MoneyB03

Looking to visit Switzerland for about 5 or 6 days as part of a trip next May and just curious about those who might have been there during this time of year. Would likely be staying in Lauterbrunnen a few days and Lucern a few days. I know weather can be all over the place but wondering from those who've been if going then is worth it based on weather and towns/villages in those areas that time of year. Would be the last 2 weeks of May '08.
thanks!

Mimar

May is between seasons in the Alps. It's when they repair the lifts, etc. So not all the sights may be available. If you go with that understanding....

jenblase

We just were there this past May. Stayed in Grindelwald May 16 and 17 and then Montreux May 18th.

In Montreux everything seemed to be open then (because it's a big city) but in Grindelwald lots of stuff was closed. In fact we had a hard time finding places to eat. One place, a pizza place that sounded really cool (and that our hotel's front desk clerk told us about, so we assumed it would be open) well we walked all the way to and the sign said "opening May 26th." There was a neat looking outdoor piano bar in Grindelwald that we would have loved to check out, but the sign said "opening June 2nd." So just be forewarned.

The upside is the hotel rates were cheaper and the towns are definitely less crowded. We had really nice weather too.

suec1

We visited Montreux that time of year - it seemed to be "early spring". Most days were quite pleasant - we did the Golden Pass one day up to Gstaad and took a hike - it was lovely! We also rented bikes one day and rode towrds Vevey and a little beyond towards the vineyards. We had lunch at a wonderful restuarant and then rode home, another great day.

ronkala

We were in kandersteg 23 May through 6 June and weather was a mixture of cool, warm, and rain. 28 May we had 5" snow.

bettyk

We were in Lauterbrunnen in May 2006. The weather was fine. We didn't notice anything closed except perhaps in Murren. It was hard to tell because we were there during the Noon to Three time period when quite a few places close down except for restaurants.

I wouldn't worry about it. We visited Schilthorn which is open all year as well as the towns of Spiez and Thun along Lake Thun. You will find plent to do in May.

jenblase

Reading Bettyk's post I just wanted to add that none of the major attractions were closed - Schlithorn, Trummelbach Falls and Jungfraujoch were all open and operated even on Ascension Day (which was May 17th last year).

It was mostly the restaurants and other tourist shops/bars that hadn't opened yet and are probably only open for a few months in the summer and then during ski season.

Some hotels are closed during that time but there are plenty that remain open so that you'll have choices.