Berner Oberland or Chamonix-Mt Blanc?

marina, both areas appear to be about the same distance from Riomaggiore. My choice would be the Berner Oberland. The fact that you're traveling on a Saturday probably means there won't be as many trains running.

You didn't indicate which train connections you've researched? I found one leaving Riomaggiore at 07:27, arriving Interlaken Ost at 14:28 (7H01M, 4 changes, reservations mandatory). That's one possibility. I haven't researched the Chamonix connections.

From Interlaken it should be easy to access the TGV to Paris, perhaps via Lausanne (that's the route I used last time).

I'm sure there's a solution to your questions. Hopefully Norm or Kent will spot this post.

Cheers!

Thanks Ken & Kent
I am leaning towards Chamonix, yes maybe just to tip the scales!

Kent How do you work out the train schedules?
I went on Trenitalia for Riomaggiore to Milan
Had to use depart date 14.06.08.

Depart Riomaggiore 7.27
Then 2 changes (La Spezia & Genova) with arrival in Milan at 10.50. Then went on SBB. Departure at 12.25 with arrival at 17.33 via Brig & Martigny.
There is also another departure at 14.25 from Milan that arrives in Chamonix at 19.33.

Many of the trains have to be reserved. In planning how long between connections should I leave to factor trains running late (Heard most of the Italian trains DONT run on time.)
For the compulsory reservations, how far in advance must you book. Also if that train is missed can you swap to the next?
With all the connections, with your experience can it be done smoothly??

Also
Thanks Kent for your comments about Chamonix. It doesn't get much coverage, leading me to think that perhaps it's no where near as good.

marina,

The timetables at www.bahn.de will show you complete routes. See this link for Riomaggiore-Chamonix: http://tinyurl.com/32katb.

Take a look at the first two routes. The first one has more layover time at connecting points in Italy than does the second. For both routes you'll arrive at Chamonix at the same time.

Thanks Tim
I couldn't get straight to your Bahn search (doesn't save). My own comes up with different results compared to searches on Trenitalia & sbb. Maybe because on bahn I allow at least 30 min for connecting trains. Go figure!

At least I know that one way or another I can get there in a day. Just to ask again, if you make a reservation for a specific train, do you pay in advance for ticket which is then non transferable in case you miss the connection. I think the best bet is to plan for trip to Milan, and then allow max time for next major leg. Agree?
Thanks for all the help.

Kent, the write up on the Aiguille du Midi in Ricks France book is what sold me. I also got his DVD on Swiss Alps. Maybe BO is more popular because you can get to see Jungfrau via Train rather than Gondola (for those afraid of heights!) I know my husband is a little concerned!!

Marina: For someone who is uneasy in extremely high places, the Aiguille du Midi gondola ride may not be for them. It's the world's highest vertical ascent gondola ride, ascending and descending 9,300 feet from the town to the top of the lift in 20 minutes. It gets my vote as world's most exciting gondola ride, but only if you like that kind of thing. If you look closely at the attached photo you'll see the town, in the upper left of the photo, more than 9000 feet below the point that the photo was taken from. As you go over the edge on the descent, you are looking down at the town almost two vertical miles below you. Due to the foreshortening effect of the photo, the actual scale is difficult to appreciate. Going down is more intimidating than going up, for a person with a fear of heights. Of course it's "perfectly safe" but that won't mean much to an acrophobic person who feels trapped in a little box suspended 9000 feet in midair. I've attached a photo and short video clip so he can see and decide for himself. What a lot of families do is: those who want to go, go, and those who think they'd have a better time in town do so--everyone can be happy.Click Here for PhotoHere is a short video clip showing what it is like to go down over the edge in the gondola at the top--the video clip doesn't show the true height until the 10-second mark when the camera focuses on the town.Click Here for Video Clip

Kent, your a goldmine of information. The photo looks far more intimidating than the video doesn't it.
My sons just said awesome, we must go. No comment from Husband! His view is that even if we go to BO, he is not sure of the gondola rides, so happy to go to Chamonix, and see if he feels like opting out of Aiguille de Midi when there. Maybe a bit more thought, discussion & watching Rick's video before I finally book.
Comments welcome.

We've been to both Chamonix and BO. The Aiguille du Midi is definitely much more of a thrill than the Jungfraujoch. We loved it. But between Muerren and Chamonix, we loved Muerren and the area much better. We're going back to both this summer as we love them both for different reasons. I was very scared to go on the gondola's, very scared. But it turned out fine, not as scary as I thought it would be. None of them have ever fallen and that gave me comfort.

marina,

Just do a standard search at bahn.de which includes fast connection times. Both early morning routes I described will appear.

I have made five trips to this country and they pride themselves on the rail system. We had no problems meeting trains. If you miss one, another is very apt to come soon. Check out Rick's Railpasses tab at the top of the page and you will see info about planning your trip including rail system and schedules. I planned a two-wk. trip this way. good luck and happy times. gna

I agree with the standard of the Swiss rail system. My concern was regarding the Italy trains as I am leaving from CT.

I've been to Chamonix for 2 days and loved it.Well, I am into skiing and maybe why I consider this place wondeful.
The mountains look so cool, and you get to see the highest pick in Europe. I also had the best shrimp salad in my life over there.