I've been several times before, but always in the summer. i'm staying with some swiss friends, but they aren't really the best tour guides. any suggestions for things not to miss while there at that time of year? i might try some snowboarding if they are up to it. other than that, i was just going to hang out with them. i'll be near bern, and also in zurich, if that helps.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
New Years is relatively boring in Switzerland. They don't do public fireworks as they do in Germany. They don't dance the Blue Danube Waltz in the streets at midnight as the Austrians do it. They don't stand in the streets and sing Auld Lang Syne either. So all you can do is seize the days and go skiing up in Wengen or walk around the winter wonderland lakes...
Posted by
West Sacramento, California, USA
281 posts
Matt:
I spent two weeks in Switzerland over the Christmas/New Year's Holidays several years ago. I also was staying with friends and family. Basically, the country is very low key during this time. Many if not most people have a great deal of time off, if they have to work at all that week. Any parties are private affairs among friends and family. It was one of the best trips I have made in terms of learning the culture, and being with the locals doing what they do. The year I went, there was little snow accumulation at the time, so we spent quite a bit of time hiking, often taking a lift to get above the fog line to the sun.
You will have a great time, but it is not some giant public party like Times Square.
Don't forget to say Gruezi!
Kevin