Itinerary Feedback Requested

I recently did a 31 day trip with 6 nights in Wengen, 3 in Lucerne (the rest in France and Italy) and I don't think unless you want to do hiking that you need that many days in BO. I also would choose one hotel the whole time you're in that area, no need to split between Wengen and Murren. We thought Wengen was lovely but lacking in restaurants - it is a remote town, if that's what you're going for, great. I just unfortunately needed something from a pharmacy and needed to take a 40 minute train to Interlaken to get what I needed! If you're not great hikers I definitely do recommend the hike to the lake from Grindlewald First, it will take a while and a bunch of cable cars to get there but it's a lovely 2 hour round trip with the best views in BO (so I thought).

Thank you Scorpio. I appreciate it. I'm curious what others think too. I dont want to spend too many days in one place and miss something else, but the BO looks amazing!

Here’s a hypothetical question for you. Your suitcase is full and you only have room for either hiking boots or dress shoes, which do you choose? How about your wife? What kind of 30th anniversary holiday are you both envisioning?

You can get some invaluable advice and opinions from a forum like this, but your job is to then lay it beside your own likes and preferences.

I can pretty much guarantee that those who choose the Lauterbrunnen area as a ‘hub’ are brining their hiking boots, even if they have to wear them here on the plane!

Or, they are the kind of people for whom the joy of being able to almost reach out and touch the mountains as they drink their morning coffee is worth the extra travel that is required to get in and out of this area when they want to go and see/do other things.

Hi Brent, you can never have too much time in the BO. 😊 I was there 5 nights last Sept. and 5 nights this past June and am trying to figure out when I can get back. And I had no hiking boots, just my running shoes. 😊You don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy the area. That’s what all the trains and cable cars are for. And the boats on lake thun and brienz.

I’ll link my two trip reports so you can see all that I did.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/still-dreaming-of-switzerland-a-trip-report

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

Also, so many great walks in Wengen. Be sure to stop in at the TI if your hotel doesn’t have the brochure on all the walks in the area

https://wengen.swiss/en/summer/region/wengen/services/walking-trails-around-of-wengen/

https://wengen.swiss/en/summer/see-and-do/hiking/hikes/

I leave in less than a month for Austria that includes 5 nights in Salzburg. Keep an eye out for my trip report if you’d like ideas for there.

Carrie, you are awesome. I read your reports and can’t wait to hear back on Austria. My wife and I are this close to inviting you on our trip since you have such great info! :) Thanks!

It’s too bad I already have my May trip booked to York and Edinburg. Otherwise, I would totally come with. 😊

I’m glad you found the info. helpful. I love writing about Switzerland almost as much as I love traveling in Switzerland. 😊

So glad that you had no problem being in your runners Carrie. That is not always the case. Footwear with a good profile are definitely recommended. Taking a gondola up the mountain can be deceiving, people then do not realize just how high up they are and are unprepared for the mountain conditions. You only need to read the Swiss news to see just how sad the outcome can be.

I was recently hiking on a very easy trail on which another person had slipped and twisted their ankle. I watched as the Rega helicopter came to get them. Although not a bad accident, they could not walk back to the gondola station on that ankle and had to be air lifted out.

The Berner Oberland is indeed beautiful, I have lived here for the past five years and traveled here for the previous 25 before that. It is where my husband grew up.

It is a pretty large geographical area and there are many beautiful places to stay and enjoy here. I hope that you have a wonderful trip Brent!

https://time.news/how-to-keep-safe-and-avoid-problems-when-hiking-in-the-swiss-alps/

Thx my Swiss life. Very kind of you. We will be careful while taking in the beauty.

I like your itinerary. I agree with many here, there is no such thing as too long in the BO. I would also stay in one spot while in the BO. I do disagree about Wengen, I found plenty of restaurants there. I prefer Wengen over Murren, but either one will not disappoint. (No debates please). There is plenty to do to fill up five days. I have never been in mid-May, only mid-June. Some people say there may be some wet/snowy paths in mid-May.

There are plenty of easy hikes/walks in Wengen, Murren, and Grindlewald with magnificent views. You can spend the day in the valley easily. Be prepared for your train trip from Salzburg to Bern, it will be a long day, but time passes as you settle in and enjoy the scenery. Bring snacks and drinks for the trip. Pay attention to the number of train changes on that route.

Enjoy

Thanks Threadworn. Can’t wait. I think my itinerary is good to go. Been booking hotels. :)