Please critique my itinerary for our Switzerland and Germany trip
Mar 14th, 2005, 07:47 PM
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Please critique my itinerary for our Switzerland and Germany trip
Hi,
I've been doing my homework and I'm hoping that I've come up with a good itinerary. Basically I get to tag along with my husband, who has business at the following dates/locations: June 1, 2005 in Zurich; June 7, 2005 in Munich; June 9, 2005 in Frankfurt. So, that part of the schedule is a given and hotels already paid for there.
Itinerary draft:
1. Fly from Nashville to Zurich, arrive Zurich Tuesday, May 31. Spend 2 nights in Zurich.
2. Depart on train from Zurich to Vevey morning of June 2. Train ride is about 3 hours. (I assume these run daily? it doesn't show a daily schedule like it does for Montreux, etc.)
3 Spend 3 nights in Vevey (June 2, 3, 4) at Hotel des Trois Couronnes. Day trips from Vevey if we want.
4. Depart June 5 on train from Vevey to... either 1)Konstanz, Germany (4 hour train ride) or 2) Basel (3 hour train ride) for one night. Which would you do, or do you have other town recommendations that will get us within a 3-4 hour train ride of Munich for the next day?
5. Depart Konstanz or Basel and stay in Munich from June 6-8
6. Depart Munich June 8 and stay in Frankfurt...
Here is where my itinerary ends. Likely we'll have to travel back to Zurich to fly out, assuming that a roundtrip flight is the cheapest way to go. If you have suggestions as to Frankfurt and what to do in between maybe in 2-3 days before flying home out of Zurich, I'd appreciate it.
More info: I'm not into cities at all, and much prefer a non-touristy town full of character. Given my husband's schedule, I therefore tried to give us as much time in Vevey without overdoing it, before dealing with the city travel again.
Appreciate your input, thanks!
Lori
I've been doing my homework and I'm hoping that I've come up with a good itinerary. Basically I get to tag along with my husband, who has business at the following dates/locations: June 1, 2005 in Zurich; June 7, 2005 in Munich; June 9, 2005 in Frankfurt. So, that part of the schedule is a given and hotels already paid for there.
Itinerary draft:
1. Fly from Nashville to Zurich, arrive Zurich Tuesday, May 31. Spend 2 nights in Zurich.
2. Depart on train from Zurich to Vevey morning of June 2. Train ride is about 3 hours. (I assume these run daily? it doesn't show a daily schedule like it does for Montreux, etc.)
3 Spend 3 nights in Vevey (June 2, 3, 4) at Hotel des Trois Couronnes. Day trips from Vevey if we want.
4. Depart June 5 on train from Vevey to... either 1)Konstanz, Germany (4 hour train ride) or 2) Basel (3 hour train ride) for one night. Which would you do, or do you have other town recommendations that will get us within a 3-4 hour train ride of Munich for the next day?
5. Depart Konstanz or Basel and stay in Munich from June 6-8
6. Depart Munich June 8 and stay in Frankfurt...
Here is where my itinerary ends. Likely we'll have to travel back to Zurich to fly out, assuming that a roundtrip flight is the cheapest way to go. If you have suggestions as to Frankfurt and what to do in between maybe in 2-3 days before flying home out of Zurich, I'd appreciate it.
More info: I'm not into cities at all, and much prefer a non-touristy town full of character. Given my husband's schedule, I therefore tried to give us as much time in Vevey without overdoing it, before dealing with the city travel again.
Appreciate your input, thanks!
Lori
Mar 15th, 2005, 05:48 AM
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Hi Lori,
Don't assume that a simple round-trip is the cheapest way to go; many times an open-jaw ticket is the same or marginally different than the simple round trip. And when you factor in your costs of returning to Zurich, the cost clearly comes out in favor of open-jaw. You can check these fares using a "multiple-city" search function at your favorite airline/booking site.
Now, as for your time in Vevey, I'd suggest these activities:
Walk the flowered lakeside promenade from Vevey to La-Tour-de-Peilz and at Montreux
Don't assume that a simple round-trip is the cheapest way to go; many times an open-jaw ticket is the same or marginally different than the simple round trip. And when you factor in your costs of returning to Zurich, the cost clearly comes out in favor of open-jaw. You can check these fares using a "multiple-city" search function at your favorite airline/booking site.
Now, as for your time in Vevey, I'd suggest these activities:
Walk the flowered lakeside promenade from Vevey to La-Tour-de-Peilz and at Montreux
Mar 15th, 2005, 05:50 AM
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Hi Lori,
Don't assume that a simple round-trip is the cheapest way to go; many times an open-jaw ticket is the same or marginally different than the simple round trip. And when you factor in your costs of returning to Zurich, the cost clearly comes out in favor of open-jaw. You can check these fares using a "multiple-city" search function at your favorite airline/booking site.
Now, as for your time in Vevey, I'd suggest these activities:
Walk the flowered lakeside promenade from Vevey to La-Tour-de-Peilz and at Montreux (you can rent a bicycle and cycle it as well); take the train up to Chexbres and walk the vineyards down to Rivaz, then enjoy lunch at the Auberge de Rivaz; take a ferry ride to Lutry or Cully and explore those medieval towns; and of course do explore the antiques stores in Vevey's old town.
s
Don't assume that a simple round-trip is the cheapest way to go; many times an open-jaw ticket is the same or marginally different than the simple round trip. And when you factor in your costs of returning to Zurich, the cost clearly comes out in favor of open-jaw. You can check these fares using a "multiple-city" search function at your favorite airline/booking site.
Now, as for your time in Vevey, I'd suggest these activities:
Walk the flowered lakeside promenade from Vevey to La-Tour-de-Peilz and at Montreux (you can rent a bicycle and cycle it as well); take the train up to Chexbres and walk the vineyards down to Rivaz, then enjoy lunch at the Auberge de Rivaz; take a ferry ride to Lutry or Cully and explore those medieval towns; and of course do explore the antiques stores in Vevey's old town.
s
Mar 15th, 2005, 05:52 AM
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Is there a particular reason for selecting Vevey? It's a good choice as a base for French Switzerland, but most people go to Switzerland for the mountains.
If you want a home base for exploring the Alps, let me suggest these towns in the Berner Oberland: Murren, Wengen, or Lauterbrunnen. They are all surrounded by the Schilthorn, Eigher, Monch, and Jungfrau. Murren (and Wengen, I think) is traffic-free.
If you want a small, non-touristy town from which to explore the Berner Alps and if you like rustic, then Gimmelwald is the way to go. No traffic, no fancy hotels, no tacky souveniers, and more cows than people. Like the other 3 towns I mentioned, it has great scenery and is a great springboard for hiking. It's a little hard to get to, but that's a plus in my book (keeps away tourists who have to be pampered). Here's a picture of the town:
http://www.gimmelwald.com/pics/gimme...elwaldview.jpg
If you want a home base for exploring the Alps, let me suggest these towns in the Berner Oberland: Murren, Wengen, or Lauterbrunnen. They are all surrounded by the Schilthorn, Eigher, Monch, and Jungfrau. Murren (and Wengen, I think) is traffic-free.
If you want a small, non-touristy town from which to explore the Berner Alps and if you like rustic, then Gimmelwald is the way to go. No traffic, no fancy hotels, no tacky souveniers, and more cows than people. Like the other 3 towns I mentioned, it has great scenery and is a great springboard for hiking. It's a little hard to get to, but that's a plus in my book (keeps away tourists who have to be pampered). Here's a picture of the town:
http://www.gimmelwald.com/pics/gimme...elwaldview.jpg
Mar 15th, 2005, 06:18 AM
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I second the recommendation for an open jaw. Arrive in Zurich, fly home from Munich saves you a travel day. Even if the fare is higher, you probably save over train costs.
A couple of suggestions/questions:
1. Why Zurich? If you are not into big cities, this is just that. If you're looking for a smaller city with scenery, though, Luzern is only 75 minutes from the airport and has lake, river, and mountain views, shopping and good restaurants.
2. Many people on this board love the Lac Leman (Vevey/Montreaux). I'm not one of them. I liked the lakefront, but wasn't bowled over by the food or the feel (though I thoroughly enjoyed Chateau Chillon). I do like the Italian part of Switzerland, though, and would recommend Locarno as a small city with charm and beautiful scenery as well.
3. If you want to be close to Munich, you might consider either Appenzell--a Heidi-like area of Switzerland, or Lindau on Lake Bodensee, about 2.5 hours from Munich. We plan to go there next year, and I'm told that American tourists have not descended on this town to the extent that they/we have others such as Fuessen.
A couple of suggestions/questions:
1. Why Zurich? If you are not into big cities, this is just that. If you're looking for a smaller city with scenery, though, Luzern is only 75 minutes from the airport and has lake, river, and mountain views, shopping and good restaurants.
2. Many people on this board love the Lac Leman (Vevey/Montreaux). I'm not one of them. I liked the lakefront, but wasn't bowled over by the food or the feel (though I thoroughly enjoyed Chateau Chillon). I do like the Italian part of Switzerland, though, and would recommend Locarno as a small city with charm and beautiful scenery as well.
3. If you want to be close to Munich, you might consider either Appenzell--a Heidi-like area of Switzerland, or Lindau on Lake Bodensee, about 2.5 hours from Munich. We plan to go there next year, and I'm told that American tourists have not descended on this town to the extent that they/we have others such as Fuessen.
Mar 15th, 2005, 06:25 AM
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Oh--forgot one thing. You mentioned touristy; I should have noted that Luzern is indeed tourist-filled. It's a popular spot for Americans as well as people from Japan. There are nearby villages on the lake that are less filled with people, though, if you want the benefit of the area but a quieter place. In any event, my experience has been that it is less congested than Zurich.
Mar 15th, 2005, 07:16 AM
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Wow, you're right. To those of you suggesting an open-jaw ticket, thanks! I just checked it out and there is barely a price difference between a round-trip and a multi-city. This will make the trip alot easier travel-wise.
Jin, the reason Zurich and Munich are on the schedule is due to my husband's schedule. So those cities aren't negotiable.
Originally I had hoped to go to Geneva from Zurich, but reconsidered as I thought it would be cramming in too much. So after researching the Montreux area, Vevey seemed like a good option as there were many suggesting day trips from here. I would definitely like to experience the alps, though. I thought about the panomoramic trains but am not sure I want to do more train travel if I can avoid it! I will certainly look into all of your suggestions further. Thanks, this helped alot.
Lori
Jin, the reason Zurich and Munich are on the schedule is due to my husband's schedule. So those cities aren't negotiable.
Originally I had hoped to go to Geneva from Zurich, but reconsidered as I thought it would be cramming in too much. So after researching the Montreux area, Vevey seemed like a good option as there were many suggesting day trips from here. I would definitely like to experience the alps, though. I thought about the panomoramic trains but am not sure I want to do more train travel if I can avoid it! I will certainly look into all of your suggestions further. Thanks, this helped alot.
Lori
Mar 15th, 2005, 07:34 AM
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Hi again Lori,
I'm glad the open-jaw will work for you!
If you want to experience at least a bit of the alps from Vevey, take the train up to Chateau d'Oex, Gstaad, or Saanen. These are villages full of brown-wood chalets just as you expect to see in Switzerland; the only "catch" is that the mountains here are more like rolling hills than towering peaks -- this is the exteme western edge of the Oberland mountains. But they're a great compromise for time: it takes about 1h40 to get to Gstaad from Montreux (add maybe 15 mins from Vevey).
Have fun!
s
I'm glad the open-jaw will work for you!
If you want to experience at least a bit of the alps from Vevey, take the train up to Chateau d'Oex, Gstaad, or Saanen. These are villages full of brown-wood chalets just as you expect to see in Switzerland; the only "catch" is that the mountains here are more like rolling hills than towering peaks -- this is the exteme western edge of the Oberland mountains. But they're a great compromise for time: it takes about 1h40 to get to Gstaad from Montreux (add maybe 15 mins from Vevey).
Have fun!
s
Mar 15th, 2005, 06:40 PM
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Okay, so I've researched your suggestions a bit more. I've been asking myself the question Edward asked - maybe I am shorting myself by not staying in the alps. I am now leaning towards Wengen and would love to stay at Locarno, too. I think splitting this into 2, 2-day trips would be tiresome, however. Here is my question now:
In reading about Wengen and the adjoining towns, I keep seeing stuff like hiking, biking, etc. My husband and I will not be interested in doing those types of activities and will not have a car. Is this still a good choice? Or should I return to my Vevey plans based on those facts? I think I would love the alps area, I just don't know enough about it to make an educated decision. Thoughs?
In reading about Wengen and the adjoining towns, I keep seeing stuff like hiking, biking, etc. My husband and I will not be interested in doing those types of activities and will not have a car. Is this still a good choice? Or should I return to my Vevey plans based on those facts? I think I would love the alps area, I just don't know enough about it to make an educated decision. Thoughs?
Mar 16th, 2005, 02:48 AM
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Hi jumper22,
Well . . . no one is gonna *force* you to walk, hike, bike, etc!! If you're content to sit at an outdoor cafe and stare at the peaks, then you'll be fine in Wengen! You'll probably enjoy strolling around the village, and you can also explore the villages of Muerren and Grindelwald. You can take the train down to Interlaken and stroll that town as well, or take a ferry ride to Thun or Spiez. Lots to do there too!
s
Well . . . no one is gonna *force* you to walk, hike, bike, etc!! If you're content to sit at an outdoor cafe and stare at the peaks, then you'll be fine in Wengen! You'll probably enjoy strolling around the village, and you can also explore the villages of Muerren and Grindelwald. You can take the train down to Interlaken and stroll that town as well, or take a ferry ride to Thun or Spiez. Lots to do there too!
s
Mar 16th, 2005, 06:44 AM
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Jumper, keep in mind that there are hikes of all difficulty levels in the Oberland. For example, from Wengen you could take the lift to Maennlichen. From there you can do a 2-3 hour hike *downhill* to Kleine Shiedegg with the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau in front of you nearly the whole time. Pack a little picnic and it will be fantastic. Then take the train from KS back to Wengen.
Mar 16th, 2005, 10:57 AM
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Okay, thanks. I figured as much but just wanted to be sure. Unfortunately I have been violently ill the first two days of my recent 2 europe trips, so I'm counting on that again just in case, i.e. not much activity 
I seem to have a sensitive system when it comes to foreign travel, sigh.
Appreciate the suggestions for
activities around Wengen, I think I am going to book this area instead of Vevey. I would hate to miss a chance at experiencing the Alps.
I seem to have a sensitive system when it comes to foreign travel, sigh. Appreciate the suggestions for
activities around Wengen, I think I am going to book this area instead of Vevey. I would hate to miss a chance at experiencing the Alps.
Mar 16th, 2005, 01:19 PM
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Have you ever been to Germany? If not, on your Frankfurt days I would spend one day on Rhine cruise (Rudesheim to St. Goar and back), and one day in Heidelburg. Heidelburg has alot of tourists, but in my opinion is still not to be missed.
Mar 16th, 2005, 06:38 PM
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Alright, another question for you! The train schedule is confusing me.
The itinerary is now to stay in Wengen for 3 nights, and then we have to start heading to Munich. I want to break this travel up a bit, and leave Wengen on a 3-4 hour train ride (4 hrs max), spend the night somewhere interesting, then continue to Munich the next day.
I can't seem to find a route map, however. Are all the trains to Munich going to go through Zurich first anyway? If that's the case, it wouldn't make much sense to leave Wengen for Konstanz, for instance, if it means we have to travel back to Zurich before heading to Munich again.
Am I missing something?
The itinerary is now to stay in Wengen for 3 nights, and then we have to start heading to Munich. I want to break this travel up a bit, and leave Wengen on a 3-4 hour train ride (4 hrs max), spend the night somewhere interesting, then continue to Munich the next day.
I can't seem to find a route map, however. Are all the trains to Munich going to go through Zurich first anyway? If that's the case, it wouldn't make much sense to leave Wengen for Konstanz, for instance, if it means we have to travel back to Zurich before heading to Munich again.
Am I missing something?
Mar 17th, 2005, 06:15 AM
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Hi jumper22,
I just checked the Swiss Rail website at www.rail.ch and saw one route through Basel (about three hours after leaving Wengen) and one through Winterthur (the same, about three hours after leaving). If I were you, I think I'd stop over in Basel, a city I'm really learning to enjoy.
I think you may want to invest in a good map of Europe so you can follow the routes that come up on the train websites. But at www.rail.ch, you can click on "connection graphic" to get a very rough idea of the route.
Hope this helps.
s
I just checked the Swiss Rail website at www.rail.ch and saw one route through Basel (about three hours after leaving Wengen) and one through Winterthur (the same, about three hours after leaving). If I were you, I think I'd stop over in Basel, a city I'm really learning to enjoy.
I think you may want to invest in a good map of Europe so you can follow the routes that come up on the train websites. But at www.rail.ch, you can click on "connection graphic" to get a very rough idea of the route.
Hope this helps.
s
Mar 17th, 2005, 05:29 PM
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Swandav,
Thanks for the swiss rail site, I was looking at a general eurorail one and it wasn't that detailed. I'd like to get a little bit further travel-wise to avoid mega hours on the train the next day to Munich. I see Konstanz is on their schedule, so if I'm reading it correctly that is a possibility, right? I'd love to see Basel but would pass it if I could gain another hour towards Munich. I loathe sitting on the train for long hours.
Also, of the towns you mention to explore from Wengen, what is the shopping like? I love to browse the antique and boutique-type stores in Europe.
Thanks for the swiss rail site, I was looking at a general eurorail one and it wasn't that detailed. I'd like to get a little bit further travel-wise to avoid mega hours on the train the next day to Munich. I see Konstanz is on their schedule, so if I'm reading it correctly that is a possibility, right? I'd love to see Basel but would pass it if I could gain another hour towards Munich. I loathe sitting on the train for long hours.
Also, of the towns you mention to explore from Wengen, what is the shopping like? I love to browse the antique and boutique-type stores in Europe.
Mar 18th, 2005, 03:06 AM
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Hi jumper22,
I'm sorry, but I don't see Konstanz on the SBB schedule, and Raileurope is saying the Wengen-Munich route isn't in their database. So I don't know what you mean when you say that Konstanz is on their schedule . . .?? One SBB routing takes you to Schaffhausen & Singen toward the northern end of Lake Konstanz (not directly on the lake), and one routing takes you to St Gallen toward the southern end of the lake. Obviously, you can get off the train at either spot and spend the night! To see the connections in more detail at the SBB site, click on the train name when the specific connections come up.
As for shopping, I remember the boutique shops in Wengen & Grindelwald to be for leather goods, ski-wear, and watches -- pretty much. I didn't get the chance to shop in Muerren as I just ski'd through it! Interlaken is a fair-sized city and has lots of nice shops; I bought my mother a Heidi Ott doll there. Thun also is a fair-sized city and has a lot of shops. I don't remember seeing any shops in Spiez as I was pretty much rushing through the town to get to the lake! But it's a pretty site and you'd probably enjoy it.
Anyway, here's a link to the ferry-boat company on Lakes Thun & Brienz:
http://www.bls.ch/schiff/index_e.html.
On the left-hand side of the page, click on "Ideas for Excursions" (for some general ideas on things to do in the area) and also on "Calendar of Events" (for ideas on themed ferry rides, like the Indian dinner night or the dining with music nights).
Hope this helps.
s
I'm sorry, but I don't see Konstanz on the SBB schedule, and Raileurope is saying the Wengen-Munich route isn't in their database. So I don't know what you mean when you say that Konstanz is on their schedule . . .?? One SBB routing takes you to Schaffhausen & Singen toward the northern end of Lake Konstanz (not directly on the lake), and one routing takes you to St Gallen toward the southern end of the lake. Obviously, you can get off the train at either spot and spend the night! To see the connections in more detail at the SBB site, click on the train name when the specific connections come up.
As for shopping, I remember the boutique shops in Wengen & Grindelwald to be for leather goods, ski-wear, and watches -- pretty much. I didn't get the chance to shop in Muerren as I just ski'd through it! Interlaken is a fair-sized city and has lots of nice shops; I bought my mother a Heidi Ott doll there. Thun also is a fair-sized city and has a lot of shops. I don't remember seeing any shops in Spiez as I was pretty much rushing through the town to get to the lake! But it's a pretty site and you'd probably enjoy it.
Anyway, here's a link to the ferry-boat company on Lakes Thun & Brienz:
http://www.bls.ch/schiff/index_e.html.
On the left-hand side of the page, click on "Ideas for Excursions" (for some general ideas on things to do in the area) and also on "Calendar of Events" (for ideas on themed ferry rides, like the Indian dinner night or the dining with music nights).
Hope this helps.
s
Mar 22nd, 2005, 04:14 PM
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LOL, I figured I'd better ask to be sure. I typed in Wengen to Konstanz on the rail.ch site and then chose one from the list, and looked at the schedule? You can tell I don't do this very often 
Thanks so much for your suggestons, I'll look into them and like the ferry ride idea. I hope to have the entire trip booked - hotels, flights and all - by the end of this week.
Lori
Thanks so much for your suggestons, I'll look into them and like the ferry ride idea. I hope to have the entire trip booked - hotels, flights and all - by the end of this week.
Lori
