12 night itinerary late July – 1 or 2 base towns?

  • autumnz
    Participant
    81 posts
    20 November 2017 at 15:51:44 #813701

    Hello,

    I am planning 12 nts in Switzerland in late July/early August. I was originally going for 15 nights, but the budget was a bit high.

    I was thinking about staying in Lucern for 5nts and Wengen for 6 (with 1 final night at a hotel near the Zurich airport as we have an early flight out). With this plan I was thinking of using Lucern as a base and doing day trips to Bern, Rhine Falls (and maybe add a stop north of Basel to the Roman Ruins), Bellazona, and seeing Mt. Titlus.

    But the itinerary seems so busy and I am wondering if I should just spend 11 nts in Wengen (or somewhere nearby or split between 2 hotels in that area) and then just focus on exploring that area. I know I want to see beautiful mountains, rolling green hillsides,take walking paths, see glaciers, beautiful lakes, and see some castles, museums, cathedrals, etc. I would love a day to visit a thermal spa!

    I know that I want to feel that I am seeing Switzerland, and not just tourist towns in Switzerland, but obviously we do want to see the tourist highlights too- just want to stay in a more removed area. Someone mentioned Wengen is pretty touristy, but it feels like a good spot from pictures I’ve seen. We are using local transportation only, so I don’t think I want to be too far out.

    All suggestions on itinerary/day trips will be incredibly helpful!

    Should we base solely in Wengen and explore this area for many days? Or, should we stay 6 nts and explore for 5 days (thinking Lake Thun/Lake Brienze/Top of Europe/Mt.Schillthorn/Waterfall Valley Hike) with also time in another area (like Lucern to have access to other parts of Switzerland to explore)?

    Thank you!

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    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    20 November 2017 at 17:00:02 #872171

    Hi autumnz and welcome to MySwissAlps!

    You could certainly spend 11 days in the Jungfrau region and have something new every day to do as far as outdoor activities are concerned. Wengen is by far the most popular town for most people, Murren is also another option as is Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald (Grindelwald has a reputation as being too touristy) but the whole area will be very busy with tourists no matter where you go.

    I’d be tempted to spend a little time outside the Jungfrau region on a trip of this length unless you know for sure you are coming back to look at other areas. Lucerne is a very popular option with lots to do in the area.
    A town like Thun would be a nice second base to give you some variety. Easy to get to Lucerne or Bern or the lakes and mountains in that region – even a day trip to Montreux if you like on the Golden Pass route from Spiez.

    There are many Thermal baths in Switzerland – so you will find one near you to visit I am sure!

    autumnz
    Participant
    81 posts
    20 November 2017 at 17:06:22 #872172

    Thanks!

    I was thinking day trips from wengen to lake thurn, etc for sure!

    Do you have suggestions on how/where to split the 12 nts?

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    20 November 2017 at 17:32:39 #872173

    If your focus is on hiking and being in the mountains for most of the trip I would probably do at least 7 or 8 nights in the Jungfrau region and 3 or 4 nights in one other town like Lucerne or Thun.Again you could do all 11 in the Jungfrau as well but it might be nice to see other areas for a few days.

    autumnz
    Participant
    81 posts
    21 November 2017 at 1:06:14 #872174

    I am thinking of splitting time between wengen and either montreux or thun. Thinking montreux. Trying to make lists of things i want to see and which option is better.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    21 November 2017 at 1:39:58 #872175

    As you have 12 nights, and have expressed a wish to visit a thermal spa, you might want to consider spending 3-4 nights in Scuol in the Engadin.

    If you are interested, you can read my trip reports (with pictures) about Scuol, and the beautiful nearby village of Guarda, on the following pages:

    http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/scuol

    http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/trip-report-lower-engadine-guarda-october-2016

    The spa won’t be cheap, but if hostel accommodation suits you, you could cut costs a bit by staying at the youth hostel in Scuol. There are some photos of the hostel common areas and a private ensuite room in my post of Jul 11, 2017 – 2:31 AM (and the following post) on this page:

    http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/base-for-hiking-in-lower-engadine

    See here for more information and online booking:

    http://www.youthhostel.ch/en/ hostels/scuol

    Here is information about the spa, Bogn Engiadina (unfortunately only in German).

    http://www.bognengiadina.ch/d e

    If you decide to stay at the youth hostel, ask at the hostel reception and they will arrange for you to get a 10 % discount for Bogn Engiadina and Roman-Irish bath. (I imagine other hotels in Scuol also have a similar offer.)

    Not a thermal spa as such, but there is also a youth hostel in Saas-Fee (on the other side of Switzerland from Scuol) with its own wellness facilities:

    http://www.youthhostel.ch/en/ hostels/saas-fee

    There are some photos of the Saas-Fee hostel and private ensuite accommodation in my post of Oct 5, 2017 – 2:13 AM on the following page:

    http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/lucerne-as-base-for-mountain-excursions-and-hiking

    Alpenrose

    autumnz
    Participant
    81 posts
    21 November 2017 at 11:03:54 #872176

    Looks gorgeous! But too far out of the way of other things on our wish to see/do list. Thinking of levay les baines near montreux.

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