We're going in mid September. Other than landing in Geneva and leaving from Zurich, we won't spend time in those cities.
We are hikers.
1.5 days in Montreaux - we'll visit the Castle and then to Gruyreres.
2 days in Zermatt
3 days in Wengen
1 day in St. Gallen - I'm a librarian
1 day in Appenzell - the restaurant on the side of the mountain is on my bucket list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My opinion on this subject is neutral

Why post this ?

You really need a hobby.

DP Switzerland was neutral--haha haha I guess?

Anonymous wrote:My opinion on this subject is neutral

Why post this ?

You really need a hobby.

OP- there are places with cable car and funicular rides to beautiful views. You can just hang out in the landing zones if you’re worried about terrain. Worth it, and still near city care.

Please someone who had coffee list some names of places to be more helpful.

I'm French, love mountains and hiking and climbing, and have always loved doing that in Switzerland and the French Alps. Swiss cities are boring, however: my cousin lives in Lausanne, which is OK because of the lake, but Geneva really doesn't have many interesting things to do. Venice on the other hand, is full of historic buildings you can visit and canals (in the summer they stink). But I don't think you should stay in any city for that many days, to be honest.

My opinion on this subject is neutral

We returned recently from Switzerland trip. Nothing much to do in the cities. There is plenty of things to do outdoors and it's amazingly beautiful. But nothing in terms of culture/museums etc.

Anonymous wrote:My 10 y/o’s idea of fun on vacation is hitting an arcade. You are doing this primarily for you and to get them at least some experience traveling and with another culture.

then Lucerne is perfect- the beach oil very fun and the transport museum is huge but you can do rigi, pilates lake cruise etc... all in one place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't spend a week in either city. Spend your time in the mountains or around Lac Lucerne.

Just spent a week in skiing in Zermatt this winter and definitely not bored. Poorer, but not bored.

+1. I think it would be boring to spend a week in either place. At most, I’d spend a few days in the city and combine it with a mountain or lake area. Zurich and Lake Lucerne or even Interlaken would be very manageable. So would Geneva/Luzerne and Zermatt. The trains in Switzerland are very easy to navigate.

the cities ARE pretty boring & expensive. Interlaken is awful. Lucerne & wengen and Ticino/lucarno are way better and chill on castle is amazing. the zipline near the rheinfalls is super fun and a day trip from Zurich. the alpine playgrounds are super fun as well.

Anonymous wrote:Geneva is sleepy. I worked there for a few years. It's a great place to live but not where I'd choose as an exciting trip.

Also lived in Geneva and many other European cities. I'd definitely put it in the category of sleepy and tired and Switzerland IS a little boring. High quality of life for local residents but not somewhere I'd prioritize if it was a heavy lift to cross the pond unless you love hiking and nature. Felt the same way about the Bruges thread, knock yourself out I guess but I can't imagine planning a Belgium trip after living there for a few years.

Check out the Montreux Jazz festival.

Geneva is sleepy. I worked there for a few years. It's a great place to live but not where I'd choose as an exciting trip.

I’m typically in and out checking on my stash of Grey Poupon.

Immediate PP; here's a Rick Steves sample itinerary https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland/itinerary

It's been a while since I did Switzerland, but I was following some Rick Steves suggestions for hiking around Gimmelwald and also did the city of Bern, which has the Paul Klee museum. Even if you didn't want to hike, Switzerland is famous for its train rides through spectacular scenery. I remember very gentle paths with cows milling about.