Hi,
We travelled 2nd class on the trains. Very good experience on all of them. Can't see spending the extra for 1st class.
We did the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt in one day. Personally, I woudn't do it again. It took about 9 hours. Some really beautiful scenery for sure, but the scenery was great on most of our other train travels in Switzerland as well.

Paul

Ascona: The German team is in one of the loveliest hotels in Tessin because they got a great offer from the canton of Tessin. Tessin wanted to be part of the EM championships so they made the German team a deal they couldn't resist. They will be practicing in Tenero but I don't think the hotels will be much fuller in Tessin than usual.

Rigi Kaltbad vs. Weggis:
Hard to say. If you've never stayed on a mountain and would like to hike two days, I'd say go for it. The views are phenonomal and you'll hear cows bells. They've got lots of activities going on the Rigi (especially Staffel and Kulm) so it might be a great experience.

Appenzell: Well, I just adore that area. It is truly quaint. Definitely deserves a visit.

Stein am Rhein: Yup, small but picturesque.

Einsiedeln: Easy to do from Zürich. I live 15 min. from there and find the church huge and something to see. I would plan two hours there and then go on.

I wouldn't do Tessin because you are going to Lac Laman. Both are similar. I enjoy the food and atmosphere more so in Tessin but Montreux and Vevey are also very beautiful and those vinyards are spectacular to see.

You will not see all of Switzerland in 17 days. I've lived here 20+ years and have barely scratched the surface. So much beauty everywhere!

ttt

I agree with Paul. I have done the Glacier Express (Zermatt to Chur) and I will not do it again. Although the scenery was beautiful, other train rides were equally beautiful. DH and I will travel from Zermatt to Locarno this fall (first time in Locarno for us). It takes about 4.30 hours. Train goes via Domodossola. Schedules can be found online at www.sbb.ch/en/

Hi again everyone,
I have booked several locations. B.O., Zurich (can be cancelled), Vevey, (can be cancelled), and Zermatt (can be cancelled).
So I still can make changes.
Between Montreux area and Locarno---I have been to Bellagio on Lake Como foe 3 days and also to Lugano for 1 day. In light of this info, should I choose the Swiss - French area of Montreux?
Lucern Ares ---Where to stay?
In Lucerne I can stay at Villa Maria - 1/2 mile from Lucerne center for 160 CHF. (excellent reviews of trip advisor). Or, the hotel rec earlier in this post in Rigi Kaltbab. Which location would be better? Do want to go up to Rigi Kulm and see Vitsnau and Weggis . Could all this be done in 1 day as a day trip from Lucerne? or should we STAY closer to Rigi?
Appenzell --
This has me very curious. My daughter and SIL stayed 1 night in Appenzell enroute to BO
2 years ago and were not impressed. Did they "miss" something? Does Appenzell refer to a "region" or to the town?
How easily can Appenzell be done by train? Is Appenzell "Heidi land"? Are Stein and st. Gallen considered Appenzell?
Thanks to all you pros!
Nannibray

Nannibray,

Do you want to stay on a mountain?(willing to take the risk if you have a two days of bad weather?) If not, stay outside of Lucerne.

Seeing Vitznau, Weggis and the Rigi can easily be done in one day. Take the ferry to Vitznau. Take the funicular from Vitznau to Rigi Kulm and then walk down to Rigi Kaltbad. From there, take the cable car back down to Weggis and the ferry back to Lucerne.

Go to Vevey since you've never been there before.

Skip Appenzell since you probably won't have time for it. Some people like it and others find it underwhelming. I think it depends on the type of person you are.

Stein am Rhein is not considered Appenzell. Neither is St. Gallen. St. Gallen is closer to Appenzell. You might want to consider visiting Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein together.

Heidiland is being advertised as the area before Chur. To me, there are so many places that could be Heidiland that I really look at the Heidiland as more of a marketing gag.

Thanks Schuler! You told me what I wanted to hear.
Never considered "bad weather" on the mountain - a very good point. Lucerne is lovely and from there we can do the cruise to Rigi with our rail passes.
Next Question---Is it better to do the Benediction Abby at EINSIEDELN As a day trip from Zurich? or Lucern? or enroute from Zurich to Lucerne? If we do it enroute from Zurich to Lucerne, can we store our luggage at the train station in Einsiedeln??
Stein Am Rhine looks north and "out of the way". Have been to Oberramagau, Germany twice. Are the painted houses in Stein similar? Have also been to Rothenburg, Germany.
Thanks to everyone. You have been a terrific help!!
Nannibray

Can I store my luggage in Einsiedeln?

Yes. If you arrive during opening hours, the staff will help you store your luggage at the train station. You need to walk through the village to get to the church. It's about a ten minute walk.

If you're into walking around, there's a nice path (the Kreuzweg / the way of the cross) that takes you into the woods and on top of a hill. There are religious statues and markers along the way and it's quite pretty and serene. There's a playground (on the right) next to the abbey. Walk past the playground and head up towards the wooded hill.

How should you I go to Einsiedeln?

Personally, I would do it enroute to Lucerne. It's very scenic and takes you a bit into Switzerland's countryside.

I've never been to Oberramagau so I can't answer your question about Stein am Rhein.

Appenzell the village...you can see the whole thing in a small amount of time and by rail can get there from St. Gallen...

if you are interested in churches then you might want to consider a stop at the abbey church IN St. Gallen, the interior of which has been called the most beautiful in the entire country. The famous library next door is worth a visit for the interior but it has limited hours and days.

Are you planning to take the rack railway trip from Montreux up to Rochers de Naye?

Just in case you're still considering going directly to Stein am Rhine from the airport, I'd say yes and for nights 1 and 2. The painted facades are different from the Bavarian ones IMO, more complex, though it's been many years since I was there. Secondly, as schuler suggested, your day two could include a visit to Schaffhausen by rail or by boat. Together, these two towns could be a very interesting and pleasant beginning. You can, perhaps, plan to return to Zurich your last day with time enough to walk its lovely old streets then. Have fun planning. (hello, schuler; S, are you around?) J.

Thanks SCHULER for the info on the Kreuzweg at Einsiedeln. That is obviously the Catholic "Stations of the Cross" which we will enjoy doing. Will do the trip enroute to Lucerne.
DUKEY We will do the rack rail trip up Rocher de Naye .Thanks for the tip It looks like a "must do".
Still am unsure about Appenzell and Stein. If we do either, we will have to take 2 days from the B.O. and Im not sure I want to do that. Want to do Bern and both Lake's towns from the B.O so that will probably take 3 days as well as the Jungfrajock , Murren, Gimmiwald , Grindlewald, Wengen etc...VERY BUSY AREA. Called American Airlines - no seats available to make the trip longer.
Thanks again everyone.
Nannibray

You might check the weather before going up Rochers de Naye. It can be completely clouded in at the top sometimes. It's still fun to do, but when we were sitting in the cafe having wine looking out the huge windows, it was like being in the middle of a cloud! Completely sacked in! We were laughing...

THanks Suze, Didn't think of the weather. We will have 3 days so will catch the first clear day to do Rochers de Nay. Has anyone taken the trip across Lake Geneva to the French town of Evian-les- Baians? Is this worthwhile while in the area? Any other cruise destinations recommended from Lausanne or Montreux, or Vevey?
We are wanting to go to Gruyeres. and should we stop for an hour or two in Staad coming by train on the Golden Pass from Interlaken to Vevey/Mountreux area?
If we stop in Staad, can we "check our bags"?
Thanks again. Nannibray

Hi nannibray,

Yes, it's a great idea to stop in Gstaad (note spelling); it's a lovely place for lunch. Yes, you can store your luggage in lockers at the train station.

Another nice cruise might be from Chillon to Vevey (are you still staying there?), or from Chillon to Rivaz, where you can explore the Lavaux. Ferry schedules are at www.cgn.ch.

Good luck!

s

Thanks for the rec to have lunch in Gstaad. Will do, and possibly a tiny hike before heading to
o
ur Accommodations in Vevey. The web site for the ferry schedule is helpful. Thanks for that also. Will check into Lavaux also.
Am so excited -- Rick Steves suggests The Glacier Express route (change at Andermatt) on return from Zermatt to Zurich on the last day. also will encompass part of the Wm Tell. So we should have a lovely train trip on our final day in Switz.
Am booked into hotel Negocients in Vevey but would still like to find a place in Montreux. Hotel SPLENDID was fully booked! Any other suggestions for Montreux under US $200?
Thanks again. The trip is looking good!
Nannibray
If not, we'll stay at the Negocients.

Hi nannibray,

I haven't stayed at the Hotel Masson (www.hotelmasson.ch), but a lot of Fodorites have. It gets good reviews. The basic rates for a double are 160-240 chf, well within your budget.

The catch with this hotel is that it's not centrally located. It's actually in the "suburb" of Territet, about two miles from the Montreux train station. One good thing about the location, though, is that it's a stone's throw from the Chillon castle. You could get to the hotel initially by taxi, and then afterwards either walk (about an hour), take the city bus (about 2.80 chf), or take the ferry into town.

Another option would be the Auberge des Planches, in the old town. Now, this may be waaay more low-budget than you'd like. I stayed there for ten days in September 07 and was very comfortable. It's very clean, and the staff is ultra-accommodating. It's not all that easy to get to, as the walk to the old town is UUUPPPPhill, and you can't see the lake from there. The breakfast was also pretty underwhelming. But singles there go for about 90 chf.

A third option might be the Hotel Victoria, in the town of Glion above Montreux. Again, this hotel is not centrally located -- you get to Glion either by train from Montreux or by funicular from Territet. But -- this is my favorite hotel in the area for its decor, ambiance, views, and service; I've stayed here four times. It's really tops. Sitting above Montreux, the hotel offers panoramic views over the lake all the way to France. The budget may be just beyond your range though -- 270-320 chf for a mountain view and 280-350 chf for a lake view room.

Anyway, best of luck!

s

Hotel Helvetie on the main street in Montreux is a cool hotel mid-priced for the area.

Nannibray - You've already gotten a ton of great advice from the experts here, but since I got so much wonderful advice for my trip to Switzerland, I wanted a chance to give some back!

I was re-reading my e-mails home from Switzerland today (trip last August), and I came across my first report from Wengen, which was: "We are staying in the top floor of the Hotel Eiger, an apartment that can sleep up to 7. I will tell you, in this spectacular place, we have perhaps the most spectacular view in town. From various windows in various rooms, we can see in almost every direction. This is one of the most amazing views I am sure I will ever see." Just thinking about it again makes me sigh with delight! I can't vouch for the non-top-floor rooms, but it was a spectacular place, and Wengen will remain forever in my memory as one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Montreux/Vevey - We stayed in Vevey and I'm very glad. Note that there is indeed a Saturday farmer's market, but there's also a smaller market on Tuesday mornings, starting around 7:30 a.m. Also, from Vevey you can take the wine train up to Chexbres Village, and then walk the vineyard trail down to St. Saphorin, where you can get the train back again. It's a serene, peaceful, beautiful walk - highly recommended. (I believe it was suze who recommended it to me, but if I'm wrong, my apologies!) We too stayed at Negotiants, and like it just fine.

As for your question about the Swiss Pass - note there is a Swiss Pass and a Swiss Saver Pass. Swiss Pass is for people traveling alone. Swiss Saver Pass is for people traveling together. With the Swiss Saver Pass, you only get one pass, so you have to always be together, or one of you can stay "home" while the other goes off, but you can't use the pass in two places at once. That said, we got the 2nd class and never regretted it.

You're going to have such a great time!

SUSPIRE Thanks for all the reinforcement!! We will stick with the Negociants Hotel. Seems it is quite convenient. Yes, we will get the SWISS SAVER PASS. Question...Second class is VERY APPEALING, especially in view of the $ value. But...will we want to have access to TOP DECK on lake steamers? (If it is raining, we wouldn't want top deck anyway). Would that be a big advantage? Also, on the Golden Pass Route, can we have access to the 'PANARAMIC CARS" if we have a 2nd class pass?? If we stay in Wengen, instead of Lauterbrunnen, will it take up considerably longer to take side trips? ie. to Bern, Lake Thurn, Lake Brienz, as well to Murren,Grindewald, and Gimmewald??
When we are in the B.O. we will constantly be "on the move" seeing what's there.
Thanks MUCH!
Nannibray

Hi,
Wengen to Lauterbrunnen is about 20 minutes. We didn't find staying in Wengen to be of any inconvenience. It's also right on the line to Kleine Scheidegg and the start (or final leg) of the Jungfraujoch trip. From Kleine Scheideg you can make a loop travelling over to Grindelwald, down to Lauterbrunnen and back to Wengen. Again, this is just my opinion, Wengen is the best place to stay in the B.O.

Paul