Yes, actually, I have.

And yes, actually, while I like Luzern, I know nicer cities, like Thun. Thun is prettier, more scenic than Luzern. I know folks that call Thun the "untouristed Luzern" and would agree.

s

swandav - when i say i think those who dismiss Interlaken as a worthless tourist trap just have not seen its cuter, quainter sections yes that is what i believe - wholeheartedly believe. When you say that those parts of town i find rather dreamy that you do not that's what you wholeheartedly think. I'll say what i think - you say what you think. Period. And who is right and who is wrong - neither - beauty, etc is in the mind of the beholder. Some can go to Lucerne and, like me, call it one of Europe's most gorgeous cities - mainly because of its stnning setting and covered wooden bridges - others may think Lucerne rather boring, etc. Again it's very subjective and yes i am emphatic in my views as are you. I think Bern is one of Europe's most underrated cities yet i've heard others say it ain't much, etc. so my comments are personal observations - yes strongly held and made but my personal views much like yours that i do value a whole lot - but i will never not think that Interlaken's gem parts are never seen by most of the zillions of tourists who traipse thru town en route to the hills and make snap judgments only by seeing the Hauptstrasse - you have explored and i can appreciate your comments because of that and do put great value in your takes on all things Swiss. Sorry if you took my general comments personally and i did not mean that. Cheers.

Completely agree about Bern, overlooked by too many folks, I think!

I think we also share a similar interest -- helping folks to see some out of the way places. So, cheers, yes to that!

s

Thanks again for all of your assistance.

Don't go to Switzerland.

Wrong'uns the lot of 'em.

Swandav and Palenque, you both have helped all of us so much. We all always look up to selfless people like you both, who spend their valuable time to give generous advice. And you do it with passion.
I take this opportunity to thank you both and many more fellow fodorites.

My husband and I have used Zurich as a base to see Bern, Luzern, and even Lausanne and Lugano (DAY TRIPS--leave on the first train out and return on the last train in).
By far though, the place where we will return again and again is our Lauterbrunnen Valley. There is absolutely no nightlife, hardly any shopping...just natural beauty. We love to take the trains all over the Berner Oberland from there, and stay right in the valley. Murren will do the same in terms of view and atmosphere. I haven't yet been to Geneva.

Here, here teachersue! I wholeheartedly agree with you about Lauterbrunnen. I've stayed in Bern, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Murren and Wengen and IMO Lauterbrunnen is the ideal base from which to explore the entire region. Those sheer cliffs don't bother me in the least, but instead add to the fabulous atmosphere.

Nasty fascist country full of nasty fascists. And banks. And cows. And dreadfull cheese. And fascists. Lots and lots of fascists.

Go somehwere else -you wouldn't have gone to South Afrikka when it was a rascist state would you? Switzerland is no better.

CW -serious for once.

Let's leave travel threads only to do about travel and not politics and rants, PLEASE

No and i guess i would not then, according to CW's guidelines, gone to the U.K. when they were interning IRA suspects without charges, etc. Now that is really a Fascist-acting state - plus one that has an unelected Head of State - the British Doltocracy

Cw appears to have gone off his meds, once again

I agree Lauterbrunnen Valley is awesome - a deep narrow valley leading up to hovering over it's end the majestic snow-girdled Jungfrau Massif- you can often see specks that are climbers tackling this hard climb - even at night you can see their lights.

but yes the Lauterbrunnen Valley, with Staubbach Falls right near Lauterbrunnen is a wonder of the world - much difference than Grindelwald's wide amphitheatre (which is equally awesome in its own wondrous way) - see both valleys IMO

Thanks for all of your replies. We are going to visit Switzerland in June. As far as hotels, I would like to stay at a hotel that costs about $200 per night.>

Yup you can well spend $200 a night if you want but there are zillions of perfectly decent hotels around that will charge less than that -especially in places like Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region

Now many of these are guesthouses and not proper hotels per se -no doorman, pub,etc. -many are family owned it seems, etc.

So you can spend $200 but you certainly IME do not have to.