Hi all,i'm a 25yr old male heading to Murren for 4 days at the end of this week.

I will be staying at the Chalet Fontana,about which i hear great things!

Some general questions i had..

I've been trying to find Swiss German tips everywhere but am having little luck..i know that being a popular tourist resort most people will speak english but it would be nice to try some basic greetings..anybody have any advice?

I won't be packing hiking shoes,just some regular trainers but am a strong,fit walker so hoping i won't have too many problems at this time of year...is this wise?

My main interest is photography so i'm hoping 4 days will be about enough to enjoy the trails and scenic opportunities Murren provides.Partying is not really my thing but i understand Murren has some nice bars to relax in come the evening..any favourites i should visit?

I have 2 days for certain at chalet fontana and then the possibility of staying elsewhere in the village or moving to Gimmelwald or somewhere else nearby.Any good budget suggestions? I read good things about the 'mountain hostel' but if its super busy i might give it a miss.

many thanks for any help

Gruezi means hello.
Bitte means please.
Danke means thank you.
Bitte schön means your welcome.
Entschuldigung means excuse me.
Guet Nacht means good night.
Ade means goodbye (more formal.)
Tschuss means goodbye (less formal.)

Tennis shoes are fine for easier hikes. If you have weak ankles or are planning more difficult hikes, I would consider bringing hiking boots.

I can't help with the rest. Tschuss!

A list of restaurant-related terms in 3 languages is here:

http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/gui...ood-terms.html

And don't count on locals knowing (or willing to speak) English - I was with an organazied tour where the guide and the bus driver spoke local language(s) still, while shopping, they would not even try to help or to understand.

Murren is a legendary British outpost - Brits apparently popularized the place and put it on the map - you should have no trouble finding English speakers here. Actually most Swiss in tourist roles i've met - hotels and trains, etc., speak some English. But always better to try to speak some local language. A little effort goes a long way.

The only item I really wished I had packed were hiking shoes when I went to this area. Are trainers running shoes? You don't necessarily need hiking boots but running trail shoes with the heavy black sole would be good.

If you search around here a bit you will find lots of hiking advice, especially which hikes to take.

Murren will be packed during the day and very quiet in the evening.

Dear FainaAgain,
I'm sorry to hear about your shopping experience. The Swiss are trying to be friendlier towards tourists because we know this is a weakness of ours, but some people will never learn.

Did you know that a few years back, there was an issue that folklore musicians should start smiling when playing their music? They always frowned or made a serious face and it wasn't pleasant to watch them on Swiss TV. Since then, they've been smiling and people enjoy them more than before.

If the musicians can learn, maybe there is hope for the Swiss tourism industry, too.

Hi binarystar,

As schuler notes, gruezi means hello, and it's the usual greeting of the day when entering stores, when on a walking trail, or before you begin talking to a clerk, etc.

I also want to note that it's common to nod & say "morgen" to your fellow diners when you come down for breakfast.

AAaahhh, wish I had some of that yogurt now!

Have fun!

s

If you stay in Gimmelwald, try the Hotel Mittaghorn. A single will run you 45 SF. Bring 1 SF coins to operate the shower. There are also a good pension and a nice B&B.

many thanks everybody for your quick replies!

Is there a big difference in first/second class if i buy a Swiss Card?

I guess now is the start of the season but i wasn't sure how busy Murren itself would be.My shoes are actually sturdy skateboard shoes with a waffle sole which i know probably arent the best for hikes(!) but they have served me well I guess i can buy hiking shoes or a pole for help in Murren if i really need them..?

As long as i don't encounter snow i'm hoping they'll be alright!

Also,what's the situation with tipping in restaurants/bars?

many thanks again

Do you mean the Swiss Pass for rail travel? I think it's a great deal since you can avoid standing in ticket lines. And it covers all the transportation to/from Murren or Gimmelwald and the valley. 1st class is less crowded.

Your shoes will likely be fine. Don't buy shoes over there since they won't be broken in. You can rent hiking poles from some stores.

Tipping is not expected, and exact change is given without asking, but 1-2 Sfr are very appreciated.

>>>>My main interest is photography so i'm hoping 4 days will be about enough to enjoy the trails and scenic opportunities Murren provides.Partying is not really my thing but i understand Murren has some nice bars to relax in come the evening..any favourites i should visit? <<<<<

Since you'll be in Murren, be sure to take that walk from Allmenhubel over to Grutschalp. I think you can get that one walk done without state of the art hiking shoes or boots.

There are tons of walking trails in that area, but the hiker really should have some good boots to insure a safe walk.

As for bars, once the sun goes down in Murren, there are not too many good places to hang out, except Walters place down in Gimmelwald and that is only if Walter has a full house.

But just do not limit your experience to Murren. Be sure to take some other walking excursions.

Here is one of my favorite hikes. I love to start at Mannlichen (accessible from Grindlewald or Wengen) and walk to Kleine Schediegg. That part of the walk is easy.


Then I walk up to the Eiger Gletcher station. Your view of the Jungfrau is GREAT if the weather is clear.

Or from Kleine Scheidegg continue on up to an area called Rothorn. Good views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley with excellent views of Murren and Wengen situated on the cliffs. If the weather is clear, you get great views of the Jungfrau and company also. As I recall. most of this walk can be done without hiking boots.

Take a backpack and just hang out there for a bit. You'll see many people just basically hanging out enjoying the views and the scene. You'll get many photo opportunites.



Be sure to stop by the Information office and pick yourself up a good walking map of the entire area. There are some freebie maps, but they usually list only the most popular trails. Start as early as you can on many of these walks and just make the day of it.

Here are some links to some other towns and villages in this Jungfrau area http://www.grindelwald.com/