Right - I did not read what she was asking for well until my latter response, which I was referring to and not my initial response.

anyways Fodorgarchs (not saying you) can often IME be rather callous to new posters and that I feel hurts not only Fodor's but the new poster who often never comes back.

Stevewith - I always appreciate your helpful and kind responses.

When getting on the train at Interlaken-Ost beware that the train will split shortly after leaving Interlaken - not long after stopping at Wilderswil - be sure you are on the part of the train clearly labeled Lauterbrunnen on the outside of it and not Grindelwald - every time I ride this train I see flummoxed folk being shooed off the wrong part of the train at Zweilutschenen (sp?) where the train splits and often by that time there may be no more empty seats and you'll have to stand. Be sure you are on the correcxt part of the train when leaving Interlaken-Ost!

PalenQ, you said,
Lauterbrunnen is as good a base any any - many prefer Wengen - a short rain ride above Lauterbrunnen
Why is it that many prefer Wengen? Pros and cons for each if you have them would be great.

Lauterbrunnen vs. Wengen. It is best to look at these places on a map: http://mylauterbrunnen.com/en/Holida...ER/Information
Wengen has breathtaking view of the valley from above and is a car free village you might have always imagined although it is a large town. Lauterbrunnen is at the base of the valley. Why would one choose Lauterbrunnen? Convenience to all points in the area. From Wengen, except for Jungfrau, Kleine Scheidegg, and Männlichen, you have to come down to Lauterbrunnen to head to all other points in the area. If your interest is mostly in the Wengen side of the valley, by all means stay in Wengen.

Staying in Lauterbrunnen, you can waste less time getting to Interlaken to leave the area and rush on to the next place.

Staying in Wengen is a better place IMO from which to head out on hikes. For example, Wengen-Grindelwald-Faulhorn-Giessbach makes a nice 3 day hike and then return via lake ferry and train to Wengen.

Why limit it to Lauterbrunnen vs. Wengen?

Some people prefer to stay in Grindelwald, some prefer Murren, some prefer Meiringen, some prefer Hasliberg, some prefer ...........

Why limit it to Lauterbrunnen vs. Wengen?>

Grindelwald is my favorite base up in the hills - the view is 360 degrees it seems - over a wide amphitheatre all lovingly backdropped by the soaring Jungfrau Massif - they say it thunder storms about once a day somewhere in this area and when a rain storm happens the water falling off that sheer wall of rock is totally awesome - many rave about the views from Wengen or Murren but to me nothing can beat Grindelwald, a town which also has a pulse compared to rather somnolent Wengen or Murren.

Ah a chacun a son gout as some old French folks used to say - to each their own taste!

Heck it don't really matter where you stay - everyone who stays anywhere raves about it - any base up in the hills if a first-time visitor - I prefer Interlaken but for a first-timer it's gotta be up in dem hills!

Hi Caroline,
We did most of this trip in the reverse: Rome, Venice, Lauterbrunnen by train. It is a great way to travel and quite relaxing.

We have stayed in Lauterbrunnen twice. We rented an apt in a great home in Lauterbrunnen both times. Actually, last year there were four of us but the apt had six beds, so would work for you regardless if you have 4 or 6 travelers.

Teresa is a great host. The apt is just a short walk from the train station. Everything you need store wise is right there. Very convenient to get to anywhere in the BO. Wengen is also a very lovely town, would not hesitate to stay there either.

http://www.homeaway.co.uk/Switzerlan...tm?uni_id=6231

Oh, sorry...here are the apts we stayed at in Venice and Rome. They were both great and exactly as advertised: The Rome apt will only sleep 5 persons though.

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/venice/b...tment-biagigli

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/rome/cam...ent-balestrari

The Venice apt is in the Arsenale area. We loved it there. Felt like a real local, shopping in the local markets. About a 10 minute walk to St Marks.

The Rome apt is right by Campo Dei Fiori. Again, great local market sets up every morning in the square. Easy to get everywhere we needed. Would definitely stay at these apts again.