Switzerland

Algarveaddick

Anyone been? Might be going there on hols next winter (November), and have no idea where to go.

Assuming we don't want to go skiing or boarding, what are the ski resorts like for the non-participant? Anywhere good for castles and history and whatnot - and are they open in the winter?

What are restaurant and drink prices like?

Any info gratefully received.

BlackForestReds

Switzerland isn't a place I'd go to if you want a winter holiday and don't like skiing or alpine sport, most of the resorts can be a bit remote, being based in/near to relatively small towns and villages and surrounded by mountains - a consequence of the topography of the place is that most towns and cities are small by normal European standards. Naturally they revolve around alpine sport, although the evening apres-ski is fun.

Alcohol prices...high, shopping/restuarants are not cheap either, but as always it depends where you go and what you want. Most of the larger cities - Berne, Basle, Geneva, Zurich etc are ok for a day or two if you are a tourist but a bit been there, seen the schloss/art gallery etc and now what...

March51

Have only been there in the summer so perhaps not much help but it is a beautiful country and almost cliniically clean. Terrific transport system and everything runs just like er, a Swiss watch: on time and regularly. You can get weekly passes for the trains and post-buses etc. and it's an excellent way to see the country. Lucerne is a nice town with a lovely lake although, like most places, there's no shortage of cuckoo clock shops. As BFR says, it ain't cheap. One of the Sky holiday channels regularly features Swiss trains and the best scenic routes. Good luck.

ShootersHillGuru

Would seriously advise taking a look at Krakow in Poland at that time of year. Lots of interesting stuff to see plus loads and loads of good restaurants and bars. Very well set up for tourists now. One piece of advice would be definitely stay in the old town. Its lovely.

LenGlover

If you do go the Olympic Museum in Lausanne is well worth a visit if you have a genuine interest in all sport.

SoundAsa£

[cite]Posted By: LenGlover[/cite]If you do go the Olympic Museum in Lausanne is well worth a visit if you have a genuine interest in all sport.

Does it have any cycle rallying stuff?

LenGlover

Don't remember cycle rallying as such but there is cycling stuff and stuff from most Olympic Sports from 1896 on.

NathanPrior

Will be visiting there next year as i'm going camping in Austria, near the border of Germany and Italy, so it means random walks at night into other countries and get alcohol

Salad

Saas Fee is a lovely resort with loads to do in the summer, great walks - lots of wild marmots, world's highest revolving restaurant up in the glacier there, high ropes and zip-wire across canyon, not cheap and no idea what it would be like in November. Driving around even fairly close places in Switzerland it takes quite a while to get into each valley - but I bet you could do a superb holiday moving around by train.

Lake Bled in Slovenia is supposed to be a beautiful alpine area and much cheaper.

Algarveaddick

Thanks for the help everyone.

TEL

Been to Zurich, its a wonderful city, very clean......one part of the city is very modern, across the river its like going back to medieval times and stunningly looked after. Kay lived in Zurich for 7 years so she showed me around and I have to say it was one of the better city style breaks Ive been too. We went at Easter last year...it was seriously cold and we had about 5 inches of snow......didnt stop us though once we got togged up.....did a nice scenic tour of the lake on a centrally heated boat....had a good meal too. Didnt find it too expensive (unlike when I went to Norway), but there again Kay knew where to go...tried out some stunning Swiss beers. The cinema shows films in English too which is a bonus if the weather is rough.The rail system is amazing, the best Ive ever travelled on, and amazingly on time too! Wouldnt hesitate to go again.

Brunello

Lake Lugano.

Algarveaddick

[cite]Posted By: Brunello[/cite]Lake Lugano.

Is there plenty to do in winter Brunello, and what are beer and food prices like?

Brunello

[cite]Posted By: Algarveaddick[/cite]

[cite aria-level=0 aria-posinset=0 aria-setsize=0]Posted By: Brunello[/cite]Lake Lugano.

Is there plenty to do in winter Brunello, and what are beer and food prices like?

Its very expensive but it is equally as beautiful in winter as in summer.