switzerland where to go ?

[holidayqueen]

I have been looking at going to Switzerland for 10 days in September. I was thinking of the escorthed rail tour done by inghams travel. They do a swiss panoramic tour or the glacier express. Has anyone done any of these? or have any opinions on Switzerland. We are into walking and sight seeing and the rail tour would give us about 3 different locations. The panoramic tour goes to Montreux, Wengen, Weggis and Lugano . The glacier does either Montreaux or Interlaken and then 4 nights Zematt and 3 in Davos. What are these places like ? Is Switzerland very expensive. If we booked a flight ourself what would be a good resort with nice town and mountains and a lake. all advice welcome.

 

[delgirl]

Hi Holidayqueen, we're off to Switzerland tomorrow for our summer hols to find some sunshine as there doesn't appear to be much of that here at the moment!

One of the most beautiful countries I've been to - clean, organised, scenery to die for, good food, good wine (they don't export much, they keep it for themselves!).

All the destinations (I haven't been to Lugano) you have listed are in very scenic areas, so the tour sounds good. Interlaken is a tourist town in between two lakes (Inter - between, Laken - lakes). We have a house near there and go there mainly for hiking. There are loads of sign-posted hiking trails in that area with varying degrees of difficulty.

Switzerland's cost of living is about the same as Ireland's.

Maybe for your first trip you should try the tour and next time just book yourselves and hire a car?

 

[casiopea]

Hi there,

Everything youve listed is lovely. I would perhaps steer clear of Jungfraujoch simply as its so touristy. Interlaken is beautiful (eventhough touristy it is worth a visit) and great for sports. Davos is lovely and one of my favourite places but more skiing and winter sports. Somewhere Id really recommend you to go for the time of year is the Engadine national park on the way there you could stop in the town/village of Scoul that has a lovely spa called the Roman/Irish baths (though to this day Im not certain what the irish component of it is) - the spa you will need to prebook.

This is a very helpful website: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/home

Cost of living wise I find it the same as home here - but one thing to watch out for - the public transport is amazing but as a tourist it is expensive. Living here we have "half tax cards" which half the cost of all travel but coming as a tourist you will pay the full far, you may find that a cost you hadnt anticipated. If you are here for a month it would be worth while to go for a half tax card.

if there are any specific questions you have feel free to pm.

 

[noel 2006]

I recently spent a week each in Wengen and Zermatt. Both are excellent for walking. Wengen is particularly good as it is very easy to get to a several other places easily by the very efficient railway system.