to Paris. Is that good or would you rec. better places. I'll have a car.

Yes, Grindelwald is right in the mountains. Spectacular! The apartment we stayed in (Chalet Abendrot) was about a 15 minute walk from the train station. Our apartment had two balconies, one of the Eiger and the other of the Wetterhorn with the village church in the foreground. The lift to "First" did not open until the second week we were there, but it was well worth the wait. Lots of great hikes in the area. It is amazing how beautiful even a field of dandelions and buttercups can be. Wild flowers were in abundance. The tourists were starting to arrive in mass as we were leaving last week, but it does not compare to the congestion in Interlaken. We will definitely consider staying in Grindelwald on future visits.

Diane, <BR>We also had a wonderful experience in Grindelwald last summer. I got the information from the tourist bureau that listed apartments, and I studied the map to find one on the 'quiet' side of the valley rather than near the town itself. We had rented a car and took a one lane road up to Chalet Am Renn. We had three bedrooms, kitchen, living room, balcony, and terrace for eating outdoors for about $110 a night. It was inexpensive and in a very quiet location. Friends stayed further up the mountain in a larger apartment, Chalet Spinne. Both would be highly recommended by me. <BR>While I read many posts about how touristy Grindelwald is, I was able to avoid that by staying so far outside the village. In some of the other towns not accessible by car, the chalets are much closer to each other because cars aren't permitted. I'm sure that others enjoy and prefer a different experience, such as Gimmelwald, but our view of the Eiger and the Wetterhorn was fabulous! <BR> <BR>

Diane...my husband and I will be in Switzerland for 6-7 days late September to early October...we plan on staying 2 or 3 nights in Grindelwald...any suggestions on lodging, sights, etc...would like to hear about your trip..Debbie

WENGEN is far prettier, less busy, more close community spirit, friendlier, and less touristy than sprawling, spreadout, heaving with cars and tourists Grindelwald. <BR>The village is a special, magical place that will have you planning your next visit before you leave!!! The spectacular and awesome views of the Jungfrau mountain range and Lauterbrunnen Valley are incredible. If you don't believ me check out the following web page and you'll be convinced :- <BR>http://home.sunrise.ch/aregez