My wife and I are giving our son/future in daughter-in-law a honeymoon trip to Switzerland for their wedding gift and wanted some thoughts on helping them to plan it. They will get into Zurich in the morning of Tues. 10/23 and fly out of Zurich Wed. 10/31 around noon. Is there any particular area they should avoid because of weather that time of the year? I was thinking of suggesting they head to Lucerne first for a night or two. Then head to Geneva/Lausanne to use as a home base where there is enough to do in that area for a few days as well as perhaps take a day trip to Lyon, France. The one thing they said is they don't want to feel like they are rushing around just to see things. Or, would you recommend any other itinerary? Thank you in advance for any assistance.
Posted by
226 posts
Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, and Lausanne. That's all they need. If they really want to stay in another city, add a night or two in Zurich or Bern.
I would not recommend Geneva or Lyon unless your son and daughter-in-law are serious Francophiles. Even then, too much travel for a honey moon. Lausanne and Montreaux give them a great French experience without having to head all the way out to Lyon.
Also, end with Lucerne, so they can wake up and make the quick trip back to the Zurich airport on the morning of 10/31.
So, 4 nights in Lauterbrunnen Valley, 2 nights in Lausanne, 2 nights in Lucerne. Visit Zurich on their first day before catching the train to their first night's destination. Visit Bern for 2-3 hours on the way to or from Lausanne.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6462 posts
Completely agree with Bradley, on locations, number of days and order. I would tell them to get out of Zurich right away, but I'm just that crazy about Lauterbrunnen. They can look into some wine/cheese/chocolate tasting in Lausaunne and they could consider a trip to Chateau Chillion, very close to Lausaunne. What kind parents you are!
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8319 posts
If you need to check about weather in any month, go into Wikapedia and add the city's name. Average high and low temperatures, precipitation, days with precipitation, etc. is usually addressed.
Many people avoid mountainous regions of the world when seasons change because of bad weather producing mud--before or after the snows. Places like Norway often are the same.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6462 posts
I have a friend that went to Berner Oberland at the beginning of October and I had warned them about weather. They were lucky and had a lovely time. But, David, brings up a good point. That is rather late into fall. You could think about a couple things, reduce the number of Lauterbrunnen days to maybe three, OR, have some daytrip ideas if weather/conditions should be unfavorable. From Berner Oberland maybe that could be a day trip to Bern or Interlocken for a boat trip? I don't think weather is as much of a concern in Luzern or Lausanne. I was in Switzerland in January. The weather didn't cause us any issues in Lausanne, or Luzern.