kja

@ swandav - my question about the season was for PalenQ, who said there were lots of young campers in Lauterbrunnen, something I didn't see. While I'm sure there are seasonal differences in light and shade in Lauterbrunnen, I can assure you that Lauterbrunnen is not necessarily dark. As I said above, there are places that offer gorgeous views of the valley. I treasured the views of the lush, green valley floor extending to distant snow-covered mountains, and waterfalls leaping off cliffs, and sunlight and paragliders galore. That the train station is in the shadow of cliffs doesn't mean that the entire town is.

swandav2000

Oh, thanks for clarifying that, kja!

Well, the train didn't just sit in the station. It rolls through town, of course. It simply depressed me, every time, with the stark granite cliffs everywhere I looked and with the darkness. That's worth telling other travelers about.

s

PalenQ

Yes kja - July and August were times I saw lots of young folk - I was camping too so may have been a lot closer to them. Not sure Contiki has a tent city there anymore either - if so they run thousands thru - may have changed. Lauterbrunnen is really nice - you can't go wrong but do go over the ridge to Grindelwald and see that large valley or amphitheater as well - Lauterbrunnen-Wengen by train - aerial gondola to Mannlichen - do the ridge Walk - easy stroll to Kl Schiedegg and then train down to Grindelwald and train via Zweilutchenen back to Lauterbrunnen.

tuscanlifeedit

All good information.

Back to the Wengen/Murren issue: are they good for daytrips or would Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald be much better?

thanks

PalenQ

All are good convenient bases but Murren is a bit more isolated as first you have to go down to Lauterbrunnen to get anywhere else and of course back up - if you have a Swiss Pass it covers trains to all those destinations and if doing a lot of day trips it may be well worth it - good also for boats on lakes, etc.

Melnq8

<<Back to the Wengen/Murren issue: are they good for daytrips or would Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald be much better?>>

I've stayed in all of these villages multiple times. While I prefer Murren overall, you really can't beat Lauterbrunnen for convenience IMO - it's a transport hub of sorts - you can easily get to and from anywhere in the BO from Lauterbrunnen, and it's a nice little village to boot.

Melnq8

In addition to wonderful food, Hotel Oberland (Lauterbrunnen) also has apartments:

http://www.hoteloberland.ch/apartments/

We stayed here one year for a week and loved it:

http://www.homeaway.com.au/holiday-rental/p95287

kja

I chose Lauterbrunnen because of its convenience -- my time in the area was more limited than I would have liked, and I didn't want to spend any time in unnecessary transportation. I have NO regrets about my choice; YMMV. I did spend one night in Wengen and thought the views wonderful. Unfortunately, I didn't have the best of rooms or views, as I was unwilling to splurge during what was already a very costly trip. If you have the time and money, I'm sure Wengen would be a wonderful place to stay. I did not stay in Murren, although I did walk through it (the walk from Grutschalp to Winteregg -- part way to Murren -- is a must-see, IMO). I was glad I had selected Wengen for my night above the valley. That said, I don't think you would be disappointed with any of these options. Hope that helps!

tuscanlifeedit

Well, budget is definitely a consideration. We had been looking at Grindelwald but what I've seen there up until this point has been on the expensive side.

kja

Yes, Switzerland can be expensive.

One cost-saving strategy I used was with the Hotel Staubbach. It has rooms that face the main expanse of the valley and the magnificent Staubbach Falls. It also has less expensive rooms on the other side of the building -- rooms that do NOT face the cliff walls and are NOT dark and foreboding, but that don't cost as much. What makes them worth considering, IMO, is that each floor also has a balcony area on the side with views that is available for the use of those with rooms on the "back". So although I didn't get to wake up to a magnificent view (just a pleasant one), I could easily spend time with magnificent views -- and I did! I enjoyed a glass of wine there at sunset on each of the three nights I had there.

Just something to consider....

PalenQ

So if you can't find much affordable up in the hills Interlaken has many many budget places and not just hostels but proper hotels - I've routinely gotten singles for 40-45 CHF, all you can eat breakfast included (worth a ton of money here!) - not the awesome views but some in the Matten section of town has neat detched views of the Jungfrau Massif - Walter's Bhttps://plus.google.com/100256589217952279486/about&B is legendary - a guest house with private rooms and facilities -

Many here dis Interlaken as boring and most of these I think never get off the main tourist schlock-pocked main street - Interlaken elsewhere is as cute as many Swiss cities and cuter than some! Plus great base for trips to Bern, Lake Brienz, Lake Thun and also into the hills - under a half hour to Grindelwald or Interlaken by train.

cferrb

We stayed in Wilderswil, just outside Interlaken. We stayed there because our hotel was more affordable than Interlaken for the four of us. Train access was very easy into Interlaken and up into the mountains. We stayed at the Baeren Hotel. As several people have mentioned, the included breakfasts are wonderful.

PalenQ

Wilderswil is a niuce practically part of Interlaken area - tiny trains trundle from there up to the Alpine Garden and Teddy Land at Schynige Platte - from which many folks like to hike down to Grindelwald thought this is not a walk in the park by any means.

PalenQ

https://www.google.com/search?q=Schi...=1600&bih=1075

Images of Schnyge Platte and the eclectic things found up there - Teddy Bear Land and the Alpine Garden and scintillating views and great hikes back down!

tuscanlifeedit

I'm amazed by the generously proffered information here. I'm learning very much.

We will stay in the mountains, but not at a top hotel. I am still thinking of Lauterbrunnen because I've found reasonable prices there, but I have not yet given up on Grindelwald, Murren or Wengen.

Here is a question that has arisen: as I mentioned before, on another thread greg suggested that we take a train right from Zurich Airport to an Alpine region. I do like this plan, but find that it involves much more than a direct train to any of the mountain towns we are interested in.

I don't think I'm strong enough to fly all night and then take three separate trains, even if they are extremely well coordinated.

I am thinking of pending our first two nights in Lucerne, or possibly Bern. I know so little of Switzerland, but as I said, we are seeking beauty, quaintness if possible, and maybe some romantic architecture. A castle, perhaps?

I would love to hear opinions on this. Thanks.

kja

I think both Lucerne and Bern are great options. They are each in beautiful settings, each has some very interesting architecture and fountains, etc. And they each have some good museums, if that's of any interest. You might want to look at some good pictures to decide whether one appeals to you more than the other.

tuscanlifeedit

kja: I sure have been looking at pictures. I don't yet have my Michelin Green Guide (it's on its way) and tomorrow I pick up three more guidebooks at the library.

I'm also studying rail connections.

Ease of travel is a consideration. I have health concerns and although I like to be on the go, I don't want to push too hard.

kja

I think you'll find that using public transportation in Switzerland is incredibly easy and convenient. Obviously, transfers to do complicate travel, and I think you are wise to give consideration to how that might affect your plans. Whatever you choose, I'm sure you will have a wonderful experience!

greg

Luzern is very scenic as it is surrounded by mountains and a lake. It is a trivial trip from Zurich airport. Even thought it is a different city than the city you land, in reality you would probably get to your Luzern hotel in less time than if you landed in FCO and traveled to your Rome hotel.

Both Bern and Luzern are trivial trips from ZRH. However, this also poses a possibility that can undermine what you are trying to do after a long flight. Even though my flight arrived around noon, later than your flight, when I arrived in Bern or Luzern, my rooms were NOT ready!!! So even if I didn't push hard, the circumstances forced me to walk around and best rest I could get were uncomfortable cafe chairs. Ironically, in this case, not pushing hard meant staying on air conditioned comfy train rather than making a quick zip to a hotel near the airport only to find out I could not get a room until later.

tuscanlifeedit

greg

Evem though the Berner Oberland is going to be one of our destinations in Switzerland, can you perhaps suggest another where we could spend some time on a comfortable train from Zurich before getting there?

Bern looks about as quick and easy as Lucerne....