Davos, Switzerland
Davos is one of the most reasonably priced places in Switzerland, and it sits in the middle of the Graubünden Alps close to numerous hiking trails. Nothing in Switzerland is cheap, but relatively, prices in Davos seemed reasonable. By far, the best value per Swiss Franc in lodging is at the Hotel Edelweiss in Davos. [...]
Zürich, Switzerland
Before visiting, we guessed that Zürich would be a sterile, orderly city without substance. We figured it had several watch manufacturers and banks but little else. How different impressions and reality can be. Zürich is first and foremost a university town. Restaurants, bars, trendy shopping, risqué outfits, and second hand stores cram this vibrant night-life-filled [...]
The Rhätikon Höhenweg Trek
The Rhätikon Höhenweg starts in Switzerland from a small town called St. Antönien (1420 M / 4659 ft). The trail makes a sudden ascent to 2100 M / 6890 ft before leveling off at the Carschina Plateau. There is little elevation change for the next 10 km / 6.25 miles until a scramble up a [...]
Hikes Around Zernez, Switzerland
Areas north of St. Moritz in the Graubüden Region are our favorite in Switzerland. People are friendlier, food is better, and the mountain hikes are prettier because of fewer tourists and gondolas. The small town of Zernez, smack in the middle of Graubüden, is a gem for hiking enthusiasts. Hiking trails lead up peaks running [...]
Interlaken and Stockhorn
The city of Interlaken is named for its location between 2 lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Several train and bus lines pass through Interlaken making the city an ideal base from which to day hike. Interlaken has 2 train stations, Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost. Get off the train at Interlaken West where the [...]
Wildstrubel Traverse, Switzerland
The Wildstrubel Traverse is a 1.5 day hike over the Bernese Alps, the mountain chain that separates the Valais valley in southern Switzerland from the Bernese Oberland valley in central Switzerland. Although the single day altitude gain is large (1686 M / 5531 ft north to south or 1390 M / 4560 ft south to [...]
Zermatt, Switzerland
For people who enjoy mountains, a stay in Switzerland must include a visit to the world famous Matterhorn. The Matterhorn sits in the southwestern part of Switzerland near the Italian border. The closest town is Zermatt where 50% of the population seems to be Japanese tourists. Access to Zermatt is by train, bicycle, or foot. [...]
Montreux, Switzerland
Montreux is almost the furthest point on Lake Geneva (called Lac Léman by the Swiss) away from the city of Geneva. Directly across the lake from Montreux towers the steeply sloped foothills of the Alps. Montreux is a gorgeous resort town with stupendous scenery. The town’s main attraction is the Castle of Chillon. It sits [...]
Tour du Mont Blanc
1st night in Les Houches (France) After a long drive from the Loire Valley, we reached Les Houches. We chose Les Houches as our TMB starting point specifically because of the excellent dinner prepared by Hotel Slalom last year. Disappointingly, Hotel Slalom has a new chef. The meal tasted like a microwave defrosting of sub-quality [...]
