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Post by snowx15@Aol.com on May 26, 2002 0:46:30 GMT -5
I'm visiting Europe this summer and wanted to stop in Switzerland, probably only for one day and night, but wanted to know what everyone's favorite city was and why! We probably wouldn't be doing any outdoor sports, which I know is popular in Interlaken, but mostly we just want to be outside, see the scenery, etc. Thanks!
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Post by nitsansh on May 26, 2002 19:28:23 GMT -5
Luzern is ideal for one-day stop. explore the city for half-day, and take a boat on the lake or go to a mountain-top the rest of the day.
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Post by Kim on May 26, 2002 22:45:29 GMT -5
I second Lucerne, it's very scenic. With the lake, covered bridges, little cafes and shops-all in all, a great experience.
Kim
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Post by thinsonjr on Aug 29, 2002 9:07:14 GMT -5
Take Rick Steves advice and go to Gimmelwald. I have been there four times. It is an incredible experience.
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Post by Greg dedman on Dec 16, 2002 18:24:23 GMT -5
Ok, so you want scenery, ive never seen scenery like in Gimmelwald! I promise youll want to stay longer than a night. You can only get there by cable car which adds to the magic of the place. The place to stay... www.mountainhostel.com UNBELIEVABLE! To get there, arrive in Interlaken, stay on the train and go to Lauterbrunnen, then a bus then a cable car which drops you off at 6000ft in the mountains and right near the hostel. |
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Post by nitsansh on Dec 16, 2002 19:16:26 GMT -5
2 notes:
1. You need to CHANGE trains at Interlaken-Ost for Lauterbrunnen. Then take a bus to Stechelberg, and the cable-car to Schilthorn (Gimmelwald is the first stop). If you travel with a railpass (other than Swiss pass) any transportation beyond Interlaken is NOT free.
2. Gimmelwald is one or two thousand feet short of 6000...
The nearby village of Murren is 5397 feet and Gimmelwald is lower...
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snorkelman
Senior Travel Member
Travel Guru
Posts: 220
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Post by snorkelman on Dec 26, 2002 17:02:12 GMT -5
I agree that Lucern is one of the “quintessential” Swiss towns. It is small, and can be seen in a day. If you simply want to be in the mountains, I suggest skipping Interlaken and taking a train just a little further to Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Grindelwald or Gimmelwald.
Lauterbrunnen, is at the bottom of the valley below Gimmelwald. It is central for the trains, has a good range of walks, a good Co-op for food shopping and is cheaper than Grindlewald.
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pam
Full Travel Member
Posts: 35
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Post by pam on Jan 4, 2003 12:39:12 GMT -5
i went to interlaken, luzern, and grindenwald....i have to go with grindenwald or interlaken, it is unreal, beauty that's never been touched!!! so peaceful, just really stunning
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Post by CuriousToronto on Mar 2, 2003 18:58:15 GMT -5
I'm totally intersted in hearing more about places to visit in Switzerland and Gimmelwald in particular. I've heard really good things about Gimmelwald but I'm worried if it's really for me. For example, are the hikes ULTRA strenuous? Or are they okay for someone who doesn't hike every weekend and stuff!? Also, is it easy to get food up there and stuff? I heard there are no places to get food up there.......... That and the Mountain Hostel website never seems to be working.  Basically I'm going to be in Paris and I'd like to visit Switzerland but it's not going to be my prime destination. I'd like to go there sometime early on (maybe August or September?) before it gets really cold. Which is the best place? Also, how long do you need for Gimmelwald if you are based out of Paris. Much appreciated!  |
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Post by Kim on Mar 2, 2003 19:43:24 GMT -5
Is this the URL you are trying for their site? www.mountainhostel.com/ Seems to be working now, so you might want to give it another try. There isn't a food store but there is a kitchen so if you bring your own food, you can cook. Murren, which is nearby, does has a store. Here's more info on the hikes: www.gimmelwald.com/hikes.htmlKim |
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Post by CuriousToronto on Mar 2, 2003 20:10:38 GMT -5
Is this the URL you are trying for their site? www.mountainhostel.com/ Seems to be working now, so you might want to give it another try. Sure............now it works!!  I've tried it on several occassions and had no luck. It's working now though........... Thanks for all the information. On a separate note: I am not receiving emails when there are replies to the topic. Why?  |
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Post by Kim on Mar 2, 2003 23:13:21 GMT -5
Down where by you see "Reply" to this message, you will see a "Notify" button-click on that and it will ask you if you want to be notified when there are responses.
It doesn't just notify you automatically-you have to do that. Bit of a pain, but that's the way it's set up.
If you have already tried that, you might want to check that your email is correct in your profile.
Of course that site is working now-isn't that always the case? ;D The minute you say something, all of a sudden it works fine!
Kim
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Post by Tony Hinson on Mar 3, 2003 8:48:38 GMT -5
There is no doubt that Gimmelwald is off the beaten path. Yes, there are no stores, but prepare for that. You can reserve dinner at Walter's, call ahead. You can hike up to Murren and eat at the restaurant or grab some food. Oh yea, leave your bags in Interlaken!
The beauty of Switz. is that within minimal miles you can be higher in elevation that anywhere in the continguous US. That makes these extrodinary steep and beautiful landscapes accessible from places like France, Germany, and Italy.
Back in 92 my wife and I were on our honeymoon, backpacking in Europe. We were in Paris and I randomly chose to spend the next night in Gimmelwald, not knowing where or what it was all about. Of course I made the usual first time mistake and ended up in Grindelwald (hint: buy a good map), but had an incredible experience finding Walter's.
Since then I have ventured back many times. Unlike the cities of Europe there is not a lot to do, except of course that new slide (hint: wear wind pants, and keep your feet up). Gimmelwald is solitude. It is special because there are no cars, no factories, no noise, only the occasional cow bell. Gimmelwald is a museum and should be treasured.
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Post by CuriousToronto on Mar 3, 2003 17:26:40 GMT -5
Of course that site is working now-isn't that always the case? ;D The minute you say something, all of a sudden it works fine! Kim Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!  Believe it or not it's working again. I think it has something to do with the trouble I experienced accessing the message boards during the weekend. The page would load but it would be blank. |
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monique
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 74
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Post by monique on Mar 10, 2003 8:01:32 GMT -5
I also agree on Gimmelwald. Check out www.gimmelwald.com and homepage.sunrise.ch/homepage/avong/gimmelwald/ for more info. I was there during the flooding last summer. They were forecasting snow (August!!) so we decided to leave. I was so sad; Gimmelwald had been the inspiration for this trip. It seemed so 'real' and more local than any other place I have ever visited in Europe. Even in the rain, I caught a glimpse of the beauty. To me, a short stop in Switzerland should be in the Alps. Obviously I didn't do any hiking, but there are tons of trails of different difficulty. |
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