Where to stay for easy day trips & itinerary help!

Hi all! I am so excited to be planning my upcoming trip!

A friend and I are going at the end of August (we are locked into the dates as we'll be in Europe for a wedding). We know that we want to start the trip in Zurich, and finish the trip on the Italian side of the Alps (perhaps Lake Como?) but everything else is to be decided. We'll be doing the whole trip via rail/public transport. I have been doing a lot of research, and have several issues. The first is that apparently I want to see everything! Sadly, I know is not possible.

The second (and what I am hoping I can get some help with) is that I'm not sure what can be accessed from one place. For example, if we stay in the Lake Geneva area for several days, is it possible to take day trips to see the Matterhorn, or Gruyeres? I guess my issue is that I don't want us to be unpacking and repacking and checking in and out every single day. We'll have about 8 nights in Switzerland, and I don't want to feel like we are spending most of it in-transit. If we spend 2 nights in Zurich and then move on, I was thinking we'd spend 3 nights each somewhere.... the question is where? We want to get a sampling of Switzerland-- the food, the drink, the activities... I am particularly interested in sampling all the cheese! (Recommendations on villages/locations for the best raclette?) We like hiking, but nothing crazy (no camping!). I think we want to see the big attractions, but also do some off-the beaten-path type things. I'm really feeling overwhelmed, so any advice would be very welcome.

Advance thanks to anyone who takes the time to read and respond!

Hi Seajay-

I see that you want everything in 8 days.

Not so easy. ;-)

This may help:

www.myswissalps.com/ge ttingstarted

My advice -start at Luzern. Or, start in the Lauterbrunnen valley:

www.myswissalps.com/be rneseoberland

The time table will help a lot, as will a map.

www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

map.search.ch/

At that tme of year, allf Switzerland is full of tourists.

Try to book ahead after you have an itinerary in mind.

slowpoke

<<" I am particularly interested in sampling all the cheese! (Recommendations on villages/locations for the best raclette?)">>

Hi SeaJay-

Forgot to welcome you to My Swiss Alps on the earlier post.

Raclette is a winter meal. .

You will certainly find it when you travel, but, perhaps less commonly than in the winter. Places frequented by tourists have raclette all year 'round.

The show dairy in Affoltern in Emmental will sell you every kind of cheese made in Switzerland -

www.emmentaler.ch/othe r/show-dairy.html

and-

www.myswitzerland.com/ en/emmental-aoc-show-dairy.html

Slowpoke

Thank you, Slowpoke!

If we were to spend several nights in Zurich, it seems from the rail schedules that it would be easy enough to take a train to Lucerne and back for a day. Am I right about that?

And if we spend several nights near Interlaken, it seems that we could go to/from Montreaux, Gruyeres, & Zermatt. Or am I missing something? As I said, we want to avoid packing/repacking every single day, but if it makes more sense to spend a couple days in each region then that's the way to go.

That's a bummer about raclette being a winter meal! But thank you for telling me so I can manage my expectations.

Hi Seajay-

You are quite welcome.

Zürich has excellent train connections to all of Switzerland. It is my favorite city, but only after many visits to get to know it.

Luzern rewards the first time traveler with a more beautiful and varied environment. More varied and easily accessible scenic or interesting places. It is 45 minutes by train from Zürich twice per hour. Train connections are pretty good, as well.

www.myswissalps.com/wh eretogo

Travel from Interlaken as you mentioned would work. Some of those train rides are especially scenic.

Do not miss the Jungfrau region while in or near Interrlaken.

www.myswissalps.com/be rneseoberland

www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfrauregion

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

www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/tips-about-wengen-and-the-jungfrau-region-by-kim/page/2

Slowpoke

You'll find raclette easily. But, some of the very best places, such as Chez Crettol in Küssnacht near Zürich may not be open in the summer.

The kitchen at the Hotel Adler, where I stay in Zürich, does raclette and fondue all year. (No air conditioning; noisy with the windows open in summer.) You could eat there, but reserve a table. It is very popular, easily accessible in a tourist-heavy neighborhood, the Niederdorf.

THANK YOU! There is some good stuff here! I am sure that once I thoroughly review I will have more questions... but in the meantime, thanks!

<<"once I thoroughly review I will have more questions... but in the meantime, thanks!">>

You are welcome.

Hope it helps.

Give a shout if you need more information

Slowpoke