Just returned from Muerren, Milan and Lake Como

Hi Nadine,
Thanks for posting this. My husband and I leave for Murren for a week on October 23, 2008 and will be suing Swiss Passes for our week stay. We would love any and every help you can give regarding Murren.
To start with:
1) Were the electrical outlets 2 prongs? Did you use flat iron/hair dryer etc and did they work?
2) Was there anything you thought you might have brought along or something you brought that you were glad you did specific to Murren?
Thanks in advance :)

Hi Nadine,

Thank you for posting. We love the berner Oberland also!! We agree 100%, it's heaven on Earth!

Paul

We were just in Murren for the second time last month and we agree that it is absolutely Heaven on Earth! The outlets were 2 prongs, but the round European kind. I used my blow dryer there, it's dual-voltage so no need for a converter, but I did have to use an adapter.

aRies,
I responded to your questions via private message.
I hope you received it.
You will have fantastic time in Muerren. You don't even need to do anything (if you choose not to). Its just wonderful being there surrounded by the mountains and greenery.And the slow pace of life just makes you relax even more.Forget San Francisco. I left my heart in Muerren :)

Hey everyone,Thanks for all your answers.
Nadine, I did read all your private messages and they helped!! Thanks! I will PM you if I have other questions.. It is so nice to talk to people who have been there just before we're going... I am a little anxious/excited/nervous/apprehensive(!!) and would like our first Europe trip to go well.... and segway into more trips there :)

aRies - We were just in Muerren 2 weeks ago and very glad that we had some mid-weight long underwear tops, lightweight fleece, and rain jacket. The weather was quite nice, but it can change rapidly. One day started out with beautiful blue skies, so we went up to the Schiltorn in the morning. By afternoon the clouds came in and it can turn chilly when the sun disappears. Another day started out with clouds, fog, and the promise of rain. Although it never rained, we were glad to have layers on so that we could adjust accordingly.
The trains, cable cars, gondolas, etc. are amazing and run like clockwork. It all made sense once we were there.
We also stayed at the Chalet Fontana with Denise. She is very helpful and willing to tell you what the best activity is for the day, depending on the weather. We were there for four days and I had ideas of how to fill my days, but not necessarily on set days. It's best to let the weather dictate the activities for the day.
The Stagerstubli Restaurant right across from the Chalet Fontana is great! We ate there almost every night.
You can't help but to have a great time; it's beautiful! Nadine, thanks for posting. I had to laugh, because we also went to Lake Como (stayed in Varenna) and spent a day in Milan before Switzerland. We ended our trip in France.

Hi Sue,
Did our paths cross at Chalet Fontana :)
Are you having vacation withdrawal? I am and last night on PBS they had a feature on the Jungfrau Railway system. You know I was glued to the screen reliving every moment that I traveled on the trains there.
Aries, Sue is right about the weather and
October will be even colder. We did get rain while there but only one night, and it really poured but the morning dawned bright and beautiful; a perfect day to hike down to the valley floor and see the numerous waterfalls at full capacity.

My daughter and I spent 6 days in Lauterbrunnen and visited Murren. It is heaven on earth. I do want to return someday for a week. My daughter went up to Schilthorn (sp?) and really enjoyed the ride, etc.

Good to know another traveler has discovered and enjoyed the area.

JB-Your spelling of the Schilthorn is correct; I forgot the 'h'! :)

Nadine and Sue,
Thanks so much for thtei nfo. I get goosebumps just anticipating my trip! We just visited ETBD today and bought our Swiss Rail passes alongwith a couple of things... Woohooooo :)
It seems like the Stagerstubli restuarant is where you both had good dinners. My husband and I are plannning on picnicking besides a few sit-down restuarants. Did you both use the Migros or CO-op grocery store for anything-sandwiches, water, chocolates :)

aRies, I heard from Denise at Chalet Fontana today - I emailed to reserve my room for next year - kidding - its too early for that. Anyway, she said that it is rather cold there at the moment and they had a big snowfall yesterday. You may not be able to picnic at all if its already snowing but with the way the weather has been changing, who knows. My point is that you should take very warm clothes and be prepared to shift your plans around depending on the weather.

You can't get any closer to heaven than staying in the Chalet Fontana with Denise, eating at the Staeger Stubli AND doing all this while in Muerren. The other alpine villages are nice, too. But Muerren is the absolute picture postcard of a Swiss alpine village.

Hmm I guess taking my picninc blanket is out then. jes kidding..
Well, I meant to ask is if up in Muerren we will be able to get deli type sandwiches/salads etc at the grocery stores. If not, I guess we'll be eating sit down lunches and dinners...
We will be staying at the Alpin Palace hotel since we have a time-share. Also we'll be day tripping to Lauterbrunnen, Interlakne, Bern etc , so we'll probably get a chance to eat lunch there.
Food-wise: I definitely want to eat fondue, raclette and rosti.

There is just one grocery store in Muerren but they did have cheese and meats for sandwiches so you should be fine.