Heartland trip planning

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom Haas on January 7, 2009 at 8:44pm

David,
We spent two weeks in the Swiss Heartland this past June. There are several internet cafe's as well as libraries where you could find access. In Meirengen, there is a business that offers internet at a very reasonable price. I used my cell phone, T-Mobile, throughout Switzerland but found that a phone card which can be purchased at any of the many Kiosk stores(usually near train stations) was the most economical means of communicating back to the states. I hope you enjoy your Untour...we hiked 8 days in the Alps and spent the other days in cities such as Bern, Lucern, Thun, and Zurich as well as the many beautiful villages. Meirengen would be a great location from which to explore the heartland. It offers great transportation and has many restaurants and grocery stores. If you prefer a smaller village you may consider Reuti or another Hasliberg village which are located just up the hill from Meirengen.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David Myers on January 8, 2009 at 4:46pm

Thanks for your input.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jean and Fred Agneta on January 8, 2009 at 2:53pm

In Meiringen there is a internet shop on the main street, and the hours are good. As for the cell reception we cannot answer that, but fortunately there are quite a few people who have stayed in Meiringen, and they can answer your question. Jean and Fred

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David Myers on January 8, 2009 at 4:45pm

Thanks for info. Every bit helps. More info I can use to get my wife on the bandwagon quicker.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jean and Fred Agneta on January 8, 2009 at 5:15pm

Dave, if you want to use Meiringen as a base, this village is very popular and some people book a year in advance. check out the properties in Meiringen on the Untours web page. www.untours.com

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Edward on January 8, 2009 at 3:40pm

The internet cafe stays open into the early evening and I used it a few times after returning from an outing. The cost was around two Francs for about 15 minutes - not as cheap as I have encountered elsewhere in Europe but resonable enough for email catch-up. The owner/operator is friendly.

I did take a cellular telephone for the first time ever due to illness in my family back home. As it turned out I did need to use it. I had no problems with making calls from within my apartment in Mirengin, the Chalet Margrit

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Edward on January 8, 2009 at 3:57pm

Let me add to Tom Haas' comment " If you prefer a smaller village you may consider Reuti or another Hasliberg village which are located just up the hill from Meirengen." As I said before, we stayed at Chalet Margrit in Meirengen. We thought that Meirengen as a base was wonderful. We hiked all around Reuti and Hasliberg and rode busses there as well. Personally we enjoyed the convenience of being in Meirengen itself for shopping, etc. By living in Meirengen it was easy to carry groceries back to the apartment or simply pop down to the wonderful Molki Meirengen yogurt shop. If you are living up the slope around Reuti shopping for groceries means carrying the bags on busses - longer and less convenient. Meirengen is a small town. I live in a rural mountain town (Brevard, NC) where the entire county has 27,000 and only 7,000 in the city/county seat. Meirengen is smaller than Brevard. When we walked around Meirengen at night we were all alone - it is a sleepy place - at least in late fall. My point is that the Reuti area seemed, to me, to be a weekend getaway area for Swiss, who had their automobile, a good book, a jug of wine and restful relaxation in mind. I guess that it all depends upon what you are after. In my case, Meirengen was just the right size yet it had excellent transportation access.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David Myers on January 8, 2009 at 4:43pm

Thanks Edward. Lots of good info. Right now I am thinking we may end up staying in Meirengen. That's "if" we go. This is still very early planning. If it were my choice-we would be gone today.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jean and Fred Agneta on January 8, 2009 at 4:49pm

Dave, you can't start planning early enough, browsing through the different chalets, checking out train schedules--- reading, and more reading about Switzerland. Another interesting site is www.swissinfo.com and My Switzerland --- have fun. Jean and Fred

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Edward on March 31, 2009 at 5:52pm

We were in Meiringen this past Sept./Oct.. There is a nice Internet cafe right in town and I used it a few times to send/receive emails. Also, due to my mother's health, I carried a cellular telephone, which I used twice - coverage is very good in Meiringen.

▶ Reply to This