Wengen is like Murren - car-less but even more finer views IMO - and well situated for day trips whereas Murren is rather isolated- having to go down to the valley and Lauterbrunnen to get to most Jungfrau places of interest.

I like Grindelwald - similar views and great base but for many Grindelwald is too busy -tour buses can drive into the main street so many more tourists than totally car-less Wengen.

<I'd go immediately to Montreux or Vevey on Lake Geneva, and stay there for 3 nights>

Well it sounds like you've decided on something else, but I was coming to *strongly* agree with the suggestion above from swandav!

Thanks. I would have to make it 2 nights in lake Geneva area and 2 in Wengen . The advice from most people seems to be that the top two places are the Wengen and related area and Lucerne. What do you think?

Yes though factor in a day to get to Inerlaken or Lucerne with relocation - take the Golden Pass scenic train to Interlaken - about an hour longer than main line via Lausanne and Bern but so so much more scenic.

Some kind of Swiss Pass or Half-Fare Card could be a great deal.

I have stayed at the Hotel de la Bretonnerie and thought it was fine. We had a "larger" room, and I recall that it included a small table and two chairs. Our view was on to a courtyard, and wasn't special at all.

A favorite hotel and room was at the Hotel de Varenne in the 7th. They have a with a partial view of the Eiffel Tower. Across the same street, the Hotel Palais Bourbon had what they called a "honeymoon room" on their top floor, with really romantic views of typical Parisian rooftops. I liked this street in the 7th, toward the eastern edge of the 7th, so much that we stayed there twice.

I don't have that much Switzerland experience but we stayed in the valley outside of Grindelwald in a rental home. I really would not have wanted to be in the heart of the town. I thought Lauterbrunnen was lovely and Wengen's views were fantastic.

HI, I just got back from 3 weeks in Holland, France, Germany, Luxembourg and a week down in Switzerland. First of all, I am not sure what you and wife like to do, as I did not read all of the above. If you like beauty, natural outdoors, mountains, cool weather, and gorgeous scenery....think the Lauterbrunnen Valley (check sp), I just spent time in Wengen and loved it. It is surrounded by the Jungfrau, Munch, and Eiger Mountains, small village. There is a lift up the mountain, where you can hike on several various short or long hikes. We stayed at the Schonnegg Hotel, again check spelling, that you can include dinner, BF comes with room, room looked out on the Jungfrau, and just gorgeous scenery. peaceful, not great night life if you are into that. Well worth whatever they charged, and meals were great. Switz is very very expensive, so be prepared. Also been to Murren years ago, also gorgeous, smaller place, same area, lots of waterfalls in Spring. Swiss Rail pass made travel in Switz easier and less costly. Sue

Hi again,

For Paris, you should be aware that if you choose a hotel in Montmartre, you'll be a ways from the center. Lots of folks love it up there because of the tangled streets and neighborhood feel -- it's less gentrified than central Paris. However, you will have to take a metro or bus for 15 or 20 minutes each morning and evening to see the sights in the center of town. For that reason, I'd choose a hotel more in the center; most folks agree that a hotel in the arrondissements 1-7 are well located.

As for Switzerland, yes, I'm one who doesn't like the look or feel of Lauterbrunnen. Every time I go through it on the train, the overhanging cliffs just un-thrill me (couldn't think of the right word ...). I agree that Wengen would be a good compromise ... it's a car-free village in the mountains, but it's not so remote as Mürren. I've spent 2 holidays there, at the 3-star Hotel Alpenrose. It's a charming hotel that's been in one family for a few generations -- currently the mom is the manager and the pop is the chef. The daughters, last I heard, were attending hotel school. They have a wonderful photo album documenting the hotel over the last 100 years.

Anyway, hope you're having fun as you plan!

s

Just a note to say I am a naysayer on Hotel de Varenne in the 7th, although I did not stay in the honeymoon suite. I disliked nearly everything about the hotel and thought the location inconvenient to everything I wanted to do (mainly, get out of the 7th arr.) So vive la difference but I think it is not a corner of Paris that much interests me.

massimop: the "honeymoon room" was across rue de Bourgogne at the Hotel Palais Bourbon. The room we had at the Hotel de Varenne was one with a partial Tour view (a good view, actually).

I'm not one to champion the the 7th, but the area I'm speaking of, nearer to the border with the 6th, is a favorite of mine. Nice churches, nice shops, and more.

There are direct trains from Lucerne to Zurich airport, takes about an hour. So you could stay in Lucerne that extra day. 2 nights in one place is only one full day plus pieces of the day before and the day after.

With your short time I would stay in one place in Switzerland and do excursions from there. My preference is Wengen, a nice town, with lovely views and easier transportation. Alternatively stay in Lucerne.

As for hotel locations in Paris, assuming this is your first visit I would pick a hotel in arrondissements 1-7. This area is centered around the Seine and Ile de la Cite, where Paris was founded. Walking and public transportation to sites is easy around here.

Yup :10 after each hour direct trains to airport - no hassle changing in Zurich main station. Just buy tickets day of travel (or before but once there - no need to pre-book)

8 - morning train (around 10am) to Murren Wengen or Grindelwald arriving around 4.30 (have to change 4 times apparently)>

Grindelwald is the easiest to get to - direct trains from Interlaken-Ost in 20 minutes - Wengen or Murren have to change in Lauterbrunnen - no big deal from one platform to another-no thru trains because of track width size differences.

Murren is too remote IMO as most of the popular excursions are much more convenient from Grindelwald or Wengen -from Murren always have to go back down to Lauterbrunnen -about 30 minutes then to Wengen or Grindelwald.

Wengen for quiet sojourn -Grindelwald much more lively and busy.

One more question please. I am travelling from Paris to Wengen on 8 September and have booked the Paris to Basel SBB fast Train ticket already (leaving a Paris at 720 or so AM). I would like advice on what to do for the Swiss tickets for this journey and until I leave on 15 September 2017 in the evening. Should I get the 8 day full pass? I understand the half card gives more discounts on the trains to mountain peaks.

I am staying in Wengen from 8 to 12 and then 12 to 15 in Lucerne. Flight back is 950pm from Zurich to London On 15 September

I understand the half card gives more discounts on the trains to mountain peaks.>

Only one TMK - Kleine Scheidegg/Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch. Others are pretty much all 50% with pass and in Lucerne area passes now cover trains to Pilatus in full whereas 50% card is 50%. I think Engelberg to Titlis is no longer covered by pass at all but no sure about 1/2 Fare Card.

Mt Rigi is 100% covered by pass - 1/2 Off is always 50% off.

Museums like Ballenberg and sights like Trummelbach Falls are free with pass not 1/2 Fare.

So basically they both give 50% off with some exceptions for the pass which may cover 50% or sometimes 100%

Interlaken-Wengen 100% with pass for example.

For 1/2 Fare Card you need to know pretty much what you will be doing and do the maths- I usually end up with a pass doing more than I previsioned - like rainy day in Wengen taken train without cost to Interlaken or Bern or even Lucerne, etc. Plus 1/2 off still means waiting in ticket lines rather thann just heading for and hopping on waiting trains.

did you check www.voyages-sncf.com for discounted fares Paris to Wengen?