Hello Fodorites! I post frequently and travel often. A fond memory is being an exchange student in 1973. I traveled a lot in France, but really fell in love with Switz, esp. around Lake Geneva and Schaffhausen. Okay, I am turning 50 this June. My husband has given me an unlimited budget for 10 days. We love biking and hiking and are in great shape to do so.(No downhill skiing, my knees are iffy.) We also love wines and good dining, but prefer the smaller towns and regional fare over the five star venues. I speak French rather well, but no German. My ideal trip is to visit the French, German and Italian sides of Switzerland. I loved the country and people! I am looking at the boards and gathering info and would love suggestions. We don't need huge resorts, spas, etc, but prefer good hiking, lovely scenery and wonderful people. Thank you for any info!!!

Hi LLindaC,

Well, I went to boarding school in Montreux in 1968, so I know all about returning to find some childhood roots --! I just love Montreux, so I agree that Lake Geneva is just very, very special.

So for your trip, one possible route would be to fly into Milan and spend a few days in Locarno; from Locarno travel to Montreux for a few days; from Montreux travel the Panorama Express route via Saanen & Zweisimmen to the Berner Oberland. But because you're now running out of days, you'll have to choose whether you want to spend a few days in the Berner Oberland or to continue on and spend a few days in Luzern. If you love mountains and mountain villages, the choice is obvious: Wengen, Muerren, or Grindelwald in the BO. If you love lakes & mountains in a city atmosphere, go to Luzern.

Personally, I think you need to add a few days . . . !!

Good luck in your research!

s

ps,

You can check your rail routes, schedules, & fares at www.rail.ch.

Do a text search here for the towns I mentioned to get some ideas of activities in each area.

Have fun!

s

Maybe you've already discovered this but many Swiss towns have their own tourist website at addresses such as: www.vevey.ch or www.montreux.ch

I have been looking at many posts here- I am hoping that Faina isn't going in July ;-) Thank you for your information! I bought a Fodor's guide today and am having a ball researching the trip. Right now, American is offering tickets for Jul18 through August (selected dates) for $820 from Louisville to Zurich. That sounds just a bit high, but not awful? I paid 900 for trip to South Africa. I might not book these tickets till April. With the weak dollar, maybe some of the rates will fall towards the end of summer. We are totally flexible about our plans, and with enought whining, or "wine-ing" perhaps we can tack on a few more needed days! I will check back in with hotel/lodging questions.Thanks again!

HUH? And why is that?

Keep it up, I will be taking a leasurely tour with a couple of days on my own!