Thun Travel Forum

Hello
We are a family of four, 2 Adults and 2 children (1x14 and 1x11). We have a hire car and have 5 nights in Thun, Switzerland 20th-25th January 2009. We are coming from Lake Como and after Thun are driving to Geneva. While in Thun we would prefer a self catered apartment but are also open to the suggestion of a good B&B. Does anyone have any suggestions ? Also any tips on MUST SEES while we are in Thun as we intend to do day trips out and about, love to get off the tourist track and just capture the experience of the locals and other cultural experiences of the area.
Thanks Jackie

I would consider also the youth hostels in Switzerland - they have numerous locations and being Swiss are of excellent standard, have breakfast included, have the opportunity to have evening meals also catered for - and many of their places have family room accommodation/4-6 bedded rooms with ensuite or one for you and one for your 2 children.

You would need to check out their opening dates as unfortunately some locations do shut over the winter period but if open well worth considering!

www.youthhostel.ch

Just got back from Switzerland a few weeks back and although we did some of the tourist things, cable cars to the top of Schilthorn and paragliding we did just enjoy walking through the local areas. We stayed in Lauterbrunnen (I am just starting to post pictures on my VT site, check it out) which is an easy ride from Thun. If you go you can walk through the town and through the valley and see some amazing sites. As it will be winter I don't know how the weather will be in the valley, but I think it would be fun especially for the kids to traverse through the snow. You may also want to take a train ride through the country and get to some places a car won't take you. You probably would want to check out some areas where you can sled in the mountains or even take a ride on a dog sled.

Hi Jackie,

I am not going to pretend to be an authority on accommodation around Thun, so can only wish you luck on that part. I am sure you will find something though.

With regards to what to do on day trips, while avoiding anything too touristy, my suggestions would be as follows:

A trip to Gstaad. This village itself has a reputation of being a resort for rich folk, but put that aside and you will find a lovely village full of chalet style buildings with a few good places to eat. In winter it must be lovely. I have only been in summer. A train runs there from Thun every hour. Try to avoid one that is an official Golden Panorama train, since you will pay more. Just go with the standard regional train. Some quality, Swiss travellers, same scenery, less money!
Of course you could go by car, but bear in mind that it is winter and you may not enjoy driving in snow if you are inexperienced with this.

Another interesting trip, especially for the kids to experience, could be to drive to Kandersteg and then drive your car onto a train which takes you through a mountain tunnel to the Valais. Here there are many places to be seen, including Zermatt and the famous Matterhorn (the one tourist attraction I can always recommend as long as weather is clear.
You could make this a nice loop day trip by returning via Montreaux and Fribourg to Thun.

Bern can make a nice day of shopping. There is also a large new undercover mall, recently opened in the area.

If Gruyere is open, and you like cheese, then this is a good day trip too.

Driving south-east from Thun on the north side of the lake, you can visit the water castle of Oberhofen on your way to Brienz. Brienz is on the north side of the secod lake. The lakes are seperated by the extermely over-rated tourist town of Interlaken. Don't stop there unless you really have too. Brienz is a lovely lakeside village with a history of wood-carving. The violin-maiking school, and wood-carving school (and museum) may be open for visitors too, although you will need to check on this.

To get into the mountains (or at least to ride a cable-car and possibly get a good view) continue from Brienz to Meiringen. here you can take the cable-car to Hasliberg ski resort. This ia locals resort with a few food options and not overrun by tourists.

I hope that this information, and further information found on my website can help you plan what will surely be a great trip your family. All the best.