Switzerland, Austria or Italy?

[Monvelo]

Please help me narrow down my searching! Family holiday, 2 adults, 2 primary aged kids. To go either May half term or early summer. We are looking for somewhere to experience mountain scenery, lakes and rivers, nature, that is accessible. We'd like to feel slightly adventurous but secretly it's not all that adventurous, i.e. not risky. We want to use trains and buses, not drive. One base or multiple. Any suggestions?

I second the Lauterbrunnen suggestion, though it is more expensive than the others. I went there earlier this year, then went to the French Alps a few weeks later. France was SO much cheaper. Transport was better in Switzerland, though. Railways and cable cars vs buses.

I've heard good things about the wildlife in the black forest too, it's somewhere I'd love to go but again I'm thinking it needs a car. I don't mind hiring a car somewhere for a few days if the driving vibe is not manic.

Really appreciate the suggestions!

Have a look at Alpine Elements in Morzine or Les Gets. Beautiful area and they sort out a lot of the logistics for you, including transport, so you don't need a car and can pick and choose how hardcore you want your activities to be. The hotel we stayed in was really well run and we were well looked after.

Really recommended for primary / teenage kids. Probably less available for preschool or younger ages.

We’ve done Morzine with teens a couple of times and really like it but in the summer and it was a bit too hot this time. During MayHT it’s not really open as it’s in between ski & summer. You would struggle then I think. In summer we only used the hire car to get to Morzine from Geneva then just used the free buses with the “pass” which includes the pool & lots other things in the area.

For those that mention black forest can you give some idea of town names and the best place to fly into as I don’t know Germany at all. Thanks

Italy- absolutely stunning, especially Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast.

Switzerland- Lake Geneva with the Chateau Chillion is stunning. Very easy to get the train from the airport and to Bern for a day trip.

Austria- Salzburg is on my list!

May I throw Lake Bled in Slovenia into the mix. My 4 and 6 year old managed to 6km walk right round it, loved swimming in the lake and travelling by boat to the central island. Fantastic day trip to Vintgar Gorge. Other day trips possible too. You can do loads at Lake Bled at a very relaxing pace in 3-4 days.

Have fun, all stunning countries!

Could I second this…I am very keen to learn more about the Black Forest 🙏🏻

I didn't like Interlaken itself but the villages above it via little trains are amazing e.g. Wengen, Grindelwald. But you need to be able to afford the cable car/train pass, and check they are open in May.