|
Our month in Switzerland
We are currently in Montreux and I’ve decided to do a live trip report. Sending a big thank you to anyone who patiently answers questions here. Uploading my photos as I go, here is the link https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected] Again, we are so grateful to the many contributors to these forums, for their advice and ideas, and our itinerary is all the better for it. Our most recent trip to Switzerland was in September 2017 here is my trip report (and link to photos) on Fodors from that trip: https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...eport-1478129/ ….we are returning to some favourites in June 2019, and have added some new bases. Priorities are mountains, lakes, forests, charming villages, farming hamlets, small cities with walkable old town, generally look for pleasant walks in addition to village/ town strolls. For example, on our previous trip we visited Soglio/ walked Sils to Isola and Maloja along lakeside / Solothurn walk to Verena Gorge/ St Ursanne along river. We are more into gentle strolls, no hard hiking for us. We prefer smaller places, but Swiss towns and cities are really lovely, too. Switzerland has such diversity in culture and language, the regions feel like they could be different countries. We were very keen for a stay in French speaking Switzerland choosing Vevey for its’ obvious natural lakeside beauty as well as charming architecture and the variety of nearby excursions. I love those buildings with shutters and cobblestone alleys in the old town. (Considered Estavayer Le Lac initially, much of interest in western Switzerland, too ….that will have to be on a future trip) But…. luckily the collective wisdom of Fodorites (thanks ‘Hambaghale’ and ‘suze’) re the Vevey vigneron festival construction had us change plans (I had booked a hotel right on the square, yikes) and switch to Montreux and ‘swandav’ found me a quietish lakefront hotel instead. Had a perfect 8 night stay in Wengen in 2017, great hotel and excursions on that trip, so adding in a short visit. We had a day in Thun that trip, found it charming and noted it for a future base. So another 8 days in the Bernese Oberland (but split bases between Wengen and Thun). I’d considered spending a week in Meiringen or Brienz, which might happen another time. And we loved the Upper Engadin, so included both Upper (so happy to go back to Sils Maria - ‘Engadiner’ is a local wealth of knowledge, she posts on TripAdvisor) and Lower Engadin (a week in Scuol - thanks ‘Melnq8’ and ‘Ingo’). The Engadin villages architecture is very distinctive (not the wooden chalets seen elsewhere, but really solid buildings with thick walls and tiny windows, often beautifully etched ‘sgrafitti’), and the landscape is really striking. The Upper Engadin valley is a high, wide valley with gorgeous lakes, the Lower Engadin is narrower without the large lakes or the volume of tourists. From Scuol we travel to Thusis, our gateway to Zillis and the Splügen pass (thanks ‘neckervd’), taking us to Chiavenna for a taste of Italy before looping back to Sils Maria via the Maloja Pass. Language: Moving from French speaking Montreux, to German speaking Bernese Oberland we then head to the Engadin. The Graubünden (German) / Grisons (Romansh), canton in eastern Switzerland, is officially trilingual - Swiss German/Italian/Romansh speaking (and then there are several dialects of Romansh) https://europeforvisitors.com/switza...h_language.htm https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture...ssure/36273340 |
1 Attachment(s)
We varied our routing a bit to see more on the journey. Didn’t necessarily choose shortest option from A to B. So, our 30 night itinerary became: Montreux 5 nights Wengen 4 nights (repeat visit) Thun 4 nights (then Glacier Express) Scuol 7 nights (Lower Engadin) …..heading to Sils Maria via…. Thusis 2 nights Chiavenna (Italy) 2 nights ….we are taking 4 days to get to Sils Maria rather than a quick ride down the valley, hence the 2 night stays. Sils Maria 5 nights (Upper Engadin) repeat visit Zürich 1 night (we quite like the city, would stay longer if Switzerland didn’t have so many other great places to see). Swiss train line routes map: Attachment 2604 I bought the ½ fare card prior to departure (120 CHF each) and printed it out at home. That way we had a spare copy each, and stored it in a protective plastic sleeve (recall it being quite dog eared during last trip) and saved us a stop in store after landing. Plus had the SBB app loaded for ticket purchase/ trip planning. Anyone looking for tips from this report, just note we are slow travellers. We like strolls, coffee and cake time, an hour or 2 of reading on our balcony, sitting on a park bench. We could definitely ‘fit more in’ if we’d wanted. |
So- day to day: Arrived Zürich after a 7 hour flight to Singapore, a 9 hour layover, then another long (over 12 hours) flight. So, we’re always a bit shabby on arrival. A round of applause for Swiss efficiency - we were landed and disembarking around 8am, passport control and baggage collection took about 10 minutes, we bought tickets to Montreux and a great baguette for our rail journey lunch and were at the platform by 9:05am. A 3 hour journey, we chose this route as there is only 1 change, given how tired we were. Zürich airport to Montreux via Lausanne CHF 42 each (half fare card) Nice long chat to our Zürich resident travellers alongside us, haven’t spoken German since my trip to Bavaria last year, so a bit rusty. They were about 70, and walking part of the Jakobsweg (25 km day over 2-3 weeks, fantastic). |
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0f528e52b.jpeg Stunning gardens along the promenade Montreux 5 nights Where we stayed: Golf-Hotel René Capt Golf Hotel René Capt in Montreux - Golf Hotel René Capt Montreux It is a 10 minute walk from the station, along the lovely promenade. Lakeview double room and half board pre paid (CHF 1355) kind of old world grand, mixed reviews, ‘lake view’ rooms have a gorgeous outlook but the ‘city view’ rooms are more train track and road views and noisy. Some reviews state it is dated and worn. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7baadf4d4.jpeg Lakeside room views We liked it, pretty fancy for us, actually. Lounge, terrace, gardens, fronts lake and is on the outskirts of town near the Territet station. Another 20 minute walk to Chillon Castle further along the lake. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9dfed5ffa.jpeg Lakeside promenade We were given a Riviera card, which provides free local transport, among other benefits, eg 50% off Chillon entrance fee. Half board is perfect for us, no searching for dinner options, quality and good value. We arrived just as their restaurant service was ending, so we had chicken soup with shrimp tortellini and crusty bread rolls, and very welcome cappuccinos, sent to our room. With a scotch whiskey for hubby, this came to CHF 52.50 (this is not room service price, but their normal restaurant price, and is a reminder of how half board represents a significant saving). https://www.thefork.com/restaurant/g...ene-capt/38589 Hubby slept through the afternoon, while I walked the promenade in the rain, watched some colourful Bolivian dancers in the old market, and just did a loop back to the station. Being a Sunday, there were local families walking with children and dogs, joggers and amblers, and a lot of tourists. But it wasn’t crowded, and the rain so fresh, so just delightful to wander. The mountains across the lake shrouded in cloud, the huge trees lakeside are really impressive. Some very grand looking homes and hotels along the promenade, with lush gardens. Our set menu dinner for tonight was creamy pumpkin soup and crusty bread rolls, salad with dried beef and Parmesan, a turkey curry, and a Paris Brest. We then walked to Chillon, the rather spectacular elevated road above a feat of engineering. It was a beautiful night, but I was smashed, bed at 11 pm, slept through until 4am. Ideas for Montreux… https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Trave....Montreux.html My personal list had 2 columns : wet weather options and dry weather options. |
Montreux Day 1: forecast wet day today. So, wet weather option list….visiting lakeside towns. But first, breakfast in one of the hotels gracious dining rooms, high ceilings, tall windows. We enjoy slow breakfasts, and love Swiss buffet options with muesli, nuts, fruit, egg, crusty rolls, sensational cheeses and yoghurt. Walked along the promenade to ‘town’. Lovely! Drizzling, though. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c90a1d530.jpeg Stunning trees on promenade, Montreux Train to Saint-Prex (CHF 8:30 each one way). A few teaser minutes of blue sky and mountains, then rain again. Saint-Prex hides its delightful medieval old town with a rather ugly station and factory, but a few steps towards lake there is a shopping centre, which we retreated to during an epic thunderstorm, to find a Christian Boillat cafe inside. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a4cd0dff5.jpeg Delicious! So an excellent coffee and cake while waiting out the worst of the rain, then we headed to the significant historic church and old town. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...48b5b17ad.jpeg Saint-Prex church Wonderful. A clock tower, town gate, charming houses, tiny pockets of gardens. A few dog walkers and another tourist, so pretty quiet. I love this kind of wandering, and it’s tiny, so an easy visit. https://www.lake-geneva-switzerland....n-lake-geneva/ Met a French local walking her dog, so ‘talked’ about dogs (ha, I think) for a few minutes. Our little doggo at home apparently forlorn without us, boys say she is moping on our bed. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7071b3cb0.jpeg View from the church So, where are the tourists? This village is so gorgeous, and a ‘living’ town. Easy to get to. No souvenir stands. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4e64fcc55.jpeg Charming streets https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...65cfb0947.jpeg Quiet village We had bought smoked salmon rolls for lunch, but it was too wet for a picnic. And we were flagging, so opted not to stop in Lausanne (have visited many years ago) or Lutry, instead returning for a picnic in our room. Really enjoying the promenade walk to and from the station, it adds to our experience of slowing down and absorbing the beauty of the gardens. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f2b7dcfad.jpeg Hubby has a cold and promptly fell asleep, skipping dinner. Tonight’s set menu was a lovely cream of carrot and zucchini soup, a chanterelle quiche and salad, bacon wrapped chicken and veg, and an almond apple tart. The weather meant we abandoned our plans to walk Romainmotier to La Sarraz (the gorge and waterfall trail). But we had a fantastic first day. |
Enjoying the report. :tu:
|
Day 2: rain and storms forecast. This then changed to “cloudy but mostly dry” early in day, then rain in afternoon. Good news! (Awake at 2:30am - body clock not yet reset; so figured we would do half day activities, lunch, then rest). A few glimpses of the surrounding mountains, but mostly we have had low cloud. Walked to Chillon Castle, arriving about 9am. Discovered where those tourists were that we missed yesterday. Busloads and boatloads arriving, one after another. Chillon Castle https://www.chillon.ch/en/GP765/history was a toll station, a fortress, a prison, an armoury, a residence; interesting to explore and we spent a few hours there. CHF 18.50 entry and 1 audio guide (discounted entry with Riviera card). https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...828537f66.jpeg Short walk to Chillon from our hotel https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3d4129928.jpeg On photos - I crop out the cranes and highways from my photos, hubby is in construction and includes them! These steep hillsides must create some serious building challenges. Then wandered up to the Territet funicular and took a ride to Glion (thanks ‘kja’), but opted against the Chauderon Gorge walk, likely to be slippery on that track. Great views from the church (we are below cloud line) https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...766f9e39a.jpeg Church on the steep hillside at Glion https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7f0a3fb11.jpeg View from Glion Lunch was at an Asian restaurant Yu Xiang Yuan (we’d passed it yesterday, and intended to visit), sharing excellent vegetable spring rolls, cabbage and pork dumplings, vegetable fried rice (CHF 60). Both exhausted from our lack of sleep, wandered slowly back along the promenade to hotel to rest. Tonight’s set dinner was a cream of green bean soup, Greek salad, duck and veg, creme brûlée. We skip a course or 2, generally dessert. |
Thanks, twk, I remember reading about your trip, too. |
Day 3: Awake at 4:20 am. Can’t read my iBook as it makes me giggle (The Rosie Project). It’s raining and windy. Dreary outside, but forecast assures us of some sun today. Decided on a long slow breakfast and a wander through Vevey until it clears. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f5d6fe80f.jpeg Breakfast room Took bus 201 to Vevey, a nice routing along lakefront, passing grand buildings, with lake and mountain views all the way. A short wander in the lovely historic core and lake promenade, and the Fête des Vignerons preparations. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3b2178a97.jpeg Vevey old town https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4d74d2821.jpeg Vevey lakeside promenade The sun was out! Missed the Chexbres train, so jumped on the train to Saint Saphorin. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6b94b641d.jpeg Saint Saphorin Gorgeous little village, on the steep hillside, with paved walking access through the Lavaux vineyards. So pretty on this sunny day. Very quiet, surprisingly. Met a dog walker and a few cyclists. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c9b7752fb.jpeg Village rooftops, heading up to the vineyards https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...583b70d04.jpeg Vineyards Lunch back in Montreux at Zurcher, toasted sandwich and salad, and divine cake (food artistry), beer and coffee (CHF 60). https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6b9814299.jpeg Delicious! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...90e740338.jpeg Food art Quiet afternoon reading, sitting in the sun on our balcony. Dinner was tomato soup, salad, pork with mustard crust and potatoes, skipped dessert. Evening stroll along the promenade, so relaxing. |
Beauty! Looking forward to this! That dessert looks fabulous!
|
Originally Posted by Adelaidean
(Post 16936276)
Then wandered up to the Territet funicular and took a ride to Glion (thanks ‘kja’).... Great views from the church (we are below cloud line) |
Really enjoying your report, Adelaidean! Your photos are beautiful! Will eagerly await further installments.
|
Hallo Adelaidean!
Loving your report, of course! Love walking along and enjoying those sights! But this: "Really enjoying the promenade walk to and from the station, it adds to our experience of slowing down and absorbing the beauty of the gardens. " Perfect. I always suggest that folks walk along the promenade rather than take the bus...to me, the promenade is the best thing of Montreux. Yes, I love Glion (thanks kja) -- have stayed there 3x (I think) at the wonderful Hotel Victoria. I've enjoyed sharing that funiculars down to Territet with some hotel staff in the mornings. Did you stop by the church in the old town to see the views from its terrace? Thanks so much for writing! s |
I hope you are enjoying your stay at René Capt. I remember a friend use to tell me René Capt is one of the few, if not only, of its category located on the lake still managed by the family. My friend was born in Montreux and went to a local school with the son of then the owner. ( My friend is now about 77 or 78 years old now I think ).
|
Following along. Thanks for sharing your travels and photos - superb, |
Woo Hoo! It's Adelaidean's trip report! I've been anxiously waiting and will be following along with you. Your pictures are extraordinary as always. AND, I love the slow way you travel taking time to savor the journey. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share with us!
|
Day 4: Another leisurely breakfast, and sunny skies! Used SBB app to buy tickets to Gruyères CHF 10, opting for bus via Chatel-Saint-Denis (a 2 hour journey) and return via Montbovon (1.5 hours). Picturesque bus ride, and filled with chattering school children. Elevated views over lake and mountains, sweet villages, velvet green hills, pockets of forest, farms. Bus terminates directly at the train station in Ch tel-Saint-Denis, almost empty train! Guess most tourists take the MOB from Montreux. Left our hotel about 9 am, arrived Gruyères at 11am. One of those many Swiss excursions where the journey is as much a part of the outing as the destination. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3186078d4.jpeg Beautiful countryside It is a 10 min walk from the station to the village and castle. A tiny village and interesting castle with furnished rooms, probably a 2 hour visit without lunch (CHF 12 entry). https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...befe2cb27.jpeg Castle https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...671fd9ef5.jpeg The Knight’s room https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b8127a524.jpeg Village https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6fc112b40.jpeg View from church The return train to Montreux via Montbovon is lovely, really stunning mountain views and the descent into Montreux is gorgeous. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...99e9ac833.jpeg Countryside https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6995ec70a.jpeg Descent into Montreux Our faux pas at the dinner table, we used the incorrect spoons for our soup (we used the dessert spoons) so a second serve of soup was delivered to the table. Wait staff must note cutlery to keep check of where we are up to - but we are too bogan to know that, ha. Dinner was minestrone, a quinoa tabbouleh with prawns, turkey roll stuffed with mushroom, veg, mashed potatoes, a Grand Marnier and chocolate ice cream. Really great and we ate it all, as we’d only had sorbet and a dry roll for lunch. I detail dinners for people considering half board versus dining out. A glass of wine at dinner is CHF 6.50. Final walk of the promenade, watching hang gliders, enjoying the moment. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...74f118ebf.jpeg Beautiful in the sunshine https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6b4a74d84.jpeg Lovely evening light |
Thanks for your comments and interest. :) We did enjoy the hotel, thanks to ‘swandav’ for suggesting it. Great location, too. |
Thanks very much, Adelaidean!
Even most Swiss people don't know St-Prex, despite the stop of the Lausanne - Geneva steamboats. And there are tons of similar (or nicer) villages all around, like Orbe or Aubonne, for example. The Vevey - Chatel-St-Denis bus replaces a old narrow gauge railway which was built some 120 years ago in order to bring the milk from the Gruyeres county to the Nestle factory at Vevey. The travel from Vevey via Chexbres - Palezieux to Chatel is more scenic, however. Thre are more than 30 small mountain lakes in the Engiadina Bassa, most of them can be surrounded on foot in 5-15 minutes. The most poupular (for hikers only!) groups of lakes are Lais da Rims (not to be confounded with the bigger Lai de Rims in Val Mustair) and Lais da Macun. The bigger lakes in the area are just about 2 miles outside the Swiss border, namely Lai da Res-cha/Reschensee, Lai da Silvretta/Silvrettasee, Lago di Livigno, Lago di San Giacomo, Lago di Fraele. IMO there isn't a big difference between Chiavenna and the Soglio area. People speak all the same dialect and eat all the same food from Chiavenna up to Splugen Pass and up to Maloja Pass. The whole area (up to the Northern end of Lake Como) was part of Grischun until 1815 anyway. It became then Austrian according to a decision of the Congress of Vienna and finally Italian after the battle of Solferino (1860). |
I'm so happy to see another trip report from you, Adelaidean. I love the detail you include and your pictures are stunning! Bookmarking for a closer look. Thank you!
|
Fabulous photo of the promenade!
|
Day 5: Train to Wengen (CHF 34 half fare each). Had reserved seats on MOB prior to trip. Bought lunch to eat on train (baguette, quiche, strawberry tart). The bakery cafe across the road from the Montreux train station also sells prepared salads for train picnics, which looked good. Another scenic train ride, passing towns I’d noted for visiting one day, Chateau d’oeux, Rougemont, Saanen. Sat next to a charming young Vietnamese man now studying in London, but taking his parents on a whirlwind trip through Switzerland. His mother spoke no English, but we ‘talked’ as one does, with hand signals and smiles. Really enjoy these interactions when travelling. Where we stayed: it was back to the fabulous Alpenrose for us, room with view and balcony, plus half board CHF 300 per night, (excellent breakfast, and the dinners are an amazing 5 course experience, taking that into account we thought it good value) Arrival afternoon, just relaxed around town. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d806ba9af.jpeg Lauterbrunnen valley https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...aba5fdd2e.jpeg Lauterbrunnen valley https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a6e735428.jpeg View from our balcony |
Day 6: High cloud, no rain. So trained to Lauterbrunnen and bus to Isenfluh (about 10 minutes) CHF 14.40 each return (half fare). https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...569cdcd55.jpeg Isenfluh https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2249e6173.jpeg Isenfluh https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f5a7a8ea1.jpeg Isenfluh https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f1c435c2a.jpeg Isenfluh It’s a little Postbus, about 10 of us on board. Some hairpin curves as we ascended and a 1200m tunnel. Arrival in Isenfluh, and took the little cablecar to Sulwald (CHF 9 each, return with guestcard). Tiny little village, meadows filled with flowers. Cows not up at higher altitude yet, due to recent snow. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...00a7973a2.jpeg More uphill https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bc461d21e.jpeg Rocky and steep trail in parts https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...442d42951.jpeg It’s a workout https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3827a2695.jpeg Beautiful rural views Took the trail to Lobhornhütte, quite uphill, through forest, then a stream with little waterfalls, patches of snow, and finally the hut (about 1 ½ hours walk) for a very welcome lunch of beer, merlot, an Alp cheese plate and a Gesternsuppe (CHF 43). Fantastic. Views over Wengen and the nearby mountains, but quite cloudy so peaks obscured. A great walk. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bc01111b0.jpeg Flowers galore https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...98d378202.jpeg Sulsalp https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...94f5aa908.jpeg Beautiful views https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...06279bcfd.jpeg Looking towards the valley https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...13a501666.jpeg Waterfall https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2cc62a548.jpeg Nearing the Lobhornhütte https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7a0f5555c.jpeg Teasing glimpses of peaks https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8d5a194c4.jpeg Lunch https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8f7f1285d.jpeg So beautiful https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a2e5e783e.jpeg Descending into forest again https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6a04d47f2.jpeg Lots of options https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f68fef1c0.jpeg Meadow flowers We returned the same way, others were walking to or from Grütschalp. Left our hotel before 9am, and were back by 5 pm. A lot of excursions from Wengen involve lengthy travel, but there are some great very local, but not busy, walks. This was also a very cheap day out. Plenty more photos on my Flickr album... |
Be glad you weren't in Montreux this last Saturday! There was a HUGE storm on the lake (and here in the Valais too) with high winds, thunder, hail etc. Unfortunately the annual Bol d'Or race which involves hundreds of sailing boats (biggest race on an inland waterway in the world apparently) was happening at the same time. Lots lost their masts and sadly a woman spectator was killed when the boat she was on sank.
Can't wait to see photos from Sils Maria!! Have a wonderful time in the Engadin. |
Yes, we heard that awful news. So sad. Day 7: Wengen. Forecast cloudy until mid afternoon then sunny. The high town of Mürren was shrouded in cloud. So, the Lauterbrunnen valley was our goal (last time we were here we walked in the rain). Our half fare return to Lauterbrunnen was CHF 6.80 each. We walked to the Schilthornbahn, a gorgeous 90 minute easy (flat, paved) walk. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...566ea4114.jpeg Lauterbrunnen https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e1e2b0ac2.jpeg Valley walk https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...175ff3422.jpeg Soaring cliffs https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a5aff117c.jpeg Gorgeous. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...19da8ffac.jpeg Soaring cliffs https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...33511fc72.jpeg Waterfalls https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4d043967e.jpeg Spectacular walk It was still cloudy at higher elevation, so we took the Schilthornbahn to Gimmelwald for lunch, as it was sunny there (CHF 6 return). https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...08e3b315b.jpeg Gimmelwald https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3f9ad5958.jpeg Perfect lunch spot https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a87c19ec7.jpeg Gimmelwald https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e21aa7b26.jpeg Gimmelwald Enjoyed a simple lunch of dark beer, leek soup and rustic bread (CHF 27 for 2). Wandered around Gimmelwald for a while, enjoying the sun (and the goats and cows). |
Lovely photos Adelaidean! You're whetting my appetite for our trip this fall.
|
Day 9: the cows being brought up to summer pastures in Wengernalp https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7bd144074.jpeg Cows being moved to summer meadows, need to pass through village https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...52970e4dc.jpeg Cows heading to Wengernalp https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c6d9115a6.jpeg Cow bells, what a lovely sound |
Lovely lovely photos! I remember so well the cows going up to the alpage above our chalet in Verbier -- we had to pray for rain for the next couple of days so that the road would be washed - you can imagine from what!!
Personally I prefer the views from the Schilthorn to any other views around the Jungfrau. Again GREAT photos! |
When I saw the cattle moving in 2016, I think everyone in town had cut their lawn the day before, and your second photo shows why--to discourage them from trying to graze along the way. We stayed in the yellow building in the background of pictures 2 and 3. Having all those bells wake you up was a memorable experience.
|
Bookmarking. Looks like an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos.
|
Thanks for commenting. continuing day 9: Wengen to Thun: Where we stayed: Hotel Krone 4 nights modern double room with breakfast CHF 988 Train CHF 16 and 90 mins to Thun. (I had bought the train tickets on the SBB app, and while we hadn’t bought a SIM card after all, I just took a screen shot on my iPad and the conductors scan that.) There was a slight delay on the Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken leg, so we missed the connecting train. But the train carriages have screens showing connections and a bus to Thun was leaving shortly, so we jumped on that. I wasn’t sure if my train ticket was acceptable to use on the bus, but the charming driver okayed it, then chatted to us about Adelaide. :) Gorgeous bus ride, so happy we missed the train! It follows the other side of the lake from the train, and stops in little towns, turquoise lake views, rolling green hills, more distant peaks, cliffs, tunnels, beautiful trees. Just lovely. Slower and nicer than the train. Lunch in the square just by our hotel, another delightful lady doing her best to understand my order, and we stumbled through, with a superb simple cheese and ham seeded roll and tap beer each (CHF28). Then a wander around to orientation ourselves. Great vibe, really like this little city already. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...14004cc6a.jpeg Our hotel is in this square https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b95a5b411.jpeg Schloss Thun https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8e010f9f9.jpeg Covered bridge https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d1fbe6665.jpeg Rooftops https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b010905b6.jpeg Old town https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e104c97e4.jpeg Charming architecture https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a79f7ed9c.jpeg Covered bridge https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...294e63d4b.jpeg Gorgeous houses |
Still here! Still loving your photos!
Glad you're liking Thun! I love it, too! s |
And still loving your TR. Again, great photos... we really enjoyed Thun.
|
Just beautiful! Dreaming of my next trip!
|
Thun is so very lovely. And your photos are too!! Thanks.
|
Fantastic photos Adelaidean. Has me excited for my Switzerland trip later this summer. Thanks for sharing!
|
Day 10: A morning wander... https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...64a66818c.jpeg then 40 minute direct train ride to Kandersteg (CHF 22 each return half fare) Again, the journey itself is lovely, along the lake to Spiez, then through valley via Frutigen, really stunning. Charming little town, and stroll to the cablecar (CHF 13 each return). Totally surrounded by mountains, incredible. A quick ride up and an easy walk to the Oeschinensee. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2a9646b49.jpeg Walk to the lake https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2be41216e.jpeg Walk to the lake https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...999ea05bd.jpeg Oeschinensee https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d11bc9320.jpeg Oeschinensee https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3758e9d4d.jpeg Oeschinensee We walked via the Läger lookout and were trail shamed by the 70 year old Swiss hikers heading up the mountain trail instead. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...144be3bba.jpeg The trail we didn’t take https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7cc741913.jpeg Can just make out some hikers on the high trail Majestic mountains surrounding the lake. And a gorgeous sunny day as well. A pleasant lunch at the lake and a lovely slow wander back, https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bab98458d.jpeg Flowers https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0b8c3a9a1.jpeg Flowers https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7b9e42805.jpeg Church https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d6bffa96c.jpeg Waterfalls https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...28b3ddbc0.jpeg Interesting rock formations https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fd046b0c2.jpeg Surrounded by mountains And a simple journey home. Followed by a craft beer at our ‘local’ at the square. Another wonderful day. |
Lovely photos - thanks for sharing! Look forward to more...
|
and were trail shamed by the 70 year old Swiss hikers heading up the mountain trail instead.
If I only had a nickel for every time that has happened to us! :) |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:16 AM. |