MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial June Zermatt Montreux Wengen & Lucerne trip report
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I do believe in facts as I noted I am a library media specialist at a high school and that is one thing I stress to students. I will correct some things in my article as it has not been printed yet. I would like to add that I cannot find my way out of a paper bag. I can get lost pretty much anywhere and often get directions incorrect and have no sense of east, west, etc when I call my husband and he says which direction are you headed? Ha, so it is no surprise whatsoever that I got Grindelwald in the wrong location.
I have also decided we are just out of shape. That was also the end of our trip and we were quite tired.
Oh, the $850 out of pocket(out of our general account, not travel account) referred to the fact that our points covered the hotels and my secondary job teaching English online to Chinese students paid all the other costs. I would estimate for the 11 days, exclusing hotels, we spent around $4K including airfare.
Also, we were shocked by the amount of tourists at Hammetschwand, or the lack thereof I should say. We felt we were literally alone. It was rare to see another person, much less a hiker on the trail. The restaurants appeared empty and when we reached the top of the lift we might have seen 20 people at the most. This was also near lunch time. Once again, I thank the moderators for their time and advice.
<<“Also, we were shocked by the amount of tourists at Hammetschwand, or the lack thereof I should say. We felt we were literally alone. It was rare to see another person, much less a hiker on the trail. The restaurants appeared empty and when we reached the top of the lift we might have seen 20 people at the most. This was also near lunch time. “>>
Hi Sharpl –
As far as I am concerned, that is a blessing.
<<“I have also decided we are just out of shape.”>>
Those steps on the Felsenweg can make you pause to catch your breath.
<<“we spent around $4K including airfare.”>>
That’s more like it. The way it was written was confusing to me.
Slowpoke
Hi Sharpl-
Here are some more facts, concerning views in Wengen. I also include some opinions, which, as Arno notes, are an important component of the conversations on this forum. 😉
<<“Hotel Victoria, which was just taken over by Arenas Resorts, which was built in the 1800s. Our room was lovely, complete with robes and slippers. When we opened the doors to the surprise balcony, I gasped at the view. We had an unsurpassable view of the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the surrounding Swiss Alps including three waterfalls off the opposing cliffs. “>>
I was looking through my files for something else and ran across the attached images.
The Victoria-Lauberhorn has a commanding view, as your images show. It is very nicely located, quite close to the station. It has always had a wonderful reputation, and clearly has great views, especially, as you note, of the waterfalls, which are most active in the Spring, from snow melt. It is not the cheapest hotel in Wengen.
The Hotel Eiger ( now apartments) is very near, just across from the station. We used to stay there and I got a couple of good pictures from there. I have also attached one from the Hotel Bellevue, as well as my frequently posted image of the LB Valley (taken just below and slightly to the east of the Bellevue.
The Bellevue is a good deal west of the station…perhaps a 10 minute walk. What that does is get you to a viewpoint that lets you see all the way to the end of the LBV, while not losing sight of the Staubach and other waterfalls on the valley wall. The full depth of the valley is rarely visible, due to haze, but offers a nice image as well when it is visible.
And, I recall that Mark (a frequent contributor to this forum) likes the views from the Beausite Park Hotel Wengen, which is further up the hillside. I think that s correct, and he can correct me if I am wrong.
In fact, the principle reason for the existence of Wengen (and for all those wonderful grand hotels built in the 1800’s), is its location at the portion of cliff edge with the impressive views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the Jungfrau Massif.
Some argue that the view is better from Mürren, across the valley. It does give a better view of the Jungfrau Massif, but you don’t see those particular waterfalls.
Whether any one is better than another is arguable, in my opinion. Such distinctions are matter of personal taste.
However, also in my opinion, I would not say the the view from the Victoria is “unsurpassable.” I probably could say that the views from Wengen in general are in that class, but others would disagree. Your readers who are considering a visit to the region probably deserve to know that the Victoria Lauberhorn is not the only hotel with a great view. They can choose other, cheaper or more expensive hotels, in Wengen with views of comparable grandeur. They don’t have to single out the Victoria, nice as it is.
Slowpoke
Hi Slowpoke,
Sorry to hear about the arthritis, that’s certainly a hindrance in every day life and holidays too. The bus is indeed a cheaper alternative to reach Bürgenstock. It’s free with the Swiss Travel Pass and quite a nice ride.
“Unsurpassable” is just an expression of course, interchangeable with “amazing”. We’ve all seen amazing views, and there’s always a better one. We could start a whole debate about “the best” view in the Alps and the discussion would never reach a conclusion I’m sure.
Nice summary and pictures; thanks for sharing!
Hello Sharpl,
A little late but equally impressed a big WOW and THANK YOU from me too, what a wonderful report and what fantastic pictures!!!
Fingers crossed for your newspaper competition! 🙂
Best,
Steph
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