Mountain holiday - suggestions?

[taipo]

We're planning to have a holiday in the mountains somewhere next summer. Thinking of Austria or Switzerland or anywhere with spectacular mountain scenery, but with plenty of easy walks and activities for dc (7 and 9). Has anyone got any suggestions?

Saas Fee springs to mind although a lot of the mountain walks can be rocky and it is rugged and stunning rather than alpine meadows and pretty iyswim. They do a kids activity programme in the high season (ie Circus Day) and there is a climbing circuit in the trees with zip wires (like Go Ape) and a really good summer toboggan run. Indoor pool if weather isn't so good (can get stormy in late afternoons in the Alps). Chamonix is nearer Geneva if a much busier resort. Lech in Austria and the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland are probably more typically pretty areas. If you check out websites for the larger resorts you should find several similar.

Thanks! I like the look of Saas Fee particularly as it is car-free. We will probably be travelling by train.

Any others?

What about Wengen in switzerland, much smaller than Saas Fee, but also car free. It does have the big meadows too!

Isn't there a MNer who runs mountain safaris or something in somewhere like Croatia?

Zernez on the edge of the Swiss national park. Its beautiful, and very, very interesting. You can do some nice walking and some more challenging stuff if you like. They also have some manageable bike paths. THere is a good visitor centre for the National Park (good for a wet day) which even my 3 yr old found interesting. It shows you where you can see different types of wildlife in the park and Zernez also has a good playground (not sure if 7 & 9 year olds still like playgrounds though) and a swimming pool with indoor and outdoor bit (for wet days). Its close to St Moritz, a drive over a pass into Süd Tirol (N.Italy) which also has a lot of interesting things to do, castles to visit and plenty of activities. We have just spent a few days in these areas while driving from Venice back to Zurich and will definitely go back.

lol Wengen is in Bernese Oberlnd ! Not a much specifically for kids but lovely area with lots of more gentle walks and spectacular train rides.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I can't wait to smell that mountain air

Consider the USA - there are fab places to go, with superb levels of service and activities.

Samoens in France is my favourite mountain area. Small historic town with facilities surrounded by spectacular scenery. Quite easy to reach by car (1 hour from Geneva) Wengen in Switzerland also very good - or alternatively Grindelwald - in same area but you can travel around from there more easily than Wengen.