Swandav,

Read your trip report. In an earlier post you mentioned you were going to try and make the 9:43 train, were you successful? If so, was it more scenic?

Hi hobseq,

Yup, I did make the 9.43 via Biel and Neuchatel. My notes indicate we had wheels down at 9.05 (yes I know I note the strangest things . . .), I had my luggage in hand at 9.30, and that I had bought my Swiss pass and was on the train platform one or two minutes early. The only bad thing was that I didn't have the time to go by the grocery store; however, that really wasn't important because I was in Glion in time for lunch.

Yes, it was more scenic than the more direct route; lakes are always good! I also enjoyed it because I could sort of "preview" the landscape to see if I would be tempted to spend more time in that area.

Hope this helps--
s

So what was your impression of the landscape along Bielersee (yes?)? I don't recall the lakes of Neuchatel and Murat with as much pleasure as I do Leman, but I've often wondered about villages like Twann and Ligerz on Bielersee. I wonder if Ingo has visited them. Ingo, are you around? Affectionately, J.

Hi jmw,

No, the lakes (Neuchatel & Murten) are not as impressive, in my opinion, as Leman. I think it's the awe-factor. Around Neuchatel/Bienne/Murten, I only saw low rolling hills, not mountains. And you know, I really didn't take to Lake Neuchatel at all when I went back to Latenium -- mostly deserted lakefront, swarms of flying bugs, etc.

I've also heard of those villages on Beilersee; in fact, I have a link to a website with a vineyard walk through those villages, and it sounds lovely. Not sure, though, when I'll get around to it. Now my two new loves, Saanenland and Morges, are going to get a lot of my attention.

One note about Morges: it lies at the widest point of the lake, so the mountains on the opposite shore are farther away (duh). Anyway, because those mountains are so distant, it decreases the wow factor you get so strongly in Montreux/Vevey. Just a factor to consider. I kept going back and forth about how important that was . . .

s

S', Don't tell me Poschiavo has fallen off the plate!

Any chance that the elevation of Saanen made it less hot? I hope I hope I hope. J.

Hi Grasshopper -- Poschiavo isn't off the plate, just off to to the side! Pretty fickle, eh?

jw, yup, it was cooler in Saanen. It felt delightful after feeling roasted in Montreux. In fact, the first morning there, I saw low clouds dancing amoung the hills outside my window, and you know how much I love those moody cloud-scapes. I also checked the weather relentlessly before I left, and Gstaad was consistently 10 deg. cooler than Geneva.

Ooh, what fun. Reliving a recent trip. You folks are the best!

s

Well you both know where you can go if you want cloudscapes and mountains (and thunderstorms!) and mountain views and lake walks...... And you don't have to jump over any oceans to get there. You're both welcome any time!

Any chance of photographs this trip?

The lakes of Neuchatel and Biel definitely cannot rival Lake Geneva. The mountains are definitely lower and the lakes are much smaller.

S, you have not seen the mountains, because the trains run between the lakes and the mountains. You need to do a boat ride or stand at the opposite bank of the lakes to have a good view of the mountains (which reach 1600 m at least!).

Ingo