swiss trip - 3 weeks - where do we start?
 

In July of this year, my son, who is 22, and I will be going to Swizerland for 3 weeks. I would appreciate any help in planning the itinerary. We are leaving from Houston. I also thought about visiting Milan and Vienna if there is time. Also I want to spend a little time near Zurich to do some work finding out about my roots.

There is a TON of information on this site and in the Fodors book about Switzerland, it is a very popular destination. Much as I like Switzerland (I live here) I think 3 weeks is too long in this country. You can only see so many Alps, and although the county is beautiful, it is not varied enough scenically or culturally to warrant 3 weeks. You can take a train from end to end (the long way) in 3 ½ hours, to give you an idea of size. I would definitely recommend including northern Italy and Florence and/or Milan. Vienna is also a good choice, as it is different from other cities in Switzerland.

Hello Michael F,<BR><BR>Well, I’m a huge fan of Switzerland and probably would not even be satisfied with three full weeks there. Anyway, I don’t know how much you know about Switzerland or what you are most eager about seeing there, but here are a few highlights and then an itinerary suggestion.<BR><BR>If you are most interested in seeing quintessential Swiss-chalet Heidi country, head for the hills. The Berner Oberland villages of Grindelwald, Wengen, &amp; Muerren offer simply spectacular mountain scenery and quintessentially alpine charm. Websites to explore are www.wengen.com, www.grindelwald.com, and www.muerren.ch.<BR><BR>Zermatt, home of the Matterhorn, is another high-altitude destination in the Valais with alpine charm. Website is www.zermatt.ch.<BR><BR>The third best place for that typical Swiss feeling is Luzern, a small, charming town set on a lake. Luzern is only about an hour from Zurich. Luzern has great history, great scenery, great mountaintop excursions, and great activities. Here are some websites to explore: www.luzern.org, www.brunnen.ch, www.weggis.ch, www.vitznau.ch, www.titlis.ch, www.rigi.ch, www.pilatus.ch &amp; www.lakelucerne.ch.<BR><BR>The Ticino is the Italian section of Switzerland, curled around Lake Maggiore (Ascona &amp; Locarno) and Lake Lugano (Lugano). Many people prefer to find a small village on the lakes for quiet and beauty. There’s a direct bus from Lugano to Milan airport that takes about 1.30 hours. <BR><BR>The Engadin Valley resorts of Scuol, Pontresina, and St. Moritz offer spectacular mountain scenery and buildings of white, decorated stone instead of chalets (actually, I am only guessing from the photos I've seen as my first visit is still some months away!). The Engadin is a little less touristy than the Berner Oberland. Website: www.engadin.ch.<BR><BR>One of my favorite places in Switzerland is Lac Leman, or Lake Geneva, and I usually stay in Montreux. This is in the French area of the country. Websites at: www.montreux.ch, www.montreux-vevey.com, www.lake-geneva-region.ch, and my travel jounal w/photos www.igougo.com/planning/journal.asp?JournalI!D=7825.<BR><BR>Here are some general sites to explore on Switzerland.<BR>www.twenj.com -- loads of information on Switzerland, and a great place to start.<BR>www.myswitzerland.com-- the Swiss national tourism site.<BR>www.rail.ch -- for schedules &amp; fares, click on &quot;Travel/Timetables.&quot;<BR><BR>As you can see, Switzerland has so much diversity that you can really experience a lot of variety if you have the time to get into the corners of the country. I think you should buy an open-jaw ticket to fly into Vienna and out of Milan. The train trip from Vienna to Zurich is nine hours, but if you take it at night you’ll save time &amp; money. There’s a train that leaves Vienna at 21.23 and arrives in Zurich at 06.27 with 0 changes. Here’s a bunch of options for your itinerary:<BR>Vienna -- Zurich -- Luzern -- Wengen -- Ticino -- Milan airport.<BR><BR>Vienna -- Zurich -- Luzern -- Montreux -- Zermatt -- Ticino -- Milan<BR><BR>Vienna -- Zurich -- Luzern -- Engadin -- Ticino -- Milan<BR><BR>If you’d like to do a classic circle of the country that includes four distinct influences, fly into Vienna and out of Zurich, and go:<BR>Vienna -- Zurich -- Engadin -- Ticino (day trip or two to Milan) -- Zermatt -- Montreux -- Luzern -- Zurich airport<BR><BR>You can play with these itineraries and plug them in at www.rail.ch to see how long the trips are.<BR><BR>Well, that was a fun diversion! Have fun researching and let us know how your planning is going! <BR><BR>s<BR>

Mike Zubler,<BR><BR>My apologies for getting your name all wrong. Sorry!<BR><BR>s

Thank you so much for all of the info. on an itinerary. I have been reading about many of those places in my Fodor's Switzerland and have thought about much the same sort of itinerary. What you have said only confirms what I have been thinkingl

Topping because S' is so much fun to read, and I'm hoping you'll keep us posted as your planning continues, Mike.<BR><BR>Did she say that the food is different in each of the sections? It is, and all delicious. J.

p.s. Like S', I could spend three weeks in Switzerland easily. But I thought I should mention that, in addition to the easy day-trips to Milan from Lugano or Maggiore, you really could fit Vienna in as well.