Recommendations for Switzerland

cazs

Thinking of going to Switzerland in the Oct half term holiday with a friend for say 4 days give or take. We are not planning to ski so this is a cultural / scenic trip.

Could anyone provide guidance for an itinerary for the 'best bits'?

Thanks

Voyager2002

Four days is nothing like long enough...


The standard answer is "Bernese Oberland": the villages that are uphill from Interlaken (Interlaken itself is an attractive city but mainly of value as a base for the Bernese Oberland.)


I used Luzern as a base for ten days; got a rail pass (which also includes buses and local public transport) and explored the country. Luzern is a delight and would be good for at least four days, particularly if you included the nearby mountains (with cable-cars to take you to the top).

If you get a rail pass (or the cheaper Swiss card, which gives half-price rail tickets as well as free or discounted admission to most museums) then look out for the information on spectacular train rides: there are free booklets at most main railway stations and probably a lot on the SBB web site. I particularly enjoyed the route called the Golden Pass, although the Glacier Express is more famous and goes higher.

Ganga

I believe there is a member on this forum who lives in Switzerland who might also give you some good info.

peachyprice

Goodness, so much, so many mountains, so many lakes.

I agree with Voyager, if you only have 4 days head to Lucerne. There are excursions from the lakeside, either by bus or boat, there are also some great mountain train rides too The city itself very beautiful, an easy place to while away a few hours just wandering the streets.

The excursion to Mt Pilatus is particularly nice, you take a ferry on the lake to the funicular station, from there you take the funcicular to the Pilatus, then a cable car back down the other side and a bus back to town. Although not sure whether it will still be operating in October?

Eu_Bares_All

We are 8 days into a 25 day European driving tour, of which the past 5 have been spent in Switzerland. We are currently in the Bernese Oberland region staying just outside of Interlaken, the scenery is simply breathtaking.

On reading this thread, we ventured over to Luzern yesterday and spent just a few hours exploring, dog in tow so not much of going into many places.
Having walked the city streets around the river it is obvious there is so much history. The wooden bridge depicting scenes from years past and writing in Swiss (maybe German), my wife can speak German but struggled a little with these. Scenes of persons beheadings in front of large crowds, that gives you an idea of the history.
I would say you need to head to the centre, particularly the river area, as drive just half a mile outside and you could be in any city anywhere.

We also visited Bern which we both found to be attractive and interesting.

Today we ventured up to Grindelwald which was absolutely stunning. Prior to moving to Interlaken we spent a few days on Lac Leman, not far from Geneva. Wonderful but I prefer this side personally.

Have been to Mont Blanc and also Zermatt to see The Matterhorn.

Interestingly enough, Grindelwald aside, our favourite place so far is not in Switzerland, Annecy in France took that mantle. A beautiful place on the lake, look it up.

Tomorrow we go to Lake Como, a new adventure awaits.

Enjoy your trip.

Voyager2002

Eu_Bares_All wrote: »

We are 8 days into a 25 day European driving tour, of which the past 5 have been spent in Switzerland. We are currently in the Bernese Oberland region staying just outside of Interlaken, the scenery is simply breathtaking.

I am glad that you are enjoying your visit.

You mention seeing Como, which is in the Italian-speaking Canton of Ticino (to all intents and purposes this is part of Italy, but has belonged to Switzerland for a very long time). While in the region, you might take a look at Bellinzona: a perfect walled city that seems to belong to the middle ages, a good place to eat pizza and gelato while admiring the mountains.

cubegame

It's nearly time for Vacherin. Spend four days eating what is arguably the world's finest cheese.

Eu_Bares_All

Voyager2002 wrote: »

I am glad that you are enjoying your visit.

You mention seeing Como, which is in the Italian-speaking Canton of Ticino (to all intents and purposes this is part of Italy, but has belonged to Switzerland for a very long time). While in the region, you might take a look at Bellinzona: a perfect walled city that seems to belong to the middle ages, a good place to eat pizza and gelato while admiring the mountains.

Good morning Voyager,

Thank you, Bellinzona: was a brilliant recommendation, what a beautiful place, the castle stunning. For once I even didn't mind walking around shops. You must be well travelled to know and recall such little known places.

We actually stayed in a villa perched on a hill nearby Bellagio overlooking Lake Como, paradise.

I leave in a minute via Milan for 5 days in Simione on Lake Garda.

PS, OP, have you decided yet where to go in Switzerland? Maybe somebody can offer more advice for a great time.

GlasweJen

It really depends on what you like, my husband would go to gruyere every day of the year if I let him, I love interlaken - particularly the jungfrau. Harder kulm is also worth a visit.

We also did the golden pass panorama train, first class with our Swiss cards. My seat swirled for maximum panorama - highly recommended!