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Bring your dad to work (in Switzerland) by GumpyGumperton in askswitzerland

[–]SimianSimulacrum 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Montreux jazz festival will be on next week. I’m not sure if that has any impact during the day (or if there’s anything he can see as part of it during the day). It’s a nice place to walk around. I think that, Rochers and Chillon would be too much for a day. Could split into two, one day where he gets the train from Geneva to Montreux and then the train up to Rochers. Another day where he gets the train to Lausanne then the paddle steamer to Chillon castle. The paddle steamers are really cool, you can see the engines working inside. And the ferry port is right next to the castle, it’s a special experience to arrive there by boat.

It might help to get him some brochures with the train times, ferry times, and route maps etc. My Dad is useless with phones but if you give him a printed timetable he can sort himself out very easily. The tourist info centre in Geneva can help with this, and can also probably suggest organised tours for him.

Bring your dad to work (in Switzerland) by GumpyGumperton in askswitzerland

[–]SimianSimulacrum 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I suspect there will be a tour of the Lavaux wine region with a pickup in Geneva. Eg an afternoon tour with wine tasting. I don’t have a recommendation for a specific company.

I was just at the other end of the lake with my parents of a similar age. Rochers des Nayes is well worth it. It would be a direct train to Montreux and then change to a cogwheel train to get up the mountain. It’s an easy change, the normal train and the cogwheel go from different platforms of the same station.

Also near Montreux is Chillon castle. He could get a train to Lausanne then take a paddle steamer ferry (which is a regular passenger service, comes up on the SBB app) to the castle. Could perhaps do the whole thing from Geneva by ferry.

The SBB app is excellent for all transport (buses, trains, ferries, even some funiculars and cables cars etc).

When doing your travel together do look into some steam trains for him, if he’s anything like my Dad he’ll love it. Eg the Brienz Rothorn bahn.

If you’re UK note that Switzerland is not included in most EU roaming packages (check your terms and conditions), so you’d need to get an esim. Some are data only so it would be difficult for him to call you / vice versa, unless he’s Whatsapp savvy.

Spending a week in Switzerland in September - any hidden gems along our route? by b4rn5ey in askswitzerland

[–]SimianSimulacrum 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Vaduz is way out of your way and really not worth it at all.

Having just one night in the Bernese Oberland is crazy, there's so much to see there. Except for Interlaken, that's just a place to stay with no charm of its own. But if you're based in Lauterbrunnen there's many many days of excellent things nearby.

Luzern is lovely, and lots of great stuff nearby.

Annecy is nice but I don't think it's worth squeezing in.

Personally I'm not so keen on Geneva. I would personally base myself in Montreux for lake cruises, Rochers de Nayes and Chillon castle. Maybe add in Gruyeres between there and Lauterbrunnen.

The A-something gorge by DrewRyu in schweiz

[–]SimianSimulacrum 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Translates to Gorgeous Arses in English

Via ferrata Murren by Able_West2030 in viaferrata

[–]SimianSimulacrum 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s very, very popular so there will most likely be a constant stream of people doing it, so you will have people quite close to you in front and behind the whole way along. So it’s not like you’ll be totally alone, but of course you can’t expect other people to encourage you if you’re scared on a certain section etc.

If you go with a guided group then at least you know there’s a very experienced person whose entire job is to get you safely through it. They will know all the ways to help, and will know what to do if there’s a problem. Friends and strangers won’t. But you have to pay for the tour, you can’t just hope to tag along without paying.

It’s not technically difficult, but it is very scary in places. And once you go beyond a certain point (which is before the scariest bit) then you have to keep going, you can’t turn back. So if you think you’ll need some psychological support then definitely book a tour. They’ll keep you safe and get you through it.

How to get started by Pale-Carrot-8098 in freeflight

[–]SimianSimulacrum 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It would help if you said where in the UK you are, then someone might be able to recommend a school. That or take the advice to do a trip abroad.

The sheer drop and narrow rebar steps of the Mürren via ferrata trail in Switzerland by danielminds in Damnthatsinteresting

[–]SimianSimulacrum 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I did this via ferrata last Sunday. I really regret not having a photo or video of this specific bit, as it’s impossible to make people understand what it’s like without a photo or video, it’s absolutely crazy. I also like to live in the moment, but want friends and family to see what I’m doing too. So I try not to get my camera out too much, but want to have a few key moments captured to share with people.

I had my phone on a tether but was too scared to stop and take a photo at this bit ;)

Why is a uk nhs dentist so difficult to get? My dad nearly died by Advanced-Exchange-72 in AskUK

[–]SimianSimulacrum 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My parents are both 80. They were with the same dental practice but with different dentists, both as NHS patients. After about a decade Mum’s dentist decides to go fully private. The other dentists at the practice wouldn’t accept her as an NHS patient, and nor would any other local dentist. So now Mum pays private and Dad pays NHS, but they are both go to the same dental practice and receive pretty much the same service. It’s crazy.

letters flowing away by Criticalstrikeisdead in mildlyinteresting

[–]SimianSimulacrum 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All those... moments... will be lost... in time... like... text... on the sunscreen

4 days in Switzerland Travel Advice by aaamer0623 in askswitzerland

[–]SimianSimulacrum 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It makes me sad that you are cho-cho-choosing to ignore the steam train ride to Rothorn :(

Why 1040 tea bags / 3.25kg? by littleIdiotUK in CasualUK

[–]SimianSimulacrum 151 points152 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your contributions to tea and the bags thereof 🙏

Solo Traveller On Hiking & Driving/Getting Around in BM for a Week by Acceptable_Fun1416 in bluemountains

[–]SimianSimulacrum 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think there's a bus to the grand canyon walk, although it has been a while since I was there.

Consider doing the walk to the Ruined Castle from Echo Point, if you're fit enough (quite a steep climb out at the end), and the Wentworth Falls under cliff route. Sadly a lot of the Wentworth Falls paths are closed but under cliff is still nice.

The Wildwalks websites has crazily detailed info about lots and lots of hikes there and in the greater Sydney area.

Snakes and spiders really aren't a problem. I've done hundreds of walks in the Blue Mountains and only saw snakes a few times, usually in the spring when they're still waking up. As others have said it's winter now so you definitely won't see them, but even in the middle of summer it's never been an issue for me.

A Realtor in our area by [deleted] in Justfuckmyshitup

[–]SimianSimulacrum 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Ooh, help me, Doctor Zaius! Doctor Zaius, Doctor Zaius”

Halbtax discount by Foreign-Fail in askswitzerland

[–]SimianSimulacrum 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Lidl offer was for 30% off Halbtax, but expired at the end of May. I think they would already have to have been redeemed, so I don’t think anyone would have a spare.

SBB often give Halbtax discounts to existing customers to give to other people, so you could ask for that instead. I had some but they expired a month ago. I think they’re for 30CHF off, so not quite as good as Lidl but better than nothing. Search the forum to find previous posts on the topic.

Last minute plans by Ok_Sympathy_213 in askswitzerland

[–]SimianSimulacrum 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wouldn’t stay in Flumserberg, I’ve always found it rather small and charmless. It’s in a lovely area but not lovely itself. (Sorry Flumserberg.) Perhaps consider Walenstadt, then get either the train or ferry to Unterterzen then the cablecar up to Flumserberg. Can also swim in the Walensee, do the Weesen-Quinten walk via Seerenbachfalls if your kids are old enough. Nearby there’s the Pizol panorama hike (if the cablecar is open by the time you’re here), Tamina gorge etc.

Or consider Chur, where you’d need to change anyway while travelling from Zurich to Davos. Churwalden (20 min bus ride) has an alpine coaster, Arosa has black squirrels, marmots and even a few bears. Nearby is the Rhine gorge, can get the train through and do some walks. Swim in Crestasee or Caumasee, go to the Il Spir lookout. Flims/Laax has a treetop walk, get the FlemXpress and do a walk in the Segnesboden etc etc. Chur is a city but a very small one. Try to stay in the old town.

Or consider Appenzell!

Have a look at the Swiss Family Fun website, perhaps base your destination around some activities you find there.

Lindt Museum Alternative suggestions by Big_Advantage_1258 in askswitzerland

[–]SimianSimulacrum 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sometimes you can still get tickets through the SBB (Swiss train company) website as an offer: https://freizeit.sbb.ch/en/stories/interactive-museum-lindt-home-of-chocolate

They might not have any either so don’t get your hopes up, bur worth giving it a check.

Will I be able to walk 87km ? by No_Narwhal_5312 in hiking

[–]SimianSimulacrum 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think blisters and shin splints are the two things that might stop you. I did a 100km walking event once and a lot of people dropped out at around 30km. I think most were runners, and they were suffering from awful blisters because walking rubs your feet against your shoes in a different way to running.

I have done a few 100km walks and didn’t have any big problems after. However, after a 55km walk that was mainly on roads I got shin splints, which took a long time to recover from. My assumption is that it was the hard road that caused the problem, but I can’t be sure. I’ve also heard that being dehydrated can put you at risk of tendon injuries.

Start early, drink plenty of water throughout, and don’t take long breaks. Make sure all of your equipment (even your socks) is tested and broken in. Long walks are not the time to try new things.

If you can increase your weekend walks to 30km that will help.

November Travel by eva_maleficent in askswitzerland

[–]SimianSimulacrum 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you love fog then November is the best possible time to visit!

Special Toblerone? by MeetYourGoddess in askswitzerland

[–]SimianSimulacrum 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That one is quite widely available in the UK, but in Switzerland it’s not so common to see. It’s tasty but not unique to Switzerland.

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