Switzerland Choice
Mar 31st, 2014, 07:49 PM
#1
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Switzerland Choice
I am taking my 16 yr old son on his first trip to Switzerland in late July/early August on a 18 day self planned trek along the Via Alpina staying in campgrounds and a couple of hostels along the way. We will be joined by a friend and his 14 yr old son for a 'guys' trip. The main part of the trip is well planned however, we conclude in Zermatt and will train back to Zurich with one or two nights to stay somewhere special along the way.
Possibly an old quintessentially Swiss town to spend our last day and night before we catch our flight at 1pm in Zurich? Or maybe a place the boys would relate to? I've previously taken the Glacier Express to Chur and enjoyed visiting Chur but the GE is a bit slow (5+ hrs) and I believe my son will sleep through all but the dinner.
This will be the Swiss National Day holiday weekend August 1-3. Maybe there is some sort of festival / celebration we could attend? I've considered Solothurn but I've never been there or to many other places in western CH. Any thoughts suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Possibly an old quintessentially Swiss town to spend our last day and night before we catch our flight at 1pm in Zurich? Or maybe a place the boys would relate to? I've previously taken the Glacier Express to Chur and enjoyed visiting Chur but the GE is a bit slow (5+ hrs) and I believe my son will sleep through all but the dinner.
This will be the Swiss National Day holiday weekend August 1-3. Maybe there is some sort of festival / celebration we could attend? I've considered Solothurn but I've never been there or to many other places in western CH. Any thoughts suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Mar 31st, 2014, 09:28 PM
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Hi Toucan,
Yes, Bern would be lovely as a quintessentially Swiss town, and it has interesting architecture and history as well. It is in a pretty setting on a river.
I'd also suggest the big town/small city of Zug, which is often overlooked by tourists. It sits on its own little lake, and its little old town is fascinating and pretty. there are some small-ish mountains and hills nearby for an afternoon's walk, if you'd like. Another option would be Rapperswil, which sits just down on Lake Zurich. It's a lovely and gracious old town with a castle in the middle, a deer park, and a rose park. You can take a nice cruise around the lake on one of the lake steamers.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Yes, Bern would be lovely as a quintessentially Swiss town, and it has interesting architecture and history as well. It is in a pretty setting on a river.
I'd also suggest the big town/small city of Zug, which is often overlooked by tourists. It sits on its own little lake, and its little old town is fascinating and pretty. there are some small-ish mountains and hills nearby for an afternoon's walk, if you'd like. Another option would be Rapperswil, which sits just down on Lake Zurich. It's a lovely and gracious old town with a castle in the middle, a deer park, and a rose park. You can take a nice cruise around the lake on one of the lake steamers.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Apr 1st, 2014, 03:38 AM
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This will be the Swiss National Day holiday weekend August 1-3. Maybe there is some sort of festival / celebration we could attend?>
special ceremonies in the Rutli Meadow overlooking Lake Lucerne - the place where the Swiss Confederation was born centuries ago. Lucerne would be a neat town to stay in a few days - boat trips on the lakes - Mt Pilatus and Engleberg and Mt Titlis - an awesome Alpine resort are easy day trips from Lucerne.
To get to Rutli take a boat to a dock just below the meadow.
Images of Aug 1 at Rutli:
https://www.google.com/search?q=AUG+...=1587&bih=1040
special ceremonies in the Rutli Meadow overlooking Lake Lucerne - the place where the Swiss Confederation was born centuries ago. Lucerne would be a neat town to stay in a few days - boat trips on the lakes - Mt Pilatus and Engleberg and Mt Titlis - an awesome Alpine resort are easy day trips from Lucerne.
To get to Rutli take a boat to a dock just below the meadow.
Images of Aug 1 at Rutli:
https://www.google.com/search?q=AUG+...=1587&bih=1040
Apr 1st, 2014, 05:42 PM
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Thanks for the excellent suggestions. I am particularly interested in Zug and Rapperswil.
I didn't mention that our trip covers many of the other cities mentioned (can't imagine visiting CH without Lucerne!).
The daily itinerary looks like this
1: 8:30 am arrival into ZRH, Lucerne, Pliatus.
2: Lucerne, PM train to Engelberg
3: Hike Engelberg (Trubsee) to Meiringen
4: Hike Meiringen over Grosse Shiedegg into Grindelwald
5: Hike over Kliene Shiedegg into Lauterbrunnen
6,7,8: Jungfrau region (probably a day trip to Bern)
9: Hike to Golderli
10: Hike to Kandersteg
11: Hike to Leukerbad
12: Leukerbad (soaking & massage!)
13: Zermatt
14: Zermatt or ?
15,16: ?
I am also considering a 'Cow Combat' gathering in Sans-Almagell near Zermatt Sunday 3 Aug.
Any other suggestions on this itinerary or thoughts on possibilities in Fribourg, Neuchatel, Murten would be much welcomed.
Thanks!
Toucan
I didn't mention that our trip covers many of the other cities mentioned (can't imagine visiting CH without Lucerne!).
The daily itinerary looks like this
1: 8:30 am arrival into ZRH, Lucerne, Pliatus.
2: Lucerne, PM train to Engelberg
3: Hike Engelberg (Trubsee) to Meiringen
4: Hike Meiringen over Grosse Shiedegg into Grindelwald
5: Hike over Kliene Shiedegg into Lauterbrunnen
6,7,8: Jungfrau region (probably a day trip to Bern)
9: Hike to Golderli
10: Hike to Kandersteg
11: Hike to Leukerbad
12: Leukerbad (soaking & massage!)
13: Zermatt
14: Zermatt or ?
15,16: ?
I am also considering a 'Cow Combat' gathering in Sans-Almagell near Zermatt Sunday 3 Aug.
Any other suggestions on this itinerary or thoughts on possibilities in Fribourg, Neuchatel, Murten would be much welcomed.
Thanks!
Toucan
Apr 2nd, 2014, 04:17 AM
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Hike Meiringen over Grosse Shiedegg into Grindelwald>
I've done that hike and it is stupendous - check out Reichenbach Falls where Sherlock Holmes and arch enemy Moriarity faught and the evil Moriarity fell to his death in the roaring cascade (presumably) - there is a Sherlock Holmes museum in an old English church in the centre of Meiringen, which is also home to meringue - the sweet named after the town.
It is a long strenuous uphill walk from Meiringen to Gr Scheidegg and then steep down and to me braking going down is about as tiring as climbing - but the paths are great. If you break down there are postal buses plying the route though by the look at your other hikes you must be a veteran strong hiker.
The view from Grosse Scheidegg over the Grindelwald amphitheater is stupendous! From First you can also take a cable car down to Grindelwald.
One of the very best hikes - not a stroll - I've ever taken!
I've done that hike and it is stupendous - check out Reichenbach Falls where Sherlock Holmes and arch enemy Moriarity faught and the evil Moriarity fell to his death in the roaring cascade (presumably) - there is a Sherlock Holmes museum in an old English church in the centre of Meiringen, which is also home to meringue - the sweet named after the town.
It is a long strenuous uphill walk from Meiringen to Gr Scheidegg and then steep down and to me braking going down is about as tiring as climbing - but the paths are great. If you break down there are postal buses plying the route though by the look at your other hikes you must be a veteran strong hiker.
The view from Grosse Scheidegg over the Grindelwald amphitheater is stupendous! From First you can also take a cable car down to Grindelwald.
One of the very best hikes - not a stroll - I've ever taken!
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