Celebrating anniversary in Switzerland: planning 16-day itinerary
A traveler, ChemistZ, is planning a 16-day trip to Switzerland for their 30th wedding anniversary in late November. They seek unique experiences and can't wait to explore both big cities and small towns, although they won't be skiing or hiking extensively.
- Invest in a 15-day Swiss Travel Pass to enjoy free transport across trains, buses, and boats during your stay.
- Consider staying in larger towns for better hotel availability and access to year-round excursions.
- Don't miss the scenic Bernina Express railway trip from Chur to Tirano for stunning mountain views.
AI-generated summary-
Hi All,
My husband and I love to travel. We have never been to Switzerland and decided that is where we want to go for our 30th wedding anniversary. We will be there for 16 days. We aren’t rich or anything but we like to experience the best we can afford. So, if you know of any super unique experiences that we should try or if there are places that are just too amazing that we dare not miss them, please let me know. I am actively planning right now.
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Hello ChemistZ
Welcome to MySwissAlps
When are you going? If you are going in the next couple of months avoid ski resorts, as they will be very busy.
You will need to consider INVESTING in 15-day Swiss Travel Passes. The STP gives you the complete freedom of the world’s best public transport system. Everything is free (buses, trams/streetcars, boats ….?, and oh yes, I remember trains! (Only lines which simply go up mountains are excluded.)
I have been visiting Switzerland most years since 1971, and I always base myself in one place and go out on day excursions using my priceless Swiss Travel Pass.
Kind regards
Roger
Without knowing your interests (skiing, hiking [ moderate, light, long distance], boating, museums, dining, in the midst of large cities or out of the way places, etc.) it’s hard to provide advice.
Let me update my post – we will be there from November 17-December 2. I personally do not ski but lifts and so on are not a problem. We are not hikers/climbers either. We don’t mind vigorous walking though. We like to see anything of importance/significance whether it is in a big city or a small town. We like both types of atmosphere for different reasons. As an example of a really cool experience we had when we visited Athens, we did Dinner in the Sky overlooking the Parthenon (dinnerinthesky.com)
Hello again ChemistZ
Giving your dates has made a huge difference.
November is the quietest time of the year for tourism in Switzerland. But that means some hotels may not be open. Many cable cars and mountain lines will not be running.
Don’t Panic. Some mountain lines run all-year-round. Hotels in the larger towns are usually all-year-round.
There will be full daylight from about 08 00 to 17 15.
Assumptions I am Making.
You are getting to Switzerland by flying to/from Zurich Airport.
You will invest in 15-day Swiss Travel Passes for the period 17 November to December 1st. Except for three rides, all the travel I mention is FREE with the STP
On December 2nd you will get to the airport using ordinary point-to-point tickets.
Suggested Itinerary. Study a good map of Switzerland
Spend 5 nights in Chur in the very mountainous south-east of the country.
Spend 5 nights in the Vevey/Montreux area (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/montreux/)
Spend 5 nights in Lucerne or nearby (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/)
Zurich Airport to Chur This will take about two hours. You will have to change at Zurich Hauptbahnhof. From Zurich to Chur sit on the left.
Chur.
Now there is one long day excursion you must do. That is ride on the spectacular Bernina and Albula railways to Tirano. Get the Bernina Express (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/) which leaves Chur at 08 17 and reaches Tirano at 12 49. You will have to pay reservation fee of 36 franks each.
Come back on the ORDINARY TRAIN leaving Tirano at 13 41, change at Pontresina and Samedan and you will be back in Chur at 18 04, just after dark.
Other day excursions would be to Appenzell and St Gallen or Davos (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/davos/). Go by train via Klosters. Return by bus via Lenzerheide.
There are lots of shorter trips. By train to Arosa; by bus to Flims and Laax; if you want a hair-raising ride, bus to Tschiertschen
Chur to Vevey/Montreux.
Go from Chur to Andermatt changing at Disentis. Have a lunch break at Andermatt. Go from Andermatt to Montreux, changing at Brig.
While at Montreux or nearby Vevey
(This trip needs good weather) Go to Zermatt (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zermatt/). You get there by changing at Visp. On arrival at Zermatt go up the Gornergrat. For splendid views of the Matterhorn sit on the right. I would hope that at least one of the restaurants at the top will be open. This ride is not free with the STP. You will get a 50% discount on the fare.
Go to Lausanne (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lausanne/). While there take the Mėtro down to Ouchy harbour and the boat across to Evian in France. Perhaps have lunch on the boat.
(Are you into wine?)
Go to Gruyère (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gruyeres/) for the cheese and then on to Broc for the chocolate.
Perhaps go up to Les Plėiades
Montreux to Lucerne
In the morning go to Spiez changing at Zweisimmen. Have lunch at Spiez. Then go on to Lucerne (called Luzern in German) changing at Interlaken OST.
While in Lucerne
Get the 08 18 train from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau. For a spectacular ride along the OLD Gotthard railway change there to the brown-painted TRENO GOTTARDO bound for LOCARNO. Arrives Locarno 11 27. Have lunch in Locarno (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/locarno/). Then go on to LUGANO (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lugano/). (Trains are every 30 minutes.) From Lugano back to Lucerne take a fast IC train through the long Gotthard base tunnel (57 kms.) You will usually have to change at Arth-Goldau. This fast ride home takes a bit under two hours.
Get the 09 12 boat to VITZNAU. Go up Mount Rigi (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/)
Go to Bern, the Swiss ‘Federal City’ Go the scenic way via Langnau. Come back on the fast IR15 via Zofingen.
Go up Mount Pilatus using the cable cars from Kriens. Like Gornergrat, you pay 50% of the full fare. (The cog-wheel railway is summer only.)
(Are you into classical music?)
Lucerne to Zurich Airport. Two trains an hour. Takes about 75 minutes. A change at Zurich Hauptbahnhof may be needed.
Best wishes
Roger
Hi ChemistZ,
Roger has provided some good ideas for your first visit here. A nice cross section of the country. I agree the Swiss Travel Pass would be a good investment for your trip. You can simply hop on and off all transportation that is included.
If you would like to read more about this pass, you can find all information in the link below:
You should find our budget activity section useful too. Ideas and suggestions for low cost outings. Here’s the link:
Our dedicated planning section should also give you additional ideas too, there are some sample itineraries you can choose from too.
I hope this gets you started. Do reach out if you have questions.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thank you so much h for the replies especially Roger!!! That sounds like a truly amazing itinerary. Could you possibly recommend specific lodging in the three places you suggest? We like at least 4 star but we are flexible. I hear that one should stay in a chalet when in Switzerland. Can you recommend one?
Hi ChemistZ,
We have a dedicated accommodation section on the website, covering hotels, holiday homes, hostels and camping.
You can filter and research the respective locations for suggestions. Here’s the link to the accommodation section:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hello ChemistZ
Thank you for your kind words.
Schedules and journey planning are my expertise. On accommodation, please follow the link Yolanda has provided in her recent reply 7.
Very best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
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