Switzerland: Choose 4 ideal "Base" towns for day-trips??
Mar 24th, 2010, 07:36 AM
#21
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What is Saas-Fe, the day-trip you recommended from Zermatt? I was considering going to Zermatt to try to get that scenic train ride between Zermatt & St. Moritz, but I didn't think I could get all the way to St. Moritz with this itinerary>
Saas-Fee is one of Switzerland's primo Alpine resorts - with really high ice-girdled peaks rising right near town and a myriad of conveyances and hiking paths taking you to them
To get to Saas-Fee you take a train from Zermatt most of the way down to Visp and change at a station i cannot remember to a bus that corkscrews up to Saas-Fee (taking probably 90 mins all told from Zermatt each way - but stupendous scenery the whole way). I would put Saas-Fe on a par with Zermatt, Engleberg and Interlaken area as Switzerland's most awesome Alpine places.
Kinderfreundliche Hotels, Outdoor Schweiz, Schlitteln Schweiz ...
Saas-Fee, the Pearl of the Alps, is situated amidst the highest mountains in Switzerland. Let the magic of the Saas-Valley cast its spell on you. ...
www.saas-fee.ch/en/navpage-WinterSF.html
Saas-Fee is the main village in the Saastal or the Saas Valley and is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saas-Fee
Saas-Fee is one of Switzerland's primo Alpine resorts - with really high ice-girdled peaks rising right near town and a myriad of conveyances and hiking paths taking you to them
To get to Saas-Fee you take a train from Zermatt most of the way down to Visp and change at a station i cannot remember to a bus that corkscrews up to Saas-Fee (taking probably 90 mins all told from Zermatt each way - but stupendous scenery the whole way). I would put Saas-Fe on a par with Zermatt, Engleberg and Interlaken area as Switzerland's most awesome Alpine places.
Kinderfreundliche Hotels, Outdoor Schweiz, Schlitteln Schweiz ...
Saas-Fee, the Pearl of the Alps, is situated amidst the highest mountains in Switzerland. Let the magic of the Saas-Valley cast its spell on you. ...
www.saas-fee.ch/en/navpage-WinterSF.html
Saas-Fee is the main village in the Saastal or the Saas Valley and is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saas-Fee
Mar 24th, 2010, 08:20 AM
#22
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Hi Melissa 5,
If you plan on that amount of time in the BO then have you considered an apt?
We stayed at Chalet Horner in Lauterbrunnen http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Swi...6258#unitrates for 8 nights last year and loved it.
It was great coming home to our own little space at the end of each day. Food is pretty expensive in Switzerland so it was nice to be able to save a bit by fixing our own meals.
Even though Lauterbrunnen isn't a car free town there is only one small one lane road through town, hardly any traffic to speak of when we were there. The train station is very easy to get to so you have access to virtually anywhere you want to go. In fact we just parked our car for the week and took the train everywhere.
Teresa from Chalet Horner is wonderful to deal with.
Have fun,
Michele
If you plan on that amount of time in the BO then have you considered an apt?
We stayed at Chalet Horner in Lauterbrunnen http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Swi...6258#unitrates for 8 nights last year and loved it.
It was great coming home to our own little space at the end of each day. Food is pretty expensive in Switzerland so it was nice to be able to save a bit by fixing our own meals.
Even though Lauterbrunnen isn't a car free town there is only one small one lane road through town, hardly any traffic to speak of when we were there. The train station is very easy to get to so you have access to virtually anywhere you want to go. In fact we just parked our car for the week and took the train everywhere.
Teresa from Chalet Horner is wonderful to deal with.
Have fun,
Michele
Mar 24th, 2010, 04:29 PM
#23
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<i>"...and then take the 360 degree rotating cable car tram to the Titlis, right?</i>"
The Engelberg station is very small. If you don't see any signs directing you to the Titlis tram, go inside the ticket office there at the train station and ask them. It's a very short walk to the tram from the train station.
<i>"...when that rotating cable car stops at the top, do we get out, and is it cold up there in July? We would need sweaters? Is there snow in July? </i>"
Yes, you get out of the tram, lol!
Layering is necessary. You're waaaaay up high. It can get cold.
At this point you're standing on the top of the glacier-packed mountain peak. Yes, there is snow. Ice, even! brrrr...
<i>"And you mentioned Pilatus and the Golden roundtrip from Luzern with the downhill slide...What is the downhill slide?"</i>
http://www.pilatus.ch/content-n6-sE.html
http://www.pilatus.ch/content-n131-sE.html
Happy travels!
The Engelberg station is very small. If you don't see any signs directing you to the Titlis tram, go inside the ticket office there at the train station and ask them. It's a very short walk to the tram from the train station.
<i>"...when that rotating cable car stops at the top, do we get out, and is it cold up there in July? We would need sweaters? Is there snow in July? </i>"
Yes, you get out of the tram, lol!
Layering is necessary. You're waaaaay up high. It can get cold.
At this point you're standing on the top of the glacier-packed mountain peak. Yes, there is snow. Ice, even! brrrr...
<i>"And you mentioned Pilatus and the Golden roundtrip from Luzern with the downhill slide...What is the downhill slide?"</i>
http://www.pilatus.ch/content-n6-sE.html
http://www.pilatus.ch/content-n131-sE.html
Happy travels!
Mar 25th, 2010, 12:48 AM
#24
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<b>cambe:</b> When I was a girl my favorite book was Heidi. I was very sad when I had to leave the book behind because I moved across the country with my family and only got a small suitcase big enough for a few clothes. Did I ask you, did you enjoy the hotel where you stayed in Lucerne? Where did you stay in Lucerne?
Palenque, michele_d, and swisshiker, thanks for the recommendations!
Palenque, michele_d, and swisshiker, thanks for the recommendations!
Mar 25th, 2010, 06:40 AM
#25
Personally I would stay right in Vevey. What price range hotel are you seeking?
Vevey is a lovely Swiss town, cobblestone pedestrian streets, old stone buildings, the beautiful lakeside quai (promonade). I guess I'd consider it relatively "peaceful". If you want something more remote you can look at places like Glion, up away from the lake, but then you lose the convenience of easy walking, and train/bus connections.
Lausanne is a BIG city and to my view would be much less convenient and certainly not peaceful or quiet (although the lake side section called Ouchy is very pretty).
Chillion is set up for visitors, so I would not skip it because of expecting crowds (someone reading please correct me if this is mistaken, I've never been there exactly during the Jazz Festival). They monitor how many people go thru, it's all very organized, you get a self-guiding map that tells about all the different parts.
Vevey is a lovely Swiss town, cobblestone pedestrian streets, old stone buildings, the beautiful lakeside quai (promonade). I guess I'd consider it relatively "peaceful". If you want something more remote you can look at places like Glion, up away from the lake, but then you lose the convenience of easy walking, and train/bus connections.
Lausanne is a BIG city and to my view would be much less convenient and certainly not peaceful or quiet (although the lake side section called Ouchy is very pretty).
Chillion is set up for visitors, so I would not skip it because of expecting crowds (someone reading please correct me if this is mistaken, I've never been there exactly during the Jazz Festival). They monitor how many people go thru, it's all very organized, you get a self-guiding map that tells about all the different parts.
Mar 25th, 2010, 07:06 AM
#27
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Murren and Wengen are both in the Bernese Oberland and not very far apart.
Nobody's suggested a base in the Engadine in southeastern Switzerland, an area you might enjoy if you like less touristed travel. Unfortunately I've yet to go there. (It's on my list.) But maybe others could suggest a good town for a base.
Another outlier in Switzerland is Ticino, the one Italian-speaking canton. It's at the southern base of the Alps and would make a good contrast to your other stops. Lugano and Locarno are the biggest towns, both on lakes.
Nobody's suggested a base in the Engadine in southeastern Switzerland, an area you might enjoy if you like less touristed travel. Unfortunately I've yet to go there. (It's on my list.) But maybe others could suggest a good town for a base.
Another outlier in Switzerland is Ticino, the one Italian-speaking canton. It's at the southern base of the Alps and would make a good contrast to your other stops. Lugano and Locarno are the biggest towns, both on lakes.
Mar 25th, 2010, 08:07 AM
#28
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St Moritz or Pontresina are good bases for the Engadine - great rail and bus links. Taking the Bernina Express train up to the summit of the Bernina Pass is a tremendous experience - to me not only the most scenic train in Switzerland but perhaps in all of Europe. Hop the train to the summit around Alp Grum - get off, walk around the glacial lake to the glaciers and then return to St Moritz - about one hour each way. There are other places of great natural wonder where you can also get off the train to make a fantastic day of it. Or for a taste of Italy you can take the Bernina train down into Italy where it terminates at Tirano - have some pasta and go back up and over the pass to St Mortiz.
Mar 25th, 2010, 09:23 AM
#29
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Mellisa5, I stayed in a hotel close to the train station but I can't remember the name. Something like Alpine Hotel
Switzerland is sooooo clean and runs like clockwork I really don't think you will have a problem with hotels.
Switzerland is sooooo clean and runs like clockwork I really don't think you will have a problem with hotels.
Mar 25th, 2010, 09:56 AM
#30
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I stayed at Hotel Negociants, that Swandav referred to and found it to be what you're looking for. I was also there during the jazz festival and went to Montreux to enjoy the free stages. If you're there at the time, don't miss it.
Two of my other stops would include the Swiss end of Lago Maggiore. I loved Hotel www.navegna.ch, right on the lake just outside of Locarno. It was a beautiful and easy walk along the lake to the ferries and trains in Locarno. Train to Bellanzano to see the three ancient Roman castles, take the Centovalli Train (amazing ride!) and be sure to get off at one of the stops with a gondola ride up the mountain. You can rent a bike to ride back down the centovalli or just for riding around town. There are loads of hiking trails with glorious lake views.
My third stop would be in the Engadine. We stayed in Zuoz (where I joined Swandav for our mini Fodorite GTG) and we rented bikes to ride around the lakes at St. Moritz, took the scenic glacier train, and biked the trails between Swiss towns. We took a combination of efficient swiss buses and trains to different towns for hikes and great meals. S, can you provide a link to the hotel we stayed at?
These give you a sampler of French, Italian and German Switzerland. I even hitched a ride with a woman who spoke Romanche, to complete the foursome!
Enjoy your Swiss trip!
Two of my other stops would include the Swiss end of Lago Maggiore. I loved Hotel www.navegna.ch, right on the lake just outside of Locarno. It was a beautiful and easy walk along the lake to the ferries and trains in Locarno. Train to Bellanzano to see the three ancient Roman castles, take the Centovalli Train (amazing ride!) and be sure to get off at one of the stops with a gondola ride up the mountain. You can rent a bike to ride back down the centovalli or just for riding around town. There are loads of hiking trails with glorious lake views.
My third stop would be in the Engadine. We stayed in Zuoz (where I joined Swandav for our mini Fodorite GTG) and we rented bikes to ride around the lakes at St. Moritz, took the scenic glacier train, and biked the trails between Swiss towns. We took a combination of efficient swiss buses and trains to different towns for hikes and great meals. S, can you provide a link to the hotel we stayed at?
These give you a sampler of French, Italian and German Switzerland. I even hitched a ride with a woman who spoke Romanche, to complete the foursome!
Enjoy your Swiss trip!
Mar 25th, 2010, 10:16 AM
#31
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Natch! It was the Hotel Engiandina:
http://www.hotelengiadina.ch/en/001/hotel.htm
One thing about Zuoz -- there wasn't a single souvenir shop -- do you remember, GS?
The train trip we took was the Bernina Express, and we stopped at Alp Grüm, what an incredible place!
s
http://www.hotelengiadina.ch/en/001/hotel.htm
One thing about Zuoz -- there wasn't a single souvenir shop -- do you remember, GS?
The train trip we took was the Bernina Express, and we stopped at Alp Grüm, what an incredible place!
s
Mar 25th, 2010, 10:30 AM
#32
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Oh yes! That was great. Stop at the top of the Alps, grab some hot soup and spend half an hour watching a glacier melt.
And at the end of the line you get to spend some time in the lovely little Italian town of Poschiavo. We had a nut torte at a cafe while we admired one of the Discovery Team's (US Postal?) cyclists refueling.
So many places to see, so little time!
And at the end of the line you get to spend some time in the lovely little Italian town of Poschiavo. We had a nut torte at a cafe while we admired one of the Discovery Team's (US Postal?) cyclists refueling.
So many places to see, so little time!
Mar 25th, 2010, 11:33 AM
#33
www.hotelgeneve.ch
Is another similar hotel in price and style to Negotiants in Vevey (i.e., a hotel above a restaurant situation).
If you want a town even smaller or further from Montreux, Morges is often suggested (it's the other side towards Geneva from Lausanne).
Is another similar hotel in price and style to Negotiants in Vevey (i.e., a hotel above a restaurant situation).
If you want a town even smaller or further from Montreux, Morges is often suggested (it's the other side towards Geneva from Lausanne).
Mar 27th, 2010, 03:22 AM
#34
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Oh, what lovely information you have all added on here for me to explore! Many thanks! Since it's 3:30 in the mornin' here, I will tackle all these lovely ideas tomorrow! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.
Mar 27th, 2010, 04:48 PM
#35
Regarding access to Saas Fee - get off the train to Zermatt at Stalden Saas, and catch the bus to Saas Fee (the bus will be waiting). The 45-minute bus ride is free with the Swiss Rail Pass, 50% off with the Half Fare Card. Saas Fee lies in the valley adjoining Zermatt and can’t be reached by train. Like Zermatt, it’s a car-free mountain resort - it has the highest underground funicular in the world to Mittelallain at 3,500 meters.
We found Saas Fee incredibly quiet and a nice break from Zermatt. We hope to go back someday and explore a bit more.
We found Saas Fee incredibly quiet and a nice break from Zermatt. We hope to go back someday and explore a bit more.
Mar 29th, 2010, 01:12 AM
#36
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suze: Thanks for all the info. I'm glad you are talking me into seeing the <b>Chateau de Chillon</b> despite crowds...because I don't really want to miss it! I wonder if it would be less crowded if we arrived at noon when the tour bus people are probably at lunch? (This plan worked for us in Rome when we went to see the Vatican Museums.)
You asked my price range for hotels? We mainly aim for the middle...with an occasional splurge here and there, and a budget place now and then if the owners are friendly.
<b>Vevey</b> sounds like a charming spot to stay.
Palenque: I have considered trying to fit in the most scenic portion of the <b>Bernina Express</b> train & Bernina Pass into my itinerary...because I love trains, my favorite way to travel! But I got confused trying to choose the train as opposed to choosing the destination... I can't figure out an itinerary with only 4 hotel changes that includes getting to take the scenic train (Bernina Express & Bernina Pass). I'm trying to have only 4 hotel changes including the first hotel when we fly into Switzerland, and the last hotel before we fly out of Switzerland.
Grasshopper: I haven't looked up any info about the <b>jazz festival in Montreux</b> yet. When you say the free stages, you mean part of the jazz festival in Montreux? Sounds like it might be fun to stay nearby somewhere quieter and then go see what is happening in Montreux. Thanks for that hotel name, I will look into it...Hotel Negotiants...
You asked my price range for hotels? We mainly aim for the middle...with an occasional splurge here and there, and a budget place now and then if the owners are friendly.
<b>Vevey</b> sounds like a charming spot to stay.
Palenque: I have considered trying to fit in the most scenic portion of the <b>Bernina Express</b> train & Bernina Pass into my itinerary...because I love trains, my favorite way to travel! But I got confused trying to choose the train as opposed to choosing the destination... I can't figure out an itinerary with only 4 hotel changes that includes getting to take the scenic train (Bernina Express & Bernina Pass). I'm trying to have only 4 hotel changes including the first hotel when we fly into Switzerland, and the last hotel before we fly out of Switzerland.
Grasshopper: I haven't looked up any info about the <b>jazz festival in Montreux</b> yet. When you say the free stages, you mean part of the jazz festival in Montreux? Sounds like it might be fun to stay nearby somewhere quieter and then go see what is happening in Montreux. Thanks for that hotel name, I will look into it...Hotel Negotiants...
Mar 29th, 2010, 07:27 AM
#37
Negotiants and Hostelerie de Geneva both mentioned are mid-priced places in Vevey that I think you'd be happy with. Because you are in the area during the Jazz Fesival, I would encourage you to get hotel reservations sooner than later! It really does effect the entire area in terms of hotel room availability. Yes there are some free stage concerts in various locations as part of the festival.
Mar 29th, 2010, 10:16 AM
#38
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FYI: If your rail pass is first class, be sure to go to the top deck on the boats. Lower deck (second class) can get very crowded>
If you have a 2nd class pass and wish to sit up top in first class then you can pay the difference between the usual first and second class fares onboard when the ticket taker comes around - and the 15 or so Swiss Francs typical may be well worth it IMO.
If you have a 2nd class pass and wish to sit up top in first class then you can pay the difference between the usual first and second class fares onboard when the ticket taker comes around - and the 15 or so Swiss Francs typical may be well worth it IMO.
Mar 30th, 2010, 11:21 AM
#39
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Hmmm...it looks a bit complicated to get to the Chateau de Chillon from Lausanne>
But the lake boats from Lausanne or Vevey or Montreux dock right by Chatuea Chillon -very easy and super nice. Swiss passes are valid on these boats as well. Frequent service in season.
But the lake boats from Lausanne or Vevey or Montreux dock right by Chatuea Chillon -very easy and super nice. Swiss passes are valid on these boats as well. Frequent service in season.
Apr 15th, 2010, 01:33 AM
#40
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<b>Itinerary help please!</b> 
I have booked my "2nd base" and "3rd base" hotels, which is the middle of my trip (and the highlight). Now I'm going cross-eyed trying to choose the 1st base and the 4th base (beginning and end of the trip.)
I usually try to plan a trip to minimize crowds where possible. With this in mind, I have 2 alternative itineraries below. Basically we either fly into Geneva and then fly out of Zurich...or vice versa.
Please keep in mind that we will spend 4 nights at each of our "base" hotels and do day-trips from there.
Plan A, below, starts out in the Lake Geneva area...I'm assuming it will be less crowded at the end of June in this area, before the jazz festivals in the area begin?? HOWEVER, using Plan A, our journey on the Golden Pass train route will be from Montreux to Interlaken...is that just as scenic going in this direction? Or not?
<b>Plan A: 2 weeks Geneva to Zurich</b>
Fly LAX (or San Diego) to Geneva
1st base: Lausanne, Montreux, or Vevey
(<b>last week in June</b>
2nd base: Wengen (Hotel Berghaus)
3rd base: Murren (Hotel Bellevue owners: Ruth & Othmar Suter)
(<b>first week in July!</b>
4th base: Luzerne <b>(July!)</b>
Fly home Zurich to LAX (or San Diego) <b>(July)</b>
Plan B, below, starts in Zurich, and ends in Geneva. It is the plan above, only reversed. It puts us in the Lake Geneva area during the busy crowded days of the jazz festivals. It allows us to take the Golden Pass scenic train in the direction from Interlaken to Montreux...is that the more scenic direction??
<b>Plan B: 2 weeks Zurich to Geneva</b>
Fly LAX to Zurich
1st base: Luzerne
<b>(end of June!)</b>
2nd base: Wengen
3rd base: Murren
<b>(early July!)</b>
4th base: Lausanne, Montreux or Vevey
<b>(July during the jazz festivals!)</b>
Fly home Geneva to LAX or San Diego (July)
Thanks for everyone's advice! We are excited about this trip and I really want to finish booking it. I like the 4-base-cities plan...but I couldn't see how to fit in Bern as a base though. In order to have only 4 bases and fit in Bern, I'd have to take out Wengen.
Or we could stay in Bern instead of the Lake Geneva region and visit the Chateau de Chillon as a daytrip from Bern. I'm really looking forward to visiting the Chateau de Chillon! Do you think the Chateau de Chillon would be less crowded on a week<b>end</b> in June...or on week<b>days</b> during the July jazz festival?
I have booked my "2nd base" and "3rd base" hotels, which is the middle of my trip (and the highlight). Now I'm going cross-eyed trying to choose the 1st base and the 4th base (beginning and end of the trip.)I usually try to plan a trip to minimize crowds where possible. With this in mind, I have 2 alternative itineraries below. Basically we either fly into Geneva and then fly out of Zurich...or vice versa.
Please keep in mind that we will spend 4 nights at each of our "base" hotels and do day-trips from there.
Plan A, below, starts out in the Lake Geneva area...I'm assuming it will be less crowded at the end of June in this area, before the jazz festivals in the area begin?? HOWEVER, using Plan A, our journey on the Golden Pass train route will be from Montreux to Interlaken...is that just as scenic going in this direction? Or not?
<b>Plan A: 2 weeks Geneva to Zurich</b>
Fly LAX (or San Diego) to Geneva
1st base: Lausanne, Montreux, or Vevey
(<b>last week in June</b>
2nd base: Wengen (Hotel Berghaus)
3rd base: Murren (Hotel Bellevue owners: Ruth & Othmar Suter)
(<b>first week in July!</b>
4th base: Luzerne <b>(July!)</b>
Fly home Zurich to LAX (or San Diego) <b>(July)</b>
Plan B, below, starts in Zurich, and ends in Geneva. It is the plan above, only reversed. It puts us in the Lake Geneva area during the busy crowded days of the jazz festivals. It allows us to take the Golden Pass scenic train in the direction from Interlaken to Montreux...is that the more scenic direction??
<b>Plan B: 2 weeks Zurich to Geneva</b>
Fly LAX to Zurich
1st base: Luzerne
<b>(end of June!)</b>
2nd base: Wengen
3rd base: Murren
<b>(early July!)</b>
4th base: Lausanne, Montreux or Vevey
<b>(July during the jazz festivals!)</b>
Fly home Geneva to LAX or San Diego (July)
Thanks for everyone's advice! We are excited about this trip and I really want to finish booking it. I like the 4-base-cities plan...but I couldn't see how to fit in Bern as a base though. In order to have only 4 bases and fit in Bern, I'd have to take out Wengen.
Or we could stay in Bern instead of the Lake Geneva region and visit the Chateau de Chillon as a daytrip from Bern. I'm really looking forward to visiting the Chateau de Chillon! Do you think the Chateau de Chillon would be less crowded on a week<b>end</b> in June...or on week<b>days</b> during the July jazz festival?
