Let me start by saying that I am not asking for opinions about whether I should bring my kids. I have browsed the archives and read enough to know there are lots of opinions out there regarding NOT bringing them. :) My husband and I have taken many trips since 2008 around Europe. We used this forum and Rick's books to get us started and we were addicted and took at least 2 trips a year up to our honeymoon in 2013. Now...we are finally married and when we travel will have a 1 and 3 year old. We know it's insane...our daily life is not calm. However, our oldest is not a typical toddler in that she stays close, is generally quiet and is not the type to wonder off (and LOVES the outdoors and hiking). The baby is just the happiest baby ever and loves all people and (so far) has been great at going with the flow. We want to begin getting them used to traveling now when they are younger. We know they will not remember but we do not care since it is more for us anyway but we would not do it without them....
We are only thinking of doing up to 2 weeks (last week May/first 1.5 weeks June), will have a lap baby and traveling on airline with a seatbelt extender for the toddler since we will not be renting a car. Baby will travel in a carrier and toddler (she is tiny for age) will also be traveling in her toddler carrier or in the hiking backpack. Knowing this limits destinations given some do not have public transportation from the airport. We definitely want to go to the Swiss Alps to our favorite hotel in Murren (it would be our 5th time back) and just enjoy the outdoors and do a little train riding (my 3 year old likes to take public transportation in Boston just to take it...). Where we are stuck is a second destination (preferably the first stop) for the first half of our trip. It needs to be somewhere close by in proximity by train and not insane with training hopping OR at least a direct route. We are open to all surrounding countries but are stuck keeping in mind kids (really the 3 year old) ensuring we are going somewhere where we can do things she might like (museums, boat rides, outdoor activities etc).
I would love any and all suggestions about kid-friendly destinations near Switzerland or at least a direct, reasonable train ride away. This forum has been invaluable to me in the past and I hope it can be again.
Thanks in advance!