Switzerland/Italy-advice please
Nov 14th, 2014, 06:15 PM
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Switzerland/Italy-advice please
I am struggling putting this trip together and will listen to any advice you bring my way.
The for sure parts of this trip are a 7 day walking tour in Tuscany, 4 nights Switzerland and ending with 6 nights in Paris.
The other non negotiable is the time...After Oct 20th 2015 and ending before the Christmas Holidays..
The flexible part is the # of days (not including 4 travel days to get there and back from Hawaii.
What I have mapped out so far is 22 in Europe nights-we would be okay with a night or 2 more or 1 night less.
I would like to spend 3 nights in Florence before or after the walking tour.
and think it would be nice to spent the 1st night in Orvieto to get over jet lag a bit and because I have never been there. (Fly into Rome-out of Paris)
The more I read about Switzerland the more confused I become.
For Switzerland I think we will base in Lausanne as we have a friend we would like to connect with who lives in Lake Geneva.
If we base in Lausanne then I think we will take the Golden Pass train to Interlaken to get a taste of the beautiful scenery.
This is where it falls apart-or maybe it falls apart before and I just don't realize it!
Should we stay in Lausanne the whole time so that we can hedge our bet on the weather? or should we stay 3 or 2 nights in Berner Oberland and if so where?.
I realize that we will not be hiking at that time of year, but really would just like to be in the beautiful scenery rather than in a big city like Lake Geneva-if that makes sense?
Also would you advice we purchase a Swiss Train pass but not reservations, once again based on the weather & the time of year?
I will stop now and wait for any replys to clear up my confusion.
The for sure parts of this trip are a 7 day walking tour in Tuscany, 4 nights Switzerland and ending with 6 nights in Paris.
The other non negotiable is the time...After Oct 20th 2015 and ending before the Christmas Holidays..
The flexible part is the # of days (not including 4 travel days to get there and back from Hawaii.
What I have mapped out so far is 22 in Europe nights-we would be okay with a night or 2 more or 1 night less.
I would like to spend 3 nights in Florence before or after the walking tour.
and think it would be nice to spent the 1st night in Orvieto to get over jet lag a bit and because I have never been there. (Fly into Rome-out of Paris)
The more I read about Switzerland the more confused I become.
For Switzerland I think we will base in Lausanne as we have a friend we would like to connect with who lives in Lake Geneva.
If we base in Lausanne then I think we will take the Golden Pass train to Interlaken to get a taste of the beautiful scenery.
This is where it falls apart-or maybe it falls apart before and I just don't realize it!
Should we stay in Lausanne the whole time so that we can hedge our bet on the weather? or should we stay 3 or 2 nights in Berner Oberland and if so where?.
I realize that we will not be hiking at that time of year, but really would just like to be in the beautiful scenery rather than in a big city like Lake Geneva-if that makes sense?
Also would you advice we purchase a Swiss Train pass but not reservations, once again based on the weather & the time of year?
I will stop now and wait for any replys to clear up my confusion.
Nov 15th, 2014, 02:07 AM
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Weather is always unpredictable in the Alps. Many things higher than 2000metres are closed between end October and mid December.
The nicests places along Lake Geneva are Montreux, Vevey, Glion, Caux.
The famous Golden Pass train to the Bernese Oberland and Lucerne starts at Montreux, but if you would do this journey today, you would see nothing but fog and rain.
But Switzerland has not only mountains.
You may have a look at
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html
http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/en/
http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en
Alitalia has direct flights from Florence to Geneva. Easyjet flights from Rome to Geneva are cheaper, however.
The train ride from Florence to Lausanne takes 5 3/4 hrs, Florence dp 10.00, 15.00, 17.00
The nicests places along Lake Geneva are Montreux, Vevey, Glion, Caux.
The famous Golden Pass train to the Bernese Oberland and Lucerne starts at Montreux, but if you would do this journey today, you would see nothing but fog and rain.
But Switzerland has not only mountains.
You may have a look at
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html
http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/en/
http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en
Alitalia has direct flights from Florence to Geneva. Easyjet flights from Rome to Geneva are cheaper, however.
The train ride from Florence to Lausanne takes 5 3/4 hrs, Florence dp 10.00, 15.00, 17.00
Nov 15th, 2014, 04:19 AM
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Also would you advice we purchase a Swiss Train pass but not reservations, once again based on the weather & the time of year?>
A 4-consecutive-day pass can be a good deal if you are traveling fairly long distances each day, even from a base but compare regular tickets at www.sbb.ch first - check these sites for lots of great info on Swiss trains and passes and things like the Half-Fare Card - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
A 4-consecutive-day pass can be a good deal if you are traveling fairly long distances each day, even from a base but compare regular tickets at www.sbb.ch first - check these sites for lots of great info on Swiss trains and passes and things like the Half-Fare Card - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Nov 15th, 2014, 07:42 AM
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The only train you may want to reserve is the Golden Pass if you want to sit in the panoramic observation cars or especially is you want to sit in the vaunted and totally unique VIP seats - a compartment next to the driver so you simulate driving the train! (1st class ticket or upgrade from 2nd class pass or ticket required).
Nov 16th, 2014, 02:18 PM
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neckervd & PalenQ thanks for your replies and the links you posted, which I have checked out and now have 2 more questions:
neckervd you did not mention Lausanne as one of your "nicest places along Lake Geneva" Is there a reason why, as I have read that it is a charming town?
PalenQ-I am thinking the only reason I would buy a Swiss Pass is if I were to get good weather and take the Golden Pass train. Otherwise I would just explore around Lake Geneva and get a point to point ticket for my trip to Paris.
If it turns out I will going on the Golden Pass Train (or any other train-other that my departure train to Paris) can I buy a Swiss Train Pass when there?
neckervd you did not mention Lausanne as one of your "nicest places along Lake Geneva" Is there a reason why, as I have read that it is a charming town?
PalenQ-I am thinking the only reason I would buy a Swiss Pass is if I were to get good weather and take the Golden Pass train. Otherwise I would just explore around Lake Geneva and get a point to point ticket for my trip to Paris.
If it turns out I will going on the Golden Pass Train (or any other train-other that my departure train to Paris) can I buy a Swiss Train Pass when there?
Nov 16th, 2014, 09:28 PM
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FWIW, I loved Lausanne -- among other things, it has awesome colored statuary on its cathedral, some memorable museums, interesting streets, etc. BUT it doesn't offer the same views of Lake Geneva that points further east provide.
It doesn't sound like you will have enough time to do / see everything that this part of the world offers, so my recommendation is that you consult some good guidebooks to decide which places most pique your interests and then, based on opening hours and transit times, decide how to allocate your time.
The good news = you don't really have BAD choices in this wonderful part of the world - enjoy!
It doesn't sound like you will have enough time to do / see everything that this part of the world offers, so my recommendation is that you consult some good guidebooks to decide which places most pique your interests and then, based on opening hours and transit times, decide how to allocate your time.
The good news = you don't really have BAD choices in this wonderful part of the world - enjoy!
Nov 17th, 2014, 07:16 AM
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Lausanne is a town with some 200thousand inhabitants (55 per cent of them Swiss citizens) and a (for Switzerland) incredibly high unemployment rate (about 6 per cent; national average 2.9 per cent).
As in all towns of this size, there are charming quarters and others. All depends on the exact place where you will stay.
Montreux and Vevey are both about 10times smaller.
As in all towns of this size, there are charming quarters and others. All depends on the exact place where you will stay.
Montreux and Vevey are both about 10times smaller.
Nov 17th, 2014, 11:39 AM
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PalenQ-I am thinking the only reason I would buy a Swiss Pass is if I were to get good weather and take the Golden Pass train. Otherwise I would just explore around Lake Geneva and get a point to point ticket for my trip to Paris.
If it turns out I will going on the Golden Pass Train (or any other train-other that my departure train to Paris) can I buy a Swiss Train Pass when there?>
Yes at any Swiss train station - but you may have to do more than the GP above the small stuff around Lac Leman to make it pay off - again check www.sbb.ch for actual fares.
a beauty of Swiss Passes to me in a place like Lac Leman is taking boats - just on a whim hopping on one on a nice late afternoon and relaxing but the time you're going even though there may be a few boats running the weather may not be all that inviting to laying about on deck or picniking.
If it turns out I will going on the Golden Pass Train (or any other train-other that my departure train to Paris) can I buy a Swiss Train Pass when there?>
Yes at any Swiss train station - but you may have to do more than the GP above the small stuff around Lac Leman to make it pay off - again check www.sbb.ch for actual fares.
a beauty of Swiss Passes to me in a place like Lac Leman is taking boats - just on a whim hopping on one on a nice late afternoon and relaxing but the time you're going even though there may be a few boats running the weather may not be all that inviting to laying about on deck or picniking.
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