Hi all: I have completed an itinerary for 12 days in Switzerland next May. I would appreciate review and input from you experienced Switzerland travelers. For background, husband and I are relatively fit 80 year olds. We are used to long trips in Europe with lots of walking. Walking and especially climbing are less than in years past. We are mostly avoiding stairs in accomodations. (although we climbed 8 flights worth of ladders in a windmill last year). Our primary travel interests are usually history, architecture and culture. (We are from Seattle, so mountains and forests are not new to us.) Visiting Switzerland we are looking for the drama of the Alps. The itinerary I have listed uses primarily regional trains. The 5 week trip outline includes 3 days in Paris (several past visits) to adjust to the time change, then Italy 7 days (second time), Switzerland via Milan and then back to France (Strasbourg and Paris for day trips). We love Paris and have visited several times. This is our first and likely only trip to Switzerland.
Itinerary in Switzerland is proposed as follows:
Milan to La Chaux-de-Fonds, ( 2 nights for watchmaking museum and the towns)
4 nights Lauterbrunnen for visits in the Bernese Oberland/Jungfrau region (visiting Wengen and Murren)
3 nights in Lucerne to include Mt. Rigi via Vitznau ferry and Mt. Pilatus via gondola & aerial cableway
2 or 3 nights in Zurich. Leaving Zurich for Strasbourg, France.
The dates for each country are firm . Neither of us enjoys packing and unpacking every day or 2. We are trying to see as much as we can without moving too frequently or cramming in too much. I think this itinerary makes sense and will allow us to visit most of the beautiful vistas. But I'd be sorry to miss something of great significance. In that regard I am skipping Zermatt due to the distance and unlikely clear view of the Matterhorn. Please feel free to make any suggestions. Also, please let me know if this looks like a good plan.
Thank you for all input. Susan
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
12110 posts
Hi Susan. Fellow PNW resident here, and currently enjoying a long stay in Switzerland. We, like you, do less mileage and climbing these days and we conserve our energy by not having to deal with stairs in accommodations. But we love our walking tours and scenic hikes.
2 or 3 nights in Zurich seems long to me. It’s a fine city but it is a city and Switzerland’s great beauty is in the mountains and smaller towns. Certainly spend no more than w nights in Zurich unless you have a list of things you must visit and see. Add a night to Lauterbrunnen if you can. There’s never quite enough time in that region and almost endless things to see and do, including lots of easy hiking.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1122 posts
Stay in Wengen, not Lauterbrunnen. Lauterbrunnen is extremely crowded and the steep mountain walls make for heavy shadows in the valley, so sunlight hours are shortened. The views from Wengen are beautiful and there are multiple nice hotels near the train station for convenience.
Bern would be a great base to see La Chaux-de-Fonds, as well as Zurich and additional historic sites in Bern, plus it's an easy direct train from Milan and then you can easily get to Strasbourg from Luzern. This way you'd move one less time.
For 12 nights, perhaps Milan > Bern 3-4 nights > Wengen 4-5 nights > Luzern 3-4 nights > Strasbourg
Posted by
Oregon
2904 posts
I also recommend Wengen over Lauterbrunnen. This puts you up out of the valley with the mountains RIGHT in your face. And you also get the views of the valley and lots of waterfalls. It’s spectacular. Get a hotel near the train station, with a view of the valley. You won’t regret it.
Keep your plans flexible to accommodate the weather. It changes quickly. Some trails will still be closed in May. But you can take the train and gondolas up and over the mountain to Grindelwald, train over to Brienz, train down to Lauterbrunnen, then up to Murren. Getting there is part of the fun!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3550 posts
Bern has historic architecture in its center. Nearby is the walled medieval town of Murten. Murten ( “Morat” in French) is a lakeside town where you can walk its fortified walls. It is only a 35 to 45-minute train ride from Bern.
Posted by
Indiana
1087 posts
Another vote for staying in Wengen vs. Lauterbrunnen. We found the views and the ambience preferable to Lauterbrunnen which IMO is more of a transit hub. Our hotel had a fabulous view of the Jungfrau. There is a cable car that departs directly from Wengen to Mannlichen. Unless you have a specific thing you want to see in Zurich, I would only spend one night there. There is an easy, paved walk from Murren to Grindelwald that you may enjoy. The village of Grindelwald is very picturesque and has several places where you can grab a snack/drink. Check the Grindelwald Terminal's website to see your options on returning from there via cable car. Enjoy Switzerland!
Posted by
San Diego, California
6704 posts
Don't mix up Grindelwald and Gimmelwald.
Gimmelwald is a very small and scenic, accessed by a paved path from Murren, about a 45 minute walk downhill. You can also use the cable car, especially for the uphill return. There are several small "honesty" shops selling cheese and misc items.
Grindelwald is more commercial, accessed from the Wengen side of the valley, busier, with more tour buses and cars.
Have a spectacular trip!
Posted by
OP
lake forest park, washington, usa
147 posts
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Wengen it is. Also, will extend the stay in Wengen and spend little time in Zurich. Avoiding Murren due to current construction. I'd appreciate hotel recommendations based on views and quality of breakfast. Elevator is a must. Would like to not break the bank, but this is a one-time thing and we will pay as needed for the view. A place with a kitchenette would be ideal,, but perhaps unrealistic. Thanks again. And really appreciate the recommendations for easy hikes and side trips!
Posted by
Indiana
1087 posts
Apologies for mixing up Gimmelwald and Grindelwald! Our walk was indeed to Gimmelwald and it was great. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Hotel Edelweiss in Wengen. They do have an elevator; breakfast is terrific; Daniel and his staff provide stellar hospitality. During our stay, there was a 3 course dinner each night that was a great value. It looks like now they offer dinner from an a la carte menu every night but Wednesday. https://www.edelweisswengen.ch/en/ There is a COOP Grocery near the train station in Wengen. We would often stop there in the morning and pick up some provisions for a picnic lunch.