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Interested in Thoughts on our Preliminary Itinerary for 2 weeks in the BO in 2023

I get the best advice in these forums, and thank you for that. We enjoyed our trip to Switzerland and Italy so much in 2021, that we have to go back! (Stayed in on Lake Lucerne and took the train to Pontresina and stayed at the Romantik hotel) Now we want to spend 14 full days in Switzerland! We are retired....so we don't like doing a long stretch after our flight from Newark, NJ so here is our idea:
Day 1. Fly into Geneva...arrive early in AM. Then stay overnight in LUTRY or MORGES and walk around during the afternoon/evening;
Day 2 Train to Murren (Hotel Belleview) for 5 nights;
Day 7 Wengen (Alpenrose hotel) for 5 nights;
Day 12 LUTRY or MORGES for 3 nights (boat ride, vineyards, walks, etc);
Day 15 Fly home from Geneva

I have 3 questions: 1) Which city on Lake Geneva (Lutry or Morges) would you recommend the longer, 3 night stay? Or is there another town you recommend. We prefer small and quaint villages. No night life necessary! 2) I would appreciate hotel recommendations....we prefer boutique between $200/250/night with views of the lake hopefully.
3) I tried to fit in 3 nights at Oeschesinin Lake, but it's really out of the way. If we started there, it's a 4 hour trip to Murren. We will enjoy a more relaxing pace...and can visit it next time right?

Thank you so much for your thoughts !

Posted by
3133 posts

I stayed in Montreux this past June for 5 nights and it worked well as a home base for me. I think Montreux has the best lakeside promenade. I enjoyed walking early in the morning when most everyone was still sleeping. It was an easy walk or boat ride to the Chillon castle and super convenient for day trips.

I did visit Lutry as a day trip and enjoyed walking around the old town for an hour or so. I did not find the lakefront to be as appealing as Montreux. I am not familiar with Morges so I can’t comment on that.

You may find my trip report helpful as I also stayed in Wengen for 5 nights.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-switzerland-my-trip-report

Posted by
73 posts

Thank you both! Yes, Carrie, I have followed all your posts! Thank you.
That's a great idea to stay in Kandersteg. Since you're so knowledgeable, how would you plan the trip?
What city on Lake Geneva would be on the way to Kandersteg? How many nights in Kandersteg....3? (Do you have a hotel recommendation for Kandersteg? Then to Murren for 4? Then to Wengen for 4? And back to a city on Lake Geneva that's within 45 minutes to the airport for 2 - 3 nights?
I lost my RS Switzerland book! It's driving me crazy!

Posted by
11778 posts

I don’t understand staying in both Mürren and Wengen, Why not 7 nights in one or the other then 3 nights in Kandersteg, I would definitely stay in Kandersteg and not up at the lake unless you strictly want to hike the lake area for the whole time you are there.

As to where to stay on Lake Geneva. we favor Vevey. Big enough to have the services you need, small enough to be charming, and with a great lakefront, a short train ride to GVA.

Posted by
1882 posts

I understand the recommendation to stay in either Murren or Wengen for 7-10 nights, but splitting the two for 7-10 nights is a good idea. Although going from one side of the valley to the other isn't a super big deal, it saves time being on the side of the trails you may be interested to use.

Also, they are completely different in look and feel. I find Wengen preferable, but neither is a disappointment. The views are great on either side. Sounds like a great trip.

Posted by
2778 posts

I would also suggest staying on Vevey on Lake Geneva. We stayed home in Guest House Charlotte. It was in 2014, so I would suggest checking the reviews on Booking.cm or Trip Advisor.

Posted by
11778 posts

In Kandersteg we stayed at Hotel Blumisalp for three nights last year, We will be back there later this month. We loved the room, the hosts, and the FOOD. The optional fixed price dinner was so good the first night, we had it again on our third night. Great location.

Posted by
75 posts

I would stay in Montreux because the wineyards are more beautiful between Lausanne and Montreux than around Morges. Check out Lavaux, St. Saphorin, it is awesome!

Posted by
3133 posts

I stayed at the Grand Hotel Swiss in Montreux this past June. It was super convenient to the train station and just a quick walk down some stairs to reach the lake.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/gvaak-grand-hotel-suisse-majestic-autograph-collection/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0

I second roland’s recommendation for a day trip to St. Saphorin. It was one of the many highlights of my trip. Here’s a couple of videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUm-3ehmfek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieFwmKNncL8

Posted by
2301 posts

Unless I missed it, you don't say in what month your trip will take place. I visited Lake Oeschinen on my recent (August) trip to the Berner Oberland. The lake was indeed beautiful from above (Trail #5 on the way down), but when I continued to the lake level and beach, I was appalled at the commercialization and the incredible numbers of people who were there. I got out of there as fast as I could. Such a different scene than most of my B.O. walks.

Posted by
17435 posts

We have stayed up at Oeschinensee at the mountain inn many times, but the last time we stayed there (2018) we were disappointed to find that their restaurant menu had changed—-less “gourmet” and more child-friendly, with things like chicken fingers and spaghetti. Catering to large numbers of lunchtime visitors, I suppose.

In Kandersteg itself we have enjoyed Hotel Adler, but it has been 15 years since we were there, so I cannot promise that it is still as nice as I remember.