3-4 nights in the Swiss Alps, Lake Como, Lucerne

  • RGtravel
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    6 posts
    22 September 2022 at 0:07:24 #828400

    My wife and I want to stay 3-4 nights in an area of Switzerland that is in the Alps and allows us to do lite hiking and visit classic alpine villages. We might stay in the Jungfrau region but I want to know what other regions are similar in what this region offers. We’re coming from Lake Como and plan to take the Bernina Express. We also plan to spend a couple of days in Lucerne. Thanks for any thoughts!

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    Removed user
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    22 September 2022 at 9:26:09 #947198

    Visit the Jungfrau region if you wish to be doing the same thing as everybody else. If you choose to do taht nearly every post on this website takes about that area so most questions have been covered! Same applies to the Luzern region

    Other area to consider are:

    Appenzell

    Zermatt

    resorts in the Valais region (eg Sierre Montana, Verbier)

    Graubunde n (St Moritz, Engadine etc)

    If you choose the latter you can just stop off after you have crossed the Bernina (not Bernini) pass!

    Removed user
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    22 September 2022 at 18:59:24 #947199

    Hi RGtravel and welcome to MySwissAlps.com!

    The Jungfrau region is great and impressive, I recommend it: http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfrauregion. You can also visit Zermatt (http://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt), but I think 2-3 nights is enough there.

    Lake Lucerne area is also wonderful, I like Lucerne itself and you can also visit easily 3-4 mountain tops from there: http://www.myswissalps.com/lakelucerne/activities.

    1960man mentioned Graubunden: http://www.myswissalps.com/graubunden.

    I also like the mountain tops in canton Vaud: Gstaad, Leysin, Glacier3000 etc.

    Saas-fee is also wonderful in canton Valais: http://www.myswissalps.com/saasfee.

    You find a list of mountain tops here: http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/naturalsites/mountains.

    I hope you find something you like!

    Ildiko

    RGtravel
    Participant
    6 posts
    22 September 2022 at 20:05:03 #947200

    Thank you for the feedback. I forgot to mention that we are going in June 2023. The other places that have been suggested, are they just ski resorts or do they have quaint alpine villages to visit like Gimmelwald and Lauterbrunnen? Jungfrau sounds great but I assume it is flooded with tourists. Not sure if we want to visit just ski resorts.

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    22 September 2022 at 20:56:26 #947201

    These are not just ski resorts but also villages/towns. Zermatt actually has one of the prettiest old centers, in my opinion, I’ve seen here in Switzerland.

    June is not yet a high season, so I think the Jungfrau region won’t be that crowded. July and August are the summer peak seasons.

    Ildiko

    MySwissAlps.com recommends reading this: Best time to visit Switzerland

    Removed user
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    22 September 2022 at 22:04:29 #947202

    I too love the old centre of Zermatt, although it is very small so it doesn’t take long to see it!

    Lauterbrunnen isn’t really a ‘quaint’ mountain village as it is a small collection of buildings in the bottom of the valley. If you want truly quaint villages you should avoid all the ‘famous’ resorts. There are lots of ‘unspoilt’ villages – look at a map and look for small villages on the end of mountain valley bus routes.

    RGtravel
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    6 posts
    22 September 2022 at 22:22:04 #947203

    Very helpful. Thanks!

    Danielsan
    Participant
    628 posts
    23 September 2022 at 9:54:43 #947204

    Hi RGtravel,

    If you’re planning on taking the Bernina Express, you may want to take it to St Moritz, Pontresina, or the surrounding area. There is an enormous amount of hiking to be done in and around that area (St Moritz, in particular). Not exactly on the ‘beaten’ trail, so to speak, but very nice just the same. Not sure when you’re planning to go, but this is along the Bernina railway. As was mentioned by 1960man, the Jungfrau region, while it is absolutely beautiful, it is also more frequently visited. Not that that is a bad thing, but perhaps go there next June when you return. Unfortunately, 3 to 4 days doesn’t afford you much time to see a small country with so much to see. After the Bernina Express, Lucerne would be a good destination (especially if you’re leaving from Zurich). One thing to keep in mind is that any place/resort in the winter, is just as beautiful in the summer. One is green, and one is white. That is the beauty of Switzerland. Again, with only 3 or 4 days, it is probably overwhelming to decide where to go. That being said, look through all the links provided, and go from there. Hope you have a great time.

    Regards,

    Danielsan

    RGtravel
    Participant
    6 posts
    23 September 2022 at 13:13:08 #947205

    Love the replies! Just to clarify, my wife and I are traveling June 2023 coming from Lake Como. Never been to Switzerland. Staying 6/7 nights and we will fly out of Zurich. We want to see Lucern and the surrounding area for sure. Prefer not to waste much time traveling between locations. Looking to spend 3 /4 nights enjoying the alps doing lite hikes and visiting “traditional” villages/towns. Based on the replies, we are now considering Appenzell and St. Moritz. Appenzell seems quieter, more “traditional”, perhaps we see the procession of cattle but takes extra time to travel to. St. Moritz/Pontresina is right on the Bernini express route and has an upscale resort vibe(?) . Both are beautiful. Any preferences? Do I need a car to get around either location (we won’t have one)? Thanks again for you insights.

    Removed user
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    23 September 2022 at 15:04:13 #947206

    Absolutely no car needed for Graubunden, it has a comprehensive ‘national’ railway all of its own (the famous Rhaetian Railway RhB) and connecting buses etc. St Moritz itself is a bit upmarket but there are plenty of less expensive places. There is an abundance of accommodation of all types in Pontresina, but also in Samedan (which people think is just a railway junction – hence the cheaper prices…) In Samedan the Hotel Terminus is right by the station so is convenient. Alternatively look at the villages along the Engadine valley (all have convenient railway statons) , for example Zuoz.

    Removed user
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    23 September 2022 at 15:07:07 #947207

    I can’t recommend Appenzell highly enough. A small area with beautiful rolling farmland, and higher mountains with cable cars. Appenzell has its own interconnected railway – the Appenzeller Bahnen which like RhB in Graubunden has superbly kept red trains. We also enjoyed the Appenzell Brewery tour and beer tasting…

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