Next July we will be traveling to Italy with our family...a group of 10 including 4 teenagers, 4 adults in our 40s and 2 adults in their 70s. Last summer this same group traveled to Florence, Rome, and Almalfi Coast. All in all it was a fantastic trip...so much so that we’ve all decided to go back for more July 2020. We originally had planned to visit Senigallia for a couple days to visit family, then to Venice, Lake Como, and finish with more time in Florence, which we all loved last year and felt we would have enjoyed more time there. However, my MIL has been saying she’s always wanted to see Switzerland and thinks maybe we should drop Florence and head north into Switzerland and fly home from Zurich. So I’m looking on the best way to enjoy the majesty of the Alps with the varying ages and physical abilities of the group. The teens will not want to just relax and take in the scenery for long periods of time, but don’t want a spot where my in laws can’t enjoy. After some researching Lake Lucerne may be a good spot, then finish with a day or two in Zurich. My MIL loves to shop and wants to come home with watches, clocks, and chocolate! Would Lake Lucerne be too similar to Lake Como? Is there a spot in the Berner Oberland region that the teens and grandparents could all enjoy? Any recommendations to get me pointed in the right direction as far as towns to base in, activities, hotels, etc would be very appreciated! 🙂
Posted by
11156 posts
Yes, Grindelwald. It is up in the specular mountains of the Berner Oberland but large enough to have choices of hotels and restaurants. Train transportation from there is excellent too. It would be different from Lake Como . We rented an amazing chalet in Grindelwald. Lucerne is nice, on a pretty lake but does not have as big a Wow! factor. It is what you think Switzerland looks like! You can drive down to Lakes Brienz and Thun too.
I would not spend two of your precious days in Zurich.
In case you might think about staying in St-Moritz , do not, but rather in pretty Pontresina nearby if you head in that direction. Hotel Collina.
I assume you know that Switzerland is much more expensive than Italy.
And if food is important, Switzerland offers German type food, brats, potatoes, cheese, not in the class of Italian food.
If driving, the car needs a vignette for Switzerland. If you pick up the car in Italy, return it to Italy or pay a huge drop off fee. Perhaps you plan to use trains.
We combined Northern Italy and Switzerland, flying in and out of Milan MXP. Then after spending time in Milan we went to Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Switzerland( Grindelwald, Pontresina) Lake Como, Lake Lugano, Milan MXP
Posted by
San Diego, California
4698 posts
Did you pull the short stick for becoming the PLANNER for the group? :) Kudos for achieving success last year!
One consideration is that Switzerland is expensive, primarily in food and transportation. Is that important?
And the cities are not the Alps, so the group needs to decide how much of each experience is a priority.
In the Alps, visiting the peaks and hiking is incredible, but the costs of the gondolas, funiculars, cogwheels is steep, so the various Passes need to be researched.
How much time do you have?
Does Lake Lucerne mean the city of Lucerne?
For me, the Lake Como area and city of Lucerne [Luzern] was each beautiful and charming in its own way, had its own identity and ambience.
I'm not sure your MIL will save any money buying watches in Switzerland.
You have all beautiful areas in mind, so once you have a general outline, check back in, and hopefully we can help you more.
Safe Travels!
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
Grindelwald would be good, but so would Murren. The teens could be off on trails (4 or more out of Murren) while the older folks enjoy the scenery and small town life. Click on my name to see a link to the trails in the area, with pics and maps.
Posted by
OP
NJ
26 posts
Thanks for the great suggestions! Going to look into Grindelwald and Mürren. I’d like a location where we’re in a town with some options to be out and about after dinner. Last year we enjoyed being able to stroll through a neighborhood and shops, hang out in a piazza, enjoy a drink or gelato after dinner. Hoping to find a spot that’s not too sleepy in the evenings.
I do seem to be the party and vacation planner in the family. It takes some time but I do like doing it and mostly I want to make sure we have a great trip! I’d hate to travel all the way to a Europe and have anyone be disappointed in our destinations.
To be honest the food is a bit of a concern! My in laws are from Italy so homemade Italian food is what we’re used to! We aren’t really fans of German cuisine but we’ll give it our best shot... when in Rome, as they say!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11316 posts
We love Switzerland but not the food, so much. We found decent if expensive options for non-traditional food in Luzern, but I agree with others that you’d find more of what you are looking for in the heart of the Berner Oberland. We go to there each year and our strategy for eating (saves money and more in tune with our preferences) is to rent an apartment and cook most dinners. We will eat lunches in the hütte along the way when we hike, but cook 5 out of 7 nights. Italian-style pasta takes so little effort and is so welcome versus another plate of rösti! Sometimes I just make a huge pot of soup that lasts for a couple of meals. Might work for your large group.
For those who will staunchly defend Swiss cuisine, yes, I know there is more to it than rösti and sausage but there is a sameness in that it all seems so heavy versus lighter true-Italian style cooking.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16257 posts
I would say you are on the right track with Grindelwald and Mürren. We have enjoyed some time in both and I have some random thoughts, as well as a lodging recommendation for Mürren should you choose that. I will start there.
We spent a week last summer with our adult kids and two small grandchildren (age 6) in Mürren in an apartment that would suit your group very well. It is a 3-bedroom, 2full bathroom apartment with a large, Bright and airy living/dining are and a huge very modern kitchen. It has a wraparound deck and some of the best views in Mürren. It would sleep 7 of you very comfortably (3 teens in the room with bunks, grandparents in one double room and parents in the other). The other three ( one teen and his or her parents) could stay very nearby at Hotel Jungfrau ( the closest, just across the open area) or the nicer Hotel Bellevue.
We rented it through this site (posted above) but it is also on Air BnB.
Like Laurel, I would suggest an apartment for your group so you can cook at least some of your meals. Swiss hotels offer wonderful hospitality of a high standard, but the good food ( translate: Italian or French-influenced) is very expensive. The more traditional Swiss food is also tasty but heavy on meat and cheese, and it becomes tiresome to us. If you have an apartment you can have vegetables and spices and any style cooking you like.
If you do want to go out for dinner in Mürren, there is an Asian restaurant which is inexpensive and tasty, but not fancy. Many people like the Stägerstübli, which is very traditional Swiss. We have dined quite happily at Hotel Bellevue, in their room that serves wild game and fish. Their restaurant ( with nice views) has a more traditional menu you can see here:
For shopping, your MIL would find more options by riding the train and cablecar down to Lauterbrunnen. But for after-dinner strolls the village is pleasant, and you could stop in one of the bars for dessert and/or a nightcap. Not too sure about gelato, though. Maybe the place across from the train station with the pizza restaurant? I cannot recall the name.
However, if you want to stay in a larger village with more shopping and nightlife opportunities, Grindelwald would fit the bill. I do not know of any apartments there but I am sure there are many on offer. We have stayed at hotel Alte Post which I believe has an apartment ( probably small) as well as hotel rooms. They have a patio in front for drinks and dining. We had one magical evening there when a yodel club sat at a table in the patio and performed, apparently in exchange for beer. Real Swiss yodeling is nothing like your idea of it, at least at that level. Think beautifully harmonized a capella singing, without words.
Grindelwald offers a number of good restaurants, bars, and cafés. Onkel Thom’s Hütte is good for pizza and salads ( if you can get in). We like the terrace at Hotel Spinne for a nicer meal. As you can see, their menu is heavily influenced by Italy.
We had a memorable meal on the terrace at Hotel Bodmi above town, where you can watch the paragliders land. I cannot find their menu, but you can see food pix on their website:
https://www.bodmi.ch/gastronomie/
Grindelwald offers some great activities for the teens at the top of the First gondola, including a zip line ( First Flieger) and mountain scooters ( Trottibikes) to ride down.