My wife and I are headed to Switzerland and northern Italy this Sept. We arrive in Zurich on Tuesday Sept 10, 2013. We plan to spend two nights in Zurich. We then have five nights "open" to explore Switzerland and/or northern Italy before we head to Cinque Terre for 3 nights, then to Venice for 3 nights. We then head to Milan on Sept 23 for our departure on the 24th. We are planning on doing this trip via trains, but we're open to using a car if it makes sense for some portion of it. We are thinking about spending 3 of our 5 open nights in the Berner Oberland area. We would then head somewhere else in Switzerland or maybe head over to the Lake Como area for a couple of nights. Staying in Wengen and/or Murren looks appealing. Several hotels look very good. We're just not sure about the logistics. Does it make sense to stay up the mountain and then day trip/hike from one of those towns? Should we stay in the valley and at one place and work out of there? We definitely want to do some hiking and exploring in this area. Open to hear some ideas on the best way to see this area without too much back tracking or spending too much time/money on cable cars. Our open nights would be from Thursday Sept 12 thru Monday Sept 16, 2013. Would we be able to find nice rooms upon our arrival or should we book hotels in advance? We are open for suggestions on where to go after or before the Berner Oberland stop. It would be nice if it worked in with our need to get to Milan to catch a train to Cinque. Appenzell? Bern? Luzern? Lugano? Looking forward to your comments and suggestions. Thanks!
Tom
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Between Murren and Wengen I suspect you could find a room without a reservation in September, but if you know when you are arriving why not make one? I don't see any advantage to waiting in your case.
Posted by
Dallas, Texas, USA
501 posts
You might consider just one night in Zurich, unless there is a reason. I would consider a day or two in Luzern on your way to Berner Oberland area. While in Luzern consider a golden trip pass trip to Mt. Pilatus ; others might recommend Mt. Rigi. Also, Lake Como (Varrenna or Bellagio) will win you over. Personally like Vernazza in CT, but one must go to all 5 and reach a discesion. Murren is my selection for B.O.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
As to where to stay in the Berner Oberland... I highly recommend Murren. This thread with opinions on where to stay might be helpful to you: www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/108404/where-to-sleep-in-the-berner-oberland.html
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
If hiking is your goal, then by all means stay in one of the mountain villages. You would start your hike about 500 m higher elevation.
Posted by
OP
FOREST PARK, i
16 posts
Can we see most of BO from Murren or do we have to move to Wengen or another town for a night? Split our stay, or spend all 3 nights in Murren? Thanks!
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Pick one place...Murren, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen and stay there for your duration. There all so close you really don't need to waste time packing and moving between the 3. Can you see the scenery from Murren??? Are you kidding? Murren has the most dramatic scenery I've ever encountered.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
My post from the thread I mentioned above: We've been to the Berner Oberland twice and stayed in Murren both times. We loved being 5000' up and literally surrounded by the Alps. The views from Murren are indescribable... just mind-blowing. I wouldn't be happy going all that way and staying in a hotel on the valley floor and having to look up at the Alps. I want to be in them and surrounded by them the whole time I'm there. Murren is a mostly car-free, charming town. We stayed at the Hotel Eiger and had a balcony which we loved, but it's pricey... there are many good hotels in Murren that are less expensive.
Posted by
Milwaukee, WI, USA
197 posts
You say you are into hiking. The absolutely most amazing hike I have ever done was hiking from Gimmelwald (just below Murren) to the summit of the Schilthorn. You will remember this for the rest of your life! Stay in Murren and wait at least a day to acclimate. There is about 5,000' of elevation from Murren to the summit. Check the weather at your hotel or at the tram or gondola stations. Leave first thing in the morning to avoid possible afternoon clouds. The hike starts out nice and easy; paved trails; great overlooks; walking through meadows; you will even go past a restaurant out in the middle of a meadow. Things do get tougher as you get above the treeline. The path gets rockier and there are some steep sections. A couple of things at this point: the trail is well marked but don't believe the times you see on the signs; we joked those times were in "Swiss Army" time. Also, things are much farther away than they look. Be sure you have a good pair of medium weight waterproof hiking boots (rocks get really slippery if wet and there may be snow you will have to walk through below the summit) and I recommend a good hiking stick. A waterproof jacket is also a must.
The scenery is spectacular along the way and the view from the top of the Schilthorn really makes you feel that you are on the top of the Earth. It took us about 5 1/2 hours ( with stop time) to complete the hike on what was a perfect day in October. Unforgettable!
Posted by
Oak Park
243 posts
Tom, I would recommend staying in one place for several nights; since weather can be iffy; it is probably better pick one town and to stay there for the entire 3-5 nights. We stayed in Murren last summer at the Eiger Guesthouse. This was a great place and close to great hiking. If there is a rainy day, Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen are close by for exploration. We started hikes from Murren on the other 3 days and it really helped being up out of the valley. I have to second the idea of the hike to the Schilthorn. We did it last year and it was spectacular. Whatever you do have a great time from your neighbor just east of you in Oak Park.
Posted by
OP
FOREST PARK, i
16 posts
Thanks for all of the feedback. We decided to stay in Murren for the 3 nights. Staying at the Eiger hotel. Looking forward to the trip. Nick...I'm sure the scenery will be a little different than what we see on Harlem Ave...