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Looking for advice on activities around Christmas time in Switzerland with young adult children

Posted by (USA) on

Hello,
I want to make some memories with my three college age adult children while I still can. I have planned for us to go to Switzerland in December on a train trip (Glacier Express, Bernina Express).

We will arrive in Zurich December 14th am and have free time until Dec 16th pm when we will check into Garni Hotel Bristol (Zurich city center)

We will finish our train trip on December 21st in Zurich and will fly back Monday Dec 23 afternoon from Zurich.

The train itinerary leaves Zurich Dec 17th and includes Zermatt, Gornergrat, St Moritz, Tirano then back to Zurich on December 21st.

I would like to ask for advice on what we should do/where we could stay for the several days before and after our train trip. It doesn't have to be in Zurich, but could be. Anyplace within transport is fair game. We will have Swiss travel cards as well.

Our interests include Christmas Markets, history, natural scenery, wildlife , thermal springs/spas, food, cooking. The kids are young and fit and love to hike, not sure if that is practical in December (maybe snowshoe or ski). They also love to ice skate. I am in training for the trip lol.

My second question is what is the best way for my daughter who is taking classes in Florence to travel to Zurich to meet us at the start of the trip. She will have to manage one large bag and one carryon from her semester abroad. The rest of us are traveling light with a small carryon bag.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read. Appreciate the knowledge of the members of this forum.
D

Posted by
20987 posts

Your daughter can take a train from Florence to Milan and then change to a train to Zurich.

Is this trip a package Swiss Rail tour?

Luzern would be a good place to spend a couple of days when you arrive. Trains every 30 minutes and takes less than 1 hour from Zurich HB.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you for the recommendation of Lucerne . I will check it out. Yes this is a package train tour.

Best, Danielle

Posted by
5470 posts

I'd go directly to Lucerne when you land in Zurich, it's an easy 1+ hr train ride. Lucerne is charming, and if it's clear, you can go up to Mt Rigi and romp in the snow. ( STP covers the boat, cogwheel train and/or gondola). Or- hike down from the top of Rigi to one of the cogwheel stops. The Swiss hike in almost any weather.
Zurich main train station has the largest indoor Xmas market in Europe.
The Bern Xmas markets are lovely. Lucerne's and Basel's are small. The incredibly beautiful Xmas markets in Colmar/ Strasbourg are wonderful, but that may be too far, unless you can extend. But- it would be worth it.
What a lucky family to be in Switzerland together! Safe travels!

Posted by
33 posts

I would suggest Basel. The Christmas markets there are wonderful, and it is an easy ride up to Colmar and Strasbourg, or down to Bern for some different markets. Lucerne's Christmas markets were very disappointing to me. I'm not sure, but I think there might be some hot springs or spas in that area too.
If you want the natural scenery/mountains aspect, you could do Lucerne on one end and Basel on the other?

Posted by
4048 posts

Don’t these three college age students ski? That would be my recommendation. Stay in Mürren. It’s breathtaking.

Posted by
5470 posts

I think Basel has two main Xmas markets, but the proximity to Strasburg/Colmar makes it a very nice location. And Strasburg has almost a dozen markets, as I remember, It was magical.
Safe travels!

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