April 18, 20223 yr I did a search but did not find one related to Switzerland. The wife and I are going next week for a Wedding, flying into/out of Geneva. Spending 1 night in Interlaken, 2 nights in Ascona, and 3 nights in Geneva. I have only been once before for work, looking for recommendations on anything that is can’t miss and any restaurants to hit up.
April 18, 20223 yr Been to Zurich three times... but you're not going to be in that area. My last visit to CH was skiing up in the Saastal. Saas-Fee is nice and great for skiing but if you're going to be in that area, maybe go up to Zermatt instead. Lots of little wineries as you leave Geneva that make some great wine. That's really all I have for you. Be ready for the sticker shock on food.
April 18, 20223 yr 5 minutes ago, texasdago said: That's really all I have for you. Be ready for the sticker shock on food. I never get sticker shock in Switzerland. Only afterwards, when leaving Switzerland, for something like Italy. In grindelwald theres a cliff walk thats pretty cool
April 18, 20223 yr 22 minutes ago, hornbri said: I did a search but did not find one related to Switzerland. The wife and I are going next week for a Wedding, flying into/out of Geneva. Spending 1 night in Interlaken, 2 nights in Ascona, and 3 nights in Geneva. I have only been once before for work, looking for recommendations on anything that is can’t miss and any restaurants to hit up. There is a lot of cool stuff to see and do around Lauterbrunnen (near Interlaken), but 1 night there is way too tight.
April 18, 20223 yr We took a train down to belinzona and walked the old castle grounds. The little town is cute as well. Very italian, as it’s not far above lake como. Edited April 18, 20223 yr by Pato del Muerto
April 18, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, 52-80 said: I never get sticker shock in Switzerland. Only afterwards, when leaving Switzerland, for something like Italy. In grindelwald theres a cliff walk thats pretty cool I mean, you go in expecting it but its like a reminder every single time you get the check.
April 18, 20223 yr 3 hours ago, hornbri said: I did a search but did not find one related to Switzerland. The wife and I are going next week for a Wedding, flying into/out of Geneva. Spending 1 night in Interlaken, 2 nights in Ascona, and 3 nights in Geneva. I have only been once before for work, looking for recommendations on anything that is can’t miss and any restaurants to hit up. the night in interlaken, take the train up to either lauterbrunnen or grindelwald. both have incredible hikes. here are some pix from the hike through the lauterbrunnen valley and then back across the mountain ridge from a few years back. some pics from lugano from the same trip at the bottom. Edited April 18, 20223 yr by sidis
April 18, 20223 yr https://www.jungfrau.ch/de-ch/grindelwaldfirst/first-cliff-walk-by-tissot/ https://www.adventure-hostel.com/2020/05/16/the-thrilling-cliff-walk-in-switzerland/ Edited April 18, 20223 yr by Pato del Muerto
April 18, 20223 yr I have only spent one night in Zurich, but will be going to Geneva soon for work. Will follow this thread and hope for good hints.
April 19, 20223 yr Lucerne. I definitely recommend going to Lucerne and eating at Geissmatt. Also the sightseeing train (Glacier Express) between Zermatt and St. Moritz is never a bad idea.
April 19, 20223 yr Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Grindelwald are amazing. My kids and I did a kayak tour on Lake Brienz. A couple days later we took a tram up the mountain from Grinelwald to Mannlichen and hiked across to the Kleine Scheidegg for lunch right under the Eiger and then took the cable car back down to Grindelwald. Definitely one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been. Hiking is like a national pastime up there and they’ve cut all these trails to connect every little village on the mountain. Big wide smooth trails, easy for a casual walk from town to town. A very different experience than if you said you were going hiking over here.
April 19, 20223 yr Ascona - Highly recommend Ristorante Seven Ascona on the boardwalk of Lake Maggiore. A Michelin guide pick. Had a really nice meal there almost a decade ago so nothing current but the view of the lake was as good as the food. Super creative menu.
May 2, 20223 yr Lucerne is not too shabby either. Although the weather can change quick. And the Matterhorn is a beautiful beast.
May 4, 20223 yr Author Flying back now, what a beautiful country. We drove from Geneva to Interlaken to Ascona back to Geneva, the views are just breathtaking everywhere. Seriously has to be one of the prettiest places on Earth. We lucked out and had 7 days of sunshine and great weather. Highly recommend.
May 4, 20223 yr I did this bungy jump in Interlaken. 450' of insanity. I couldn't do it again, but I'm really glad I did it in my youth.
May 4, 20223 yr 37 minutes ago, hornbri said: Seriously has to be one of the prettiest places on Earth. Yup. Took a train, so had the ability to really look instead of paying attention to the road. Just gorgeous all over.
May 5, 20223 yr The canton of Ticino is fabulous. Italian culture with Swiss benefits and without the baggage of Italy. Lugano is the Swiss version of Lake Como (it’s just over the border).
May 15, 20232 yr On 5/4/2022 at 8:36 PM, HouTex said: The canton of Ticino is fabulous. Italian culture with Swiss benefits and without the baggage of Italy. Lugano is the Swiss version of Lake Como (it’s just over the border). Headed to that area in 2 weeks (ascona). Have boat on lake maggiore one day and a car another day - any tips?
May 15, 20232 yr Author 19 hours ago, bigcigar said: Headed to that area in 2 weeks (ascona). Have boat on lake maggiore one day and a car another day - any tips? So jealous. I think this might be one of the most beautiful places in the world.
May 16, 20232 yr 19 hours ago, hornbri said: So jealous. I think this might be one of the most beautiful places in the world. I have a car for a day and just saw the passes I was hoping to drive open the day I leave. Do you think it would be worth driving to higher altitude (zermatt or st moritz) or cruising around lakes / possibly como area.
May 16, 20232 yr On 5/14/2023 at 9:27 PM, bigcigar said: Headed to that area in 2 weeks (ascona). Have boat on lake maggiore one day and a car another day - any tips? Depends on how long you will be there. Car travel is easy. You can drive north to Locarno and even though it’s still Ticino it has a more traditional Swiss feel vs Lugano. You can drive south to Milan and get good Northern Italian food and great shopping. If you go there go see DeVinci’s The Last Supper and the Duomo. Watch where you park in Milan so you don’t get booted and then have your car broken into during your walk to the police station to pay the $40 fine. Been there done that. I doubt there’s much to do in St. Moritz this time of year—maybe hiking, but the drive there is spectacular. I’m guessing the valleys have greened up by now and they should be beautiful all over Switzerland. I never made the trip to Zermat, but I’m guessing the drive there is also fabulous. Just now, bigcigar said: I have a car for a day and just saw the passes I was hoping to drive open the day I leave. Do you think it would be worth driving to higher altitude (zermatt or st moritz) or cruising around lakes / possibly como area. Our posts just crossed. The answer is yes.
May 16, 20232 yr 37 minutes ago, HouTex said: You can drive south to Milan and get good Northern Italian food Or head to Turin and hit the Piedmonte region for GREAT northern Italian food.
May 16, 20232 yr 53 minutes ago, bigcigar said: I have a car for a day and just saw the passes I was hoping to drive open the day I leave. Do you think it would be worth driving to higher altitude (zermatt or st moritz) or cruising around lakes / possibly como area. I highly recommend driving to the Verzasca River/Valley up to the medieval town of Lavertezzo - very small town with a church - cool architecture. There is a double arched stone bridge near Lavertezzo that was built in the 1300's....We visited the river in August so it was warm weather. River is stunning aquamarine color and great place to sunbathe or swim, hike or picnic - water is butt ass cold though - like a polar bear plunge. We visited here from Lake Maggiore and then drove to Lake Como in one long day. Have fun! Edited May 16, 20232 yr by JCHIL
June 7, 20232 yr On 4/18/2022 at 9:36 PM, Pato del Muerto said: https://www.jungfrau.ch/de-ch/grindelwaldfirst/first-cliff-walk-by-tissot/ https://www.adventure-hostel.com/2020/05/16/the-thrilling-cliff-walk-in-switzerland/ In actuality, the entire thing is jam packed with 900 chinese/indians hogging every inch of space because they absolutely have to document every second of their lives via selfie. The end point looks like this.....100 selfish assholes who spend 5 minutes each taking selfies, so you get to stand in line for an hour, even for just a quick photo.
June 9, 20232 yr Quick drone video at First/Bachalpsee. I got very few decent videos due to the wind up there blowing my Mavic Mini all over the fucking place. DJI_0160.MP4 .
June 9, 20232 yr View of Wengen from our Hotel Schonegg patio Hike down to Lauterbrunnen Kleine Scheidegg Llamas near Wengen Jungfraujoch glacier
November 29, 20232 yr Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. We will be in Switzerland for two weeks next May. We have friends who live just outside of Geneva so that will be our home base and point of departure for excursions. I don't know what our friends will plan, but I imagine we will do some overnight short trips away from Geneva.
November 29, 20232 yr 49 minutes ago, Woland said: Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. We will be in Switzerland for two weeks next May. We have friends who live just outside of Geneva so that will be our home base and point of departure for excursions. I don't know what our friends will plan, but I imagine we will do some overnight short trips away from Geneva. About an hour and fifteen minutes from Geneva puts you in Chamonix. Take the day trip out there... hang out in town, ride the Augille di Midi cable car up Mont Blanc, take the train to the Mer de Glace. Super easy from Geneva. You can also drive out to Megeve from Geneva. Bring your stomach and lots of Euros. https://www.eater.com/22925606/best-restaurants-megeve-france-alps-apres-ski
November 30, 20232 yr Didn’t know this thread existed. Switzerland is fucking ridiculously beautiful. Just to add to the already amazing pics. St. Moritz and Pontresina in the off season (Sept 2018)
May 16, 20241 yr We’ve been in Switzerland for a little over a week now. These are from our first day in Geneva.
May 16, 20241 yr On 4/19/2022 at 9:03 AM, Telegraph_it said: Lucerne. I spent 3 days there. We took a night cruise on Lake Lucerne, and they brought out one of those long wooden Alpine horns (think "Ricola"). They parked the boat off some cliffs and the guy played a duet with his own echo. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life.
May 23, 20241 yr Spent a few days last month on a train journey from Zurich to Geneva. Stayed in Zurich one night, Lucerne one night, and two in Geneva. Rode the golden pass route from Interlaken to montraux which was a great experience. I didn't get out too much because it was raining in Zurich and snowy in Lucerne. Beautiful country, hard to believe it exists.
May 24, 20241 yr I did a week last summer driving through/stopping in Switzerland/Austria in Tyrol, Lech am Arlberg, Furstenau (ate and stayed at Schloss Schauenstein, a castle/3 Michelin star hotel/restaurant), and Lugano. Yes, Switzerland is expensive, and yes, it is worth every cent/Swiss Franc. It fucking rules. Edited May 24, 20241 yr by KingBobo81 I am an idiot and didn't differentiate some of these are in Austria.
May 25, 20241 yr Niece starts post grad at ETH Zurich in the fall so I’ll probably be going to Switzerland in the next year or so. So what is there to do after I get tired of staring at mountains?
May 26, 20241 yr Went 13 years ago and loved it. Stayed in Lasuanne and Lucern most of the time with a short stint in Zurich on the way home and did the golden pass train. Went to a bone bar and also found a Lone Star beer sign in a random bar. Rode a small train out in the country side where toilet just had a hole that went straight down to the tracks. And saw Shaggy Bevo. Europeans think Switzerland is boring. They're wrong.
May 30, 20241 yr On 5/25/2024 at 12:43 PM, HenryJames said: Niece starts post grad at ETH Zurich in the fall so I’ll probably be going to Switzerland in the next year or so. So what is there to do after I get tired of staring at mountains? Plenty of towns, villages, and chateaus to explore. Museums (if you like watches, go to the Patek Philippe museum in Geneva). Drink beer in cafes and enjoy the weather. Take a boat ride on Lake Geneva.
August 6, 20241 yr We splurged on Swiss Passes. I doubt we broke even dollar wise, but the convenience was great. I bought second-class cabin passes because of the cost but there is a benefit to second-class...you don't have to obtain tickets to reserve your seat. For second class, you just hop on any transport and they check your passes after you are on your way.
May 21May 21 Bumpity bump simply because it appears the wife and I will be going there for about a week in September, so I'm looking for recs in all regards (sites, hotels, eats, what to avoid, etc.). I've been there once before as a teenager a million years ago, but we didn't spend a ton of time in Swiss-land before heading south into Italy on that occasion, so it's going to be like seeing it again for the first time for me. Wife has never been there. We're pretty wide open in terms of where to go and what to see. Mrs. Spackler is more interested in seeing the Alps, checking out mountain villages, doing some hikes, etc., than she is in seeing cities like Zurich or Lucerne, although I wouldn't rule out the idea of spending a day in someplace like Bern or Zurich if it's worth doing so. My initial thoughts are to use Interlaken as a base for at least a few days to explore the Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Murren, etc. areas. Zermatt is a definite possibility as well. Learn me on Switzerland, oh Surlyites. This thread is helpful as is the other one about "Switzerland in the summer," but more info is always good. TIA
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