Switzerland's Less-Traveled Towns
Written: Oct 12 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautiful scenery, clean, hospitable
Cons: A little expensive
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| ariana's Full Review: Switzerland |
Switzerland is breathtakingly beautiful, and can also be a little rugged when off the beaten path. Bring excellent shoes with inner sole support - a good pair of shoes there will cost you a great deal more than a similar pair back home. When you're not pounding the path, travel by train.
Following are notes on smaller but popular areas and towns, less traveled than the popular Geneva and Zurich. You can probably fend for yourself in those cities fairly well with your favorite guide book (Lonely Planet/Rough Guide).
On Jungfrau: The Jungfrau rail tour is a little overrated, and I nearly passed out the 2nd time I did it. The air up there is *really* thin. Brave it if you're in top shape, otherwise look forward to sipping the overpriced hot chocolate in the visitor's center at the top. It's worth the trip if you've got the spare time, but if you're crunched for time, skip it.
On Bern: Be sure to visit Bern for the Zweibelmarkt (Onion Market) in late fall (this year: 11/22/99), where the entire town is covered in confetti, vendors offer every onion quiche and onion product you can imagine, and every street in the old town is packed with vendors selling everything from belts to hats to toys. Sample the mulled wine, too. It's a fun family event, and don't be surprised if you get pelted with confetti every now and again. Other Bern attractions are the former home of Albert Einstein, and the Museum of Fine Art, which houses one of the world's biggest Klee collections. Near the train station - and in a perfect location for walking around town - is the reasonably priced National Hotel. Bern also has some of the best graffiti I've ever seen - watch the embankment walls around the tracks when entering town.
On Gstaad: A beautiful, smaller mountain village. Known for the celebrity homes that are supposedly nearby, including those of Elizabeth Taylor and Roger Moore. Worth vacationing in during the summer months (if you can afford it), particularly at the gorgeous Palace Hotel.
On Grindelwald: Similar to Gstaad, but more skiing-oriented. The town practically shuts down 1 months prior to ski season, so plan your reservations accordingly. This area is also an excellent place for fondue, particularly in the off-season.
On Neuchatel: Gorgeous older town that smacks of old-world French villages. A great day trip if you're coming from a Swiss-German direction, because you'll feel the culture shock of going from everything German to everything French. And they are *very* French in Neuchatel, and seem to only reluctantly speak English to tourists. (Try explaining to a wine seller who only speaks French that you need a corkscrew/wine opener. You'll be surprised how quickly you revert to sound effects.) Be sure to sample a crepe from one of the many crepe cafes there.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ariana
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Member: Ariana French
Location: New Orleans, LA
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 27 members
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