Ashecat

Hello! We are planning a trip to Switzerland and Italy in June 2017. We fly into Geneva on June 7. We are meeting friends in Rome on June 12. I will be traveling with 2 18 year old thrill seeking young men. Thinking to head to Interlaken and Lucerne. Interested in paragliding and hiking, etc
Any advice greatly appreciated. Any other towns better suited? I know Lucerne has a train direct to Milan so thought to end there. Also, Swiss pass or just buy as we go?

Edward2005

I was very happy with Paragliding Jungfrau. They met me in Murren (not far from Interlaken) and we did our jump from there. They have several jump sites in the region.

www.swissalpineguides.ch offers climbing, glacier hikes, white water rafting, and other things for crazy people. Most of those activities depart out of Interlaken so that's a good base city if you want adventure sports.

Ashecat

Thanks, I'll check them out. "Crazy people" describes these guys perfectly!

neckervd

Geneva has 3 direct trains to Brig - Milan and 3 other connections with a train change at Brig.
Brig is close to Zermatt/Matterhorn and Riederalp/Aletsch Glacier.
http://www.paragliding-zermatt.ch/tandem/index.php
https://www.airvolution.ch/english-1...liding-summer/

The highest mountains of Switzerland and tons of hiking trails are in this area.

Journey times from Brig:
Geneva airport: 2 1/2 hrs
Milan: 2 hrs
Stresa/Lake Maggiore: 1hr
Zermatt: 1 1/2 hrs
Saas Fee: 1 hr
Riederalp: 30 min
Belalp: 40 min

Ashecat

Thanks. Do you prefer these areas to Interlaken and Lucerne? Have any idea about the Swiss pass? Is it worth it to get it for just those few days?

kja

I was also very pleased with paraglidingJungfrau. My "flight" began in Grutschalp, above Lauterbrunnen.

neckervd

The train ride from Geneva via Brig etc. to Milan is about 4hrs shorter (and cheaper) than via Interlaken - Lucerne.

Standard Fares:
Geneva - Brig: 66 CHF
Brig - Milan: 43 CHF
Total: 109 CHF
possible sidetrips:
Brig - Riederalp RT: 30 CHF
Brig - Zermatt RT: 76 CHF
Zermatt - Gornergrat RT: 94 CHF

Geneva - Interlaken: 75 CHF
Interlaken - Lucerne: 33 CHF
Lucerne - Milan: 76 CHF
Total: 184 CHF
possible sidetrips:
Interlaken - Wengen RT: 29 CHF
Wengen - Jungfraujoch RT: 176 CHF

Nobody can tell you which ticket or Travel Pass is the best as long as we don't know your exact itinerary and the mountain railways, boats and buses you plan to use.
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/billette.html

PalenQ

lso, Swiss pass or just buy as we go?>

a 4-consecutive-day Swiss Pass could be just the ticket to ride - you are traveling around every day. For lots on Swiss trains and passes, etc check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www,budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Pass also gives 50% off aerial gondolas that you will likely be taking in Jungfraujoch area.

PalenQ

Thinking to head to Interlaken and Lucerne. Interested in paragliding and hiking, etc
Any advice greatly appreciated. Any other towns better suited?>

Interlaken is a hotbed of action adventures like the young bucks want -Lucerne lacking high mountains and gushing mountain streams not so much.

http://www.alpinraft.ch/

Grindelwald too has these and a great town for folks that age who want some apres-hiking night life - lots of folks there ages there.

Ashecat

Thanks @PalenQ and @neckervd. The Alpin raft tour is on our itinerary for sure.
As for tickets, I was thinking the 4 day as well. Seems the better deal but I'll check point to point once we nail down itinerary. I did see a train from Lucerne to Milan that was just over 3 hours and only 9€. Super saver I think.
Anyone have an opinion on spending one night in Montreux after leaving Geneva vs just an afternoon/evening there and heading on to Interlaken? Worth it?

kja

I was glad to see the Chateau Chillon and some sites NEAR Montreux. The city itself was not my favorite. Have you seen my trip report?
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...any-thanks.cfm

swandav2000

Hi Ashecat,

I visit Montreux often, at least every other year, and usually stay for two weeks. So, for me, the answer would be that, of course it's worth it!!

Here are links to my "reviews" (with photos) of my favorite things to do in/from Montreux -- perhaps one or more of them will also attract you:

Montreux old town
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Lavaux
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Walks through the Lavaux vineyards
http://static.montreuxriviera.com/ra...679.1466572907

Promenade Fleuri
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html

Gruyeres
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Fribourg.html

Saanen
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Gstaad
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Two favorite things not listed are the town of Lutry and the town of Vevey. Lutry sits right on the lakefront and has a sweet little lakefront area as well as a wonderful old town. It has a sign-posted (in English!) walk of its medieval buildings that will take about 1h30 to complete. It also has a nice red-wine cave, and it is the start of some wonderful walks through the Lavaux. Vevey is just a few minutes from Montreux on the town bus, and it has a lovely old town that sits right next to the lake.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Ashecat

Thanks, @kja! I did see your trip in looking at different reports earlier! That sounds wonderful! Oh,if only I were solo independent female traveler. Well I'm female but everything else is not for this time in my life haha.
I wish I could see everything and spend more time but I appreciate all the advice so they I can maximize my limited time.
Thanks so much for the links @swandav2000, can't wait to go through them.

PalenQ

I did see a train from Lucerne to Milan that was just over 3 hours and only 9€. Super saver I think.>

those tickets are few in number -hop on it if sure - non-changeable non-refundable but only 9 euros - not usually that cheap - book it now and only be out 9 euros if not used.

PalenQ

can't imagine a better jump sight than Murren -floating down to the deep Lauterbrunnen gorge - I love watching them but no way would I ever jump over the edge!

Bravo to you all who did and will do.