My boyfriend and I (both late 20's) plan to arrive in Zurich on 12/25 and fly out of Paris on 1/2. We are trying to decide where to go in Switzerland, understanding that our activities could be very limited due to the holiday. We love cities, but also want to 'get away' and have a vision of cozying up in a 'charming alpine town'. We have no intentions of renting a car and will need to rely on public transport. Of course, we are also budget conscious (both work for environmental nonprofits) but we are going into this with an understanding that everything will be pricey. Two recommendations we have received are for Lausanne and Horw. Both seem to offer charm, snow and related activities (snowshoeing, etc, we aren't skiers), mountainous surroundings, lovely lakes, etc. I would love additional recommendations, particularly on how to make the most of the fact that we arrive on Christmas and will stay only 3-4 days. If anyone has been to both Lausanne and Horw/Lucerne, opinions on one over the other would also be most welcome. At the same time, I would love commentary about Paris for New Years! I have spent some time in Paris, but never in the winter and never for this holiday. Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17435 posts
Lucky you! What a great way to spend Christmas night New Year's. Lausanne is a fairly large city right on th elake, not known for snow sports. And Horw is a kind of suburb or Luzern, at the base of mt. Pilatus. Pilatus is pretty steep for snowshoeing, I would think ((although I haven't been up there myself.) I suspect many people will say head to the Berner Oberland, like Mürren, which is a lovely alpine village, but a long train ride. And many of the hotels there require a week's booking over Christmas holidays. So my suggestion for a cozy mountain hideaway would be Rigi, another mountain that rises above Lake Luzern, but more friendly toward winter sports than Pliatus. There are snowshoe trails and designated winter walking trails, and a rental center for the equipment. http://www.rigi.ch/en/navpage-WinterRIGI-WintersportWVR-52477.html On this website you will find a map of the mountain shoing ski trails (including Nordic), snowshoe trails, and walking trails.) You get there by boat plus cablecar ride from Luzern. You could head straght to Luzern from the Aurich airport (travel time about 1 hour) and spend your first night there, enjoying this small city all decorated up. Then th enext morning head up to Rigi (I am assuming without checking that the lake boats continue to run in winter. If they do not, there are train and bus connections that will get tyou to Rigi.. One is to take the train from Luzern to Arth-Goldau, and then a cogwheel traiin up to the top (Rigi Kulm) and down the other side to Rigi kaltbad or Rigi Staffel which have reasonably-priced hotels.) Views over the lake are incredible if there is no fog. And if there is, you are up in the sunshine above the sea of fog.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Look into the area around the Walensee (particularly the mountain resort of Flumserberg). It's very convenient to Zurich, and less well known internationally than the Berner Oberland, so prices might be somewhat lower, although still pretty expensive. On a clear day, the views are spectacular.