My first trip to Switzerland, I need help!!
Apr 22nd, 2007, 01:35 PM
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My first trip to Switzerland, I need help!!
I want to go to Switzerland next year and am in the beginning stages. I know nothing about it and really need some help. I am also planning a few days in Prague with a day in Karlovy Vary and another day in Cesky Krumlov. I would also like to spend a few days in Switzerland.
Should I fly directly into Switzerland? I know nothing about it, but I've heard it's beautiful. I don't even know where I want to go. I don't like big cities. Or expensive hotels. Small, quaint, beautiful villages is more my idea.
If I flew roundtrip from Paris, how long is a tria ride Switzerland to Paris?
How long is the train from Switzerland (I guess it depends on what city I'm in) to Czech, say Karlovy Vary? Should I do Czech first then finish with Switzerland? As you can see.............I am just getting started and I am really going to need some help.
Should I fly directly into Switzerland? I know nothing about it, but I've heard it's beautiful. I don't even know where I want to go. I don't like big cities. Or expensive hotels. Small, quaint, beautiful villages is more my idea.
If I flew roundtrip from Paris, how long is a tria ride Switzerland to Paris?
How long is the train from Switzerland (I guess it depends on what city I'm in) to Czech, say Karlovy Vary? Should I do Czech first then finish with Switzerland? As you can see.............I am just getting started and I am really going to need some help.
Apr 22nd, 2007, 01:46 PM
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Hi koryandleslie,
Congratulations on your decision! The good news is that you can't have a bad vacation in Switzerland!
Most first-timers enjoy the mountains & mountain villages of the Berner Oberland -- though of course there's a lot of other places to see. These villages are south of Interlaken (should get a map at a bookstore soon) and you should look at Wengen, Grindelwald, & Muerren. Many first-timers also enjoy visiting the city of Luzern.
Zurich has the biggest airport in the country, so you'll probably fly in there. It's a great airport, and even has a train station in the basement. You can whisk through it and be on your train in less than an hour.
You can find train schedules at www.rail.ch for all connections, even to Paris and to Czech.
You should plan to fly open-jaw, into Zurich and out of your last city.
More information at:
www.myswitzerland.com
www.wengen.com
www.wengen.ch
www.grindelwald.com
www.luzern.org
Have fun!
s
Congratulations on your decision! The good news is that you can't have a bad vacation in Switzerland!
Most first-timers enjoy the mountains & mountain villages of the Berner Oberland -- though of course there's a lot of other places to see. These villages are south of Interlaken (should get a map at a bookstore soon) and you should look at Wengen, Grindelwald, & Muerren. Many first-timers also enjoy visiting the city of Luzern.
Zurich has the biggest airport in the country, so you'll probably fly in there. It's a great airport, and even has a train station in the basement. You can whisk through it and be on your train in less than an hour.
You can find train schedules at www.rail.ch for all connections, even to Paris and to Czech.
You should plan to fly open-jaw, into Zurich and out of your last city.
More information at:
www.myswitzerland.com
www.wengen.com
www.wengen.ch
www.grindelwald.com
www.luzern.org
Have fun!
s
Apr 22nd, 2007, 02:14 PM
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You do have a problem. I suggest looking at flying between Prague and Basel using EasyJet. The cost is much less than that long train trip of 11,5 to 12 hours. Flying time is about 90 minutes.
I also suggest that you learn more about what Switzerland has to offer.
Do you know what makes Switzerland beautiful?
Do you know the major cities in Switzerland?
What kind of activities do you like to do?
You talk cities in the Czech Republic in one sentence and Paris in another.
Now which do you want? Both?
Possible, but nor realistic.
Train from Zuerich to Paris is at best 6 hours plus.
But Bern and Geneva and Lausanne are a little closer.
I think you have considerable home work to do. People on this board are not travel agents - at least I am not.
I also suggest that you learn more about what Switzerland has to offer.
Do you know what makes Switzerland beautiful?
Do you know the major cities in Switzerland?
What kind of activities do you like to do?
You talk cities in the Czech Republic in one sentence and Paris in another.
Now which do you want? Both?
Possible, but nor realistic.
Train from Zuerich to Paris is at best 6 hours plus.
But Bern and Geneva and Lausanne are a little closer.
I think you have considerable home work to do. People on this board are not travel agents - at least I am not.
Apr 22nd, 2007, 07:08 PM
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I have really studied Czech and Praque and that area and feel that I know what I want to do there, I just don't know where Switzerland falls into the plan.
I don't know any small towns in Switzerland to even start looking at. I threw out Paris, because it seems air is cheaper there than to Switzerland, however, the long train ride and the cost of the train or a quick flight may outweigh the inital flight cost. I'm not really interested in Paris, just a thought for the cost of flights.
I've seen pictures of Switzerland and it just looks beautiful. I'm not sure what there is to do there, that's why I need y'alls help. I want quaint, small towns. We like history, castles, pretty sights. My husband and I are in our early 30's. Any ideas?
I don't know any small towns in Switzerland to even start looking at. I threw out Paris, because it seems air is cheaper there than to Switzerland, however, the long train ride and the cost of the train or a quick flight may outweigh the inital flight cost. I'm not really interested in Paris, just a thought for the cost of flights.
I've seen pictures of Switzerland and it just looks beautiful. I'm not sure what there is to do there, that's why I need y'alls help. I want quaint, small towns. We like history, castles, pretty sights. My husband and I are in our early 30's. Any ideas?
Apr 23rd, 2007, 02:52 AM
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You might start by going to a library and checking out a Fodors or Frommers travel guide book--or buy one at a bookstore. Most of us start there when considering where to go in an unfamiliar country. Then, come back to the board with specific questions.
I will say this: Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Basic hotels in cities such as Luzern are going to cost you $125 or more, and ones that are convenient and have nice mountain/lake views are upwards of 200/nt. Smaller towns can be less. Try this website for budget hotels once you narrow down your places to visit: http://www.rooms.ch/
I will say this: Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Basic hotels in cities such as Luzern are going to cost you $125 or more, and ones that are convenient and have nice mountain/lake views are upwards of 200/nt. Smaller towns can be less. Try this website for budget hotels once you narrow down your places to visit: http://www.rooms.ch/
Apr 23rd, 2007, 03:35 AM
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Hi koryandleslie,
I've already given you some advice & some ideas -- have you investigated the sites I posted above?
The myswitzerland site also has some suggested itineraries.
So, take a look at those sites -- and at bookstores & libraries -- and then post some specific questions.
s
I've already given you some advice & some ideas -- have you investigated the sites I posted above?
The myswitzerland site also has some suggested itineraries.
So, take a look at those sites -- and at bookstores & libraries -- and then post some specific questions.
s
