 Switzerland's
Mountain Inns: A Walker's Complete Vacation Guide - Lieberman - Written by
folks who know these mountains. Whether you're planning a serious hiking trip to
Switzerland or are just a Switzerland- or mountain-fan with an itch for some armchair
travel, you'll find this an enjoyable and informative book. As well, you might want to
plan your vacation around stays in these unique and delightful mountain inns which run
from sumptuous to the Spartan.
Karen Brown's Switzerland Charming
Inns & Itineraries 2001 - interesting
itineraries and selected inns personally inspected by the author. Her choices with which
we have familiarity are excellent; be aware that while these are not five-star selections,
they are far above average in price.
Switzerland
by Rail - Lambert - This is a helpful guide to getting around the Swiss
(and European) rails and includes many suggested excursions in detail. If you'd like to
try the Swiss public transport system about which you've heard so much favorable, but are
perhaps afraid to try? Get this book ... you'll feel like a pro in no time at all.
Daytrips
Switzerland: 45 One Day Adventures by Rail, Bus and Car (Daytrips Series)
- Renouf - A guidebook with a 'twist' ... namely the notion that setting up base in one or
just a few spots and then daytripping to others is a better use of one's time than moving
around every day or so. We agree. This book is well-organized to help you plan trips using
this concept. Useful whether you're moving about by car, rail or otherwise.
Insight
Guides : Switzerland - APA Publications - In-depth essays on the several
Swiss regions, written by experts on each region. More for learning about the country than
a travel guide. No longer in print; used copies may be available.
Off
the Beaten Track Switzerland - Loveland, Marshall, & Sale - distributed
in US by The Globe Pequot Press - For those "who value personal discovery above
prescribed experience." An interesting series, most useful to armchair travelers and
those who want deep background on the areas they will visit. No longer in print; used
copies may be available.
 or those interested in rambles among the wonderful
mountains, the following are the most useful titles after the Reynolds' series cited
earlier:
Jungfrau Region - Hiking Guide
Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Wengen (title #3081) published by
Kümmerly & Frye in Bern (ISBN 3-259-03081-6) - the most authoritative and
comprehensive guide (in English) to hiking in the area. Unfortunately not available in the
US, but K & F may supply to a phone request. It may be found in Swiss bookstores,
usually in German but often in tourist areas in the English edition cited. Worth the
search.
Walking
Switzerland-The Swiss Way- : From Vacation Apartments, Hotels, Mountain Inns, and Huts
- A good introduction to hiking Switzerland while staying at huts and hotels along the
way.
Walking
in Switzerland - Lindenmayer - Lonely Planet - Comprehensive coverage of
walks throughout Switzerland. While quite useful the author and Ed and Julie do not always
see eye-to-eye on the selection of better walks in areas we know well.
White Spider: The Classic Account of the Ascent of the Eiger - Harrar - The north wall of the Eiger (Eiger
Nordwand) was one of the last of the Alps conquered and still represents the classic
climbing challenge in Europe. Over 50 have died attempting this climb. Harrar, the
real life hero of the recent popular movie, Seven Years in Tibet, recounts not
only his experiences on the first successful climb of the Nordwand but provides details of
most of the preceding attempts as well as later ones. First published in 1959 and
often reprinted, this is a new reprint from October, 1998. After reading the account of
the second failed attempt with Toni Kurz dying while dangling from a rope on the cliff
face almost within reach of rescuers, you'll never view mountain climbing in the
same way. This is the stuff of legends, and makes climbing Everest seem a cakewalk by
comparison. If you wait until after your trip to the Oberland to read it you'll wish
you'd read it before.
As one of our readers said
after reading the book,
"Got
my copy of this on Wednesday and finished it last night (Thursday). I really enjoyed this
book and it gave me a brand new perspective on the Eiger. I cannot believe that after two
weeks in Muerren last year we never made it to Grindelwald or Kleine Scheidegg. Obviously,
they are at the top of the list for this years trip. When we were there last year I had no
idea of N-S-E-W and thus had no idea viewing the mountains as to which face I was seeing.
I have rectified that by buying a compass for this year's trip."
The Railfan Guide to Switzerland - Drury - Think of the country as
"Switzer Land", a theme park for railroad enthusiasts. And if you're not a
railroad enthusiast, this is the best place to start a new hobby. Whether new to enjoying
railroads or an old hand, this guide is invaluable in getting the most out of your time on
and around Switzerland's railroads.
- Recommended Websites
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ere are the most useful books we've found for visits to Switzerland.
We've collected and used over the years virtually every travel book covering Switzerland
in English, including one from the 19th century.