Hi. I'm planning a trip to Berner Oberland in July 2006 and I have two questions:
1) I have only been to Lucerne once but have never taken a boat or vist lakeside towns like Weggis which looks very scenic. However I also read great things about Thun and Spiez. And if I visit Spiez, it will be convenient to hop on Golden Pass from Geneva to Interlaken. If I can only do one in conjunction with Murren, which one do you guys recommend?

2) I am torn between visiting Murren in early July (taking advantage of 2 days off for July 4th) and seeing the Alpine wildflowers in full bloom and visiting in late July to have a better chance of sunny weather. What do you think? Are wildflowers still blooming in late July?

Thank you so much for your help. I love this forum....

both lakes are great but the Lake Thun area, encompassing the Bernese Oberland offers a much greater variety of things to do - glorious glacier-clad mountain peaks for one. From a Murren base you can take a scenic train ride to Lake Lucerne for the day - over the Brunig Pass - one of the most gorgeous mainline train rides in Europe. A part cog-railway operated - the only cog train operated by SBB, Swiss Railways. For variety, get off at Alpnachstad and take the boat from there to Weggis or Lucerne, returning from Lucerne by rail to Murren (about 3 hrs each way but a gorgeous three hours). For your plans you should strongly consider a Swiss Pass - covers train from Geneva via Golden Pass or other route, lake boats on lakes Thun and Lucerne and trains in full to Murren (including funicular to Grutschalp and thrilling cliff-side train from there to Murren - also covers in full gondolas Murren-Gimmelwald-down to the valley and postal bus back to Lauterbrunnen - all covered in full by Swiss Pass. If basing in Murren, you'll probably be going down to Lauterbrunnen once a day and back as there is very little to do in Murren except get intoxicated on what to many are the finest views in the Alps - that of the jungfrau massif across the valley below - and Swiss Pass would cover the about $15 each way rail fare to Interlaken, train to Lucerne, etc. and give you 25% everything else. For info on rail travel in this area i'd tell you to get the free European Planning & Rail Guide that has extensive info on Swiss trains, a rail maps and special info on the lake boats and Bernese Oberland area. (BETS; 800-441-2387) They will also answer any Swiss rail questions - i've used them for years and is the rare source you can actually call and talk to someone who has actually traveled for years by train in Switzerland - the web is great but to be able to ask questions to a real knowledgeable person! Fodors forum here is however the very best place to ask questions i've found - experts like Bob Brown know the Bernese Oberland area and its transit schemes extremely well. For prices of trains in Switzerland and schedules: www.sbb.ch. Note that this year at least the prices of Swiss Passes, which can be bought at stations in Switzerland are significantly cheaper thru RailEurope in the US for the same pass than in Switzerland - why i don't know but it's currently true. BETS is a RailEurope agent and doesn't charge some of their mailing fees. You should also investigate the Berner Oberland regional pass, sold locally, and the Jungfraubahn pass, also good on most Bernese Oberland transit and also sold locally. But if coming from Geneva and back strongly consider the Swiss Pass. The Golden Pass travels thru Spiez en route to either Montreux or Interlaken/Lucerne. To me the Bernese Oberland is the very best of the Alps Switzerland has to offer. Lucerne and its lake are also great but i'd go the the Murren area.

I agree with PalQ: Thun and the Berner Oberland have more to offer than Luzern and environs.

I stayed in Lauterbrunnen last month; did all the main tours (Schilthorn, Truemmelbach Falls, Jungfrau, Maennlichen, Grindelwald-First, and on the last day took a train to Thun. Poked around the city and enjoyed it very much; then took the train to Spiez, walked down to the harbor (about a 15 minute walk from the RR station) and took the boat back to Interlaken. Thorougly enjoyed the time.

A few years ago also did the Vierwaldstaetter See (Lake Lucerne) area. Stayed in Vitznau, took boat to Luzern and the cog railway to the top of the Rigi. Had a car, so drove around the lake to Altdorf and back (via Ferry from near Beckenried) In retrospect, would give the nod to the Berner Oberland. And you don't need a car there.

The rest of PalQ's itinerary also sounds interesting, although I have not been to all the pl;aces he mentions.

When to go:

Early July is better for the flowers and has less tourists.

Weather wise: it's a toss up. You just never know in the mountains.

If you like looking at beautiful old wooden Swiss houses, Ballenberg is a great open air museum to visit. It's close to Brienz.

Hi, I'm glad to read that someone is suggesting that you make Lucerne a daytrip from the Oberland. If you are considering a stay in one of the lakeside towns of Thunersee or Brienzersee, the daytrip possibilities are endless. Years ago we stayed almost a week in Brienz. The beautiful trainride across the Brunig pass to Lucerne took about 1:30. At the time, Brienz was sleepy. I know it isn't the same anymore, but I'm hoping that it is still peaceful after the tour buses leave at the end of the day. Both Thun and Spiez are lovely towns. J.

Thank you guys. I really appreciated the feeback. I think I wasn't clear. I'm definitely going into BO (actually decided to stay in Wengen instead of Murren) and just wasn't sure what I should do in addition to BO. I will definitely visit Thun per your comments.

It always amazes me how much people are willing to help out on Fodor's. I guess partly because I live in New York. Haha

One last question - Swiss Pass is my best bet even though I'm mainly travelling within BO area? Does Swiss Pass cover all furniculars and cable trains within BO? Thank you

Now you opened up a whole pandora's box, with your question re Swiss pass.

I think there are as many opinions on which pass to use as there are travellers!

I, for example, bought a half-fare pass at the Zuerich Airport RR station.
My whole transportation bill within Switzerland was $US 536, inlcuding Zuerich-Lauerbrunen train, Schilthorn, Trummelbachfaelle, Jungfrau, Maennlichen, Grindelwald - First - Maennlichen - Lauterbrunnen, train Lauterbrunnen Thun - Spiez and boat Spiez to Interlaken West.

I am fairly sure that I came out ahead. But I was only 6 days in Switzerland, and did not return to Zuerich by train, but by car.