Switzerland in early to mid-October

So many questions, but I'll answer one: "Also, do you know of any place that is not a good place to visit in early to mid-October (i.e. pretty much closed down due to the season)?" The shoulder season hibernation doesn't usually happen until a little later. Statistically, this is usually the driest month of the year for most of the Alps, which would be better described as "slightly less rainy".

Thanks Tom! I will remember to take rain gear.

I am on e-mail lists for various regions of Switzerland and have seen that several are proud of their fine autumn weather, sometimes offering autumn lodging specials. I haven't gotten any announcements yet this year, but the 2 regions are the Valais (particularly Bettmeralp) and Graubunden (Engadine). You can see some of the fall activities for the two areas (and others) on the My Switzerland website: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home/autumn/autumnal-walks/autumnal-walks.html?region=011 Click on "Valais" to see one of my favorite area, the Aletschgletscher region.

Thank you, Lola! We do plan to visit the Engadine area. I have looked at the myswitzerland website, but it has been awhile and I had forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder. I will visit that site.

We have always made hotel reservations ahead of time. You did not mention where you wished to spend the night. Hotel Splendid in Interlaken was a wonderful, central location between two train stations. Breakfast was extensive choices and it had a lively pub downstairs. Great place to stay and take day trips around the Lauterbrunnen valley.

I just got another e-mail today from MySwitzerland about autumn events in Switzerland, specifically events and festivals relating to gourment interests[INVALID]-wine, cheese, harvest fairs, etc. You might look in the "events" section of the website if that interests you. We've been to Switzerland a number of times for hiking, but haven't made it to the Engadine yet. I hope to next time, and to stay at this place, which has its own train stop: http://www.spinasbever.ch/ They are open until Oct. 24. I checked my favorite place in Bettmeralp (Valais region, on a sunny south-facing slope) and see that they are open until October 23, which suggests that things are nie there well into October. If you aren't familoar with Bettmeralp and the Aletschgletscher region, check out the photos at www.bettmeralp.ch. Another place we like is Oeschinensee, above the town of kandersteg, and I've seen lovely photos of the larches around the lake turning golden. Summer photos are at www.oeschinensee.ch We have only been to Switzerland in the summer, and have reserved well in advance. But I think that for October, going where the weather leads you is a good plan. You could start out with a basic idea of a loop from Zürich, going to the Berner Oberland (lauterbrunnen Valley), then Kandersteg, south and east to Bettmeralp, then east on the Glacier Express route to the Engadine, and back to Zürich. all can easily be done by train (and cablecar for Bettmeralp). You could adjust and skip places if the weather didn't cooperate, and add time where you found the sunshine.

Joni, the others have provided excellent information so far! In order to provide some comments on your questions, it would help to know exactly which parts of Switzerland you're planning to visit? If you normally "make all reservations before we go", you must have a good idea on which towns you'll be visiting. Some additional information would help. Cheers!

Thank you everyone! We plan to fly into Zurich, head to Appenzell (weather permitting), then to Luzern, Lugano, back over to the Pontresina area, then to Zermatt, Lausanne, Berner Oberland and back to Zurich. We are planning to take trains the entire way except for the bus to Pontresina. I am going to keep a list of the places and hotels (and even restaurants) all of you give me. We have never rolled the dice before on hotels by not booking ahead of time. I may go ahead and book the first night's hotel after checking the weather just before we go. Where we go when we get there will depend entirely on the weather. I have checked out free wi-fi services (to book hotels enroute) and the dreaded McDonalds is the easiest way in places like Luzern. Oh well, maybe I can get my hubby to get us a senior coffee there (if they do that in Swiss McDonald's). Thank you! I am making my list! Joni

Joni, for your stay in Appenzell, you might consider the Hotel Café Adler. It's right in the main part of town and has a bakery as well. I stayed there a few months ago and it was great! Unfortunately, it rained most of the time I was in that area, so I went to Lucerne a day ahead of schedule. In Lucerne you might look at the Hotel Goldener Stern. I found it very comfortable and it's within easy walking distance to the Chapell Bridge and other sites. In Lugano have a look at Hotel Pestalozzi. Also very comfortable and easy walking distance (I even walked to the Cable Car terminal at Paradiso from there!). I enjoyed listening to the Italian version of their introductory video - that's among the most beautiful spoken Italian I've ever heard! As I recall, all of those Hotels offered free Wi-Fi, so you won't have to to rely on McDonald's! Happy travels!

One year we triied winging it for hotels, except weekends which we booked, I found we spent too much of our vacation time looking for new hotels every dya. Cut down on our cruising time.Maybe if we hadnt gone for a new hotel/village each night it would have been better

Another place to consider for Lugano would be Elvezia al Lago. It is a bit out of the center, actually in Castagnola (right below Monte Bre if you want to hike), and right ON the lake. http://www.elvezialago.ch/EN/p0-eng.html Do you have a particular village in mind for the Berner Oberland? If Wengen, I can highly recommend Hotel Bären, a small family-run place with wonderful food: http://www.baeren-wengen.ch/ I'd suggest you e-mail them now to see if they are open through October, and if so, carry their phone number so you can call ahead when the weather looks good for a visit here.

We stayed at the Walter Hotel in Lugano. It obviously was once THE hotel there, but is now past its prime. A big attraction is that all the rooms face the lake and nearly all have balconies. No idea what the rate is now, but I seem to recall it being around $1000Ca for the week in late August, including breakfast.