Have just been very sad and watched a caravanning program on an obscure Sky channel. On there they showed a beautiful looking place - Aaregg camp site in Brienz.
We don't actually fancy taking the van all that way, but were planning to go back to Switzerland next July anyway and stay in a hotel or chalet. Have just seen that they also have bungalows/chalets on site aswell, that look like will be better value than the other options.
Has anyone been there?
The electricity is not included - has anyone had any experience of the cost when abroad?
------------- 'Plastic Pig' driver
(got a new plastic Hyundai - Santa Fe)
2011 -
? Mr PP has just gone and bought another business, holiday?...we should be so lucky!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We have not stayed at Camping Aaregg but we did look at it with a view to staying a few years back. We actually chose the next door site. Here is what I wrote at the time.
The Bernese Oberland around Interlaken is stupendously beautiful lake and mountain scenery. The Swiss transport system is very impressive with a wonderful range of train, cable cars, buses and boats which enable the car to be parked-up. We used our bikes a lot too.
We looked at the Lazy Rancho and another Swiss CC site, can't remember the name but Lazy Rancho seemed very crowded and the other was full when we went in July. I would highly recommend 2 sites at Brienz at the other end of the Brienzer See. The 2 sites are both right on the lakeside.
There is Camping Seegartli Tel 033 9511351 This is quite a small site with the only facilities being toilets, launderette and hook-ups but it in superb position right on the lakeside. We turned up on without booking and stayed for nearly 2 weeks. We had a superb lakeside pitch - our van was about 2 metres from the water's edge with uninterrupted views along the Brienzersee See towards Interlaken and the mountains. This site takes tents too.
Camping Aaregg Tel: 03395111843, Email: camping-aaregg at bluewin.ch Website: www.aaereg.ch Aareg is the bigger of the 2 with more facilities. snack bar, shop, etc. It is on the same minor road as Seegartli, a little further on. Both sites feature in the Caravan Club's "Caravan Europe" (Vol 2) which I would recommend as an essential guide for caravanning on the Continent. The same volume, also, covers Italy.
Both sites are very close to the picturesque lakeside village of Brienz which is famous for woodcarving. It is quieter than Interlaken which we found rather busy at times. It has its own railway station, mountain railway and lake boat stations within walking distance of the campsite.
We bought a combined boat, rail and cable car pass and hardly used the car all the time that we were on the site. The travel pass gave us access to all the main peaks including the spectacular Jungfraujoch with its glacier and ice cavern and Schilthorn made famous in the James Bond Film "On her Majesty's Secret Service".
Although our children were quite young we were able to walk in the mountains by using the cable cars and walking between them. Interlaken and Meringen are within easy travelling distance and the valley floor is flat enough for cycling. We cycled to Meringen and the nearby Reichenbach falls, where Sherlock Holmes "died"!!?? and, also, visited the Sherlock Holmes Museum in the former English Church in Meringen. En route a very helpful Swiss motorist stopped and, in perfect English, directed us to a beautiful minor road for cycling - all orchards and flower-decked chalets, cos he thought the main road was too busy for our family cycle!!
Meringen, also, had a wonderful selection of outdoor toys in a public area near the centre of the town. Our boys had a great time there. Just writing this brings back many happy memories of a super caravan holiday in staggeringly beautiful surroundings. Switzerland is, also, a very clean and efficient country. Although the campsites were not too expensive we found that food and other things tended to be. It was a really memorable holiday that brings back many happy memories.
I hope this review is of some use to you albeit a bit dated now. I would recommend taking your caravan. In fact the visit outlined above was our first Continental trip when we were new to caravanning and we took our time and didn't find it too far.
The disadvatages of Switzerland is that it IS a very expensive country and that includes having to buy motorway vignettes for both the car and caravan. We passed through Switzerland a couple of times in recent years enroute for Italy and we visited Vevey for a conference in May 2010 but that was plane and train. Switzerland was still stupendously beautiful but still VERY EXPENSIVE for everything.
Please post again if you have any more questions as I have my route to Switzerland, etc.
Thanks for info, will have a look at the other site you mentioned.
We last went to Switzerland 5 years ago. Mr PP used to work/live in Grindelwald about 20 years ago, which is where we stayed the last time. We know Interlaken quite well, and last time did a lot of the train journeys (Jungfraujoch), Schilthorn, Lake Thun boats etc
Absolutely love Switzerland for the scenery. Definately want to drive to have the car there, but just don't fancy hauling the caravan. (I'm a non-tower(coward!) so it would be left to Mr PP to do all the driving) We would prefer to do the trip in one go again (took about 10 hours down to Grindelwald), just toilet and food breaks on the way. Found it quite easy and that was before we had the sat nav, so only working off RAC auto route printout.
Last time stayed in a hotel (Eiger) that had self catering appartments. Looking at this again would be around £1200 for the week. Have been looking at chalets at around £1000 mark. The bungalows at Aaregg look to be cheaper than this, albeit with the electricity on top. Wondered how expensive that would turn out.
Just happened to see the site on TV and thought how lovely it looked. Had reservations about some of the chalets we had looked at online, as they might not be as nice once you get there. Compared to much of Europe now, Switzerland probably won't seem as expensive as it did before. Another good reason to drive, we can load up with supplies.
------------- 'Plastic Pig' driver
(got a new plastic Hyundai - Santa Fe)
2011 -
? Mr PP has just gone and bought another business, holiday?...we should be so lucky!
I have always found it an easy day's drive from Calais or Dunquerke, but do cross the channel the day before so that you get a good start to the day without having to get up at a godforsaken hour.
Michael
------------- Holly & Heidi say Hi
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Tim and Cary on 18/9/2010
The disadvatages of Switzerland is that it IS a very expensive country
Disagree with this bit - we found Switzerland this year to be very slightly, but not much, more expensive than France last year. I'm not sure that the old adage of Switzerland being very expensive applies now.
To the OP - if you want lots of peace and quiet, then Brienz will be fine. If you intend to travel around a lot or want a town that is open all day every day, then Interlaken would better imo as a much busier town and a major transport hub.
We have caravanned there many times . It is a lovely site, quite pricey but that's Switzerland for you! The location is breathtaking if you can get a lakeside pitch. Be aware however that the weather isn't always the driest and one year everyone had to up sticks in the middle of the night as the lake pitches were flooding. It's also a great place to tour from as Brienz train station is within walking distance then you are away - the whole of the Bernese Oberland and further afield awaits ( buy the 'go everywhere' rail/steamer/cable car pass ).If the lake is too cold for swimming, there is a public outdoor pool not too far away. There is a Migros (Swiss Tesco) in Brienz and a v.large Migros in Interlaaken near the station for food shopping.
Interlaaken is v. touristy but is the hub of the transport system which in our experience works like clockwork.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Aaregg, Brienz, Switzerland
