Our Chalet and Switzerland

[Kookabura]

I had mentioned a little while ago that I could/would write some stuff out for people who are interested about things to do in Switzerland.

I've been busy and hadn't finished off what I had started, but a couple of people had mentioned about being interested in seeing it. So I thought I would post here what I have done so far. It isn't completed, there is more information I will put in and amend this as and when I get chance.

When I have finished it, I will put it in the downloads section.

Hope it is of some use. Please, please, though, bear in mind, these are my opinions/experiences only. The are based on what you could/couldn't do etc last year. Please don't make any assumptions based on what I have said. Check things out yourself before hand. Particulary when I have mentioned an age limit or price for things, they can change.

Let me know if you would like to see anything else adding to it. I haven't managed to do the 'winter things' yet. But will get round to it, it is just taking longer that I thought, I seem to have a lot to say!!

[Monty59]

This is fantastic and will be soooo helpful.

Although we're going next February you've got me really enthused - may a reckie visit in the summer is required (just an excuse to go there).

Can't wait for the winter section.

[Malteser]

That's a really interesting read, thank you. I go to Switzerland every year, but still found it interesting. Thoroughly recommended...

[Lette]

Hi,
I had a quick browse of the document you produced.
Just wondered if you had any ideas for me, my SS group are going to Kandersteg for New Year and have a night scheduled to stay in a youth hostel on the way home, we want to find somewhere to stay on the way from Kandersteg to Geneva.
Most of us have stayed in Geneva before, so we wanted somewhere a bit different, but obviously not too out of the way trains wise!
If you or anyone else had any good ideas I would be most grateful!
Thanks, x

[GuidingKB]

i stayed in Lucerne about nine years ago...and we visited our chalet for the day from there!

[Kookabura]

My obvious suggestion was going to be to stop at geneva overnight, but you say you have already done that

The trains from Kandersteg often have a change at Bern. Bern is nice to see (and it is the capital city), but I am assuming you want to get close to Geneva, so you don't have too far left to go on the last day? Bern is about 2 hours from Geneva.

Luzern/Lucerne, like Katie says is nice as well - but sort of in the wrong direction for Geneva really. It would take about 3 hours (and at least one change) to get from Luzern to Geneva.

Lausanne and Montreux are both on Lake Geneva, so are fairly close to Geneva. Lausanne is about 50 mins from Geneva and Montreus about 1hr 20. Both are in the 'french' part of Switzerland (same as Geneva), so would be a bit different to Kandersteg. I haven't been to either of them, but heard good things about them from some of the other volunteers who went.

Other than that theres not that many other places that are really big enough to make it worthwhile stopping at that are near Geneva. There are obviously lots of towns around, but in the wrong direction.

Don't know if you have found it yet or not, but have a look on SBB: Home - Online Timetable, Ticket Shop, Online travel shop It is the swiss rail network website. It is very easy to put in "from xxxx" "to Geneva" and check timings for trains. Don't know if you have been to Switzerland much before or not, but changes are normally very straightforward, and the trains are very punctual and reliable. So don't worry too much about leaving hours spare to get to Geneva in time.

Any help? Sorry, I didn't head over that way much. I stopped in Geneva one night, but being 3hr30/4hrs away from Our Chalet made it hard to go to far that way for a day trip!

[Lette]

Yeah Bern could be a plan, I remember changing trains there but never actually stopping!
Next job to find out if there is a hostel in Bern.

[CrispyChicken]

Bern is a lovely city, we went and saw the bears, but unfortunatly they have all passed away now.

[Kookabura]

Bern is definately worth a visit. I just wasn't sure how close you wanted to be to Geneva, as it is still a little way from there. Most trains to Geneva stop/change at Bern. But not quite all of them, so make sure you get the timings right

Can't help on the hostel front I'm afraid, never stayed there over night. But I would imagine there would be plenty around.

Bern is the capital city of Switzerland, but is actually one of the smallest capital cities in Europe. There are quite a lot of interesting buildings in Bern, there is an impressive clock which does its 'piece' on the hour, every hour. Lots of decorative fountains around, including a strange one of an ogre eating a child! As far as I know, there are still bears in the bear pit (there were a few there last summer) and I can't imagine them not having them at any point in the near future, been as they make such a thing about bears being the heraldic animal for Bern. The bears are a bit of a potential discussion (particualry with SS age girls), as they are lovely to see, but quite sad as well. Lots of museums as well, if the weather is to bad to wander around.

Thats about all I can think of for now...bed time anyway

[alexp44]

We went to Bern when we went to Our Chalet a few years ago and saw the bears. I'd recommend the trip up the Jungfrau to anyone - it was such a brill day! My lasting memory of Interlaken was 'wet'. It rained the whole time we were there According to my dad the bakery in Adleboden did a really nice cake (can't remember what type) but he keeps joking that we should take the Guides back just so he can go back there!

On a slightly cheeky note if anyone is off to Switzerland and happens to be visiting the woodcarver... I lost my woggle with 'Alex' on and would love a replacement (and I'd be happy to pay for it and for whatever the postage is to get it to me )