We are planning a late May trip to Switzerland and Italy--fly into Zurich and out of Rome. We are trying to decide on where to locate for 6 or 7 days in Switzerland (first trip there). Are Murren or Wengen good places to stay in order to see Schiltorn and Jungfrau? Can we take train from Zurich to these places? We like small villages with decent restaurants, hope to do some hiking, not much interest in shopping. We have RS Guidebook and made note that due to changes in weather it is best not to reserve room in advance--remain flexible on where to locate. OTOH we could simplify things and take a train from Milan to Zermatt and see the Matterhorn. We are allowing 3 weeks for this trip. Have seen most of Europe but not Switzerland--seems to be more complicated to plan for it compared to France or Italy. Would like to hear comments from others who enjoyed Switzerland.
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
Hi Susan,
I've been to Switzerland several times but it's been a few years. For hiking I loved staying in the small village of Pontresina, Switzerland (http://www.pontresina.com/011stm_010000_en.htm). It's near St. Moritz, an easy train ride from Zurich and the hiking trails are really great. I stayed at Hotel La Collina.
You can even take the train into Italy for lunch.
I also like the smaller cities of Interlaken, Lugano, Lusanne, Bern, and Luzern.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Late May should be just after the shoulder season ends. For Murren or Wengen, check with the hotels to see if they're open when you propose to visit. If they are, all the restaurants and other tourist infrastructure should be open as well. If the hotels are closed, the rest of the tourist industry will be on hiatus as well, and little will be open in the mountains (although businesses in the valleys remain active all year). But like I said, by late May, everything should be up and running.
You can visit as a daytrip from Zurich by train, but why not stay in the mountains or valley instead?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
519 posts
Susan,
My wife and I took our first trip to Europe this summer and spent a month there. By far, one of the highlights of all the places we went was the Lauterbrunnen Valley. So beautiful and a wonderful place to visit! We spent three nights in Lauterbrunnen and loved it. Great base for us to explore both sides of the valley and go up to the Schilthorn and Jungfrau. We don't hike a whole lot, but did the hike in RS book from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg and it was AMAZING! Since we visited in July, not sure if Murren or Wengen will be too active, but you could base in Lauterbrunnen and go up both sides. We flew into Zurich and took the train down. It was easy with only one (Maybe 2) changes and a couple hours. Great small town with lots to do in the immediate area. We would love to go back and spend at least 5 days hiking and other activities. Stayed at Hotel Staubbach and loved it too!
Good luck with your planning!
Jed
Posted by
San Clemente, Ca.
408 posts
Susan,
My husband and I stayed in Grindelwald for a week a few years ago and loved it. It was easy to get to the Schilthorn and Jungfrau. I also stayed in Lauterbrunnen and it was nice too. Wengen is really nice because it is up high in the Mountains but you can't drive to it. We did lots of hiking in the area. It is just so Beautiful. I like having access to a car. The train staion is in the center of town in Grindelwald so you don't have to have a car. Have a wonderful trip.