Lucerne or St Moritz?
 

Here's somewhat of a follow up to my earlier Bern day trips question:
From Bern, we have two options that we're toying with and I'd like to get some feedback on them. We can either go to Lucerne and spend a day/night and take the William Tell train back to Northern Italy, or, we can skip Lucerne and take a trip over to St Moritz to meet up with friends and spend 2 days there and then take the Bernina Express to Tirano then train back to Milan (skipping the motorcoach portion to Lugano). I guess the question becomes, is it worth skipping Lucerne to see St Moritz. I know it's about a 5 hour train trip from Bern to St Moritz which means we lose a day there. Any suggestions?

Lucerne wins hands down over St.Moritz. It's not even close.

I have travelled all over the world, from Cambodia to Nepal to Argentina to Czech Republic, and Luzern, Switzerland is one of the most HORRIBLE places I have ever been to. I ABSOLUTELY HATED IT. It is the DOLLYWOOD of Switzerland, very fake and theme-parky. The lake is beautiful, with its lovely white swans, but that is about it.

Please, go to sophisticated St. Moritz.

TG:Unbelievable.

I haven't been to San Moritz but have been to Lucerne and I thought it was just delightful. It was one of the stops on a tour I was doing...my first trip to Europe. We were heading to Italy and Lucerne was a two night stop over and it was just delightful. It was so beautiful and peaceful...Maybe my perception was scewed after having come from three nights each in London and Paris, but my brother and I just wandered around, ate, drank, sat by the Lake and people watched and soaked up the scenery. Anyway, Lucerne is a place that I certainly would love to get back to.

I don't understand what is 'fakey' about Lucerne. It doesn't seem any more fake than Basel or Zurich, or any other moderately sized towns we've been in. The setting is lovely, the transportation by train is convenient, the town is walkable and has its charming quarters. About the only thing I noticed that could be cheesy is looking for watches - they are everywhere.

We have some nice Lucerne vacation photos toward the end of this photo album,if you'd like to look:
(views from the town walls and a boat cruise, as well)
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=ch4vgx4...0&y=75r72h

Strongly disagree with TG, Lucerne is a naturally charming town. I can't think of anything fake in Lucerne. It has a sophisticated performing arts center with an international program. For a small town it has unique museums/attractions, city wall, quaint old lanes. There's a lot to do/see in the immediate area. You can easily hop on the lake ferry and return by train. So here's another vote for Lucerne.

There are several places that truly scream fake/theme park to me such as Carcassone, Rothenburg, Gruyere. None would stand against Las Vegas.

My vote to Lucerne, too. It's just lovely! I didn't particularly care for St. Moritz. Maybe I would for skiing in the winter, with the jetsetters, but Lucerne was much prettier, with the lake, the old walls, etc. Do Lucerne!

I didn't think it was possible to be bored in Switzerland until I visited St. Moritz. Having said that, let me add that the Bernina Express is one of my favorite train rides. I think there are plenty of pluses with whichever choice you make.

P. S. I am not "sophisticated."