Where to add extra day on 2 week Swiss holiday?

  • Sandra59
    Participant
    41 posts
    22 November 2017 at 5:49:46 #813717

    We are travelling to Switzerland in June/July 2018 (2 adults in their late 50’s and 2 adults in their early 30’s )and so far this is the plan. Arrive Zurich and take the train to Lucerne for 3 1/2 days, the train to Grindelwald for 3 1/2 days, then train to Vevey for 3 1/2 days, then Zermatt by train for 2 1/2 days, then train to Basel for overnight stay and leaving the next morning to fly to Cinque Terre (Pisa). I have now got an extra day as we plan to fly the night before, where would you add this?

    We want to go some alpine walks, see spectacular mountain scenery, cows with their bells, enjoy some time sitting having a drink watching the world go by. In Lucern, one day to go to Mt Rigi (included in the Swiss Pass) In Grindelwald, go some walks (not too long or challenging, do the First walk and First Flyer, go up to the Jungfraujoch, visit maybe Wengen/Murren etc, have time to smell the roses (or Alpine flowers!) Then in Vevey, take the train to Gruyeres, walk the Chemin Fleuri In Montreux to the castle, spend an afternoon on a wine tour of the Lavaux Wine region. In Zermatt, see the Matterhorn from the Gornergratbahn and do the lake walk. Our main reason for choosing Switzerland is for the scenery and outdoors.

    So…..the only other thing I would like to fit in is an afternoon in Bern? and would like to know where you think we should add an extra day? We will have the Swiss Pass for the complete stay.

    Thanks in advance for your ideas!

    Regards,

    Sandra

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    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    22 November 2017 at 10:00:38 #872269

    Hi Sandra and welcome to MySwissAlps!

    I think you are referring to the Swiss Travel Pass and not the Swiss Pass (different products).

    As for adding a day somewhere….tough! I think if you want more time for the scenery adding a day to Grindelwald makes the most sense (the most to do there). Perhaps head to Thun for a day – nice boat trip there as well as nearby Niesen mountain.

    Bern is one of my favourite towns in Switzerland so if you are looking for a city break I think it’s a good option – you could add a night in Luzern and take a day trip to Bern.

    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    22 November 2017 at 18:55:04 #872270

    Hi Sandra-

    What a great trip! And, enough time to enjoy things, at well selected locations, rather than “covering” a whole bunch of places without time to see much of anything.

    I’ll add a few comments to Lucas’ excellent recommendations.

    1.- Jungfrau region –

    Make sure you have a lot of time there, because the whole place is pretty much dependent on having good weather.

    Take the walk from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg, in that direction.

    It is easy enough to have the nickname “The Grannies’ Walk” but spectacular enough to be amopng the best easy walks in Switzerland. Photos attached.

    Consider the Brienzer Rothorn Bahn

    Some of us prefer Wengen over the other three towns near the Jungfrau.

    http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/tips-about-wengen-and-the-jungfrau-region-by-kim

    2.- Luzern-

    Visit Hammetschwand:

    http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/the-hammetschwand-lift

    Walk around the southern part of the lake:

    http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/the-swiss-path-and-southern-lake-lucerne

    Bern is a short train ride from Interlaken or from Luzern. Frequent service.

    3.- Vevey –

    http://www.myswitzerland.com/ en-us/by-train-across-the-vineyards.html

    http://www.switzerlandbyrail. com/trains/scenic/lava ux_wine_train_vevey_ch exbrex.htm

    http://www.myswissalps.com/mo ntreux

    Here a couple of useful links:

    http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

    The instruction page is useful on that link.

    map.search.ch/

    Zoom into the map and you’ll see the train lines.

    In the menu, explore “Traffic” under “Points of Interest.”

    Slowpoke

    Sandra59
    Participant
    41 posts
    23 November 2017 at 3:16:44 #872271

    Thanks Lucas, great tips and yes, Swiss Travel Pass! – In Bern, where would you recommend for a typical Swiss meal and somewhere to have a drink? If we arrived say by 10:30 am and left say about 7pm, would we have plenty of time to see Bern properly? Is Lucerne the best option for taking the train to Bern (rather than say Interlaken – for a direct ride (one train) If so, then we will add our day onto Lucerne.

    Thanks again for your advice, Sandra

    Sandra59
    Participant
    41 posts
    23 November 2017 at 3:22:58 #872272

    Hi Slowpoke,

    Fantastic links, I am going to make a cup of tea and go through them all carefully, thanks very much for taking the time to do this. I have spent so much time planning this trip to make sure we get the most out of it! I am now about ready to book everything so may have a few last minute questions over the next week. Lets hope for some good weather so we can make the most of our days in the mountains! I will reply to you again once I have had the chance to go through it all. Thanks again, Sandra

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    23 November 2017 at 7:21:18 #872273

    Hi Sandra,

    I enjoyed lunch at Altes Tramdepot, which is located above the Bern bear enclosure and overlooking the Aare river.Good Swiss food and drinks there. 🙂

    The Swiss railways timetable will show you the quickest routes to Bern from both towns. It will depend on the specific train you end up taking on the day of your travel. Both towns have direct trains to Bern in as little as one hour with no changes – so really both are ok as day trips.

    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    23 November 2017 at 8:14:50 #872274

    <<“I enjoyed lunch at Altes Tramdepot, which is located above the Bern bear enclosure and overlooking the Aare river.Good Swiss food and drinks there. :)”>>

    I’ve had a few pleasant meals there. I’d r ecommend it as well.

    The small Brasserie directly across the street is substantially more sophisticated (and more expensive) and is very hard to get into… not very large and often full. Pretty good, actually. Small tables, close together, though.

    http://www.brasseriebaerengra ben.ch/

    Slowpoke

    Sandra59
    Participant
    41 posts
    23 November 2017 at 13:47:18 #872275

    Thanks Lucas!

    Sandra59
    Participant
    41 posts
    23 November 2017 at 13:47:50 #872276

    Thanks Slowpoke!

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