I will be staying in Luzern for a month and making day or overnight trips throughout Switzerland and Austria. As a first time visitor what cities/sites would you recommend? What is best way of travel and most economical? I hike, what towns are the Alps accessible? Thank you for any information

Lucerne is fabulous. If you drive, turn your air on recirculate before entering the long tunnels or die from diesel fumes.

Are you doing your overnighting by car or by train?? <BR>If you are a hiker, then by all means go to one of the villages in the Berner Oberland. You can chose from Mürren, Wengen, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen. <BR>Lauterbrunnen has a couple of youth hostels, if you are into that sort of thing to save money. <BR>There are several great walks from those bases. My favorite is the trail from the First gondola station above Grindelwald to the top of the Faulhorn. <BR>(First is a name; not a number.) <BR>If you have a clear day, the views are stunning! <BR>If you can make an overnighter out of it, I certainly suggest Zermatt. The mountains there are a real challenge. <BR>I also like Zinal. There is a neat little hotel there, Hotel du Trift. <BR>From Zinal, go over to Barrage de MOiry and walk up to the mountain hut. <BR>The Glacier de Moiry is your constant companion. <BR>Also, if you have a car, or the use of one, take the 3 pass drive. The 3 passes are the Grimsel, Furka, and Susten. If you can do two of the three, you will see the sights! <BR>There is a trail from the top of the Grimsel Pass that leads along a glacier to some lovely mountain views. I like this trail because you do the tough climbing in your car! <BR>A bus from Innertkirches goes up there too, but a car give you more freedom. <BR>Near Lauterbrunnen, the walk to the Ober Hornsee is nice, but steep. <BR>I highly recommend the books on hiking in the Alps by Kev Reynolds. I think you can get them from The Adventurous Traveler Bookstore. That is where I got my copies. <BR>

Thanks for all the info about hiking in Switzerland!!

There I go again, talking to my self. <BR> <BR>Or so it seems. Sharon, are you screwing up replies and making it sound like I am talking to myself, and answering my own messages? <BR>Don't do that because the men in the white coats are just waiting for an opportunity.

Bob, I have gotten a LOL from your reply. AND thank you, I understand what I have done, and promise not to make it appear that you are in need of "men in white coats" treatment. <BR>P.S. (I am a lady in one of those white coats??? Watch out!!

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