HI: I'll be in Annecy, France and want to do an 8-day circle-route in central and southern Switzerland with Rick Steves' backpack suitcase and travel guide in hand that includes:
August 8 depart from Annecy (FR) - travel to Geneva & Vevey (visit with friends), then Aug. 9 to Gimmelwald via Berner Oberland (Aug. 9-12) then Zermatt (Aug. 12-14), next Chamonix (Aug. 14-16), finally fly out of Geneva on August 16.
Does this sound doable? Any advice? Should we stay longer somewhere and shorter somewhere else? My family likes to avoid super touristy areas.
We have to reserve accommodation in advance, but then what if weather is bad? Is two days in Chamonix too much or would it be better to spend more time in Gimmelwald (and Interlaken?) or Zermatt?
Alternatively go the opposite way but hit the Zermatt folk festival: Aug. 8 depart Annecy - Chamonix Aug 8-10; Zermatt Aug 10-12; Gimmelwald Aug. 12-15. Gimmelwald-Vevey-Geneva>depart Aug. 16 from Geneva.
Zermatt has its annual festival August 10-11, and my hiking family wants to avoid crowds.
What is the most direct or fastest or best route from Vevey/Lausanne or Montreux to Gimmelwald? Via Bern? Or via Zweissmmen?
I haven't been to Switzerland in 45 years so this will be interesting!
Thanks.