Switzerland/Austria - suggestions?

[Table 5]

So my family and I are planning to go to spend a few weeks in Hungary this summer, but I was thinking it would cool to perhaps fly into Zurich and drive around/through Switzerland/Austria to get there first. I'm a little bit more familiar with Austria, but Switzerland, not so much. I'd love some suggestions on what to do and where to go there.

We're going to have a 6 month old with us, so we're looking for things that are a little more low-key, or atleast give us some flexibility. So things like small towns, scenery, a little more chilled atmosphere would be ideal.

I was thinking of flying into Zurich, and driving around Switzerland and Austria for about a week or week and a half. Other than stopping in Salzburg on the way, I don't really have anything else on the list yet. So I'd love to hear some suggestions!

Can anyone recommend any particular places to go to? And of course place to avoid? Even if it's specific things like hotels/restaurants/sights...

Also, definitely hoping to get some good cheese and chocolate in Switzerland. I don't care if it's summer, I need me some fondue.

[troutman]

I hear Salzburg is great, but Aeneas put something in my drink, and I don't remember a thing.

[topfiverecords]

Geneva is absolutely excellent.

[Luder]

St. Wolfgang is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Wol..._Salzkammergut

[CaptainCrunch]

Start off by invading Austria and then split your family and send some members into Poland and some into Finland.

Send your dog to Russia

[Professor Successor]

If you want a break from big cities, Hallstatt is probably my favourite place in Austria. While it is popular with tourists, it seemed to clear out after dinner as I think most people visit for a day trip.

If you're interested in hiking, you can follow a trail to Salzburg from what I remember.

[Brewmaster]

There are a few small towns in the Swiss alps that I would highly recommend. Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are both located in a popular skiing area in the winter but are really beautiful to visit in the summer. Tons of nice hiking trails and waterfalls to see. Here's a pic I took in Lauterbrunnen last August:

[Suave]

I love Switzerland and used to go there a lot in summers to visit family. The Italian/Ticino portion is gorgouse. Lugano is a great city that has lots of easy walks and hikes that should be easy to do with 6 month old. I will get some more info on outings once I'm at home.

[DuffMan]

Lucerne is always cool.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

There are a few small towns in the Swiss alps that I would highly recommend. Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are both located in a popular skiing area in the winter but are really beautiful to visit in the summer. Tons of nice hiking trails and waterfalls to see. Here's a pic I took in Lauterbrunnen last August:

Wow... speechless

[Bill Bumface]

I LOVE Switzerland, been there a few times.

Go to Bern! Jump off the bridge and float down the Aare on a nice day. Great city, and lots of fun to be had:



Lucerne is gorgeous:


As mentioned, Lauterbrunen/Grindelwald/Gimmelwald:


Gandria, near the Italian border:


Everything on lake Geneva is great (Geneva being my least favourite)

Lausanne:


Montreux:




And many, many other great places to see!

I'm jealous, you'll love it.

One thing about driving, you'll see way less. Lots of the journeys in Switzerland are much faster by rail because of the crazy tunnels they have to build everywhere. It is likely the best rail system in the world.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

There are a few small towns in the Swiss alps that I would highly recommend. Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are both located in a popular skiing area in the winter but are really beautiful to visit in the summer. Tons of nice hiking trails and waterfalls to see. Here's a pic I took in Lauterbrunnen last August:

That is so beautiful it made me pause for a moment to consider if it was real or not.

[JiriHrdina]

Yeah this looks like a fantastic trip? Is it expensive in terms of food/accommodation, etc?

[4X4]

There's a little town in Switzerland called stien am Rhine. The walls of the buildings are all painted with pictures of the history of the city. I highly recommend.

[_Q_]

Some great suggestions in here.

I was briefly in Austria last summer and stayed the night in Salzburg. Good choice and I have nothing really to add.

Be aware though, that Austria is one of the only countries that requires you to have an international driver's licence to drive there. So make sure that's in order before you go.

Otherwise, you're going to have an excellent time there.

[mykalberta]

Lucerne is awesome, SWI in general is just awesome. Just make sure you budget for at least twice as much as Austria for everything (food hotel etc).

[Table 5]

Thanks for the great suggestions so far everyone. Keep em coming!

Brewmaster, that photo, wow. Thats going on the list.

Hulk, I've heard the train system in Switzerland is pretty great, but the problem is with a 6 month old, we're going to have more junk to carry then if it was just my wife and I. We're really efficient packers, but I'm thinking carrying all that crap on a train from place to place will just get overwhelming. So I think going with a car will be a little less stressful.

And yeah, I'm definitely expecting Switzerland to be expensive, but we should only be there for a week or so, so hopefully it won't get too crazy.

[troutman]

We all came out to Montereax,
On the Lake Geneva shoreline.
To make records with a mobile,
We didn't have much time.
But Frank Zappa and the Mothers,
Were at the best place around,
But some stupid with a flare gun,
Burned the place to the ground.
Smoke on the water and fire in the sky.

[trumpethead]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

That is so beautiful it made me pause for a moment to consider if it was real or not.

Me too. I thought it was photoshopped. That picture has suddenly made me think Banff is a 2nd rate mountain town.

[FlamesAddiction]

You could take advantage of Switzerland's liberal marijuana laws if you're into that sort of thing.