where to go in Switzerland in January

[new Swiss traveller]

Hi,

I'm going to be spending 5-6 days in Switzerland the beginning of January 2004. I've heard Interlaken and Lucerne are great- any recommendations for hostels in those places? Also, what do people think of the larger cities like Zurich or Geneva? Are places like Interlaken going to be overrun be skiers? Any help/advice about going to Switzerland would be much appreciated.

[Kim]

The hostel to stay at in Interlaken is DEFINATELY the Backpackers Villa. I think it was one of my favorite hostels out of all of them, during our 7 month trip.

www.villa.ch/

Really liked the one we stayed at in Lucerne as well, right across from the lake. Accommodation is sort of like university dorms (I think that's what it might have been)

mypage.bluewin.ch/dwenger/bplucerne/main.html

Not a fan of Geneva, found it to be so boring. Zurich was OK but not some place I would rush back to.

If you are into scenery, walking, hiking.. you should look at Gimmewald. Apparently the hostel there, Mountain Hostel, is supposed to be incredible.

www.gimmelwald-news.ch/english/stay/hostel.html

Kim

[CuriousToronto]

I quite enjoyed Geneva but I had a very specific reason for going there.

I think it's the sort of place that if you happen to be passing by you should check out. BUT if you are going to Switzerland specifically to see Geneva that is probably not such a good idea.

Read my trip report on Geneva to see what I thought of it.

I just think though if you're going to Switzerland and have a small amount of time you should head for the Alps and/or more typical cities like Lucern.

Happy Travels!