We are going to Switzerland for Christmas!! Arriving in Geneva 12/18, leaving 1/1/18. We understand that Geneva will not be very exciting, but it will be our base of operations, willing and happy to do day or overnight trips to explore. Thinking about Bern, Lausanne, Lyon, but can't find much online about winter activities or events. Love trains! Any ideas?? Thank you!
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Christmas markets!
See here: https://www.thelocal.ch/20161121/ten-swiss-christmas-markets-you-must-visit-this-year
and here: http://lenews.ch/2015/11/25/9-swiss-christmas-markets-that-will-get-you-in-a-festive-mood/
Do a day circular trip on the train to see lakes and mountains in the snow. For example: Geneva - Montreux - Spiez -Bern - Geneva
See ail map of Switzerland here: https://www.sbb.ch/content/dam/sbb/de/pdf/freizeit-ferien/ferien-kurztrips-schweiz/internationale-gaester/uebersichtskarte_synoptic_map_2017_low.pdf
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11776 posts
I have always found MySwitzerland.com helpful.
Can you take a few days (i.e., maybe 3-4 nights) for a stayover in the Lauterbrunnen Valley so you can experience the mountains?
Posted by
2 posts
Rick talks about the advent windows in homes of Grimmelwald. Does anyone have experience with this? What time of day do they present the windows? Can you buy sausages? Do we need to provide anything? Can we just wander around and look at the windows? We will be there next week ... any info is appreciated!
Also, for ideas ... there's fun sledding if you're into it!
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Laura, there is no such place as "Grimmelwald". Do you mean Gimmelwald or Grindelwald?
Gimmelwald is a small hamlet, population 130, on the side of a mountain near Mürren.
Grindelwald is a town, population 3800, one valley away on the opposite side of the Jungfrau.
Posted by
2 posts
I meant Gimmelwald! :)