Hi All,
My family of four (including a 12-year old boy and a 10-year old girl) will be heading to Switzerland on June 9. We fly into Geneva in the evening and will spend one night there. We then go to Montreux for 3 nights during which time we will go to Chillon Castle, Gruyeres, and Rochers-de-Naye. Next we go to Wengen for 5 nights and spend time hiking, relaxing, and seeing the sights. That brings us to June 19. On June 25 we fly out of Zurich and my plan is to spend June 22-25 in Lucerne and take the train from Lucerne to the airport on the last day. My big question is what should we do June 19-22? I was thinking of going down to Lugano for 3 nights to see the Italian-influenced area, but is that too much travel for a short period of time? Or we could go to Pontresina and get in the Bernina Express. Or we could stay somewhere closer like Spiez. Any thoughts? I would could be talked into going somewhere just to stay in a really interesting and historic hotel/apartment. But we have a moderate budget, so 5-star hotels are not an option for us.
Secondly, regarding Lucerne, would you recommend trying to stay in town or is it just as fun to stay in a village across the lake like Weggis?
Any recommendations would be so helpful and appreciated!!! I feel like I have hit a real roadblock with this piece of the trip, but I also feel like I can't really go wrong with whatever I pick in Switzerland, it all sounds so magical.
Thanks!
Essie
Posted by
New England
12133 posts
Visit Pontresina and stay there for several days. It is an interesting and beautiful place!
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1328 posts
Are your hotels non refundable that you’ve already booked? If you can change them, do something like this for 15 nights with kids…
Geneva Airport > Montreux 2 nights > Zermatt 3 Nights > Wengen 6 Nights > Luzern 4 Nights
*Skip Rochers de Naye, you’ll see way better in Wengen, etc
*Go straight to Montreux from the Geneva airport, even if it’s late
*Do a day trip to Lugano & Morcote from Luzern via the high speed tunnel
*There is a ton to do with kids from Wengen, so an extra night is an easy choice.
If your Geneva/Montreux/Wengen is locked in and can’t be changed, then maybe just add the nights on to Luzern, which is a convenient base for day trips to Lugano, Stoos, Bern, Zurich, etc. or look into the Brienz area on Lake Brienz for more lake time or Meringen/Hasliberg or Melchsee-Frutt, which both have kid friendly mountain options. Engelberg & Andermatt are also in the general way of your route.