We will be in Luzern april 17-22.Planning to go to interlaken,bern,geneva,luzern and zurich. I bought the swiss pass already. Luzern is my base. Do you think, the 5 days is enough to cover all or am I pushing it. Am I making the right decision by making Luzern as my base. Please guide me. thanks<BR>suraiya

Why do you need a "base?" Can't you just move from place to place? With only 5 days, you would save time and see more if you weren't constantly backtracking to get back to your base. Switzerland is a small country, but it's not THAT small.

Hello,<BR>I cannot imagine seeing all those cities in five days from a Luzern base. Just the Geneva - Luzern train trip is 3.5 hrs one way. I think you might be better advised to stay a few nights in a couple of regions--say Luzern and the Berner Overland area--and hit other areas on a later trip. <BR><BR>A lot depends on what you like to see. I tend to dislike large cities, so would avoid Geneva and Zurich. Others like hiking, so might choose the B-O region. Still others might try for an Italian excursion for a couple days (Locarno/Lugano) and either a German (Luzern for example) and/or french (e.g., fribourg) for another couple days.<BR><BR>If you check past threads in this section, you'll find lots of commentary about the benefits of not trying to go everywhere in a limited time frame. <BR><BR>Good luck an enjoy the trip, whatever approach you take.

Having read the above I'll add my 2 cents.<BR><BR>I've never been to Geneva and it's a city but I'm sure the rest applies.<BR><BR>Contrary to what you may have decided, I would pick Bern as my base. The connections to some of the location is much better.<BR><BR>Geneva is about 1 hour. Interlaken (lauterbrunnen) also an hour and the connection is good. Luzern barely over an hour (I believe).<BR><BR>We've been to all of your selection except for Geneva.<BR><BR>Bern for half a day. <BR><BR>Morning train to Luzern, train or boat to Pilatis, up Pilatis, look around and have snack up there, back down either by cable car to Kriens and back to town or back down by train and boat (included in train pass) to town. Then walk the old town for a few hours (see dying lion) and back to Bern.<BR><BR>We didn't go to Geneva but did equivalent. Trained to Montreux, walked around, took train up to Glion and Caux, picked up snack , stopped at Vevey and ate by the lake. Back to Bern.<BR><BR>Early morning train to Interlaken change to Lauterbrunen (walked around), funicular up to Murren (walked around), cable car up the Schilthorn. Ate at the restaurant. Eventually back down and back to Bern.<BR><BR>You may even have time for some of Friburg (20 minutes south (on the way to Geneva) of Bern), Thun (15 minutes east (on the way to Interlaken but don't do it then). I was going to suggest a boat ride on Lake Thun but I'm sure it will be too cold if they are even running.<BR>

Oh...i get chill bumps just reflecting on our wonderful week in Lucern last summer...Best side trips for us were taking the train (easy to understand...even for a Texan)then the funicular from Murren (a town with walking traffic only) on up to the Schilthorn (James Bond film, "For Your Eyes Only")...absolutely spectacular..back to Murren for a delightful fondue lunch. Next day equally as breathtaking..train to Grindelwald and onto the Jungfrau/Eiger,. Look for the "Top of the World" trainride...definitely worth your time. These two are a must if the weather is nice...don't bother if it's nasty. <BR> The transportation museum would be a filler if the weather doesn't cooperate, of course, the shopping is wonderful in Lucern. <BR> Hope my memories help..email me if you need further clarification. We were there at the end of July..stayed at the Palace Lucern,,,OUTSTANDING!!!!<BR>

Oh..I almost forgot one of the most romantic evenings of our lives..dinner (5 star) at the Chateau Gutch hotel...absolutely glorious...expensive and worth it...here comes the chill bumps again.....

Hi. I don't think you will regret staying in Luzern for five days. Staying anywhere five nights is better than packing and unpacking. I think I'd save Geneve and its lake for another trip, however. Visit the mountains above Interlaken rather than Interlaken itself, spend some time enjoying the lakeboats on Lucerne's beautiful blue-green lake, do visit Zurich and Bern if you can. It's difficult to make suggestions because we don't know your age or interests, but Luzern is the perfect place to start. J.

Another vote to skip Geneva on this trip, and frankly I'd skip Bern also. Concentrate on the mountain areas around Luzern and that alone will keep you busy. Zurich and a trip on one of the lakes (free with Swiss Pass) plus exploring Luzern will fill your five days very fast.