Mr & Mrs Annhig need your help planning bucket list trip to Switzerland
Jun 3rd, 2017, 09:29 PM
#41
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Hi annhig!
I'm so happy to see you are heading to Switzerland, one of my favorite destinations! I have loved seeing your posts over the years -- your comments are always so considerate, thoughtful, and balanced. I am more of a lurker these days, but I always appreciate seeing your posts.
I am so sorry that you and your husband had to go through cancer and the treatments. I rejoice with you that the treatments are complete, the torture over, and I hope with you that he will soon be strong and full of energy.
Well now, about Switzerland. I would like to add some caveats here just so that you are aware of some things in the towns you've chosen -- I haven't seen anyone else mention these problems.
In the summertime, both Interlaken and Grindelwald fill up with tour busses -- lines and lines of them. The towns are too small to absorb the crowds, and the off-loaded day-tripping passengers tend to congregate and clog up the entrances to shops. When I visited Grindelwald with my mother one August, we found that the crowds ruined the ambiance we were looking for -- a serene mountain village.
Many folks say that they are out & about during the day, so they don't mind the crowds because they generally don't see them. However, my mother was elderly, and she (and I too) was more prone to linger longer at breakfast and enjoy a slow stroll through town. If that might be you and your husband, you may want to avoid Interlaken as a base.
My mom and I visited Wengen one day for lunch, and it was markedly different -- it had that serenity we wanted in a mountain village. Though the train station can get crowded as all the day-trippers run up for a look at the Jungfraujoch, we found that most of them did not stray away from the station.
I have visited Grindelwald 3x (twice to ski and that once with my mother) and Wengen 3x. I far prefer Wengen.
About Lauterbrunnen -- again, like Interlaken, it is not in the mountains. It lies at the bottom of some cliffs, which has always discouraged me from visiting it whenever the train rolls into the station. If I had booked a stay there and no one had told me about the cliffs, I would not be happy! However, lots of folks don't even "see" the cliffs because of the beauty of the valley, and others think the area is simply beautiful. So, I just wanted to make sure you are aware of that if you decide to book Lauterbrunnen. (You can find photos at google to see if you would mind the cliffs.)
I am a huge fan of Gstaad, like WeisserTee. I have attended the Menuhin Fest three times and just adored it. They usually offer a concert "in the mountains" that includes lunch. You are transported by bus to a mountain hut, then have a buffet fresh-grilled lunch, then hear a concert. It is really magical. WeisserTee has described the landscape perfectly, and I find it more beautiful than the dramatic peaks of the Jungfrau area. It is possible to make scenic walks from village to village that are not too long (Saanen - Gstaad is about 1h, and Schönried to Gstaad is about 1h30). In addition, it's easy to make excursions to nearby places like Gruyeres (for cheese), Broc-Fabrique (for chocolate), and Rougemont (prettiest village imo).
Anyway, have fun as you plan!
s
I'm so happy to see you are heading to Switzerland, one of my favorite destinations! I have loved seeing your posts over the years -- your comments are always so considerate, thoughtful, and balanced. I am more of a lurker these days, but I always appreciate seeing your posts.
I am so sorry that you and your husband had to go through cancer and the treatments. I rejoice with you that the treatments are complete, the torture over, and I hope with you that he will soon be strong and full of energy.
Well now, about Switzerland. I would like to add some caveats here just so that you are aware of some things in the towns you've chosen -- I haven't seen anyone else mention these problems.
In the summertime, both Interlaken and Grindelwald fill up with tour busses -- lines and lines of them. The towns are too small to absorb the crowds, and the off-loaded day-tripping passengers tend to congregate and clog up the entrances to shops. When I visited Grindelwald with my mother one August, we found that the crowds ruined the ambiance we were looking for -- a serene mountain village.
Many folks say that they are out & about during the day, so they don't mind the crowds because they generally don't see them. However, my mother was elderly, and she (and I too) was more prone to linger longer at breakfast and enjoy a slow stroll through town. If that might be you and your husband, you may want to avoid Interlaken as a base.
My mom and I visited Wengen one day for lunch, and it was markedly different -- it had that serenity we wanted in a mountain village. Though the train station can get crowded as all the day-trippers run up for a look at the Jungfraujoch, we found that most of them did not stray away from the station.
I have visited Grindelwald 3x (twice to ski and that once with my mother) and Wengen 3x. I far prefer Wengen.
About Lauterbrunnen -- again, like Interlaken, it is not in the mountains. It lies at the bottom of some cliffs, which has always discouraged me from visiting it whenever the train rolls into the station. If I had booked a stay there and no one had told me about the cliffs, I would not be happy! However, lots of folks don't even "see" the cliffs because of the beauty of the valley, and others think the area is simply beautiful. So, I just wanted to make sure you are aware of that if you decide to book Lauterbrunnen. (You can find photos at google to see if you would mind the cliffs.)
I am a huge fan of Gstaad, like WeisserTee. I have attended the Menuhin Fest three times and just adored it. They usually offer a concert "in the mountains" that includes lunch. You are transported by bus to a mountain hut, then have a buffet fresh-grilled lunch, then hear a concert. It is really magical. WeisserTee has described the landscape perfectly, and I find it more beautiful than the dramatic peaks of the Jungfrau area. It is possible to make scenic walks from village to village that are not too long (Saanen - Gstaad is about 1h, and Schönried to Gstaad is about 1h30). In addition, it's easy to make excursions to nearby places like Gruyeres (for cheese), Broc-Fabrique (for chocolate), and Rougemont (prettiest village imo).
Anyway, have fun as you plan!
s
Jun 3rd, 2017, 09:37 PM
#42
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Oh, I should also add that the SBB offers a luggage transfer service, which of course is not cheap!
https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-servic...t-luggage.html
Depending on your carrier, you can ship it from your departure airport (Flight Luggage), so you won't see it again until you arrive at your final destination. You can even give the tags to your hotel, and they will fetch it for you.
For trips between destinations in Switzerland, you can use Express Luggage service, which is usually same day.
Have fun!
s
https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-servic...t-luggage.html
Depending on your carrier, you can ship it from your departure airport (Flight Luggage), so you won't see it again until you arrive at your final destination. You can even give the tags to your hotel, and they will fetch it for you.
For trips between destinations in Switzerland, you can use Express Luggage service, which is usually same day.
Have fun!
s
Jun 3rd, 2017, 11:28 PM
#43
Ok, hijacking here 
this is to swandav : you lured me to Mittenwald several years ago (thank you!) and this September we head to Switzerland including 5 nights in the Engadin, I know you love it there too as I read and stored many of your ideas, just saw this as an opportunity to say thanks.
this is to swandav : you lured me to Mittenwald several years ago (thank you!) and this September we head to Switzerland including 5 nights in the Engadin, I know you love it there too as I read and stored many of your ideas, just saw this as an opportunity to say thanks.
Jun 4th, 2017, 12:19 AM
#44
I'll leave my own comments at this: I would not spend any more time IN Interlaken than I had to vs. almost anywhere ABOVE it where the views ALONE are worth going for.
EXPECT lots of "other" visitors and once you get there you'll understand why.
EXPECT lots of "other" visitors and once you get there you'll understand why.
Jun 4th, 2017, 01:46 AM
#45
Watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion. All the terminals in BO seemed to display charges in Swiss Francs and Dollars and you had to make sure to choose dollars if you didn't want to pay the higher rate.>>
scrb - thanks for the heads up, but I think that DCC works the other way round - the scam is to make you choose your own currency, not theirs. The reason for this is that you are at the mercy of the vendor's idea of what the exchange rate should be, rather than this being done at the standard rate by your C/C provider:
http://uk.creditcards.com/credit-car...rsion-1367.php
<<EXPECT lots of "other" visitors and once you get there you'll understand why.>>
gosh Dukey, I was expecting Interlaken to be deserted in August! [you might find that Falmouth is quite busy too!]
swandav - I will definitely think about Gstaad and how we might work that into the itinerary, promise! I think that we are locked into Wengen now, but the trip to the Falls at Lauterbrunnen is definitely something that have in mind. And thanks for the tip about the luggage - we are flying with Easyjet and spending our first night in a hotel at Geneva airport because we get there so late but i will have a look at it.
scrb - thanks for the heads up, but I think that DCC works the other way round - the scam is to make you choose your own currency, not theirs. The reason for this is that you are at the mercy of the vendor's idea of what the exchange rate should be, rather than this being done at the standard rate by your C/C provider:
http://uk.creditcards.com/credit-car...rsion-1367.php
<<EXPECT lots of "other" visitors and once you get there you'll understand why.>>
gosh Dukey, I was expecting Interlaken to be deserted in August! [you might find that Falmouth is quite busy too!]
swandav - I will definitely think about Gstaad and how we might work that into the itinerary, promise! I think that we are locked into Wengen now, but the trip to the Falls at Lauterbrunnen is definitely something that have in mind. And thanks for the tip about the luggage - we are flying with Easyjet and spending our first night in a hotel at Geneva airport because we get there so late but i will have a look at it.
Jun 4th, 2017, 02:04 AM
#46
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"swandav - I will definitely think about Gstaad and how we might work that into the itinerary, promise!" Great, I'm glad you are taking swandav's recommendation into account. I too have attended the music festival several times, including with my mother. The performances have all been excellent.
If you do go to Gstaad and it's blisteringly hot, there are several very good swimming pools in the area. You can even use the pool at the famous Gstaad Palace Hotel.
http://www.gstaad.ch/en/active/summe...ing-pools.html
If you do go to Gstaad and it's blisteringly hot, there are several very good swimming pools in the area. You can even use the pool at the famous Gstaad Palace Hotel.
http://www.gstaad.ch/en/active/summe...ing-pools.html
Jun 4th, 2017, 03:30 AM
#47
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Glad to see Gstaad is getting such high marks from everybody but one thing that hasn't been mentioned is that the town is posh, at least in my book. People have varying reactions to that, depending on what they're heading to Switzerland to enjoy, and I'm sure there are towns in Switzerland that are poshier-to-the-max compared with Gstaad, but letting you know the feel of Gstaad (during my brief visit) was elevated above the hoi polloi, in case that is a consideration for you, one way or the other. That said, I didn't notice any particular difference in the way I was treated by hotel staff, waiters or shopkeepers (being one of the hoi polloi myself) than in other parts of Switzerland I've visited.
Jun 4th, 2017, 06:47 AM
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While Gstaad is well-heeled, it's not snobby. Very different from St. Moritz. People are friendly and polite. Plus there are several inexpensive places to eat as well as the more expensive and fancier restaurants.
Jun 4th, 2017, 08:15 AM
#52
I'm glad you mentioned a previous Lac Leman visit. I wondered why landing Geneva then no mention of Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux. It's the only part of Switzerland I know but I do love it there, that area along the lake is so beautiful and the towns so easy to get around from Geneva.
Jun 4th, 2017, 08:44 AM
#53
Hi Ann, I just found this thread.
If you do stay in Wengen, check out the Hotel Belvedere. I stayed there last September and it was my favorite hotel on my trip last year. They collect the luggage at the train station with a cart and if the trek up the hill (slight hill) is difficult you can hitch a ride on the back. It's a lovely little town.
Basingstoke is right about Trummelbach Falls. Simply amazing. I loved Switzerland although I nowhere have the same breadth of knowledge about the country as many here do. I do know that the cheese fondue is not to be missed, along with the black forest cake.
If you do stay in Wengen, check out the Hotel Belvedere. I stayed there last September and it was my favorite hotel on my trip last year. They collect the luggage at the train station with a cart and if the trek up the hill (slight hill) is difficult you can hitch a ride on the back. It's a lovely little town.
Basingstoke is right about Trummelbach Falls. Simply amazing. I loved Switzerland although I nowhere have the same breadth of knowledge about the country as many here do. I do know that the cheese fondue is not to be missed, along with the black forest cake.
Jun 4th, 2017, 09:00 AM
#54
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Which train pass is best for using all the cable cars and other transport options around BO?
The Swiss Pass? The Half Fare Card?
Typically, I fly into Zurich and have taken the 3-4 hour train to reach BO if the flight doesn't arrive too late.
Because the discounts would seem to make a lot of difference, especially in the summer when there appears to be more options.
Someone posted that hop-on/hop-off bus from Grindelwald. I checked the link and tickets for that cost over 100 CHF if you combine it with the boat ride on Lake Brienz. But with one of the train passes, you get 50% discount so if you go on a lot of cable cars, funiculars, etc. as well as take the train between the villages, the savings will be substantial.
The Swiss Pass? The Half Fare Card?
Typically, I fly into Zurich and have taken the 3-4 hour train to reach BO if the flight doesn't arrive too late.
Because the discounts would seem to make a lot of difference, especially in the summer when there appears to be more options.
Someone posted that hop-on/hop-off bus from Grindelwald. I checked the link and tickets for that cost over 100 CHF if you combine it with the boat ride on Lake Brienz. But with one of the train passes, you get 50% discount so if you go on a lot of cable cars, funiculars, etc. as well as take the train between the villages, the savings will be substantial.
Jun 4th, 2017, 09:48 AM
#55
scrb - thanks for mentioning the pass problem. I really appreciate the care that the Swiss rail service takes to try to save us money, but then makes the system so complicated which with regional passes, half price passes, half-price flexible passes, the Swiss rail pass, etc. etc.
Of them all I think that the half-price flexible pass is probably the right one for us as we can already get a 50% discount for some fares using the Luzern concert tickets. But that's without really doing any research, just from general reading .
barbn - thanks for the tip about the Belvedere in Wengen. What was it about it that you liked so much? I've been looking at the Hotel Baeren, though it is a little outside the village, but not much, or the Victoria-jungfrau - as much for the position [and the swimming pool!] as anything else. Thoughts?
Of them all I think that the half-price flexible pass is probably the right one for us as we can already get a 50% discount for some fares using the Luzern concert tickets. But that's without really doing any research, just from general reading .
barbn - thanks for the tip about the Belvedere in Wengen. What was it about it that you liked so much? I've been looking at the Hotel Baeren, though it is a little outside the village, but not much, or the Victoria-jungfrau - as much for the position [and the swimming pool!] as anything else. Thoughts?
Jun 4th, 2017, 09:59 AM
#56
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Many thanks for the idea of the Golden Pass train but unless i've misunderstood the links, [entirely possible] as a means of getting from A to B it seems to require a lot of getting on and off ->
Interlaken-Monreux one easy transfer -one platform to another - required change because of track width differences -in Zweissimen - stops in Gstad and the best way to get there from Interlaken.
Montreux makes a nice base for a few days.
If bags are too much send the heavier one(s) ahead with Swiss Railways transfer system - about 15 francs per bag from station to station -check it early enough and it will be waiting for you at end station. Can also send to airports.
Interlaken-Monreux one easy transfer -one platform to another - required change because of track width differences -in Zweissimen - stops in Gstad and the best way to get there from Interlaken.
Montreux makes a nice base for a few days.
If bags are too much send the heavier one(s) ahead with Swiss Railways transfer system - about 15 francs per bag from station to station -check it early enough and it will be waiting for you at end station. Can also send to airports.
Jun 4th, 2017, 10:26 AM
#57
Ann, I looked at your hotel possibilities and all I have to say is gorgeous!! Both of them!! You could not go wrong with either, especially if you want a swimming pool.
The Belvedere is no doubt smaller, and less expensive. It is a 3 star though, so may be lacking some amenities of the other choices. It was utterly charming in a very old fashioned type way. They had a large rotary style house phone, and a place to hang your heavy room key when you leave for the day. The staff went out of their way for everyone, they had to have taken a charm class or they were just that nice and friendly. The food was good and plentiful although they did ask that you not take more than you could eat. They must have had problems in the past. (we did two buffet breakfasts and 1 dinner there). There is a small bar area and lots of big leather chairs and fireplaces to lounge around. Our room was large, the balconies were there to let all the stresses of life evaporate. Those mountain views!! But I think you see them most anywhere. It was an easy walk to town and back.
I was on a tour, the kind where they plan where you stay but you plan what you do when you're there. Every single person on the tour rated this one as their favorite hotel. But it may have had more to do with Wengen. We were all in awe. Like I said, I don't think you could go wrong with any of your choices. You would be in Wengen, seeing those mountains and so close to the amazing Lauterbrunnen Valley!!! I hiked the mountains, but a fellow tour member was pregnant and she loved just being able to sit back, read and soak in the atmosphere. That place is good for the soul.
The Belvedere is no doubt smaller, and less expensive. It is a 3 star though, so may be lacking some amenities of the other choices. It was utterly charming in a very old fashioned type way. They had a large rotary style house phone, and a place to hang your heavy room key when you leave for the day. The staff went out of their way for everyone, they had to have taken a charm class or they were just that nice and friendly. The food was good and plentiful although they did ask that you not take more than you could eat. They must have had problems in the past. (we did two buffet breakfasts and 1 dinner there). There is a small bar area and lots of big leather chairs and fireplaces to lounge around. Our room was large, the balconies were there to let all the stresses of life evaporate. Those mountain views!! But I think you see them most anywhere. It was an easy walk to town and back.
I was on a tour, the kind where they plan where you stay but you plan what you do when you're there. Every single person on the tour rated this one as their favorite hotel. But it may have had more to do with Wengen. We were all in awe. Like I said, I don't think you could go wrong with any of your choices. You would be in Wengen, seeing those mountains and so close to the amazing Lauterbrunnen Valley!!! I hiked the mountains, but a fellow tour member was pregnant and she loved just being able to sit back, read and soak in the atmosphere. That place is good for the soul.
Jun 4th, 2017, 10:51 AM
#60
Annhig -
Checking in on this thread per your request, have not had time to respond earlier due to all the wonderful hikes in Ilanz, Flims, and Vals that have thoroughly taxed my poor legs over the past four days. We're now in Kandersteg under wet cloudy skies, so taking a much needed rest.
Not a fan of Interlaken at all, and while Luzern is good for many things, such as museums, it doesn't stand out in my mind as a must do (keeping in mind we tend to swim upstream and generally dislike cities)...however, we're more into hiking than most, so take that with a grain of salt.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Gruyères a few years ago and we adore the Lower Engadine.
We've also just discovered the Surselva area (thanks to Ingo) and it's our new favorite area in Switzerland.
Wengen and Murren are always good options, can't go wrong with either of them. We also like to stay in Lauterbrunnen, it's a bit of a transport hub and easy to get to/from anywhere in the BO from there but...I'd avoid the BO and Zermatt completely in high season if you're like us and dislike crowds.
Checking in on this thread per your request, have not had time to respond earlier due to all the wonderful hikes in Ilanz, Flims, and Vals that have thoroughly taxed my poor legs over the past four days. We're now in Kandersteg under wet cloudy skies, so taking a much needed rest.
Not a fan of Interlaken at all, and while Luzern is good for many things, such as museums, it doesn't stand out in my mind as a must do (keeping in mind we tend to swim upstream and generally dislike cities)...however, we're more into hiking than most, so take that with a grain of salt.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Gruyères a few years ago and we adore the Lower Engadine.
We've also just discovered the Surselva area (thanks to Ingo) and it's our new favorite area in Switzerland.
Wengen and Murren are always good options, can't go wrong with either of them. We also like to stay in Lauterbrunnen, it's a bit of a transport hub and easy to get to/from anywhere in the BO from there but...I'd avoid the BO and Zermatt completely in high season if you're like us and dislike crowds.
