Britschgi Spycher
Historic chalet with modern comforts in the town of Sachseln
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Stay in Swiss Heartland
History meets modern conveniences! Staying in the Britschgi Spycher means staying in a unique historic building with character, but with modern comforts. The owners rescued this chalet, which was formerly located in the hills above Sachseln, and brought it down the mountain to restore it. Many UnTourists and their families have fond memories of their stays throughout the decades.
The chalet is spread out over three floors and features exposed wood beams and a large, comfortable, and open eat-in kitchen, with a working fireplace, which can serve as a family room. Two bathrooms are side-by-side on the ground floor. The middle floor, which includes a large, comfortable living room and the master bedroom, can be reached by a separate entrance from the outside via an ornamental wooden staircase (eight steps up). The upper floor holds two more bedrooms.
The vacation rental is ideal for friend groups or families with children, surrounded by greenery and outfitted with playground equipment and a picnic table under a spreading nut tree.
The chalet is about an eight-minute walk to the train station and a four-minute walk to the town square flanked by the beautiful baroque church, stores, bakery, and numerous restaurants.
What's included
- 7+ days in a private Swiss apartment or chalet, often with spectacular views of the lakes and mountains.
- Suggestions for booking your international flight from the U.S. to Zurich, or we can purchase tickets on your behalf (See UnTours' air policies)
- Personalized train schedule and detailed instructions from the Zurich airport that allow you to reach your village with ease where you are met by your hosts.
- An 8 or 15-day Swiss Rail Pass valid on trains, buses, lake ships; free entry to over 400 museums in Switzerland.
- A welcome session given by our very experienced local staff covering rail and sightseeing.
- Our own guide App for the area full of the best restaurants, sightseeing, and other suggestions researched by UnTours staff.
- Included activity: a cheese-making workshop, where you will learn how cheese has been prepared in Switzerland generation after generation.
- A stash of groceries upon your arrival, so you don’t need to shop right away.
- Pre-trip planning advice from our staff, available by phone or email right up until you leave.
- Ongoing support with our local representative. Help available when you need it.
Sachseln, Switzerland - Heartland, Home of Britschgi Spycher
The pretty town of Sachseln (population 4,000) is located on the shore of crystal blue Lake Sarnen. It is renowned as the home of Bruder Klaus, the patron saint of Switzerland, who is revered as a religious figure and as a crucial political force in the unification of the country in the fifteenth century. The impulses for much of what lies at the core of Swiss thinking—neutrality, autonomy and tolerance—began with this remarkable man. He is buried in the large baroque church that graces the center of town.
Despite its size, Sachseln is blessed with several fine restaurants and 2 small museums, a large supermarket as well as a bank/ATM. Lake Sarnen invites you to explore its lovely shores. You can walk in either direction to the neighboring Heartland towns of Sarnen or Giswil. Sachseln’s meadows and forests offer beautiful hikes right at your doorstep.
With 2 northbound trains each hour to Luzern (35 minutes) providing excellent connections throughout Switzerland, Sachseln makes a superb base for touring the country. Moreover, it lies among the foothills of the Swiss Alps. Hourly train service south takes guests quickly into the high mountains for breathtaking scenery and excellent hiking.
Location
Landlord
The Britschgi Spycher was formerly located in the hills above Sachseln, where alpine farmers and herdsmen had lived for hundreds of years. Herr Britschgi rescued the chalet from ruin. He disassembled it and brought it down the mountain for restoration. Much of its original wood and wrought iron is still part of the building. While the senior Britschgis are retired from taking care of UnTours guests, their 3 adult children have taken over. (From left: Frau Britschgi, daughter Dorothea, local staff Urs)
Property details
Here's some important details about this property.
Occupancy
This property sleeps 1-6 people
Sleeping
3 bedrooms: 1 with combined twins (2nd floor, sleeps 2), 2 bedrooms on the 3rd floor, 1 with combined twins and a single and one with combined twins. (must walk through one bedroom to access the next)
Bathrooms
2 bathrooms, each with shower stall
Kitchen
Full eat-in kitchen with microwave
Laundry
Washing machine in apartment
Level
Ground, second and third floors
Accessibility
2 flights of stairs within apartment
Transportation
8-minute walk to train station
Minuses
Slanted ceilings in upstairs bedrooms. Bathrooms are on ground floor while bedrooms on upper levels, requiring a trip downstairs to use the bathroom at night.
Pluses
Historic building, lovely grounds with picnic table & playground equipment, lake swimming and hiking trails nearby, Wifi
Special Features
Radio, microwave, fireplace, satellite TV, WiFi
Reviews
Here's what our guests have to say
Carole Edelman
This was not our first stay in this apartment and we were delighted to be back there in Sachseln. Our experience in the apartment was as wonderful as we remembered from our first stay there 27 years ago.
William Laste
Our hosts invited us to a meal in their home. It was a lovely experience. Their son, who spoke excellent English, joined us.
Faye Fittery
We loved our host, their friendliness and accomodations. Sachseln was an exceptional place to call "home"."
Jack & Annabelle LeBreton
Perfect site for my family. They playground was very close for the kids and the host family couldn't have been more helpful - just a great place for us.
Tommy & Lydia Sharp
We were so charmed by the Britschgi family and the homey atmosphere of the chalet that we look forward to going back again. We wished the windows had been larger so we could have enjoyed the mountain view behind us, but we did enjoy the view when we lounged under the walnut tree every evening.
Garrett/Morrow family
The Britschgi's are such lovely people. They were always concerned for our comfort.
Martha & Gary Bowman
Our hosts were the most lovely family imaginable! They really took pains to ensure that we had everything we needed. Their grandchildren shared their toys with our kids during our visit, and they even took our laundry off the line to save it from a rainstorm! They are the kind of people you'd love to have as next-door neighbors at home.
Wang family
The Britschgi family members are wonderful hosts who make their apartments attractive and functional. I like the charm of a true Swiss cabin.
John & Anne Singleton
The Britschgi family gave an especially good "face" to UnTours. From meeting us at the Sachseln station to providing a well-stocked kitchen for our first meals, the entry was easy. Franz even made a special trip to Sarnen to retrieve our checked luggage on the first day. Hospitality to all of us and especially to our grandchildren was much appreciated. They looked after us without intruding. They made us feel like we had a home & family in Sachseln. They told us of their long history with UnTours visitors & staff.
Jan & Richard Landis
The whole Britschgi family treated us like part of their own. We were so amazed at the dinner they invited us to in their wonderful home and their generosity. Whenever we had a question they were so helpful-giving my son hiking tips, local information, translations of papers. I can't imagine how they stay this patient and cheerful all the way to the last guest on the last visit of the season. How does any UnTourer ever make the decision between going back someplace they know they loved or going someplace they haven't seen! Yikes!
Jan & Richard Landis
The whole Britschgi family treated us like part of their own. We were so amazed at the dinner they invited us to in their wonderful home and their generosity. Whenever we had a question they were so helpful-giving my son hiking tips, local information, translations of papers. I can't imagine how they stay this patient and cheerful all the way to the last guest on the last visit of the season. How does any UnTourer ever make the decision between going back someplace they know they loved or going someplace they haven't seen! Yikes!
Gilbert & June Wang
The Britschgi family could not have been better hosts. Most of our luggage did not arrive until Saturday night and Franz made many calls to finally track it down still back in New York. He made a trip into Zurich to get it for us, only to find that the 3 suitcases had already been put on the train to Sarnen. Lori, our daughter, had to buy some clothes for Carly and Connor. Franz again called the airport lost and found department and found out that she could be reimbursed for those expenses by presenting her receipts. She did this and was paid "on the spot". How could we find any better host? Franz also took us on a daylong drive through the Engadine Valley, which was an area we had never seen. It was wonderful!
Absolutely FABULOUS hosts! Frau Britschgi and her adult sons and daughter went out of their way to make.
Disclaimer
Our staff have inspected this property and the above description and photographs reflect what they saw at that time. It is possible that the owner has made changes to the property without our knowledge. While we do our best to keep up with any changes or improvements made to our properties, we cannot guarantee that everything in the above description will be accurate.
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- Apartment
- Local transit pass
- Cultural event
- Digital Guidebook
- Local support
The money we pay for your accommodation will benefit the local economy where you will be staying.
Program Director
I greatly enjoy the diversity of my responsibilities at Untours, the company's values, and the opportunity to connect with people from other cultures.