Switzerland Thread?

[hornbri 1400]

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. 

[texasdago 7575]

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.

[52-80 19194]

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

[rage-a-holic 4408]

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.

[Pato del Muerto 52531]

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, 2022 by Pato del Muerto

[texasdago 7575]

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.

[sidis 9832]

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, 2022 by sidis

[Pato del Muerto 52531]

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, 2022 by Pato del Muerto

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19122]

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.  

[Telegraph_it 3358]

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. 

[Your Mom 4824]

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.  

 

[lemonlime 5503]

Zinal

[lemonlime 5503]

Zinal

[texasdago 7575]

Saas Fee... a stout 5900 ft ski vertical with glaciers and summer skiing. 

[JCHIL 414]

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.

[elfenix 34329]

Montreux is the most ridiculously beautiful place I've ever been



Also, Freddie

[Telegraph_it 3358]

Lucerne is not too shabby either. Although the weather can change quick. 


 

And the Matterhorn is a beautiful beast. 
 

 

[hornbri 1400]

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. 

[VABuckeye 2472]

Did you get to Lucerne?  Beautiful city.

[LonghornJones 837]

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.

 

[Pato del Muerto 52531]

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. 

[HouTex 1887]

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).  

[bigcigar 1164]

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?

[hornbri 1400]

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.

[bigcigar 1164]

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.

[HouTex 1887]

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.

[VABuckeye 2472]

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.

[JCHIL 414]

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, 2023 by JCHIL

[HenryJames 66133]

 

[rage-a-holic 4408]

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.

 

[rage-a-holic 4408]

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.

 

 

.

[rage-a-holic 4408]

Above Wengen

[rage-a-holic 4408]

View of Wengen from our Hotel Schonegg patio

 

Hike down to Lauterbrunnen

 

Kleine Scheidegg

 

Llamas near Wengen

 

Jungfraujoch glacier

[Woland 734]

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.

 

[texasdago 7575]

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

[Biff Tannen 45692]

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)

 

[Woland 734]

We’ve been in Switzerland for a little over a week now. These are from our first day in Geneva.

[jimmyjazz 45992]

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.

[Woland 734]

Bern

[Woland 734]

Giessbach, St. Beatus-Höhlen Cave, Thun

[elfenix 34329]

Alps are the prettiest place on earth

 

[seven 1367]

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. 

[KingBobo81 535]

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 by KingBobo81
I am an idiot and didn't differentiate some of these are in Austria.

[elfenix 34329]

Worth the hike

 

 

 

 

[HenryJames 66133]

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?

[brownboy 45]

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.

[Woland 734]

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.

[HenryJames 66133]

Flying in and out of Zurich March 13-21. 

[Woland 734]

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.