Ann

<BR>My new husband and I are planning on going to Europe to visit family (Malta), and would love to stop somewhere either on the way there or the way back. Does anyone have any recommendations for Zurich or Geneva - in terms of where to stay, useful websites etc..<BR>Thanks

t

<BR>topping for any responses!!!

Andre

Ann,<BR><BR>I need some more info to make useful suggestions:<BR>- what time of year?<BR>- for how long?<BR>- what's your approx. lodging budget per night?<BR>- what do you enjoy doing?<BR><BR>Andre

Ann

<BR>Andre: <BR>-end of May/early June<BR>-2 weeks<BR>-$100-150 (US)approx. per night<BR>-want to sight see, relax and eat great food.<BR><BR>Thanks

Andre

Ann,<BR><BR>At that time of year, you would probably not want to stay too high up in the mountains - could still be very cool. <BR><BR>If you can fly into Geneva and leave from Zurich, a great itinerary would be:<BR>- Lausanne<BR>- Gstaad<BR>- Interlaken<BR>- Luzern<BR><BR>I'll give you some hotel/restaurant recommendations tomorrow morning - gotta get some sleep now...<BR><BR>Andre

s

Hello Ann,<BR><BR>Lake Geneva is one of my favorite spots, so of course I’m going to recommend you spend your time there (but not in the city of Geneva). I prefer Montreux, so my suggestions are geared for there:<BR><BR>Spend a morning walking along the 11km flowered lakeside promenade from Clarens to Villeneuve, passing the Chateau Chillon between Territet and Villeneuve; there are plenty of cafes to stop and have a coffee & snack along the way to replenish your strength. There are also plenty of benches to sit and read, watch other walkers, or simply stare at the majesty of the lake and the mountains in the distance. <BR><BR>Top off your long walk with a wonderful pizza & beer lunch at a lakeside caf&eacute; in Villeneuve, then take the ferry back to Montreux (I think the ferry stops in late Sep/Oct). <BR><BR>Spend the morning in Vevey hunting down the antiques shops in the old town. Then have lunch at the Hostellerie de Geneve on the Pl. Marche (reviewed -- sort of-- in NY Times Travel section. Go to www.nytimes.com, then to the archives of "What's Doing," then find "What's Doing in Vevey" from summer '99). <BR><BR>Take the train (the “wine train”) from Vevey to Chexbres, then spend a morning walking the vineyards down to the lake, hitting Rivaz & St. Saphorin. For lunch, find the Auberge du Rivaz (in Rivaz . . . ) with a terrace lake view or see if any of the cellars are having a cheese/wine tasting. <BR><BR>Cully (esp. the Auberge du Raisin) and Lutry's well-posted tour of ancient sites are worth a trip as well. <BR><BR>Spend a day in the mountains, taking the train to the resort of Gstaad. On the way back, stop at Chateaux d'Oex, where the only successful round-the-world-by-hot-air-balloon trip was launched. Or stop at Glion for lunch at the Hotel Victoria with its panoramic views of the lake; then walk the rest of the way down to Montreux on a stair-step path through the forest (or take the train or the funicular to Territet). <BR><BR>Spend an afternoon in the medieval village of Gruyeres, making sure to sample the berries in creme-double. <BR><BR>Spend an afteroon in Nyon at the Roman museum and the Caesar's columns nearby. <BR><BR>Spend a morning walking up to Montreux's old city & the museum & the old church. Fantastic views from the old church (can't remember the name -- but it's prominent in the old city). Have lunch at the restaurant at the museum. <BR><BR>Here are the websites: <BR>www.montreux.ch (find their picture gallery) <BR>www.vevey.ch <BR>www.lake-geneva-region.ch <BR>www.gruyeres.ch <BR>www.nyon.ch <BR>www. lutry.ch <BR><BR>http://www.lavaux.ch/sentier2.htm<BR><BR>http://www.hospvd.ch/public/eccmid/lavaux.html <BR><BR>This is my personal travel journal & photos of Montreux:<BR>www.igougo.com/planning/journal.asp?JournalID=7825<BR><BR>Feel free to write for more details.<BR><BR>s

ann

<BR>Andre:<BR>Looking forward to hearing your suggestions. <BR><BR>S:<BR>You paint a nice picture. <BR>Thank you for all your input and suggestions, I will be checking those sites tomorrow.<BR><BR>Thanks again, and please keep the suggestions coming.<BR>Ann

Marcy

Have stayed several times in Zurich, none in Geneva. But Zurich is wonderful- on a lovely long lake with the alps as the backdrop. There is a website for the city- www.zurich.com.<BR><BR>There is a wonderful little city/national museum by the main train station with a clock museum and in the basement a great evolution of man exhibit. Food is excellent throughout. Have tea at the Baur de Luc. Take a walk in a wooded area- there is a nice one near the Kloten airport behind the Hilton! through little villages and cow pastures too.<BR><BR>You can always take a train or car in an hour or so to Lucerne and climb or take the tram up Pilatus. Try walking around there at the top for a view of the alps that is unforgettable.<BR><BR>The Swiss are wonderfully kind and hospitable- also a bit crazy for taking children up these mountains!