Swiss Alps in Sept.

[Alan Dowding]

We are planning a vacation to Switzerland in Sept. Does anyone have any specific areas they like ? Can you access everything by rail or is renting a car a necessity? How do you get your film there? thanks, Alan

[Thomas Greutmann]

This is from a native Swiss (now in Germany). September is usually a good time to travel, clear skies and often longer periods of stable, sunny weather, at least at higher altitudes, with early morning fog in the lower valleys.

You can get around the country pretty much everywhere with public transportation (trains, cable railways, buses, boats on the lakes), usually with one ticket. All public transportation schedules are linked, so you can connect from bus to train, from train to boat etc with ease. Check www.sbb.ch (the Swiss railway) for schedule and tickets. And you have frequent connections everywhere, usually at least every hour, sometimes even more often. It is probably one of the best countrywide public transportation networks. It is not cheap, though. Not much is cheap in Switzerland, anyway. The two major airports in Switzerland (Zurich and Geneva) are connected to the train network, so you can get around very well without a rental.

A good idea may be to stay at a central place for a couple of days and then go for daytrips. Places might be Interlaken (for the Berner Oberland, which I find great), somewhere in the central valley of the Wallis/Valais or the Engadin valley (St. Moritz or nearby) or around the Lake Lucerne. You will have access to the most spectacular places. These are the most traveled places as well. Other people may prefer places such as the Säntis mountains, Glarus, the Tessin/Ticino (the southern Italian-speaking part), Arosa, Gstaad, Montreux, Lucerne and many more. They are not wrong either.

Most tourists from abroad will visit the alps. Yet there are some other areas which are definitely worth a trip, for instance the Jura mountains, the areas around the lakes in the French-speaking part, especially in fall, such as the Bielersee, the Lac de Neuchatel, Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). Not that many foreign tourists, the Swiss seem to keep these places for themselves mostly. From the Jura mountains you can see a spectacular panorama of the alps, particulary in fall and winter.

Greetings, Thomas

[John Kasaian]

Zermatt of course. In September you can ski on the glacier into Breul in Italy and have pizza for lunch. Really though, every place you visit in the Swiss Alps will be stunningly beautiful (and pricey!) If you find yourself in St Moritz, stay at the Hotel Steffani---a first class place but they also have some less expensive rooms in the basement. When I stayed there I was invited to a party thrown by the german railroad workers from Bavaria who were on a holiday. They were all wearing bolo ties made out of walnuts. Needless to say between the dueling alpenhorns and the conga line I didn't get much sleep, but it was a blast! :)

[butterflydream]

I would rent a car. Years ago I have driven from Basel to Milan, over the mountain instead of St. Gothard tunnel. The landscapes were literally breathtaking. I regret I wasn't LF shooter at that time.

[Richard Wall]

Switzerland is Heaven, IMHO. I have mainly stayed in the Bernese Oberland (Gunten, Muerren). Although I have stayed a few days in Geneva and Zurich. As for getting around the country take a look at the "Swiss Pass". It will give you unlimited travel on the Swiss Transit System (trains, buses, gondolas and boats) for a set amount of time. The last time I was there I bought a month's travel, but you can get 4, 8, 15 or 22 days also.
http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/passes/swiss_pass.htm?WT.mc_id=CJ.swiss_pass.affiliates&collectCGIParams=1

When I have gone to Switzerland I typically stayed in apartments while there. The swiss make it very easy to find apartments to rent for short term. Nearly every town has a web-site which lists accommodations. Often all you need to do is simply type the name of a town into a web-browser followed by ".ch" and you will more often than not hit the web-site of that town. For instance if you want to find the web site for the town of Muerren type in "muerren.ch" and you should hit the web-site for that town. You can then contact owners of apartments and make arrangements. I have done this in Muerren, Kandersteg and Gunten and had wonderful experiences every time. The Zimmermans in Gunten were extremely nice and invited my wife and I to dinner at their house. Mr. Zimmerman had a 49' Harley that he restored and was happy to show it off.

As for film, I take the slowest film I am comfortable with in a carry on and let it be x-rayed. I don't like having my film x-rayed, but I have not noticed any problems so far. I have traveled with HP5+, Tmax 100, Velvia-50 and High Speed Infrared and have never noticed any fogging of the film from x-rays of the hand luggage (don't put your film in checked luggage, the x-rays will destroy it). I have had my film x-rayed up to 9 times when I went to Vietnam and Cambodia and did not notice any fogging. Although, my lab has destroyed my HIE film a few times during processing by leaving on the IR light in the processor.
Good luck with your trip.

r.

[John Kasaian]

If you buy an Omega or Rolex watch with a radium dial don't claim it as a "small unlicensed nuclear device"---the people who run Swiss airports (the one in Geneva anyway) don't have much of a sense of humor!

[r.e.]

We are planning a vacation to Switzerland in Sept. Does anyone have any specific areas they like ? Can you access everything by rail or is renting a car a necessity? How do you get your film there? thanks, Alan

If you are a student with no money, you'll get by OK, as you will anywhere in Europe, with a backpack and public transportation.

If you are an adult who has done the student thing and doesn't want to revisit it, rent a car and consider spending some time in France and/or Italy as well.

As for recommendations, you'll find lots of interest anywhere you go. It's a pretty small country, so it isn't like you have to make hard decisions as between here and there. Just rent a car, if you can, and go with the flow. And if you backpack it, all the more reason to go with the flow.

You get your film to there the same way that you get your film to anywhere in the civilized world.

[Emmanuel BIGLER]

I'm living close to Switzerland and I regularly go there for mountaineering.
To the many good advice already mentioned, I have a few extra ideas to suggest.
Renting a car will give you more freedom but as suggested, keep in mind the top-class public transportation system that will bring you almost everywhere.
Many Swiss citizen go skiing and mountaineering by train + bus.
The Postal Bus (le car postal) is a Swiss institution that will bring you everywhere in the mountains.

An interesting option ( but may be for a second visit) that some of my friends at the Alpine club often use, is to park the car on one side of a mountain, make a mountain climb or a trip, go down in another valley and go back to the car with the public transportation system.
The Wallis area (Le Valais) has a very special climate, drier and sunnier than many other places. Usually drier and sunnier than the nearby Chamonix valley in France or the Berner Alps, located, unfortunateley just on the wettest side of the mountains with respect to the usual path of clouds & rains coming from the Atlantic ;)
In September you will not see as many flowers as in June, but on the other hand many snowfields will have melted during summer (except permanent glaciers of course) so many walks on footpaths in the mountains are accessible without special equipement, including many nice walks that will bring you close to glacier areas, after combining with a cable train or something to shorten the climb.

[Lachlan 717]

Alan,

I'm heading there in Mid August (I'm a bit limited for time), and have booked in to Luzern, Interlaken and a place called Lauterbrunnen.

My advice is to Google images of Lauterbrunnen; if there is a more magnificent (inhabited) valley on earth, I'll go hee.

Enjoy your trip,

Lachlan.

[Remigius]

Most places have been mentioned. One of the places that I like best is aplace near Interlaken called Schynige Platte. You take a train (famous among train spotters) that goes directly up the slope for one hour, 1000m higher you find yourself in the middle of a breathtaking view to the so callled Jungfrau Group on one side (three very famous mountains called Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, which means Ogre, Monk and Virgin - the Monk is said to protect the Virgin from the Ogre), and the two lakes Thunersee and Brienzersee on the other. There's a botanic garden that explains all the alpine plants you can also find in the surrounding nature when you take a walk.

http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-11//178_read-3273

and

http://www.alpengarten.ch/Seiten/210description.html

If you are in the region of Interlaken, you could also go to the Jungfraujoch, aka Top of Europe. Even more spectacular, you take a (very expensive!) train ride through the Eiger north wall, the two intermediate stops allow you to peep through a hole in the middle of the north wall and another one on the back side. At the top you arrive at Europe's highest-altitude railway station between the Jungfrau and the Mönch, where you have a view over an incredible glacierscape.

http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-8//183_read-808

And, If you happen to be thirsty and near Basel, just drop me a PM and I'll join you for a drink.

[joolsb]

I'm currently living in Switzerland and love it here. September/October is the best time to visit. The weather is usually more reliable and, if you catch the larches on the turn, the views can be truly memorable. You didn't say whether you want to do the 'sights' or are more interested in out-of-the-way places. Drop me a PM and I can give you a list of lesser-known photogenic locations.

[adietrich]

Most places have been mentioned. One of the places that I like best is aplace near Interlaken called Schynige Platte. You take a train (famous among train spotters) that goes directly up the slope for one hour, 1000m higher you find yourself in the middle of a breathtaking view to the so callled Jungfrau Group on one side (three very famous mountains called Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, which means Ogre, Monk and Virgin - the Monk is said to protect the Virgin from the Ogre), and the two lakes Thunersee and Brienzersee on the other. There's a botanic garden that explains all the alpine plants you can also find in the surrounding nature when you take a walk.

http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-11//178_read-3273

and

http://www.alpengarten.ch/Seiten/210description.html

If you are in the region of Interlaken, you could also go to the Jungfraujoch, aka Top of Europe. Even more spectacular, you take a (very expensive!) train ride through the Eiger north wall, the two intermediate stops allow you to peep through a hole in the middle of the north wall and another one on the back side. At the top you arrive at Europe's highest-altitude railway station between the Jungfrau and the Mönch, where you have a view over an incredible glacierscape.

http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-8//183_read-808

And, If you happen to be thirsty and near Basel, just drop me a PM and I'll join you for a drink.

Jungfraujoch is absolutely breathtaking. Be up there early enough, so that you can take that little hike to "Moenchsjochhuette".

BTW, if you have some time to spare I recommend to have a look at the "Puls5" in Zuerich.

-Arne

[Emmanuel BIGLER]

called Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau,

Attached is a view to the Berner Alps as seen from the Jura in winter from a distance of 120 km (75 miles).
The North face of the Eiger is characteristic even seen from far away.
Not that we do are not impressed by El Capitan or the Half Dome, but the Eigerwand and the Matterhorn are worth seing as well ;-)
From another place in the Jura above Neuchâtel named : la Vue des Alpes you'll get closer to Bern and you'll get even more peaks above 4000m in your field of view ;)
In Lauterbrunnen you'll just be as close as anybody can be from the Eiger if you are not an alpinist.

[LilNatty]

Switzerland is definitely one of the top countries I want to visit in the future. I already started to collect information via some online booking services (http://stout.hampshire.edu/~iwf06/holiday.html) so that I might make it next year in August. :)

[Remigius]

called Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau,

Attached is a view to the Berner Alps as seen from the Jura in winter from a distance of 120 km (75 miles).
The North face of the Eiger is characteristic even seen from far away.
Not that we do are not impressed by El Capitan or the Half Dome, but the Eigerwand and the Matterhorn are worth seing as well ;-)
From another place in the Jura above Neuchâtel named : la Vue des Alpes you'll get closer to Bern and you'll get even more peaks above 4000m in your field of view ;)
In Lauterbrunnen you'll just be as close as anybody can be from the Eiger if you are not an alpinist.
The problem with Vue des Alpes (and other similar viewpoints in the Jura) is that it's hardly possible to take a LF photo of the Alps because they're so far away and make up only a small stripe on the horizon (see the picture). For pictures of mountains in the Alps you should be much closer (like e.g. Schynige Platte). Not that the Jura isn't beautiful - I go there quite often - but just not an ideal place for photos of the Alps.
Closest to the Eiger northwall w/o being an alpinist would be Kleine Scheidegg, IMHO. That's the last station before entering the tunnel when going to Jungfraujoch. That's a digi snap from close to Kleine Scheidegg while skiing, just to get a taste.

[GPS]

The problem with Vue des Alpes (and other similar viewpoints in the Jura) is that it's hardly possible to take a LF photo of the Alps because they're so far away and make up only a small stripe on the horizon (see the picture). For pictures of mountains in the Alps you should be much closer (like e.g. Schynige Platte). Not that the Jura isn't beautiful - I go there quite often - but just not an ideal place for photos of the Alps.
.

Well, yes and not... I've made a special camera for myself with 800mm Nikon just to take pictures of orographic clouds over the Mt. Blanc mountain. With 6x12 RF back I'm able to have 20 in long sharp pics with the whole Mt. Blanc massive on it. At a distance of 80km...

[Edwin Lachica]

If you do decide to use the Swiss Travel System, you'd save a lot by buying the Swiss Pass or a Swiss Half Fare Pass.

For film you can buy them from Photostudio13 (http://www.photostudio13.ch/index.php?l=e), they're located near the main train station of Zurich. Email or call ahead to pre-order the film you need. Or you could also order from Ars Imago (http://www.ars-imago.ch/index.php?language=en), and have them deliver to your hotel.

[Emmanuel BIGLER]

The problem with Vue des Alpes .....they're so far away

Agreed of course with a standard lens as show on my picture ;-)
However if travellers pass by the Geneva Lake between Geneva and Lausanne en route to Martigny (Valais) for example, in two hours' drive extra they can climb by several good paved roads either above Geneva or above Lausanne or Neuchâtel to enjoy the panoramic landscape, wheather permitting since by hot days the view is not clear, cold, sunny days are better.
A favourite game from the Jura is to try and catch the characteristic shape of the Matterhorn in the distance. From several places, it is hidden behind other peaks, but at some spots you can see it clearly.
Seen from the Jura is ressembles a church; the famous Hörnli side (on chocolate packages and other swiss favourite images) is not visible from the Jura.

For those who will travel from Lausanne to Martigny, we can recommend (for rainy days ;) )
- in Lausanne, the Musée de l'Élysée (photographic collections)
http://www.elysee.ch
http://www.elysee.ch/index.php?id=144&L=1

- in Vevey : the Swiss Camera Museum (a small museum but very interestIng to LF aficionados)
http://www.cameramuseum.ch
http://www.cameramuseum.ch/e_basis.php

- in Martigny the museum of fine Arts Gianadda Foundation (I do not think that photography is exposed there, at least not permanently like in Lausanne)
http://www.gianadda.ch
http://www.gianadda.ch/wq_pages/en/expositions/index.php

[GPS]

The problem with Vue des Alpes .....they're so far away

Agreed of course with a standard lens as show on my picture ;-)
However if travellers pass by the Geneva Lake between Geneva and Lausanne en route to Martigny (Valais) for example, in two hours' drive extra they can climb by several good paved roads either above Geneva or above Lausanne or Neuchâtel to enjoy the panoramic landscape, wheather permitting since by hot days the view is not clear, cold, sunny days are better.
....]

There you're right. The all too frequent almost constant haze over much of the Swiss landscape is annoying to say the least. The fall season is best for Alps for this reason. Still Switzerland is a paradise for nature photography if you know it well...

[Remigius]

For film you can buy them from Photostudio13 (http://www.photostudio13.ch/index.php?l=e), they're located near the main train station of Zurich. Email or call ahead to pre-order the film you need. Or you could also order from Ars Imago (http://www.ars-imago.ch/index.php?language=en), and have them deliver to your hotel.
Beware, film is about double the price here than in the US.

[GPS]

Beware, film is about double the price here than in the US.

And what isn't ?:)

[Edwin Lachica]

And what isn't ?:)

Swiss watches and chocolate. :)

[GPS]

Swiss watches and chocolate. :)

Sure, both you can buy in the US for the same doubled price...:)

[Struan Gray]

I've given up on photography in the Alps. Too many jacuzzis cluttering up the landscape: http://www.jaccuzzi.ch/index_e.html.

Everyone has mentioned the mountains. I'd like to quietly point out that September is often a great time for the plants on the hillsides between where the towns stop and the glaciers start. Quite apart from the culinary aspect (wild strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and mushrooms are all present depending on altitude and aspect), the colours and patterns are fabulous.

So if you do go to, say, the Gornergrat or Kleine Scheidegg, do yourself a favour and walk down to the valley through the woods and meadows.


PS: if you're spending time in Lausanne, the town museum has some truly macabre specimens on display. Two-headed lambs, a pair of cojoined human twins, and a sad little stuffed desert hedgehog. The cathedral was held together with silver masking tape last time I was there, which made for some amusing snapshots.

[GPS]

I've given up on photography in the Alps. Too many jacuzzis cluttering up the landscape: http://www.jaccuzzi.ch/index_e.html.

.

To avoid them, you have to know places away from crowds, the right days and times etc. I often look for the old military observatory view points from the time of WWII. Once you have found one you can identify the others (they looked at each other to be able to give visual signals in binoculars). Often nothing more than a shallow hole in the terrain with a little protection (stone wall) against wind, just to hide a sitting man. They have excellent view over mountains, are away from people and a great spot for pictures. Often you sit there, looking at tourist under you, who have no idea you can see them and be unseen. In Jura I know some of them, where the sunset is more than 1/2 hour later than valleys they overlook. Alps are full of them and it's fun to look for them.
October is the time for colors in Alps, with beautiful fog in valleys. But all this is more or less for Alp connaisseurs, the common tourist is condemned to crowds.