Switzerland trip advice

NotAGolf

NotAGolf

NotAGolf

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I'm thinking of going to Switzerland. I've never been so have been trawling for ideas of things to do. I've earmarked a few things to do split across the following areas:

- Lake Geneva (Lausanne/Montreux)
- Zermatt/Matterhorn
- Interlaken (to explore Gindelwald/Jungfraujoch)
- Lucerne

We will be going for 5 nights in March. We're up for a bit of an adventure, but would like a day or two to chill, so don't want to be constantly hopping between hotels or on the road/train. So I think doing all these areas in 5 nights seems like it might be too much of a stretch. Any opinions on which area to ditch?
 
I lived there for five years in Biel/Bienne. If you are going to Geneva/Montreux and Interlaken, be sure to take the Panoramic Express Train which goes through jaw-dropping mountains and valleys. If you get a chance, go to Gruyeres for the H R Giger museum and about the best fondue anywhere, ever. I lucked out cos there was an exhibition of the original storyboards and artwork from the LOTR trilogy in the castle museum when I went. Be sure to eat Rosti, eglifilets/filets de perche with some crisp Swiss white wine (by or on a lake), deffo fondue, and maybe raclette. They like a good festival so check if there are any when you are there.
 
NotAGolf said:
I'm thinking of going to Switzerland. I've never been so have been trawling for ideas of things to do. I've earmarked a few things to do split across the following areas:

- Lake Geneva (Lausanne/Montreux)
- Zermatt/Matterhorn
- Interlaken (to explore Gindelwald/Jungfraujoch)
- Lucerne

We will be going for 5 nights in March. We're up for a bit of an adventure, but would like a day or two to chill, so don't want to be constantly hopping between hotels or on the road/train. So I think doing all these areas in 5 nights seems like it might be too much of a stretch. Any opinions on which area to ditch?
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Way too much for 5 nights, and bare in mind march is very much winter so apart from lac Léman, those areas will be covered in snow and busy with skiers.


Interlaken itself is a **** hoke designed to to keep poor tourists away from the main resorts. Just go and stay in Grindelwald or wengen, but again, they will be packed with skiers.


Anyway, you need to have a think about what you actually want to see and do, as you have listed a few tourist traps from a high street brochure. Nothing massively wrong with them, but e.g. if you want to see a cute alpine village with traditional wooden chalets and breathtaking views then there are much better places than Zermatt with far fewer tourists. If you just want to view the Matterhorn while eating an overpriced apfel strudel, then Zermatt is fine.
 
bingham67 said:
Also interested in this thinking about going next month got 24 days to play with so need to fill my time thinking of doing Zurich but that about it so far.
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Swiss cities are not comparable to the likes of Paris/Rome/Prague/Berlin/London/Barcelona. They are great places to live, but no real point visiting IMO: they are nice enough but nothing special. Can be good as a base or while passing through but i wouldn't plan many days in each.

All depends what you want to see and do. Obviously the main draw of Switzerland is the mountains, and there are countless amazing mountain and lake destinations.

Places like Zermatt and Grindelwald do have amazing views, but are very touristy and very busy. There are loads of smaller, quieter, prettier mountain villiages but you don't get that postcard check-box feel.

Lac Léman is great with vineyards, villiages, castles, beaches - that is where i live.

Pre-alpes have lots of hiking terrain that looks like Sound of Music country.

Lugano/Ascona is like lake Como.
 
We did 3 nights in Zermatt and 3 in Grinderwald a couple of years ago. That felt about the right amount of time so I think you're cramming too much in.

That said, I'm not sure what you're planning on doing there in March. The usual walking spots will be covered in snow and it doesn't sound like you're going skiing
 
weringo said:
That said, I'm not sure what you're planning on doing there in March. The usual walking spots will be covered in snow and it doesn't sound like you're going skiing
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Yea that's a good point, and something we're concerned about with going in March.

We're not going skiing. We're not opposed to a bit of cold weather, but if we won't be able to get around at all due to snow (on foot, car, or train), then perhaps we'll stick to the lower lying areas a bit more.
 
NotAGolf said:
Yea that's a good point, and something we're concerned about with going in March.

We're not going skiing. We're not opposed to a bit of cold weather, but if we won't be able to get around at all due to snow (on foot, car, or train), then perhaps we'll stick to the lower lying areas a bit more.
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The mountain villiages have plenty foe people that don't ski. There will be snow shoeing routes, and you can take the lifts to eat at mountain restaurants etc

The main downside is the resorts will be extremely busy and the prices will be really high.


The low lying areas don't make that much sense IMO. There is no snow, but it is still winter so plants are dead, ground is wet and muddy. Moreover, in winter in low lying Switzerland the weather can be quiet poor with fig and layers of stratus clouds that make it grey and cold, while the mountains are basked in sun. I


if you go to Switzerland in march, you definitely want to head to the mountains, but you beed to set expectations. I think it makes even more sense to go to slightly less popular resorts so you are not paying peak prices for skiing facilities.


Otherwise, May and June are optimal times with few tourists, flowers in the meadows
 
D.P. said:
if you go to Switzerland in march, you definitely want to head to the mountains, but you beed to set expectations. I think it makes even more sense to go to slightly less popular resorts so you are not paying peak prices for skiing facilities.
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Yea, we're restricted to March (long story!) so will have to adapt. It will be the last week in March though.

Have you got any recommendations for slightly less popular resorts?
 
NotAGolf said:
Yea, we're restricted to March (long story!) so will have to adapt. It will be the last week in March though.

Have you got any recommendations for slightly less popular resorts?
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depends a little on what you are looking for. I love Grimentz, picture postcard village, but there are not many restaurants or facilities. Leukerbad is great with lots of thermal baths, more restaurants etc.
 
The comments about taking plenty of money aren't in jest - Switzerland really is depressingly expensive as a visitor; when I worked there a few years ago, paying 9 CHF for a pint at the local got old pretty quickly.
 
Lopéz said:
The comments about taking plenty of money aren't in jest - Switzerland really is depressingly expensive as a visitor; when I worked there a few years ago, paying 9 CHF for a pint at the local got old pretty quickly.
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It was £8 for a pint at Luton Airport the other day.
 
Lake Geneva is a pretty quiet/boring area - not much to do... I'd recommend Zurich instead.

Check out these hotels:

The Chedi (Andermatt)
Dolder Grand (Zurich)
Burgenstock (Luzern)
 
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