Switzerland

[spokette]

We are thinking about going to Switzerland in August with our 3yo DTS. I don't know anyone who has been to Switzerland on holiday in summer so am I correct in thinking that it is not a popular summer destination?

I have been to Basel on business and that is my only experience of the country.

In terms of scenic views etc, would appreciate advice on best areas to go, especially for seeing mountains, lakes etc. DH mentioned Interlaken so any advice on that area would be appreciated. Also, is it possible to holiday in Switzerland cheaply (ie value but decent accommodation)?

TIA

I have been in the summer, camping in Lauterbrunen in the valley below the Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch mountains. It's a really stunning and lovely place to go in the summer, and not so busy although you get a fair few walkers and campers etc.

Fab to ride the trains, and go up to the Jungfraujoch glacier where it's very easy to do some summer skiing or enjoy the novelty of mucking about on snow in warm August weather.

The hotels round there are definitely all open in the summer, and I'm sure there'd be something good value but still nice. Or using Interlaken as a base would be possible and daytripping from there I think. Swiss Travel centre in London may be able to help you over the phone or by email?

www.stc.co.uk/

Interlaken is lovely, a good base. we stayed in a hotel near lake thun. the lake was great for swimming.

though this was in 1984.

I'm not sure about the cheaply bit but there are lots of nice places to go.

Personally I'm not that keen on Interlaken itself but it may be a good base to explore other areas. You can easily get trains from there up to Grindelwald (touristy but also pretty village which in summer will have all the buildings sporting masses of red geraniums from the window boxes) and to see the Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch. Or there are some quite nice waterfalls to visit - get train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and then a bus. Also there are boat rides on the two lakes either side of Interlaken, and some museums nearby.

I like Luzern better. It's a city (although very small one) so there's more to see in the city itself. Nice lake for boat trips and mountains around. Mind you there is a nice train route through the mountains from Interlaken to Luzern so maybe you could visit if you stayed in Interlaken. Luzern also has the Transport Musuem which is very popular in Switzerland. I haven't taken my 3 yo but my friend has been with hers and said he was very interested and it was hands-on enough to keep his attention. May be something to keep in mind for the days when you've had enough of the lakes and mountains.

August is a nice time to go - it should be hot and reasonably dry (not last year but generally speaking).

I could witter on for ages but maybe it's better I just point you in the direction of this website and then say I'll be happy to answer any more questions.

www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/home

I live in Basel by the way - it's not a very good representation of Switzerland as a holiday destination!

I've been to Switzerland in the summer - it was lovely. Interlaken would be a great base, getting the ferry is like a mini-cruise in the hot weather! Montreux is a good day out as well - we always spend a day there when we go, there is usually market stalls along the lakeside even when there isn't a festival on. We base ourselves near Sion in Valais, but only because my auntie who lives in CH has a flat there we can use for free

If you are taking a car or hiring one then there are loads of places you can go, we like Chamonix in France, Locarno, Bern and Nyon for days out.

Oooh oooh just remembered, the St Bernard Dogs home on the top of the Col du Grand Saint Bernard pass (near Italian border) is fab for a day out with kids - very dicey road up there though and it is always cold up there even in the summer. Worth it though, we all loved it and the scenery on the way up is spectacular

Many thanks for the detailed replies and please keep them coming.

We want to be based somewhere where we can take the train to travel to various sites of interest. During the day, we want to see mountains, lakes, do lots of walking, enjoy breathtaking scenary but also have somewhere where the twins (who will be four by then) can relax, play etc. We will not be taking a car so will be reliant on public transport.

In the evening, we would like to eat out a couple of times as well as at the hotel, walk round a little before heading back to the hotel. The boys are usually in bed by 7pm so we are hoping that we can extend this to 8.30 or even 9pm but I suspect they will be very tired.

Also, recommendations for family hotel (2,3 or 4 stars) where we can all be in one room would really be appreciated.

Many, many thanks. This is really helpful.

Oh you must get rail passes - dh and I have done this a couple of times. They are also valid on the ferries. A great day out is train to Geneva - then ferry on the lake to Lausanne or Vevey or anywhere really, then train back to wherever you are based. It is absolutely brilliant and your dt's will love it. If I were you I would take buggies even if they don't use them because they can sleep in them if they get tired at night and you can have a couple more hours

All the trains in CH run so smoothly, we have taken loads and have probably been held up once in all that time.

We always stay in the same place so can't help with hotels, but will be right back with details of rail passes... also if you fly to Geneva you can buy the rail passes at the train station there and then get the train easily from the airport to pretty much anywhere in CH.

Haven't been recently but We had several family holidays in Interlaken when I lived at home and I have wonderful memories. My Sister took her own family back a couple of years ago and had a great time.

Swiss Rail Pass

Only just found this. I can recommend the Thunersee (Lake Thun) area - near Interlaken, but nicer and less touristy, with lots of lovely towns and villages spread out along the lake. Lots of activities on the lake, and railway station (and fab shops ) in Thun itself. About 20 min south of Bern. Brilliant walking (nothing too strenuous) in the hills either side of the lake. Love Switzerland - so clean, so efficient, not a slave to 'modernisation' - all lovely for those of us who spend our lives in inner London!

Can I pitch in with a vote for Zermatt? Beautiful, car-free village with lots of hiking and of course, the Matterhorn.

One of my favourite summer destinations.

Try living here, CCM! There's a price to pay for all that.... Would second Lauterbrunnen and Lake Thun, definitely. And don't miss out on Lucerne. Cheapest are youth hostels- there are loads which cater for families.

We lived there for several years with small kids and took the opprotunity to explore. Agree with aDad Bernese Oberland is very traditional - Wengen or Grindelwald in the mountains or Interlaken(if you like a town) by 2 lakes and accessible to mountains are great. Also Saas Fee has public kids activities in high season , with childcare, and Arosa (iirc) plus there are family orientated hotels throughout . Zermatt is lovely but think less suitable for little ones overall. This is a good starting point - we've stayed in several and known friends do others although not cheap - or contact the tourist office of any resort and they'll send back a list of suitable accommodation in your budget. Basle is so not typical btw !