We are going to Switzerland in Oct for two weeks and are looking for suggestions for two places to use as bases to explore different regions of the country. We prefer to stay in a vacation rental for a week at a time and use that place as a base to explore the area around there. We wont have a car so will use public transit. We are interested in small or larger towns,places to walk and hike ( not too strenuous), nice places to eat, people watch and have a slow vacation instead of rushing around. Any suggestions would be helpful as we are at the beginning stages of planning. Thank you for your time.
Posted by
Dallas, Texas, USA
501 posts
We haven't seen all of Switzerland, so I'll just include my favorite, the Berner Oberland, or Luzern.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
For people watching and better eating, St. Moritz and Zermatt would fit very well, although these aren't particularly cheap locations.
Posted by
OP
Newfoundland
3 posts
Jim and Tom, Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question> I will research both of your suggestions.
Posted by
Lincoln City, OR
90 posts
I would definitely recommend the vacation rental apartment of Nelly Beer located in the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the village of Stechelberg. If you wish to stay there you should immediately contact [email protected] and ask for the tourist office to contact Nelly Beer to stay at her vacation apartment. She only has two and the location is perfect and extremely inexpensive - probably around 65 Swiss Francs. Public transportation is within walking distance of less than 1/4 mile from the house and house is located in totally quiet location other than the sound of the river. Her two apartments have separate bedroom, kitchen, living/dining room and Nelly and her husband Christian are the best, but their English is limited - this is not a problem though.
Posted by
Lincoln City, OR
90 posts
I forgot to say that Nelly's apartments also have their own private bath with shower, sink and toilet. We have been staying with Nelly almost every year for the past 20 years and will be there again in 2014.
Posted by
Holland, MI
24 posts
I agree with the other posters. Check out the Berner Oberland (the town of Murren might fit what you like). I also loved Luzern. Have fun planning!
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Big vote for the Berner Oberland... and in particular, the (mostly) car-free town of Murren which we loved. Has everything on your list.
Posted by
OP
Newfoundland
3 posts
Thinking that one of our bases will indeed be the Lucerne area but having trouble finding a suitable apartment/vacation rental in the town itself. For those of you who know the area can you assist me? We wont have a car and will be using public transit so wondering what other towns we can stay in around that area where we can access public transit for day trips? Thanks again for your time.
Posted by
Daphne, AL, USA
25 posts
Deborah, we like the Bernese Oberland but also loved our stay in Appenzell, eastern Switzerland, near St Gallen. I don't know about a vacation apt but the guest house where we stayed (& most of the hotels) included a free Appenzeller Card with a stay of 3 or more nights. The card included all transportation - bus & train - museums, gondolas, & even sommerrodelbahn rides! The hiking was great - my husband is not a hiker but even he liked to meander along the river & through the countryside to little towns along the valley, then hop on a train back to Appenzell when he got tired. Appenzell is probably the largest town in the valley (& it's not large!) but there was a good variety of biergartens, restaurants, lots of outdoor space along the river - especially near the brewery - which made for good people watching. Rick has a good description of the area in his Germany/Switzerland book but there was even more to do than he described & the people were the friendliest we've met in any of our travels which made our stay even more enjoyable. We hope to visit again & take family with us next time.