I'd like to ask for suggestions on where to go for a weekend from Geneva. I will be in the city on business in early April and since my wife will be with me would like to spend a weekend somewhere in the mountains. I've been to Zermatt enough times so have ruled that out. The Interlaken area comes to mind but to me it seems too touristy. Something a little more off the beaten track will be nice. I'd prefer a place nearer Geneva and not something on the other side of the country. Thanks.
1
jeffman
You could always try a trip to Montreux in the Vaud Alps. It is easily reached by train from Geneva – see the SBB website for times etc.
It has a historic castle (Chateau de Chillon) which is about 45 mins walk from Montreux, and the Hauts de Montreux offer amazing views over the Swiss Riviera. You can get the train up from the town and there are also special “panoramic” trains with big windows and lots of glass so you can look at the views! For other thing to see and do the tourism website http://www.montreuxtourism.ch/index.cfm?&Langue=en has a lot of info.
As far as accommodation is concerned, there seems to be hotels for every budget on www.booking.com. The Montreux Palace is fantastic (it belongs to the Raffles group) but correspondingly expensive...If that's not your thing, you could also try self-catering accommodation, there is a pretty good selection on http://www.casamundo.co.uk/switzerland under Lake Geneva.
2
alexander_vi
Okay, Montreux and the trains sound pretty good. I will be open for any more suggestions further into the mountains. I should add that we won't be skiing. Thanks.
3
neckervd
There will still be tons of snow in higher areas of the Alps.
Some suggestions:
Crans-Montana, panorama up to Mont Blanc, Weisshorn and Matterhorn. Dozens of km of prepared hiking trails through the snow up to 2000 m of altitude and along the bisses (water channels) at altitudes between 800 and 1200 metres (no snow).
Leukerbad: spa with hot thermal water, open to everybody.
Sion: small mediaeval town in the heart of the Alps, castle (museum) and church with the oldest playable organ of Europe. Frequent buses in many mountain valleys.
Ste-Croix - Les Rasses: Balcony over Lake Neuchatel with views over the whole chain of the Swiss Alps from the Austrian border (Santis) up to France (Mont Blanc). Famous music box museums (http://www.sainte-croix.ch/tourisme_e.php?langue=e&rubrique=musee) and good hiking. At Grandson, down on Lake Neuchatel are situated some well preserved menhirs.
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