The Swiss are, on average, as clueless about cooking as the Germans.

Another poster here. I love both Swiss and German cooking. Obviously, PP disagrees.

Ditto the 10:42 poster above. Excellent ideas. We loved Switzerland and we've been everywhere. Whoever compared it to Italy is nuts. It's apples and oranges. Both are nice but very different.

Anonymous wrote:I decided to go to Switzerland, looked at itinerary, etc. Once I saw the prices of everything, I realized they have beautiful mountains and lakes and better food in Italy for a fraction of the cost so we're going there instead.

Yes, Switzerland is crazy expensive. First hint is at the Zurich airport where a poster for McDonald's burger boasts the price is only about 20 Swiss Francs.

This is the prior poster. The weather will be what it is.

I've seen people skiing Mont Blanc in October, and I've been in the Alps in December when it's unseasonably warm and you cannot ski (that's ok -we go hiking).

I vacation in Switzerland (French speaking Swiss Alps cantons) several times a year.

Are you flying into Zurich or Geneva?

Suggestions:

Lausanne
-Winter cruise on Lake Geneva
- Restaurants (Beau Rivage, Hotel d'angelterre, Hotel Du Port, Chateau d' Ouchy)
- Olympic Museum
- Chateau d' Ouchy (small)

Montreux
- See Chateau Chillon
- Christmas Markets along Lake Geneva (starts late November)

Gruyere
- spend 1/2 a day in Gruyere seeing the chateau and enjoying gruyere in Gruyere.

Chamonix, France
- Go up the Aiguille du Midi

Zermatt
- Go up the Gornergrat

Skiing
- Gstaad, Verbier, Chamonix, Zermatt, etc. take your pick (these are just some of the well known ski slopes)

There is no skiing in November except in Zermatt. But its too cold to go hiking.

The weather is depressingly dreary during thanksgiving. It rains and its muddy and the trees are bare.

The Swiss are, on average, as clueless about cooking as the Germans. When its excellent its about $200 per person. Even at $75 a head places they serve industrial white salad dressing with MSG - this is seen as "cozy" as it reminds the locals of their childhood as this is all there was in the 70s and 80s. A mediocre pizza for one is $20, sometimes more (just the pizza, no drinks, coffee...).

Eat baked Mt d'Or vacherin cheese made of unpasteurized milk.

Go to the cities: Zurich, Geneva-Lausanne, maybe Lucerne. Go to Gruyere and visit the Giger museum and eat a fondue in the town. If your near Basel and love cars, there is an amazing car museum nearby.

If by huge luck the weather is good, go see the Aletch glacier and stay overnight in Bettmeralp or Riederalp. Visit a vineyard in Vaud, Geneva or Valais. If you get to Geneva, go to Chamonix (F) and take the cable car up the Mt Blanc (and eat something decent for a change).

The trains are very nice but cost a lot.

Personally, I would go to Italy or Spain that time of the year.

Anonymous wrote:Will you be skiing?

When we went, we spent a couple of days in Lucerne and did some excursions in absolutely beautiful locations. We went in September, though. I would imagine November will be quite different.

We then took the train to Grindelwald, a cute little mountain village. We did excursions up the mountain there, too, went hiking, etc.

But really the most important question is: do you want access to skiing?

This is OP, if skiing is available in November we would like to do that. Kids (tweens) are beginners. Would love suggestions on where

Will you be skiing?

When we went, we spent a couple of days in Lucerne and did some excursions in absolutely beautiful locations. We went in September, though. I would imagine November will be quite different.

We then took the train to Grindelwald, a cute little mountain village. We did excursions up the mountain there, too, went hiking, etc.

But really the most important question is: do you want access to skiing?

We did a train from Zurich to Lausanne, stopping in Lucerne, Interlaken, and another place in forgetting. Lots of amazing views, good food, and takes you from the German to French side so you can see it all. Definitely pricey but worth it. Different enough from Lake Como to consider doing both.

This sounds good to me, OP. I didn't do the trip in this manner, but I have been to Lucerne and Interlaken. I'm thinking that the ski resort of Grindelwald may be the place that PP cannot recall. It is very close to Interlaken. Interlaken is more of a summer resort.

Lucerne is lovely and is a lake town. Grindelwald is a mountain town. If I were you, I would limit the trip to Switzerland-there's plenty to see. November may be pretty cool there, though. I'm more of a slow traveler--stop and smell the roses and enjoy the ambiance.

Anonymous wrote:We did a train from Zurich to Lausanne, stopping in Lucerne, Interlaken, and another place in forgetting. Lots of amazing views, good food, and takes you from the German to French side so you can see it all. Definitely pricey but worth it. Different enough from Lake Como to consider doing both.

Also check out Lugano for the Swiss Italian experience. Hopp Schwiiz!

We did a train from Zurich to Lausanne, stopping in Lucerne, Interlaken, and another place in forgetting. Lots of amazing views, good food, and takes you from the German to French side so you can see it all. Definitely pricey but worth it. Different enough from Lake Como to consider doing both.

The two countries are not comparable. The culture is completely different. I prefer the French Alps myself.

I prefered Switzerland over Italy. And gladly paid what i needed to to have the beautiful and outstanding experiences we had there. A trip of a lifetime.

I decided to go to Switzerland, looked at itinerary, etc. Once I saw the prices of everything, I realized they have beautiful mountains and lakes and better food in Italy for a fraction of the cost so we're going there instead.

Looking for suggestions on itinerary, hotels, etc for Switzerland over thanksgiving. Just decided to go for 10 days and need help coming up with a plan.