Suggestions for Bern
 

I think my previous question about Bern got buried on another thread, but I'd appreciate comments from those of you who are familiar with Bern.<BR><BR>We'll be staying in Grindelwald for 5 nights, mostly hiking and being outdoors, but wonder if a trip to Bern is feasible and worthwhile. We've been to Zurich and Lucern and think perhaps Bern would be a good &quot;rainy day plan&quot; to have. Would it be worth a trip even on a nice day? What must we see? We enjoy poking around unique neighborhoods and just experiencing the culture more so than spending time in museums when on a tight schedule.<BR><BR>Thanks.

I think Bern is a good rainy day plan. I did it once under the same conditions.<BR>If you have a car, you could consider the showcase dairy near the village of Afoltern. We lucked into the Miss Swiss Cow finals where those bells are awarded to the best cows. The all around champions got those flowered head ornaments that look like Christmas trees. If you don't give a whit about cows it might not be interesting, but being an old farm boy I know a good cow when I see one.

IMO Bern is worth a trip on a nice day as well. The old town is very charming. I am assuming you will travel by train, right? You�ll find a tourist information in the railway station. You have the options to join a guided tour or purchase a town map and explore on your own. I recommend the latter.<BR><BR>You should head straight toward the Parliament Building (Bundeshaus) where you should ask for a guided tour (free). There are several tours every day � so you can plan your sightseeing. Don�t miss the following sights:<BR>The fountains<BR>The Muenster church (get up on the tower for stunning views)<BR>The clock tower (figure play five minutes before the full hour)<BR>The Bear pit (Restaurant �Tram depot� with good self brewed beer next to it)<BR>Rosengarten (roses garden) with beautiful views of the old town<BR>The house where Albert Einstein lived<BR><BR>In case there�s still time left, go up by funicular to the Gurten hill for fantastic views of the city and the Alps (depending on the weather of course!).<BR><BR>You wrote you�re not a museum person, but I think the Historical Museum is not to miss. And don�t forget: the best you can do is just to stroll along the cobbled streets (under the arcades), window shopping, having a coffee or so in one of the nice caf�s, explore the passages from street to street etc.<BR><BR>Ingo<BR>

I don't want to start any disagreements, and everyone has their own ideas, BUT...I have to say that I did not enjoy Berne even though I love Switzerland and travel there often. I found the old town to be dirty and overpriced. IMO you would be much better off continuing on to Basel which has a clean, prosperous, delightful old town.

I visited Bern once. I spent three days there and after the first day I made day trips elsewhere. It's a pleasant enough small city but I found nothing particularly memorable about it. I would spend the day going just about anywhere in Switzerland but Bern. Next to Carcassonne, France I thought the bear pits of Bern were a major disappointment. Your mileage may vary.<BR><BR>Have a great trip whatever you decide.<BR>Larry J

Whatever you do, make sure you're not there on Sunday. NOTHING is open.

Bern is worth a day visit. I have an oil painting of the old clock tower in my office that I have had for 30 years.<BR><BR>The Parliament was worth a tour. Beautiful building inside and we were able to go into the gallery while they were in session. (Could not understand anything, but we were there).

I love graceful Berne, but just in case you've got only a rainy afternoon, consider Thun. J.

Having been to switzerland many times I have to agree with some of the above...compared to other spots I think Berne is somewhat disappointing. But that all depends on what rocks your world I suppose but given the ease of traveling all over Switzerland by train I would even go to Brig or Zermatt since getting to those places is spectacular in and of itself.<BR>These questions are always so hard to do justice to and I think everyone tries to do so..you have to remember we don't know what you really like but whatever happens I hope it is memorable.

Thanks for the suggestions and comments on Bern. We'll be hiking for 4 days in Engelberg, 3 in Zermatt and 4 in Grindelwald, plus a day in Zurich and possibly one in Lucerne. Since we'll mostly be &quot;out in the country&quot; that's why I was wondering if a day in Bern would be literally a change of pace. Perhaps there are other places we should consider from Grindelwald. (I'll get back to Bob Brown later when considering hikes) Someone mentioned Thun; please tell me more about that.

I like Berne very much for its excellent shopping (every big department store has a grocery on the ground level or basement--same high-priced chocalates as the chocolate boutiques at half to 2/3 the price).<BR>It is an excellent suggestion for any day but Sunday and particularly for a rainy day (arcaded double tiers of shops all the way to the old town).<BR>Thun is a small city situated beautifully on a sparkling lake, has an old town with arcaded shops as well, and has a nice castle at the edge of the old town to tour. If tou have the time, a boat ride is highly recommended.