Thoughts on Thun?
 

Anyone have inputs on this town? I've been before, just briefly, but staying there for 3 nights this summer...Hotel Emmental. Any restaurant recommendations?

Hi Traveler863,

Sorry I have no first-hand advice; like you, I've only spent a few hours there. But here's a link to very informative travel pages about Thun:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/a87a9/4/

The poster is a very well-trusted, well-travelled German who loves Switzerland. On his pages, be sure to look for the Thun travelogues as well.

s

ttt

We spent a part of a day there and I would return. We were staying above Spiez and took the train to Thun, walked quite a bit and visited the castle, then took a bus to Oberhofen to see another castle. We intended to take the boat back to Spiez, but missed it and had to take the bus/train.

Thun, at least in the old city, had very few people about when we were there, and I think this must have been an abnormality, as there were certainly plenty of restaurants and shops.

I don't know if it was from all the walking, but I still think of the sandwich I got there from a street vendor as one of the best lunches I have ever had, but we didn't eat in any of the restaurants.

My experience ties with Cleveland Brown's. When I was there, it seemed very quiet despite all the shops and cafes. Kind of odd. It's pretty, but I don't know if I'd want to spend 3 nights there (unless you like it quiet, some people do!). Did you have any other towns/villages in the region in mind?

On the contrary, there are zillions of places to visit while staying in Thun. Use the boats and trains if you've got some sort of pass. The little castle at Oberhofen has already been mentioned. Also Brienz and Ballenberg and some waterfalls on Brienzersee. You can go up into the mountains or as far as Lucerne (2 hrs.) to the east and Solothurn to the west. And, of course, Bern if you have not already enjoyed that graceful old city with wonderful painted fountain figures. From Thun it's l:41 to Lausanne, a bit over an hour to Murten, 1:30 to Avenches, and a bit less than that to Gstaad. I'd stay there in a minute if I were not so addicted to verrry tiny places. J.

If you head a little bit up the road toward Interlaken (but not all the way into Interlaken), you'll see a sign pointing to Krattigen. Take the turn and go up the hill (curvy road), and at the top there is the town of Krattigen, looking down on Lake Thun. On the right, there is a hotel called the Hotel Bellevue Baren. Their restaurant is WONDERFUL and reasonably priced. I stat at this hotel every trip to Switzerland, and I usually get the package deal rate where I get breakfast and dinner with my room. Given the price of most dinners in Switzerland, this ends up being a great deal, and the proprietess, Frau Mueller, is wonderful, as is the food.

Swandav200, thanks for the link, some info but really looking for restaurant recommendations. Not really finding much, not sure Thun is too good for restaurants.

Clevelandbrown, thanks for the info. Sandwiches we'll certainly need as well.

BTilke/jmw44, Thun is a base and a pretty one. Quiet, well not really, its got a good bit going on, more so than some of the mountain resorts. We ended up deciding on Thun because of the expense of some of the mountain resorts and they are not good for daytripping anywhere else, especially Wengen and Murren, both great and quaint but if you go, stay and enjoy. Other option was Interlaken, I've stayed there before and its a terrible place, full of tourists and no charm...only redeeming quality is bullseye view of Jungfrau if you get the right hotel and view....and expensive. Another option was Meiringen, good hub though not really a very interesting town. From Thun we'll be able to access Jungfrau region, Gruyeres, Fribourg, Murten, Avenches and Emmental. Obviously with only 3 nights, 2 full days can't do all that but leaves alot of options open. Most importantly plan to drive to Zurich morning of transatlantic flight home, scheduled at noon, at 95km all autobahn certainly better than moving to a stale airport hotel for the last night.

CyndyB, Thanks for the tip on the Bellevue Baren, sounds great. We may keep that as a lunch stop, sounds great. For evenings we'd like to stick to places in Thun, so we can drink and walk :)

If anyone has any other opinions of either Thun as a hub or restaurant recommendations please post. Thanks everyone.