We will be traveling back from Sienna to Germany the 2nd week in october, and want to stop in Switzerland for 3 days. We are a family with 3 children, ages 2, 5, and 7. Luzern is the closest to being right on our route, but we have friends who rave about Lauterbrunnen b/c of the beautiful waterfalls. This will add about another 1.5 hours to the trip.

Our goal is to find a nice smaller town with STUNNING Swiss scenery. We would like to take our children on child-friendly hikes, and just soak up the beautiful scenery and nature around us, walk the nice streets of a cute town, and eat some fondue.

Should we make Luzern our home base and take days trips to the surrounding villages? Or a train? Any tips are greatly appreciated! This is our first time to Switzerland.

Some photos from Lauterbrunnen to whet your appetite:

http://www.worldisround.com/articles.../photo130.html

http://www.worldisround.com/articles...4/photo83.html

And on the off chance I wasn't clear, Lauterbrunnen fits your critera perfectly. I suggest staying there, instead of going as a day trip. From Lauterbrunnen you can easily get to the nearby villages of Murren and Wengen. Hikes in Lauterbrunnen are easy, as it's in the valley floor, so it's level. You can walk as long as you like on a paved path that leads from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg and meanders through the countryside, surrounded by sheer cliff walls and all those waterfalls. There's also a nice hike that leads from Lauterbrunnen down to Zweilutschinen alongside the river.

Wengen, which is the next stop on the train line from Lauterbrunnen, is a nice village to poke around in, as is Murren which is reached via funicular to Grutschalp and then train to Murren or via bus to Stechelberg and cablecar to Gimmelwald and Murren. There's a great hike from Grutshalp to Murren, pretty level, with in your face views of the alps. Beautiful, but might be too long for the youngsters (90 minutes or so). You could certainly walk a portion of it, or just soak in the views from the overlook near the station.

You can drive and park in Lauterbrunnen, but Wengen and Murren are car free.

Thank you! What should be expect for weather this time of year?

Hard to say, but personally, I wouldn't hesitate to visit in October.

We have been to Lucerne many times and love it. You have the lake, the mountains and the lovely old town. Lots of shopping and restaurants.

In May 2006, we stayed in Lauterbrunnen at the Hotel Oberland for 3 days and did day trips to Schilthorn (with a walk around in Murren), Thun and Spiez. We aren't hikers but there are lots of trails as mentioned above.

Can't go wrong with either place really.

Lauterbrunnen!!

I used to love Luzern before I found the Bernese Oberland.

IMO, there is no comparison! Luzern has gotten way too touristy for me. The last time I was there, the hundreds of tour buses blocked my view of the lake!

Not sure if I would call Luzern quaint during tourist season.

I'm not sure mid-October is "tourist season" in Lucerne.

I think Lucerne has much to recommend it as does the BO. If you want to be in the middle of the mountains, then stay in the BO.

Lauterbrunnen is not much of a town, it's one long road with a supermarket, simple shops & hotels. It's very very touristy as well but at least you can hike away from the crowd.

Your children will enjoy the fun & easy hike into the Trummelbach waterfall inside a hollow rock and follow the water out to where the view down the valley is fantastic.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I think we may just end up stopping for one night in Luzern, and plan a return 1 week trip to Lauterbrunnen next summer. I am having a hard time finding lodging within our budget for just 2-3 nights, and I have a feeling we will spend most of our budgeted $$ in Tuscany. I don't want to worry about money the whole time are there, but but able to just enjoy everything.

But, I have found some great 1 week apartment rentals for that area that I am sure we will thoroughly enjoy next summer!!

Sounds like a great plan!