Another off topic Trip Report > Switzerland

[jmq]

OK - inspired by Linne's excellent OT TR and photos and FlipFlop where to go question, plus the fact that when I posted some off topic comments & photos re this same trip on the regular board back 5 months ago, several of you (including Anthony) enjoyed them.

So, here is part 1 of a full off topic trip report with loads of photos. I wrote this for a friend who wanted all my info so it includes many links that I used to help plan the trip.

2007 SWISS TRIP REPORT May 23 - June 1
Newark > Geneva > Montreux 2 nights > Wengen 4 nights > Lucerne 2 nights > Zurich back to Newark.

Tried to use a travel agent recommended by Swiss travel office but her pricing was $1300 more than what I was able to do on my own with the help of tripadvisor.com Swiss forum plus the wonderful printed materials/brochures/maps you order through myswitzerland.com.

Also seems as if every Swiss region/town/hotel/attraction etc. has its own well designed website and all responded promptly to email, so if you have the time, trip planning is doable on your own. For me, beats watching dumb TV at night.

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/home

http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/guide/by_areas.html

We weren't as well prepared for that overnight flight as some other Transatlantic veterans we saw on the plane with their eyeshades, earplugs, neck pillows etc. Surprising number of young children on our flight considering it was midweek end of May.

Arrive Geneva morning May 24, each of collect our rolling duffles, hit ATM machine for chF (Swiss Francs) on short walk down to train station, get our pre-purchased in USA 8 day Swiss passes/family card activated, figure out where to put bags on nearly empty train, enjoy lakeside ride (note plenty of vineyards) to Montreux.

http://www.montreuxtourism.ch/index.cfm?&Langue=en

Exit station, stop in CoOp for drinks/snack and first taste of small to-go Movenpick ice cream - wow is that tasty. Consult map I had preprinted to note where Eden Palace might be, looks like walk not bad, mostly downhill.

Let us check in early (think it was before noon). Had emailed them a few days prior to arrival regarding self guided day trip to Gruyeres and Broc as Chocolate Train wasn't running yet. Didn't hear back before we left, but at check in, they handed over a printed up schedule and some tips, apologizing they hadn't responded earlier. Later they helped me re-book a reservation on the Golden Pass train.

http://www2.edenpalace.ch/en/index.html

We had a corner room on the 5th floor. Very very clean (to become a trend), great views. Had a great lunch outside in their restaurant overlooking the lake.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 2690"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/jmackq/RnfTd75zML ... 1.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 6994"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/jmackq/RnfTSb5zMG ... t.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 3778"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RnfTfr5zMM ... 1.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 9746"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RnfTkr5zMP ... 1.JPG"></a>

Beautiful weather, warm about 80F. Enjoyed 40 min walk down to Castle de Chillion, toured castle, wanted to catch lake boat back but timing was bad, so took train back.

http://www.chillon.ch/en/

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 8402"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RnfTyr5zMU ... 2.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 2546"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RnfUSr5zMk ... 1.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 8434"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/jmackq/RnfT775zMZ ... 2.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 8466"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/RnfUFL5zMe ... 1.JPG"></a>

We all enjoyed jetlag nap then went next door to market for cheese, bread, crackers, and wine to enjoy sunset on balcony overlooking Lake Geneva.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 6066"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/RopLv9zBkc ... 1.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 8018"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RnfUkr5zMu ... 1.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 1522"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/jmackq/RnfUjb5zMt ... 1.JPG"></a>

Next day hotel help yourself breakfast was very good, lots of variety. Another very warm day, early train out to Montboven for connection to Gruyeres was a Golden Pass Classic, train car was quite charming inside, great views as you climb above lake.

Explored Gruyeres, onto Broc through Bulle to Callier chocolate factory. True what they say - exit train and follow your nose to factory. We tried many samples, most were outstanding, bought favorites at outlet store near tiny rail station.

http://www.chateau-gruyeres.ch/e/index.html

http://www.gruyeres.ch/

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 3042"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/RopLa9zBkS ... 3.JPG"></a>

Back to Gruyeres, wonderful late lunch in town with great view, cheese plate, soup, very good local wine, and first fondue. Went to another place near castle for the famous regional berries and cream for desert.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 2786"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RopLhdzBkV ... 4.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 6834"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RopLcdzBkT ... 0.JPG"></a>

Again enjoy cheese and wine sunset on balcony overlooking Lake Geneva. We also enjoy Movenpick again from ice cream stand on lake near Eden Palace.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 4514"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/jmackq/RnfUl75zMv ... 2.JPG"></a>

Sat 26th check out cab up to train station (would be tougher walk uphill with luggage) for Golden Pass Panoramic train to Interlaken. Some snacks and drinks from CoOp for ride. Cloudy much cooler rain threatening weather obscured some of scenery but enjoyed ride. Briefly considered stopping off in Gstaad for lunch etc. but didn't want to be dragging luggage through town. Maybe a friendly shopkeeper would've stowed it for us for a couple of hours?

http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/GoldenP ... .html?&L=2

http://www.goldenpass.ch/GPL/main.asp

Hungry by the time we got to Interlaken Ost, had time to go upstairs to cafeteria style restaurant in huge CoOp across from station for sandwiches & salads and first taste of that great local beer Rugenbrau.

Valley train to Lauterbrunnen, cogwheel train up to Wengen, picked up by cart from Alpenrose for ride down to hotel. Beautiful clean room on 3rd floor looks recently remodeled, great views. Have breakfast and dinner meal plan here, glad we did as quality of food was outstanding and seemed like slim pickings in town (shoulder season between ski and summer).

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 1858"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/Rzsonfm-OO ... 9.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 6226"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/jmackq/RopONNzBlZ ... 5.JPG"></a>

http://www.alpenrose.ch/SiteAlpenrose.html

View from cogwheel train
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 6258"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/jmackq/RopPXNzBlz ... 4.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 7314"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/jmackq/RopO9NzBlp ... 1.JPG"></a>

yes they allow regular dogs, food, and even beer on trains no problem - everybody cleans up after themselves so everything stays clean as can be.

Views of the stunning Lauterbrunnen Valley

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 7218"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RopNXdzBlC ... 8.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 4578"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/jmackq/RopN8tzBlS ... 7.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 4914"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/RopPb9zBl1 ... 7.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 9234"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/jmackq/RopPZtzBl0 ... 1.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 0130"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/RopIl9zBjs ... 1.JPG"></a>

Day 4 cloudy cool rainy weather, decided to go over to other side of valley to stage ourselves in Murren in case weather breaks and we can go up to the Schilthorn. Cogwheel down to valley, gondola up the other side to Grutschlap, hike over to Murren.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 4898"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/jmackq/Ropc5tzBmf ... 4.JPG"></a>

Great lunch and beer in town.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 3906"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/RopMj9zBkt ... 2.JPG"></a>

Clouds start to break up a bit so we go up to Schilthorn. Not totally clear, but we are above and even with the clouds as they play pretty dramatic peek a boo with surrounding mountains.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 8642"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/RopOA9zBlU ... 7.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 8194"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RopPqdzBl8 ... 1.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 4610"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RopOYdzBld ... 4.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 6770"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/jmackq/RopOStzBlb ... 3.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 7602"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/RopO_9zBlr ... 1.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 7362"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/jmackq/RopPiNzBl4 ... 3.jpg"></a>

Tasty hot chocolate at Piz Gloria revolving restaurant. It was very cold up there, considering how hot it was in Montreux and Gruyeres.

Down from Schilthorn to small alpine village of Gimmelwald where we came upon cute Alpine cheese hut, owner giving samples and explaining "Alpenkase" was from last summer when his cows grazed up in that field etc. just like in the ricksteves.com video and book.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 7874"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/RopPL9zBlv ... 1.JPG"></a>

Gimmelwald rush hour
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 5538"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/jmackq/RopM0dzBkz ... 1.JPG"></a>

Well marked hiking trails
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... 4338"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/jmackq/RopOe9zBlf ... 4.JPG"></a>

End part 1

[sea-nile]

Awesome pictures and report!
I was there in 1976. It is beautiful there.

[liamsaunt]

Oh man, I have to go to Switzerland. I love cheese!

What are those long thin stick like things next to the fondue in the picture where your wife is sitting near the rail of the restuarant? Is that bread?

Excellent photos as always!

[jmq]

Under her hands? Not sure. I'll have to ask her and/or look at the video. In the foreground plate, along with the grapes, those are local cheeses and some type of local thin sliced cured ham (whatever they call that in Switzerland).

Most of the cheese in country is not pasturized - only the exported stuff is. Very pure tastes.

They also do not make enough of the local beers and wines to export much of it. We had a great local Gruyeres region white wine with that meal. There are also some chocolates they dont export, along with that sensational Movenpick ice cream.

The food, beer, and wine was a delightful surprise. And awesome baked goods everywhere. We thought that it would be mostly bratwurst and the like. You have some of the French influence in the southwest, Italian in the southeast, and German in north and central part of the country.

[jmq]

I just googled Movenpick ice cream - still not distributed to the US (wah!) and in Switzerland, you can get the coolest little to go containers in the equivalent of a 7-11 store.

This was our fav

http://www.moevenpick-icecream.com/en/f ... tella.aspx

This one wasnt available when we were there, but looks/sounds like a great ice cream version of the famous Gruyeres cream desert we had.

http://www.moevenpick-icecream.com/en/f ... ngues.aspx

[AnyTing]

Very nice! And "wow," some great photos as always. I can't tell you why, but the pic with the cows is my favorite. Thanks for sharing.

[jmq]

Thanks Vicki - that cow pic was literally shot from the hip as I juggled the Canon and the video camera.

[Nic in KC]

Wonderful pictures! I'm loving these OT trip reports. They are making me want to plan more trips though!!

[pjayer]

Great trip report. I told some friends of mine about it the day you posted and am forwarding it to them. Great pictures, too. Thanks.

[bayer40601]

Marvelous pictures and great report. That's a place I would like to see, up close and personal.

[California Girl]

Gorgeous scenery and the food descriptions and photos are making my stomach growl! The Lauterbrunnen Valley and the falls sure can give Yosemite and Bridal Veil falls a run for the money!

[jmq]

CG -

The Lauterbrunnen Valley and the falls sure can give Yosemite and Bridal Veil falls a run for the money!

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is like Yosemite on steroids, except more accessible, with gondola lifts up to the "shelf town" of Murren 4000 ft up on one side, and a cogwheel train to the village of Wengen on the other side of the valley. No cars allowed in either village. Plus, I think the valley has 70+ waterfalls.

If you have Google Earth downloaded, very cool to "fly" through at a tilted angle, where this still image is from.

[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Swit ... y.jpg"></a>[/img]

[sea-nile]

Liamsaunt said: Oh man, I have to go to Switzerland. I love cheese!

Just come to Wisconsin! We have GREAT cheese!