Switzerland and Italy, tickets bought, need itinerary help
Jan 11th, 2015, 08:54 PM
#41
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BTW, many Fodorites seem to dislike Zurich, but I found much to enjoy there. You might check with the Hotel St. Josef (which is nothing special, but inexpensive and near the main train station and main sites in Zurich, and certainly quite acceptably by at least my standards) to see if they can accommodate an early check-in, if that's what you need.
http://www.st-josef.ch
http://www.st-josef.ch
Jan 11th, 2015, 09:36 PM
#42
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Hi again,
You know -- you may want to take advantage of the luggage service offered by the SBB. That way, your transfers will merely be a matter of walking from one train to another, quite easy.
For instance, if you could check your luggage at the Zürich station before 09.00, you can pick it up in Lauterbrunnen after 17.40. In many instances, your hotel staff will be happy to collect it for you. It costs 22 chf per bag -- I find it's well worth the price to be able to travel hassle free. Here's the site:
http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-service...t-baggage.html
Then click on the blue "The connections on which you can . . ." to get the specific data for your destination.
You can even arrange to have your luggage shipped when you check your bags at your U.S. airport. I've done this two times, both very successfully.
The documents are sold by Raileurope -- and this is the only time that I use any of their products. Here's the site:
http://www.raileurope.com/activities...Eng=Activities
You get customs documents and a clear green plastic tag that attaches to your suitcase. You fill in the documents and put them into the tag and attach it to the suitcase. When you check in at your U.S. airport, the green tag just looks like another personal id tag that many folks put on their luggage.
The baggage handlers at Zürich airport recognize the green tag and send the suitcase on to the train station to be forwarded to your destination. It costs $23.
Have fun!
s
You know -- you may want to take advantage of the luggage service offered by the SBB. That way, your transfers will merely be a matter of walking from one train to another, quite easy.
For instance, if you could check your luggage at the Zürich station before 09.00, you can pick it up in Lauterbrunnen after 17.40. In many instances, your hotel staff will be happy to collect it for you. It costs 22 chf per bag -- I find it's well worth the price to be able to travel hassle free. Here's the site:
http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-service...t-baggage.html
Then click on the blue "The connections on which you can . . ." to get the specific data for your destination.
You can even arrange to have your luggage shipped when you check your bags at your U.S. airport. I've done this two times, both very successfully.
The documents are sold by Raileurope -- and this is the only time that I use any of their products. Here's the site:
http://www.raileurope.com/activities...Eng=Activities
You get customs documents and a clear green plastic tag that attaches to your suitcase. You fill in the documents and put them into the tag and attach it to the suitcase. When you check in at your U.S. airport, the green tag just looks like another personal id tag that many folks put on their luggage.
The baggage handlers at Zürich airport recognize the green tag and send the suitcase on to the train station to be forwarded to your destination. It costs $23.
Have fun!
s
Jan 11th, 2015, 09:45 PM
#43
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"you can pick it up in Lauterbrunnen after 17.40" -- I could be mistaken, but I think the baggage desk at Lauterbrunnen closes at 7:00 p.m. http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-service...osid.7384.html
Maybe one can still claim luggage after that? or maybe it wouldn't matter in this circumstance....
Maybe one can still claim luggage after that? or maybe it wouldn't matter in this circumstance....
Jan 11th, 2015, 10:21 PM
#46
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Thanks, swandav -- I was just wondering whether there would be a way to pick the baggage up AFTER 7 p.m./19:00 -- that might not be at issue, but I thought it might be useful for the OP to know. I'm pretty sure you can only SEND baggage when the baggage office is open, but I wasn't sure whether one could CLAIM it after the baggage office closes. I would hate to send my luggage forward, and then not be able to retrieve it in a timely way!
BTW, I LOVED the baggage forwarding option in Switzerland and am glad you thought to make sure the OP knows about it.
BTW, I LOVED the baggage forwarding option in Switzerland and am glad you thought to make sure the OP knows about it.
Jan 11th, 2015, 10:25 PM
#47
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No, you can't claim luggage if the luggage office is closed. I regularly send luggage to Montreux, which closes at 18.00, and can't claim it until the next day. One time I sent it to Lausanne, which is open until 18.30, so that worked for me. So, sometimes you can send luggage to a city that's enroute and claim it there, then only drag it for the last little bit of the journey.
Yes, obviously, the traveller has to ensure the office will be open or else bring along a one-night bag (what I do now).
s
Yes, obviously, the traveller has to ensure the office will be open or else bring along a one-night bag (what I do now).
s
Jan 13th, 2015, 03:58 PM
#50
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Yes, thank you, this is the most helpful thread I may have ever started.
I still don't know what the right choices are for our itinerary. If anyone is still reading, here are my further thoughts:
Land in Zurich, which I'm sure is a lovely city but I'm not looking for a city experience at this point in the trip.
Move on to next destination, and this might be
Lucerne or Bern for two nights
Move on to the Berner Oberland. Still tossing Lauterbrunnen, Grimelwald, Wengen or Murren, but leaning toward the first two. I can't walk uphill very easily and Lauterbrunnen seems to have some accommodations that might suit our budget and my heart condition.
Next step: I was planning on Stresa, but if we stop at a lake for Lucerne or Bern, I'm thinking of a city or town in Italy. We have never been to Milan, but any of the towns between there and Venice are possibilities. Love to hear what anyone thinks.
Last three days and nights in Venice.
I still don't know what the right choices are for our itinerary. If anyone is still reading, here are my further thoughts:
Land in Zurich, which I'm sure is a lovely city but I'm not looking for a city experience at this point in the trip.
Move on to next destination, and this might be
Lucerne or Bern for two nights
Move on to the Berner Oberland. Still tossing Lauterbrunnen, Grimelwald, Wengen or Murren, but leaning toward the first two. I can't walk uphill very easily and Lauterbrunnen seems to have some accommodations that might suit our budget and my heart condition.
Next step: I was planning on Stresa, but if we stop at a lake for Lucerne or Bern, I'm thinking of a city or town in Italy. We have never been to Milan, but any of the towns between there and Venice are possibilities. Love to hear what anyone thinks.
Last three days and nights in Venice.
Jan 13th, 2015, 04:40 PM
#51
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Of course, Lucerne and Bern are also cities.... but I think it would be easier to visit either of those cities than Zurich if one goal is to minimize uphill walks.
I didn't make it to Stresa, but I did stay in Locarno (actually, Ascona) on Lake Maggiore and found the contrasts to other parts of Switzerland absolutely fascinating. Another Swiss option near there would be Lugano.
I didn't make it to Stresa, but I did stay in Locarno (actually, Ascona) on Lake Maggiore and found the contrasts to other parts of Switzerland absolutely fascinating. Another Swiss option near there would be Lugano.
Jan 13th, 2015, 05:18 PM
#54
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While Lake Maggiore is also a lake like Luzern, you would do different things. At Luzern, you would cruise between towns along the shore. At Stresa, you would take a boat to visit Isola Bella, Isola Pescatore, or Isola Madre. Unfortunately Isola Bella and Madre require considerable walking up and down. Stresa itself is located on a gentle slope. While is it not steep, you would probably want to stay closer to the shore (with accompanying price tag) to minimize climbing up hill.
Milan has interesting sites, but I usually use it as a gateway city to fly home from northern Italy. I don't have to try hard to include Milan into my itinerary, because it gets automatically included into future trips without trying if I fly home from Milan. Milan is a business city. Accommodations cost during the time frame of visit can be dreadfully expensive. Also, I have felt the presence of more and more shop-shop-shop flag waving tour groups every time I stop by Milan.
Verona, Vicenza, and Padova are all possibilities between Milan and Venice. The ES highspeed trains from Milan to Venice stop at each of these three stations.
Milan has interesting sites, but I usually use it as a gateway city to fly home from northern Italy. I don't have to try hard to include Milan into my itinerary, because it gets automatically included into future trips without trying if I fly home from Milan. Milan is a business city. Accommodations cost during the time frame of visit can be dreadfully expensive. Also, I have felt the presence of more and more shop-shop-shop flag waving tour groups every time I stop by Milan.
Verona, Vicenza, and Padova are all possibilities between Milan and Venice. The ES highspeed trains from Milan to Venice stop at each of these three stations.
Jan 13th, 2015, 09:41 PM
#55
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Hi again,
If it were me, I would head for Luzern. There's just something magical about the mountains-spilling-into lakes scenery that is very hard to beat. The river through Bern is pretty, but it's not as dramatic. You can easily take a trip from Luzern to see Bern for the day.
As for Wengen, yes it *is* hilly. However, all the hotels have a little electric van that will pick you up at the station when you arrive. In fact, the van driver kept wanting to cart me back and forth to the station every day for my excursions; I had to keep telling him that I enjoyed the walk. Anyway, once the van takes you to the hotel, you get to spend the time enjoying those stupendous views (which I personally thought were nicer than those of Grindelwald, but of course that's subjective).
The best thing is -- you can't lose! Bern or Luzern, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen -- you'll have a great time.
s
If it were me, I would head for Luzern. There's just something magical about the mountains-spilling-into lakes scenery that is very hard to beat. The river through Bern is pretty, but it's not as dramatic. You can easily take a trip from Luzern to see Bern for the day.
As for Wengen, yes it *is* hilly. However, all the hotels have a little electric van that will pick you up at the station when you arrive. In fact, the van driver kept wanting to cart me back and forth to the station every day for my excursions; I had to keep telling him that I enjoyed the walk. Anyway, once the van takes you to the hotel, you get to spend the time enjoying those stupendous views (which I personally thought were nicer than those of Grindelwald, but of course that's subjective).
The best thing is -- you can't lose! Bern or Luzern, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen -- you'll have a great time.
s
Jan 14th, 2015, 08:36 AM
#57
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My constant gratitude. A plan is beginning to take shape.
swandav2000: do you remember the name of the Wengen hotel with the van service?
I'm thinking Luzern, then on to the BO and then two days/nights in Milan before Venice.
The Brera Pinacoteca was the deciding factor for me in choosing Milano. That, the Duomo and The Last Supper, maybe another church, ought to be perfect for us.
Hotel recs for Luzern and the Berner Oberland would be helpful.
swandav2000: do you remember the name of the Wengen hotel with the van service?
I'm thinking Luzern, then on to the BO and then two days/nights in Milan before Venice.
The Brera Pinacoteca was the deciding factor for me in choosing Milano. That, the Duomo and The Last Supper, maybe another church, ought to be perfect for us.
Hotel recs for Luzern and the Berner Oberland would be helpful.
Jan 14th, 2015, 01:41 PM
#58
We like Hotel Belluvue in Wengen - the owner will come collet you in their little cart if you call upon arrival. The hotel is up quite a hill, but the views are glorious, especially from the upstairs corner unit. The half board is fabulous.
http://www.bellevue-wengen.ch/
We like Hotel Alpenruh in Murren - you must walk through town to get there if you arrive by train, otherwise you can take the gondola up from Stechelberg and arrive at their doorstop. Fabulous views, great food, and the ability to have your breakfast at the top of the Schilthorn one day in lieu of in the hotel.
We've stayed there many times, including winter - luggage transfer in the form of a sled you drag your luggage on - worked a treat. They may offer summer luggage transfer service, worth asking about.
I've only stayed in apartments in Lauterbrunnen - the one I linked to above is easy to reach on foot, or when traveling with luggage, via a bus that takes about two minutes and connects with the trains. You're dropped across the street from the apartment, very easy access.
http://www.bellevue-wengen.ch/
We like Hotel Alpenruh in Murren - you must walk through town to get there if you arrive by train, otherwise you can take the gondola up from Stechelberg and arrive at their doorstop. Fabulous views, great food, and the ability to have your breakfast at the top of the Schilthorn one day in lieu of in the hotel.
We've stayed there many times, including winter - luggage transfer in the form of a sled you drag your luggage on - worked a treat. They may offer summer luggage transfer service, worth asking about.
I've only stayed in apartments in Lauterbrunnen - the one I linked to above is easy to reach on foot, or when traveling with luggage, via a bus that takes about two minutes and connects with the trains. You're dropped across the street from the apartment, very easy access.
Jan 14th, 2015, 03:23 PM
#60
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I hope when you are in Milan you can take time to see the pinocoteca Ambrosiana. It is not large but it has some exceptional gems.
http://www.leonardo-ambrosiana.it/en...ca-ambrosiana/
The Rondanini pieta is (in my estimation) one of Michaelangelo's most affecting works. It is in the enormous Castello Sfoza, so if you are interested to see it, then it helps to have looked a layout of the castle beforehand and pick what you want to see.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondanini_Pietà
Finally, if you are passing in and out of Milan through Milano Centrale station, it is worth taking a moment to look at the station itself, inside and out. It is the last of the great railway stations built in Europe, and while the original design was not intended to be expressly fascist, the project was finished by Mussolini, and the final building reflects of a great deal of the symbology of Mussolini's brand of fascism, a mix of Roman icons, mythology, militarism and elevating the working classes. Beneath the train platforms that are numbered in the low 20s, there was a train tunnel and a hidden platform used deport people to concentration camps in Germany, Austria, etc.
http://www.leonardo-ambrosiana.it/en...ca-ambrosiana/
The Rondanini pieta is (in my estimation) one of Michaelangelo's most affecting works. It is in the enormous Castello Sfoza, so if you are interested to see it, then it helps to have looked a layout of the castle beforehand and pick what you want to see.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondanini_Pietà
Finally, if you are passing in and out of Milan through Milano Centrale station, it is worth taking a moment to look at the station itself, inside and out. It is the last of the great railway stations built in Europe, and while the original design was not intended to be expressly fascist, the project was finished by Mussolini, and the final building reflects of a great deal of the symbology of Mussolini's brand of fascism, a mix of Roman icons, mythology, militarism and elevating the working classes. Beneath the train platforms that are numbered in the low 20s, there was a train tunnel and a hidden platform used deport people to concentration camps in Germany, Austria, etc.
