dillizen

Hello Friends,

I am reaching Lucerne on the afternoon of 24th of December and Leaving From Laussanne on the afternoon of 29th. How many days should I spend in Lucerne and Lausanne? Any suggestions destinations nearby? I am thinking about Montreux? Itinerary suggestions welcome from Area experts.

Thanks in advance,
Anuj

PalenQ

Lucerne in winter is worth a day or so IMO - in nice weather Lucerne is a sweet base with boat rides on the lake and excursions to Mt Pilatus or Mt Rigi, etc but often dark gray days, etc makes these not so neat in winter.

If you want to experience one of Switzerland's primo Alpine resorts however take a day trip to Engelberg and Mt Titlis which will be in full swing - take thrilling aerial gondolas up to near the summit, etc - Engelberg is just about an hour by mountain train from Lucerne.

Then take the Golden Pass specialty scenic train from Lucerne to Interlaken and onto Montreux - takes longer than the direct route but is infinitely more scenic the whole way - special panoramic observation cars on available - spend a few days in Montreux (many folks like Vevey too) - both are a short train ride from Lausanne - visit the Castle Chillon make famous by Lord Byron - castle sits on Lake Geneva - takes trains or buses there or even walk the few miles along the lake.

You may look into a Swiss Pass - a 4-consecutive-day pass may be a great deal - the fifth day would be a cheap train trip Monreux/Vevey to Lasuanne - for lots of great goodies on Swiss trains and passes, etc I always spotlight these IMO superb sites - www.ricksteves.com; www.swisstravelsystem.com and http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html.

michelhuebeli

This is your detailed 5-day forecast for Lucerne: http://www.meteocentrale.ch/en/europ...tails/S066500/

And this is the same for Montreux: http://www.meteocentrale.ch/en/europ...ils/N-3515720/

Montreux is on what's called the Swiss Riviera, named that way because it has the mildest winter climate of all of Switzerland north of the alps, being shielded towards the north and looking south across the lake, getting lots of sunshine when there is any.

At first glance the forecast seems to favor Montreux, but it's for you to decide.

Go to the individual websites of any targets you might have in mind and see just what the openings and closings are over the next few days, and remember that the 26th is also a holiday in Switzerland, so be sure to scope out in advance which few restaurants might be open etc.

PalenQ

Bern is one of the most wonderful cities in Europe IMO - at least stop there for a few hours (station has luggage lockers) and take a lot at the gorgeous town center - not on the Glacier Express route but on the quickest route.

swandav2000

Hi dillizon,

With 5 nights, I would have no more than 2 bases, and I would pick one in the mountains and one by Lake Geneva.

For the mountain destination, I would think either the Jungfrau area or the Gstaad area would be great. The Jungfrau area has the high, majestic peaks, but you may have trouble finding a room for just 3 nights because it's pretty high season now. The Gstaad area has lower peaks, but I personally prefer the scenery of rolling hills and gentle valleys there. Websites for more information and lodging:

www.myjungfrau.ch
www.gstaad.ch

For your time at Lake Geneva, I personally prefer Montreux, but Vevey is also a great choice. From either one, you can visit the castle of Chillon, get lost in the tangled streets of Vevey's old town, and walk along the lakeside from Villeneuve to and past Chillon, to and through Montreux to its very edge. You can also visit the pretty town of Morges and the old town of Montreux. For more information, see

www.montreux-vevey.com

Have fun as you plan!

s

kja

You've already gotten some great advice. I just wanted to add that I was pleasantly surprised by Lausanne and thought it very well worth a day. I particularly enjoyed the cathedral and the Collection de l'Art Brut.

PalenQ

Lausanne also has the Olympic Museum, being home to the IOC I believe.

http://www.olympic.org/museum

dillizen

Thank you all for great advice. I realized it is a short trip so decided to just go to Lausanne for 4 days and make it the only base. I plan 1 day trip to Geneva and other to Montreux.