Brn2travl

I am planning a European Trip for my two sons; 23 and 20. They would like to visit Switzerland among other countries. This is a 2 week trip with a couple of days in different cities as a sample to come back later if liked. However, I am thinking of 3 to 3 1/2 days in Switzerland, because they like hiking and would be a nice break from cities and museums. They will be arriving from Spain either to Geneva or Zurich.
What would be the best way to spend 3 days including a day of hiking?
What would be a good base?
Does anyone know of an outfit that conducts group hikes?
Thank you all in advance.

Palenque

The Interlaken area is IMO the highlight of the picture of Switzerland etched in our minds' eyes - glacier-clad peaks - a myriad of hiking trails that you need no guide to do - head to Grindelwald - where many young backpackers from all over the world come - stay in a hostel or Nature Friends House - that's my recommendation.

And if they are not traveling on trains in other countries then by all means look at the Swiss Youth Pass (for folks under 26) - a 4-consecutive day pass that would cover their travels from border to border and all over the Jungfrau Region (as the Interlaken area is known - a k a Berner Oberland). For loads of info on Swiss trains and passes as well as the Jungfrau Region hit these info-laden sites - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; ww.seat61.com.If traveling by train very much in other countries consider the Eurail Youthpass

nytraveler

I'm confused - the post says teenagers but then it appears we're talking about 2 grown men. Shouldn't they be planning their own vacation (otherwise how will they know what to do - WH
EN - not if - something goes wrong?

jerrylee

I have not been, but we are planning our european trip that includes a stop in lauterbrunnen. Check it out in the guide books or online...especially Rick steves. We are staying in the hostel there which got great ratings and is dirt cheap for the 9 of us. It is up the mountain from interlaken and i just talked to freinds that went there and loved it. Good luck!

Brn2travl

Thank you all.
nytraveler, I know what you mean. This is sort of a present for 23 year old, who is taking his CPA exams untill 7/15. The 20 year old is whole a other story...
So are you all recommending one base in Grindelwald or mountain from interlaken or 2 would be better?
Thanks

Palenque

For that short a period one base and i would recommend, for folks their ages, either Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen - each of which attracts many people their age and has ample inexpensive (for Switzerland) hostel accommodations. These mountain towns are right at the foot of sheer cliffs several thousand feet high and capped by glacier-clad peaks - there are many hiking trails for all levels - tell them to get a copy of Jungfrau Magazine upon arrival at either train station as it has a large relief map that show all the trails and marks them in three colors as to their difficulties.

I went to Grindelwald first when i was 22 and i had a ball.