Switzerland - Bernese Oberland + Engadin; Italy – Chiavenna + Milan – Oct/2025
Jan 18th, 2026 | 08:56 AM
#21
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,112
Likes: 83
yk -
Those maps are available in most areas at tourist offices, train/cable car stations and sometimes in accommodation.
You can also often find them online.
This is a good resource for the Jungfrau region:
https://jungfrauregion.swiss/en/serv...o2sommerkarten
And another example:
https://haslital.swiss/en/maps/summe...29468,46.65603
https://haslital.swiss/en/maps/summe...29468,46.65603
Those maps are available in most areas at tourist offices, train/cable car stations and sometimes in accommodation.
You can also often find them online.
This is a good resource for the Jungfrau region:
https://jungfrauregion.swiss/en/serv...o2sommerkarten
And another example:
https://haslital.swiss/en/maps/summe...29468,46.65603
https://haslital.swiss/en/maps/summe...29468,46.65603
Last edited by Melnq8; Jan 18th, 2026 at 09:04 AM.
Jan 18th, 2026 | 10:53 AM
#22
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 0
I must say that even with those maps it’s hard to figure out what to do without being there and using the various transportation options.
We found the tourist offices to be very helpful.
Also found the BO pass bought with 50% off to be a good deal.
We found the tourist offices to be very helpful.
Also found the BO pass bought with 50% off to be a good deal.
Jan 18th, 2026 | 12:58 PM
#24
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
leifields, what I really enjoyed in that area of BO is the number of hikes available, of various lengths and difficulty that cater to people with different abilities. I have in procession of a hiking map that I got from 2010, and it was v helpful in terms of visualizing where places are, and also as a starting point to research the different hikes. The map only shows distances (by time) but not elevation. I haven't seen a similar map on my more recent trip (2024) though I also did not actively search for one while I was there.
Thanks for continuing to follow along.
Jan 18th, 2026 | 02:48 PM
#25
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 118
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Oct 5 – Wengen to Meiringen
We had breakfast and the hotel shuttle took us to the train station. We caught the 8:41 am train to Meiringen ticket (14.30 chf each -1h25min).
Although the weather in Wengen was ok when we left, when we arrived in Meiringen it was a bit wet and misty.
Leaving Wengen
Leaving WengenOur hotel in Meiringen was a 3-minute walk from the station. So, we easily arrived there and asked them to store our luggage.
Soon after we were out and took the direction to the Aareschlucht gorge. The gorge was formed over thousands of years by the Aare Glacier in a section of the river Aare that carves through a limestone ridge.
In Meiringen, on the way to the gorge we stopped to take pictures of the statue of Sherlock Holmes in front of the museum.
Meiringen
Arriving at Aareschlucht gorge.
Google maps gave us wrong directions and at one point we had to turn around; it took us about 30 minutes to get there. We bought our tickets with a 20% discount using the Tourist Card Haslital that our hotel provided – 9.50 CHF each. This card also provides free local transport. But the ticket for the Aareschlucht gorge includes the transport back to Meiringen, too.
We arrived there around 11am. It is a 45-minute walk.
Aareschlucht gorge
Walking through Aareschlucht gorge
Aareschlucht gorge
Aareschlucht gorge
As I knew that Migros was not to be open on a Sunday when we arrived in Meiringen, we bought some cheese and croissants the day before in Wengen. So, we had a quick bite and took the train back to Meiringen.
Our stay in Meiringen was just for one day, it was already 12:30 pm and the weather was not looking good. I had planned two options for the afternoon that didn’t involve much transport time: go to Lake Lungern (30 min) or Brienz (15 min). So, I thought that in Brienz we would have more to see.
We took the train to Brienz West (3.20 chf each). We started walking in the direction of the lake but then saw a beautiful cemetery so we entered through the gate and snapped some pictures.
It was a Sunday afternoon, very few people were around and almost everything closed. I had picked two restaurants to choose for lunch. We checked the first and then when we saw the second we decided to return to the first. But we got distracted by stopping for pictures so when we got back to Pizzeria Aroma, they were closing.
Brienz
Cemitery in Brienz
Cemitery in Brienz
Brienz
Lake Brienz
Pretty street in Brienz
Brienz
Lake Brienz
Brienz
Pretty flowers by the lake
We wandered a little bit more and checked the train schedule to return to Meiringen.
In Meiringen, we found the Frutal Tea-Room opened - part of the Frutal Bäckerei – famous for its meringues. We enjoyed some of their delicious desserts with coffee. The meringue is good!
Meiringen
Frutal Bäckerei
Frutal Bäckerei - good place!
On the way to our hotel, we stopped by at Restaurant Pizzeria Bahnhöfli to make a reservation for tonight.
We had soup and pizza, and they were delicious! And the service was very good.
Our bedroom at Victoria- Alpine Boutique Hotel
Victoria- Alpine Boutique Hotel
Restaurant Pizzeria Bahnhöfli (picture only of the soup)
To be continued...
We had breakfast and the hotel shuttle took us to the train station. We caught the 8:41 am train to Meiringen ticket (14.30 chf each -1h25min).
Although the weather in Wengen was ok when we left, when we arrived in Meiringen it was a bit wet and misty.
Leaving Wengen
Leaving WengenOur hotel in Meiringen was a 3-minute walk from the station. So, we easily arrived there and asked them to store our luggage.
Soon after we were out and took the direction to the Aareschlucht gorge. The gorge was formed over thousands of years by the Aare Glacier in a section of the river Aare that carves through a limestone ridge.
In Meiringen, on the way to the gorge we stopped to take pictures of the statue of Sherlock Holmes in front of the museum.
Meiringen
Arriving at Aareschlucht gorge.
Google maps gave us wrong directions and at one point we had to turn around; it took us about 30 minutes to get there. We bought our tickets with a 20% discount using the Tourist Card Haslital that our hotel provided – 9.50 CHF each. This card also provides free local transport. But the ticket for the Aareschlucht gorge includes the transport back to Meiringen, too.
We arrived there around 11am. It is a 45-minute walk.
Aareschlucht gorge
Walking through Aareschlucht gorge
Aareschlucht gorge
Aareschlucht gorge
As I knew that Migros was not to be open on a Sunday when we arrived in Meiringen, we bought some cheese and croissants the day before in Wengen. So, we had a quick bite and took the train back to Meiringen.
Our stay in Meiringen was just for one day, it was already 12:30 pm and the weather was not looking good. I had planned two options for the afternoon that didn’t involve much transport time: go to Lake Lungern (30 min) or Brienz (15 min). So, I thought that in Brienz we would have more to see.
We took the train to Brienz West (3.20 chf each). We started walking in the direction of the lake but then saw a beautiful cemetery so we entered through the gate and snapped some pictures.
It was a Sunday afternoon, very few people were around and almost everything closed. I had picked two restaurants to choose for lunch. We checked the first and then when we saw the second we decided to return to the first. But we got distracted by stopping for pictures so when we got back to Pizzeria Aroma, they were closing.
Brienz
Cemitery in Brienz
Cemitery in Brienz
Brienz
Lake Brienz
Pretty street in Brienz
Brienz
Lake Brienz
Brienz
Pretty flowers by the lake
We wandered a little bit more and checked the train schedule to return to Meiringen.
In Meiringen, we found the Frutal Tea-Room opened - part of the Frutal Bäckerei – famous for its meringues. We enjoyed some of their delicious desserts with coffee. The meringue is good!
Meiringen
Frutal Bäckerei
Frutal Bäckerei - good place!
On the way to our hotel, we stopped by at Restaurant Pizzeria Bahnhöfli to make a reservation for tonight.
We had soup and pizza, and they were delicious! And the service was very good.
Our bedroom at Victoria- Alpine Boutique Hotel
Victoria- Alpine Boutique Hotel
Restaurant Pizzeria Bahnhöfli (picture only of the soup)
To be continued...
Jan 20th, 2026 | 02:26 PM
#26
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 118
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Oct 6 – Meiringen to Luzern
The train from Meiringen to Luzern is hourly and we wanted to have the delicious breakfast of our hotel and take a quick stroll around the village with the stores open. So, after eating breakfast, we checked out, stored our luggage and went to the station (3 min) to buy our train tickets (12.50 chf each). We had time to go to Migros to buy a few things, including Ricola for DH’s cough, to the Frutal bakery and one store.
Frutal bakery
We took the 9:41am train (left side seats) and arrived in Luzern at 10:55 am (1h21min ride). The weather was a bit cloudy during the trip, but in Luzern it was clearing up with beautiful sunshine.
We started rolling our luggage in the direction of our hotel but stopping to take pictures of the Chapel Bridge and the beautiful views of the city while crossing the Rathaussteg bridge.
Arriving in Luzern in front of the train station.
Walking along the Reuss river.
Chapel Bridge
Chapel Bridge
Crossing Rathaussteg bridge.
Luzern
Luzern
Arriving at our hotel to store the luggage, our room was ready and we could check in, which was nice. After a quick refresh, we left to explore the town.
We enjoyed this hotel in the old town, only 9-minute walk from the train station and very good breakfast.
Wandering admiring the beautiful architecture of Luzern.
Wandering in Luzern.
Wandering in Luzern.
Wandering in Luzern.
Chapel Bridge
Chapel Bridge
Luzern
Luzern
While strolling the old town we bought some chocolate at Läderach, then we entered at Bäckerei Macchi and found some very good sandwiches and pastries which we took to eat at a square near the Lion Monument.
There were a lot of people at the Lion Monument and on the streets.
We were going to Sils Maria the following morning and I had seen that there was only a small Volg Supermarket in town. So, I thought we were better off buying the chocolate that we were going to take home while in Luzern. There was a huge Coop just on the way when we left the Lion Monument. So, we bought the chocolate, cheese and croissants for our train trip and stopped again at Macchi to buy more two sandwiches for the trip.
Lion Monument
Lion Monument
Huge Coop in Luzern.
Coop in Luzern
Strolling in the beautiful Luzern.
Luzern
Luzern
Altstadt Hotel Krone Luzern
For dinner, we went to Pastarazzi, a small Italian restaurant with good fresh homemade pasta and ravioli in various tastes. We had gnocchi, ravioli, a glass of wine and water – 53.00 CHF.
My ravioli at Restaurant Pastarazzi.
DH's gnocchi at Restaurant Pastarazzi.
Luzern at night.
To be continued...
The train from Meiringen to Luzern is hourly and we wanted to have the delicious breakfast of our hotel and take a quick stroll around the village with the stores open. So, after eating breakfast, we checked out, stored our luggage and went to the station (3 min) to buy our train tickets (12.50 chf each). We had time to go to Migros to buy a few things, including Ricola for DH’s cough, to the Frutal bakery and one store.
Frutal bakery
We took the 9:41am train (left side seats) and arrived in Luzern at 10:55 am (1h21min ride). The weather was a bit cloudy during the trip, but in Luzern it was clearing up with beautiful sunshine.
We started rolling our luggage in the direction of our hotel but stopping to take pictures of the Chapel Bridge and the beautiful views of the city while crossing the Rathaussteg bridge.
Arriving in Luzern in front of the train station.
Walking along the Reuss river.
Chapel Bridge
Chapel Bridge
Crossing Rathaussteg bridge.
Luzern
Luzern
Arriving at our hotel to store the luggage, our room was ready and we could check in, which was nice. After a quick refresh, we left to explore the town.
We enjoyed this hotel in the old town, only 9-minute walk from the train station and very good breakfast.
Wandering admiring the beautiful architecture of Luzern.
Wandering in Luzern.
Wandering in Luzern.
Wandering in Luzern.
Chapel Bridge
Chapel Bridge
Luzern
Luzern
While strolling the old town we bought some chocolate at Läderach, then we entered at Bäckerei Macchi and found some very good sandwiches and pastries which we took to eat at a square near the Lion Monument.
There were a lot of people at the Lion Monument and on the streets.
We were going to Sils Maria the following morning and I had seen that there was only a small Volg Supermarket in town. So, I thought we were better off buying the chocolate that we were going to take home while in Luzern. There was a huge Coop just on the way when we left the Lion Monument. So, we bought the chocolate, cheese and croissants for our train trip and stopped again at Macchi to buy more two sandwiches for the trip.
Lion Monument
Lion Monument
Huge Coop in Luzern.
Coop in Luzern
Strolling in the beautiful Luzern.
Luzern
Luzern
Altstadt Hotel Krone Luzern
For dinner, we went to Pastarazzi, a small Italian restaurant with good fresh homemade pasta and ravioli in various tastes. We had gnocchi, ravioli, a glass of wine and water – 53.00 CHF.
My ravioli at Restaurant Pastarazzi.
DH's gnocchi at Restaurant Pastarazzi.
Luzern at night.
To be continued...
Last edited by leifields; Jan 20th, 2026 at 02:29 PM.
Jan 21st, 2026 | 01:05 PM
#28
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
I should have bought more chocolate. Mine is all gone for a while already… My favorite was the Caillier chocolate, and I also bought some Perugina with pistachio in Chiavenna.
Jan 21st, 2026 | 01:33 PM
#29
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Your photos are absolutely beautiful and inspiring me to consider planning a trip to Switzerland. The last time we spent any time there was in about 1975 on $10 a day + Eurail pass, but those days are loooong gone and I'm thinking $10 maybe gets you a chocolate bar now! It looks like you are still enjoying some restaurant meals but also shopping at co-ops and bakeries and staying in accommodations that include breakfast or half-board options. I am enjoying your report very much, thanks and keep it coming.
Jan 21st, 2026 | 03:49 PM
#30
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,173
Likes: 0
This is the first chance I've had to read your report on Switzerland, and I am enjoying it very much. We haven't been to Switzerland except to change planes in Zurich. I hope we can visit before we get too old for international travel. 
Your photos are gorgeous, and I love the hikes you did. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like the Grindelwald-First hike and the Panorama Walk are somewhat easy? If so, these would be good hikes for us. We don't do strenuous up and down hiking. Some of your mountain photos look like paintings. Luzern and Brienz are so pretty!
Looking forward to more!
Your photos are gorgeous, and I love the hikes you did. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like the Grindelwald-First hike and the Panorama Walk are somewhat easy? If so, these would be good hikes for us. We don't do strenuous up and down hiking. Some of your mountain photos look like paintings. Luzern and Brienz are so pretty! Looking forward to more!
Jan 22nd, 2026 | 05:48 AM
#31
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,398
Likes: 0
Drooling my way through your TR over those views! And so excited to have this region planned for next fall! Our first time in Switzerland, too! This TR is very helpful as DH and I love to walk but aren't huge hikers, and your pacing seems similar to ours. And of course, I've "borrowed" your Wengen hotel - with much thanks to both Melnq8 and Adelaidean , whose TRs I've been reading as well.
If you're ever in the area, Laderach has stores in the DC area as well as in NYC.
Jan 22nd, 2026 | 07:50 AM
#33
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
- francebound - Thanks for your compliments and following along! It makes me happy that it’s being useful.
- KarenWoo – I’m glad you are enjoying this report and thanks for your compliments and nice words! When I look at the pictures of that area, I feel like returning soon and doing other hikes/walks that we didn’t have time to do. But we do have other new places in our travel list.
The Grindelwald-First hike is - 3 km each way, about 2 hours (3.7 miles total). We took and spent more time there. There were a couple of spots with more incline of the path with lots of gravel, but not steep, where I had to hold my DH’s hand because of my balance. And there were maybe two spots with mud.
The Panorama walk to Kleine Scheidegg is very easy and shorter.
- KarenWoo – I’m glad you are enjoying this report and thanks for your compliments and nice words! When I look at the pictures of that area, I feel like returning soon and doing other hikes/walks that we didn’t have time to do. But we do have other new places in our travel list.
The Grindelwald-First hike is - 3 km each way, about 2 hours (3.7 miles total). We took and spent more time there. There were a couple of spots with more incline of the path with lots of gravel, but not steep, where I had to hold my DH’s hand because of my balance. And there were maybe two spots with mud.
The Panorama walk to Kleine Scheidegg is very easy and shorter.
Jan 22nd, 2026 | 02:03 PM
#34
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Drooling my way through your TR over those views! And so excited to have this region planned for next fall! Our first time in Switzerland, too! This TR is very helpful as DH and I love to walk but aren't huge hikers, and your pacing seems similar to ours. And of course, I've "borrowed" your Wengen hotel - with much thanks to both Melnq8 and Adelaidean , whose TRs I've been reading as well.
I’ve also “borrowed” Hotel Alpenrose from Adelaidean 😉.
Jan 22nd, 2026 | 03:06 PM
#36
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Oct 7 – Luzern to Sils Maria
It is a beautiful sunny day. We had breakfast at the hotel and walked to the train station to take the 9:35 am train to Sils Maria (4h49min), change in Thalwil, Chur and St Moritz. We used the Saver Day Pass – 39 chf each.
The train ride to Sils Maria is a gorgeous journey to one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen – the Engadin. And the season with the color change of the autumn starting is just perfect.
After stops in Samedan and Celerina we arrive in St Moritz to change to a 20-minute bus ride to Sils. It is an impressive means of transportation; clean, every connection works perfectly synchronized and smoothly.
Some last beautiful views of Luzern
Luzern
Walking to Luzern Bahnhof
View from the train ride to Sils Maria
View from the train ride to Sils Maria
View from the train ride to Sils Maria
Passing through Celerina
Passing through Celerina
Hotel Maria is a 2-minute walk from the bus stop. We enjoyed our 4-night stay in this central and cozy hotel with welcoming and efficient staff.
One thing that I enjoyed most in Switzerland was the variety and quality of the bread. And of course, delicious butter, like in any place in Europe.
The guests of the hotel were old folks like us, a bit different from the ones at the hotel Alpenrose in Wengen with a mix of some younger.
After we checked in and freshened up, we still had time to go for walk. So, we went to the reception and asked for directions to Chastè Peninsula which looked like a shorter hike for the middle of the afternoon. By 3:20 pm we were out starting to explore Sils, in this incredibly beautiful area surrounded by lakes and mountains.
Sils Maria - Nietzsche House
Exploring gorgeous Sils Maria
Walking to Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Church of St. Lorenz in Sils Maria
By 5:00 pm we were hungry after our earlier long train trip. At this hour there weren’t many options. We checked the Grond Café but as they close at 6:30 pm, there was no barley soup or nusstorte left.
Then we saw that there were still many people in the café in front of the Chesa Cumünela. We entered the small, cozy café La Passarella and asked if they were still serving meals. They were so we were seated immediately and ordered our plates. Capuns with Graubünden air-dried beef for me and Polenta Taragnia (with buckwheat) for DH. Both delicious! CHF 64.00 – including a mineral water and a Calanda vom Fass (beer).
Then we still walked around a little bit more enjoying the lovely end of the day and stopped at the Hotel Post to make a dinner reservation for the following day. Then we went back to the hotel.
Capuns with Graubünden air-dried beef for me
Polenta Taragnia (with buckwheat) for DH
Strolling around Sils
Strolling around Sils
Sils
Sils
Strolling around Sils
It is a beautiful sunny day. We had breakfast at the hotel and walked to the train station to take the 9:35 am train to Sils Maria (4h49min), change in Thalwil, Chur and St Moritz. We used the Saver Day Pass – 39 chf each.
The train ride to Sils Maria is a gorgeous journey to one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen – the Engadin. And the season with the color change of the autumn starting is just perfect.
After stops in Samedan and Celerina we arrive in St Moritz to change to a 20-minute bus ride to Sils. It is an impressive means of transportation; clean, every connection works perfectly synchronized and smoothly.
Some last beautiful views of Luzern
Luzern
Walking to Luzern Bahnhof
View from the train ride to Sils Maria
View from the train ride to Sils Maria
View from the train ride to Sils Maria
Passing through Celerina
Passing through Celerina
Hotel Maria is a 2-minute walk from the bus stop. We enjoyed our 4-night stay in this central and cozy hotel with welcoming and efficient staff.
One thing that I enjoyed most in Switzerland was the variety and quality of the bread. And of course, delicious butter, like in any place in Europe.
The guests of the hotel were old folks like us, a bit different from the ones at the hotel Alpenrose in Wengen with a mix of some younger.
After we checked in and freshened up, we still had time to go for walk. So, we went to the reception and asked for directions to Chastè Peninsula which looked like a shorter hike for the middle of the afternoon. By 3:20 pm we were out starting to explore Sils, in this incredibly beautiful area surrounded by lakes and mountains.
Sils Maria - Nietzsche House
Exploring gorgeous Sils Maria
Walking to Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Chastè Peninsula
Church of St. Lorenz in Sils Maria
By 5:00 pm we were hungry after our earlier long train trip. At this hour there weren’t many options. We checked the Grond Café but as they close at 6:30 pm, there was no barley soup or nusstorte left.
Then we saw that there were still many people in the café in front of the Chesa Cumünela. We entered the small, cozy café La Passarella and asked if they were still serving meals. They were so we were seated immediately and ordered our plates. Capuns with Graubünden air-dried beef for me and Polenta Taragnia (with buckwheat) for DH. Both delicious! CHF 64.00 – including a mineral water and a Calanda vom Fass (beer).
Then we still walked around a little bit more enjoying the lovely end of the day and stopped at the Hotel Post to make a dinner reservation for the following day. Then we went back to the hotel.
Capuns with Graubünden air-dried beef for me
Polenta Taragnia (with buckwheat) for DH
Strolling around Sils
Strolling around Sils
Sils
Sils
Strolling around Sils
Last edited by leifields; Jan 22nd, 2026 at 03:11 PM.
Jan 23rd, 2026 | 12:23 AM
#38
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4,234
Likes: 19
Oh, I do love Sils Maria.
So much to do, we’ve stayed 3 times now.
We met some very fit guys from Sydney staying for a month and climbing all the local peaks (we were resting - or, more accurately, gasping - having walked up to Grevasalvas, and they were blitzing up past us to the mountain peak above, lol).
You've had such wonderful weather, too.
Loving your report and fabulous photos.
We did go to New Zealand last year, but I missed out on Europe.
A shorter flight, but sigh…Europe is calling.
So much to do, we’ve stayed 3 times now.
We met some very fit guys from Sydney staying for a month and climbing all the local peaks (we were resting - or, more accurately, gasping - having walked up to Grevasalvas, and they were blitzing up past us to the mountain peak above, lol).
You've had such wonderful weather, too.
Loving your report and fabulous photos.
We did go to New Zealand last year, but I missed out on Europe.
A shorter flight, but sigh…Europe is calling.
Jan 23rd, 2026 | 10:40 AM
#39
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Oh, I do love Sils Maria.
So much to do, we’ve stayed 3 times now.
We met some very fit guys from Sydney staying for a month and climbing all the local peaks (we were resting - or, more accurately, gasping - having walked up to Grevasalvas, and they were blitzing up past us to the mountain peak above, lol).
You've had such wonderful weather, too.
Loving your report and fabulous photos.
We did go to New Zealand last year, but I missed out on Europe.
A shorter flight, but sigh…Europe is calling.
So much to do, we’ve stayed 3 times now.
We met some very fit guys from Sydney staying for a month and climbing all the local peaks (we were resting - or, more accurately, gasping - having walked up to Grevasalvas, and they were blitzing up past us to the mountain peak above, lol).
You've had such wonderful weather, too.
Loving your report and fabulous photos.
We did go to New Zealand last year, but I missed out on Europe.
A shorter flight, but sigh…Europe is calling.
Yes, we did have good weather. And I remember that I had checked the days of this week in 2024, and I saw rain and cold.
Thanks for your comments and continuing to follow along!
