Hello,

I'm planning to spend 9 days next July in Switzerland (outside Zurich). These are my rough ideas:

1st day - Geneve (Night)
2nd Day - Lake Léman / Lausanne (Night)
3rd Day - Lausanne / Zermatt (Night)
4th Day - Zermatt (Night)
5th Day - Zermatt / Interlaken area (Night)
6th Day - Interlaken area (Night)
7th Day - Interlaken area / Bern (Night)
8th Day - Bern (Night)
9th Day - Bern / Zurich (fly back)

I would welcome and thank your comments on this route. Also, advise on special hotels (location, etc.).

Thanks,

Joao

Hi Portela,

Your basic plan looks sound to me, a nice taste of three distinct areas of Switzerland.

I do have two comments, though.

1. Geneva and Lausanne are only about 30 minutes apart by train, so spending one night in Geneva doesn't make much sense. I would just pick one and stay there for two nights. And because I like smaller towns, I would pick Lausanne over Geneva (and Vevey or Montreux over Lausanne even!).

2. I don't think Bern is enticing enough to stay there for two nights; I spent an afternoon there, and that was enough for me. I would take a night from there and add it to Lake Geneva or Zermatt.

Have you found the Swiss rail website at www.rail.ch? You can check your train schedules there.

Have fun!

s

As suggested above, I'd spend my first two nights in Vevey (or Montreux). Assuming you are landing the Geneva airport, it is a simple 1 hour train ride.

Have to agree with the previous posters and use Montreux for your first nights, also agree with two nights in Bern might be too much, might suggest going
into Zurich for your last night, that would give you a little more time to
spends there and do you last minute shopping on the Bahnhofstrasse.
Richardof LaGrange Park, IL>

I agree, too, with the above comments. Bern is small for a capital city. I think an extra day in either Zermatt or the Berner Oberland would be more fun.

In the Interlaken area, the towns of Mürren, Wengen, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen are well situated for viewing the high peaks of the mountains.

Interlaken is a very nice city with many good hotels and stores.

My base for 7 of the last 8 summers has been Lauterbrunnen. We rent an apartment there for a week and enjoy the visit and the views.

I would also stay longer in Lausanne, and not in Geneve. Montreux is another good choice, IMO, and you can visit the Chillon Castle nearby.

Thumbs up for an overnight in Zermatt.

Would not spend more than a day in Bern.

Enjoy.
-e

Make sure your day in Bern is not a Sunday. Everything is closed. It's a completely different place any other day.

Hello,

Simply thank you for all the good comments. After reading them and studying better the country, my new rough ideas:

1/2 1st day - Lisbon / Geneve (Night)
2nd Day - Geneve during morning / Lake Léman Area, Montreux or Vevey (Night)
3rd Day - Lake Léman Area, Montreux or Vevey (Night)
4th Day - Montreux or Vevey / Zermatt (Night)
5th Day - Zermatt (Night)
6th Day - Zermatt / Interlaken area, Lauterbrunnen (Night)
7th Day - Interlaken area, Lauterbrunnen (Night)
8th Day - Interlaken area / Bern (Night)
9th Day - Bern / Zurich (fly back)

I still would welcome and thank your comments on this route. Also, advise on special hotels (location, etc.).

Thanks,

Joao

Lauterbrunnen is a small village consisting of one main street. The two best hotels are the Oberlander and the Silberhorn.

The Crystal is not bad either.

The restaurants in the village are mostly associated with one of the hotels.

Are you driving or taking the train?
If driving, I have some suggestions on routes.

Thanks bob_brown,

I'll be driving, so please, bring your routes.

Anyway, would you suggest a better hub for Interlaken area or Lauterbrunnen is fine?

Thanks again,

João

bob_brown,

Can u please let me know which apartment you rent in lauterbrunnen ? I'll be there next sumemr and it would be good if we can get a place with a small kitchen.

Thanks