My wife and I are traveling to Europe this June (2011). We'd like to spend 2-3 days in the Alps. We'll likely be coming from Paris and going to Venice after the Alps. Goals: breathtaking scenery, hiking, relaxing, cable car to peak
Optional: castle hotel stay I've heard great things about both Chamonix & the Interlaken/Bernese area, but can't determine if one would be a better choice. Has anyone been to both? How much do I need to be concerned about weather (rain, fog) in June? Thanks!
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Both are wonderful but to me Bernese Oberland is TOPS. no castle stay there but breathtaking is the perfect word. Stay in valley area rather than Interlaken. We stayed in Murren at Chalet Fontana it was one of the best mtn visits I have ever had. We stayed 5 nights , and went everywhere. A Swiss alpine adventure that never disappoints.
Posted by
Dallas
1022 posts
You'll also want to consider Zermatt which is spectacular, but then so are the other places. Tough choice, but no wrong ones.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
I agree with JS. Been to both twice, and Murren in the BO wins hands down. Breathtaking describes it perfectly. Best hiking / walking paths of anywhere I've ever been. I like Murren b/c it's 5000' up and I felt enveloped by the Alps. Nowhere else have I had that experience. You will be richly rewarded if you go there.
Posted by
OP
Denver
3 posts
Thanks for the advice. I think I'll just pass-through Interlaken. I've looked up some photos of BO and it does look truly breathtaking! After some additional research, it seems there are a couple villages in the area. Does anyone have an opinion between Lauterbrunnen Valley & Murren as the best place to get a hotel/hostel? (I'll check out both Hotel Eiger & Chalet Fontana.). Here's the current schedule idea: Day 1: arrive in Murren from Italy in by noon (just a guess). sightsee Day 2: various sightseeing Day 3: various sightseeing Day 4: morning trip to Paris
With the above schedule, does it make the most sense to spend the night at the same hotel all 3 nights? Or would it make since to stay the night in Murren the first two, then somewhere else the third?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
689 posts
I've gone from Murren to Paris in the morning, and you don't need to change hotels. If your train out of Interlaken is very early, you could stay down in Lauterbrunnen or even Interlaken (though Interlaken in general is not as nice a place to stay), to cut out the time it'll take you to get to Interlaken in the morning. But if the train is not too early, or if you just don't mind getting up a bit earlier to account for the time it'll take you to get down from Murren, don't bother changing.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
I wouldn't change hotels if it were me. There are some lower priced hotels in Murren, and even lower priced places to stay in Gimmelwald which is a short distance below Murren. Gimmelwald is another great place to stay imo. Check what's available in RS Switzerland.
Posted by
Andover, MN, USA
222 posts
Don't rule out Chamonix, France. It is an amazing -- if the weather is good. Been there twice and it was perfect both times. The gondola ride up Mont Blanc is tremendous. There are also hiking trails and a lugge (sp? ride. The town is right on a rushing river and our hotel window opened right on to it. Wonderful.