Switzerland

Best and worst sights, experiences and destinations:

Best: jungfrau
Why: Nothing like walking on a glacier

william traester in simsbury, ct USA 11/11/2009

Best: Alpine hiking
Why: Unmatched views, trails, and terrain.

Worst: Hubby didn't like the beer
Why: He doesn't like pilsners

Jenn in Portland, OR USA 10/07/2009

Best: gimmelwald area
Why: very quiet, nice, scenic... i could go on....

cheryl runyan in bozeman, mt USA 09/28/2009

Best: Berner Oberland
Why: The whole area was spectacular. No matter how many pictures you look at, you cannot comprehend the awe you will feel when surrounded by the Alps. I felt like I had to pinch myself to make sure it was real.

Worst: Lucerne
Why: It could have been the day we went, because there was some sort of festival going on, but the city was packed, and the people were not nearly as friendly as anywhere else we went in Switzerland. And it was the first time my whole trip (including Venice) where I felt like I needed to really lock up my backup, and caught a 13-year old casing me and my friend for our pickpocketing potential. He followed us for a bit.

Kimberly Tays in Saint Petersburg, FL USA 09/15/2009

Best: festival at Lausanne
Why: We were fortunate to go to the Lausanne festival at the Cathedral which gave us some nice insight into the local culture.

Jim Colgan in Bixby, OK USA 08/15/2009

Best: Swiss Rail Pass
Why: First time with a rail pass and not sure if Switzerland is the best but it was wonderful and a great savings on the multiple types of transportation and sights.

Jim Kronus in Bradenton, FL USA 08/09/2009

Best: Murren
Why: Stay here for the real swiss alp experience with conveniences.

JS USA 07/29/2009

Best: Cruising Lake Geneva
Why: The ferry is a fully restored antique 1910 paddle wheel ferry. what a treat.

JS in Walnut Creek, Ca USA 07/29/2009

Worst: Murren
Why: I had been enchanted by both Murren and Gimmewald when I had visited Switzerland 15 years ago and could not believe how much both places (particularly Murren) had grown. It's impossible to be disappointed with such great scenery, but my vision of "getting away from it all" in nature completely vanished.

Murren (despite its lack of cars) is very developed, and Gimmelwald (which I remembered as a "hole in the wall") was also not what I'd expected--though it still would be a charming place to stay.

Kathy in Longview, WA USA 07/29/2009

Best: Mt. Rigi and Swiss Tranport Museum in Luzern
Why: Loved Mt. Rigi, what a view.

Swiss Transport Museum what a great museum, so much history with lots of hands on exhibits.

Worst: Smokers
Why: Too many smokers. They will soon ban smoking indoors.

B CA USA 07/26/2009

Best: Pension Gimmelwald
Why: We've stopped by for dinner almost every night at sunset, excellent food and wine, very friendly people both staying and working there. Big view of the wall of glaciers and waterfalls.

Milton Stewart in Aspen, CO USA 07/24/2009

Best: Hiking from Allmendhubel to Gimmelwald
Why: I was just smiling all day on this hike for so many reasons: scenic vistas, wildflowers everywhere, cowbells ringing, waterfalls, etc... It was just a tremendous day. This was not an easy hike, particularly if you take the side route to the falls (I forget the name) above Gimmelwald. Our best moment of the week (and great picture) was coming into Schiltalp along with the cows, who were ready to be milked. We sat and had a milkshake and ice cream alongside the cows who'd provided the milk. It was just a lot of fun.

Worst: Boatride on Lake Luzern
Why: We didn't find the two hour boat ride to be terribly interesting. There's no commentary and the views aren't that great. We basically used the time to grab a snack and read Rick to decide what to do next.

Barry Blodgett in Cary, IL USA 07/07/2009

Best: Bourbaki Panorama
Why: We only visited Luzern but found this panorama painting and exhibit to be a beautiful and fascinating display of history and art. Such a creative enhancement of the original panorama and beautiful restoration. We had never seen historic panorama paintings and this should really be a must-see stop for all visitors to Luzern. Emotionally powerful, you feel as if you are in the village watching as the thousands of men from the French Army enter to surrender to the Swiss; an overwhelming prospect to say the least and very well captured.

Karen Lloyd in Lake Zurich, IL USA 06/05/2009

Best: hiking to Gimmenwald from Murren
Why: Our trip to Switzerland would not have been complete without seeing this charming village though we stayed in Wengen. We found the cheese hut and bought cheese from the charming cheese lady who gave us samples and explained the various cheeses. It was like stepping back in time--very delightful!

Susan Jennings in Atlanta, USA 06/04/2009

Worst: Hotel Continental, Bern
Why: DO NOT STAY HERE. Rooms are in extremely run down condition. I asked for a non-smoking room. None available, the smell of the room was nauseating. The mattress was concave and the sheets had holes in them. When I checked out with my Via, they asked me CHF or US.. I said US. Later I found out they charged me a 10% fee. Only good thing was the croissant at breakfast.

Cindy in Chicago, IL USA 10/29/2008

Best: Berner Oberland
Why: This was my lifelong dream to visit the Swiss alps and they did not dissappoint. We spent five days there. We did the Shlthorn, Jungfaujoch, and the Matterhorn. Had beautiful weather and loved everything. Took way too many photos!

Worst: Hike from Allmendhubel to Grimmelwald
Why: Not really a worst but a warning. If you take this hike, which is supposed to be easy, be warned that the detour to Shiltalp is very steep up and down. It made our hike take about 4 hours instead of 2 and was very tiring in the altitude. But the scenery was amazing and worth every tired minute.

Jeanne in Baltimore, OH USA 10/23/2008

Best: A day on Ebenalp - or lunch on Schilthorn
Why: We caught beautiful weather up on Ebenalp in the underappreciated Appenzell area. A wonderful day that made the end of our trip. We loved lunching on Schilthorn (as Rick says - truly no more expensive than the usual lunch in Switzerland); the food was good and the view changed as the restaurant rotated and the clouds passed by. (But I must say, beer everywhere else in Switzerland was better than the regional beer there.)

Worst: The crowd on Mt. Pilatus
Why: We chose to go up, as per Rick's suggestion, on the round trip. BUT it was a Sunday, and the first semi-clear day in about 5 days - so it seems EVERY local in Luzern had the same idea. Thus, we waited and waited at each leg of the journey, and the activities halfway up were quite busy too. (we stood in line indoors for each cable car or cogtrain longer than we spent outdoors on top enjoying the views and hikes!!!)

Jim Koster in Santa Fe, NM USA 10/17/2008

Worst: Place de la Riponne in Lausanne
Why: The first time we passed through at midday, there was a drug buy going on. Each of the other two times I was uncomfortable with the people who were hanging out there. ALSO we had a pickpocket attempt on the bus in Geneva.

Carolyn Snowberg in San Francisco, ca USA 09/11/2008

Worst: Lausanne
Why: The Ouchy district is pretty nice, but downtown was pretty dirty (trash, dog droppings, etc.), and in the evening we did not feel safe with our kids. We were trying to walk as the funicular was out of service. We were perhaps spoiled by our long stay in Germany beforehand, where everything seemed very clean.

Kari in Dayton, OH USA 08/20/2008

Best: hikers loop from lauterbrunnen
Why: Great plan for our first day. Would highly recommend the mountain view trail from Grutschalp to Allmendhubel.

Leslie in Mankato, MN USA 07/27/2008

Best: Hiking above Murren and Gimmelwald
Why: Basically had the trails to ourselves and the cows.

Worst: Lausanne
Why: Rude, unfriendly, arrogant, unhelpful; perhaps the most monolingual part of Western Europe. Most didn't speak German, Italian, or English - all "official" Swiss languages! If this was a samll town in the US midwest, I'd understand. But for a supposedly "international" city I was in total shock!

Peter Foreman in Champaign, IL USA 07/21/2008

Best: the Berner Oberland
Why: The scenery was just awe-inspiring.

Victoria Van Wie in Cypress, TX USA 06/22/2008

Best: Berner Oberland: Lauterbrunnen and Gimmelwald
Why: Absolutely awesome scenery in a removed yet very comfortable setting. Hotel Silberhorn had wonderful views, extremely helpful and friendly staff. Gimmelwald was marvelous! Happy Cows!

Curt and Patty Henderson in Minnetrista, MN USA 06/05/2008

Best: Gimmelwald
Why: Exceptional sights, sounds, vistas, hiking, people

terrie gordon gamble in stanford, ca USA 06/01/2008

Best: Layover in Interlaken; Picasso Museum in Lucerne
Why: Layover in Interlaken breaks up Golden Pass nicely. David Douglas Duncan's photos in the Picasso Museum really bring the artist alive. Three 20-something American girls I overheard there were commenting on that very thing.

Worst: Golden Pass route was a little disappointing
Why: Views were, of course, terrific, but trains were much slower than expected and frequent stops detracted from the experience. I think the book should lower the expectations or insistently urge travelers to take the first class Grand Vue trains. But still a great experience!

Karren Tolliver in New Port Richey, FL USA 03/07/2008

Best: Lauterbrunnen valley
Why: It is the most beautiful, majestic, dynamic place I have ever seen. Coupled with the amazing infrastructure of trains, gondolas and buses it is perfect for a traveller looking for a true Swiss alpine experience. It is safe, clean and super well organized. Was awe struck by the trip to the Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn and the Trummelbachfalls. Absolutely fantastic!

Jake in El Paso, NM USA 01/23/2008

Best: Boeb's chalet in Murren
Why: The most beautiful sight out of our windows. Kitty and Boeb were wonderful hosts. Clean apartment. Went with him up the mountain when he went to play his Alphon. He was going to play for Rick's tour group the next day. When we left on the cable car, to sadly leave Murren, Boeb was in his yard waving to us like we were old friends. That's how we felt. Great recommendation. We stayed in Ollie and Maria's about eight years ago, we hiked down to Gimmelwald, but did not get much of a response from Ollie, when we told him we stayed with him before. We were looking forward to seeing where we had stayed, we always said we go back to Gimmelwald, and we did, but were a bit disappointed with the response to us. He did not seem impressed. I'm glad we tried Murren this time.

Jane Denahey in Merrimac, MA USA 10/29/2007

Best: Bruenli and Gimmelwald
Why: Bruenli's a small hill about halfway between Gimmelwald and Schiltorn. AMAZING spot to sit and reflect on life. This place is truly heaven on earth -- you're surrounded by mountains and the sound of cowbells and glacier-fed rivers. Gimmelwald was absolutely great -- I can't think of another spot I'd rather stay. The only slightly negative comment about Gimmelwald: I ran into 11 people *from Seattle* carrying Rick Steves guidebooks in Gimmelwald in 48 hours!!!

Worst: Zermatt
Why: Great weather while I was there, so I spent as much time as possible up in the mountains. But the town itself is way too touristy. Which Rick warns about, but I guess I didn't expect such a significant amount of stores & tourists.

Colin Chapman in Seattle, WA USA 09/14/2007

Best: Bernese Oberland - Murren
Why: What a beautiful little town. One of the most favorite places we visited on a 12 country visit to Europe last week.

Worst: Zermatt
Why: way too busy and touristy...but Gornergrat was great!!!

Laura in Houston, TX USA 08/21/2007

Worst: Gimmelwald
Why: This location really didn't deserve the hightlight it was given. The little village didn't have anything to offer a tourist. I understand its off the beaten track- which by the way is how I like to travel. However, there is a line that must be crossed when you list something as off to beaten track to completly dead. I much preferred the town of Lauterbrunnen-which provided that small town feel, yet still alive, very accessible and not too touristy as was Grindlewald or Interlaken.

Eaman Osman in Toronto, ON Canada 08/17/2007

Best: Berner Oberland
Why: Magnificent scenery and great hiking opportunities.

Worst: Lausanne City History Museum
Why: Absolutely nothing in English and the staff was reluctant to offer any help.

Michael Maturo in North Haven, CT USA 07/05/2007

Best: Mt. Rigi, Lion Monument in Lucerne, Swiss Museum in Zurich etc.
Why: Great recommendations in the book. We followed alot of them!

Worst: Collection de l'Art Brut in Lausanne
Why: It was out of the way, we didn't think it was worth the 2 triangles. There were alot of kids just hanging out there.

Sara Shaughnessy in Palm City, Fl USA 07/04/2007

Best: Murten
Why: Just a really nice compact town, easy to get around with beautiful lake views and lots of good places to eat.

Worst: Did not care much for Bern
Why: Probably because we never saw it in anything but rain!

Kathleen Burkley in Peoria, IL USA 06/13/2007