Our family of 4 with kids 10 and 12 have a couple of weeks in Switzerland. We will have a couple of days in the Geneva area (considering Montreux instead) before going to Zermatt for 3 nights and then Wengen for 4 nights. After that we can’t decide what to do! Debating heading up to Lucerne and then some day trips from there (Bern, Stoos Ridge, or even to Appenzell for a night), trying to find a feasible hut-to-hut trek, or pulling up stakes in Switzerland and heading to Chamonix for the last few days. We’re an outdoorsy active family and like smaller quaint towns vs. shopping, fancy eating, and museums. I want to be sure we get some history and culture and not miss anything critical in the country, but don’t want the family to be bored after all the Alps adventures. Any recommendations on the options we’re considering, or something different? What would YOU do with the extra days? Tough problem to have, I know. Thanks!
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Michigan
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We loved Chamonix, and would return there again. We went in mid September a few years ago, and arrived the day after they closed several of the lifts we were hoping to take to do some hikes. So just be forewarned about that if you are traveling in September.
One hike we did take was to Chalet la Floria, a very small and lovely restaurant with a magnificent view of Mont Blanc. We also enjoyed taking a cog wheel train to Montenvers to see the glacier and enjoy a treat at the open air terrace restaurant.
We have been to the Swiss Alps (Lucerne and Engelberg, and later the Berner Oberland), and wanted to explore the French Alps. Chamonix was less expensive, and the food was really delicious in the restaurants that we visited. I don’t know if you would have enough time to add this in, but the town of Annecy is charming and not very far from Chamonix, or Geneva in terms of airports. We spent four nights in each of those towns.
So many beautiful places to visit!
Laurie