Please help with my Switzerland itinerary
 

Hey everyone,

I'm planning out a trip to The Netherlands and Switzerland in mid September, but need advice for the Swiss portion of the trip. There's SO much that I'd love to see in Switzerland that I'm having trouble trimming things down. This will be our first time in Europe so I may be over exuberant with planning.

If you all could take a look at my rough itinerary so far, I'd really appreciate it.

ROUGH OUTLINE:

Amsterdam to Geneva to Vevey
-----
- Flight to Geneva, 8AM (1h 25 m)
- Take train to Vevey (1h 9 m)
- Drop off luggage
- Mountains of Montreux
- Chillon Castle
- Sleep in Vevey


Vevey to Lauterbrunnen
-----
- Gruyeres
- Thun Castle
- Golden Pass Train
- Sleep in Lauterbrunnen


Lauterbrunnen Base
-----
- Jungfraujoch
- Schilthorn
- Dinner at Piz Gloria
- Sleep in Lauterbrunnen


Lauterbrunnen Base
-----
- Mannlichen
- Murren and valley view
- Blumental Panorama Trail
- Sleep in Lauterbrunnen


Lauterbrunnen to Lucerne
-----
- Check into hotel, drop off luggage
- Mount Pilatus (boat trip over to Mt Pilatus from downtown Lucerne)
- 40 minute Alpine ride at Mount Pilatus
- ???
- Sleep in Lucerne


Lucerne Base
-----
- Cogwheel train to Mount Rigi (???)
- Golden Round Trip from Lucerne (may be all-day activity)
- Sleep in Lucerne


Lucerne to Zurich
-----
- Lucerne to Zurich (1h away)
- Drop off luggage
- Spend day in Stein am Rhein (1h 5m away)
- Take boat down to Schaffhausen
- Train back to Zurich
- Sleep in Zurich


Zurich to San Francisco
-----
- Depart for home


I'm not super confident on the activities I have planned; if you can take a look and suggest additions or alternatives, or your personal 'must-sees', that'd be great. I was really hoping to fit in the Bernina Express but I'm having a hard time making it work.

What I envision for this trip is mostly breathtaking landscapes, quaint towns, and splurging on food (food centric suggestions welcome). Just overall a relaxing trip through the mountains but covering a lot of ground if possible. Not too interested in spending time in big cities since we're coming from Amsterdam.

I'll be traveling with my husband and sister, all of us in our late 20s.

Thank you so much for reading through! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

I’m not sure I fully understand your plan, but I think I undertand enough to think you may, indeed be considering an overly ambitious option, particularly because weather might or might meet your needs.

I haven’t checked times, but think it would be difficult (at best) to see Gruyeres on the day you move from Vevey to Lauterbrunnen.

For this particular trip, and your stated priorities, I’m not sure that Stein am Rhein makes sense.

You’ll see lots of stunning scenery; no reason (IMO) to try for the Bernina route on this trip.

You might find some useful information in my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...any-thanks.cfm

Hi nOcarrots,

You haven't given yourself any time to enjoy Vevey itself, and I think its intriguing and charming twisting streets deserve an hour or two, so be sure to make time for that.

I also recommend that you walk to Chillon castle rather than take the bus or ferry -- the flowered lakeside promenade is the main attraction and most beautiful feature of the town (imo), so it would be a shame to miss that. Walking to Chillon from Montreux takes about 45 minutes. Then it takes about 2h to see the inside of the castle.

I'm not certain what you mean by "mountain of Montreux," but will guess that you mean the Rochers-de-Naye. Imo, you don't need to spend time doing that since you're going to be seeing the truly big mountains at your next stop. It will take at least 2-3h to ascend & look around, and with only part of one day in Vevey, I don't think that's a good use of time. I think that the lake itself is so pretty and so stunning, that it would be good to concentrate on it while there.

It's rare for me to disagree with kja, but in this case, I do; it's quite easy to see Gruyeres while enroute from Vevey/Montreux to Lauterbrunnen. Gruyeres is a quick detour (maybe 20 minutes) from the Golden Pass route. I usually recommend doing this. However, there are NO luggage lockers in Gruyeres (or there weren't the last time I was there a few years ago), so you have to plan for that. You can send your suitcases ahead of you using the Express Baggage Service of the SBB.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-servic...s-luggage.html

I also think you have your activities in the Jungfrau area a bit jumbled. Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn lie in different areas, and it would be difficult to ascend both in one day. Also, Mürren lies on the Schilthorn side, so it would be best to see them on one day. Männlichen lies on the Jungfraujoch side, so it would be best to see them on one day. You may want to take a look at a map to visualize the area.

I do agree with kja that you don't have time to fit in the Bernina Express.

Have fun as you plan!

s

I can see why my response about Gruyeres led swandav to disagree – it depends on what you hope to do there! I wanted to visit the castle and more; I couldn’t have done that without luggage storage and a chunk of time, more than I think reasonable given that you hope to reach Lauterbrunnen that day – and with soooo little time in Lauterbrunnen.... JMO!

Thank you both SO much for your responses! I'll make some changes and do some more researching according to your suggestions. I may be back.

You are traveling enough on trains to make a 8-day consetutive Swiss Pass IMO a no-brainer - for lots of info on Swiss trains and passes check www.sbb.ch -official site of Swiss Railways; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

- Golden Round Trip from Lucerne (may be all-day activity)>

To where?

You will already have done all sections of it - Montreux to Interlaken and Interlaken to Lucerne.

cross that off your already full list

Drop Thun Castle - major detour from direct GPass route to Interlaken -you do go right by Spiez and its neat castle - nicer maybe to see from outside - you really have no time to stop if doing Gruyeres which is possible but I'd suggest just going Montreux-Interlaken-Lauterbrunnen as that will take much of the day.

I'd suggest a day trip - day 1 - from Vevey to Gruyeres and make it more leisurely.

I also am curious what are "the mountains of Montreux"?

I've spent a bit of time there and never heard of that. And YES to spending more time in Vevey. It's quite charming.

"the mountains of Montreux">

Rochers de Naye?

Maybe I missed it but I don't see your mode of transportation.

I drove from Interlaken (only about 13km from Lauterbrunnen)to Montreux. I had time to stop at Broc to tour (and taste!) the chocolate factory and then onto Gruyeres to tour the castle, town, and have a fondue lunch. I arrived in Montreux probably about 4-5pm (it was an hour or so before cocktail hour! LOL!).

Much as I hate to disagree with joannyc, I’d strongly encourage you to take trains for this trip so that you can take full advantage of the chance to enjoy the stunning scenery.

Well I'm a train nut but that sounds like a pretty neat drive too - if you like to drive thrilling side roads you could get some pretty cool drives - the main autobahn would be a drag like any autobahn - but say to drive down thru the vineyards high above Montreux could be for someone who loves to drive - really sweet.

But for most trains are best but cars can be exciting -I drove all over Switzerland and had a ball - going up and over the San Bernardio Pass and the Gotthard Pass are still amongst my finest travel memories of all time.

Well ... about driving. In the summertime there is a greasy grey smog that hangs over the lake in Montreux. People are strongly encouraged not to drive and to take the town bus. I personally would not want to be part of the problem.

Plus, I also love trains.

s

Well you know I love trains but driving those Alpine passes in Switzerland eons ago is still a treasured travel moment -the burden of being green should yes apply to the one-time tourist I guess but not really as it is not the one-time motorist but habitual ones that are the problem.

Swiss postal buses are a great way to experience sinuous Alpine roads and still be green-

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...witzerland.cfm

Thank you all again. Please have a look at my modified trip (I've added one day). We don't mind our days being a bit packed since we'll have early starts.

Regarding the "Mountains of Montreux", sorry for the vagueness-- I must have seen it described that way on a forum. But I meant Rochers-de-Naye. And to clarify, we will be travelling by train (and/or bus) with the 8-Day Swiss Rail Pass.


MODIFIED ITINERARY:

(Day 1) Amsterdam to Geneva (1 hr 25 min) to Vevey (45 min)

* Flight to Geneva (1h 25m)
* Take train to Vevey (1h 9m)
* Explore Vevey
* Explore Montreux (20m away)
* Chillon Castle (exterior)
* Rochers-de-Naye
* Sleep in Vevey


(Day 8) - Vevey Base

* Day trip to Gruyeres
* Chocolate tour
* Fondue
* Sleep in Vevey


(Day 9) - Vevey to Wengen

* Begin Golden Pass Line
* ??? (need daytime activity en route to Wengen)
* Sleep in Wengen


(Day 10) - Wengen Base

* Jungfraujoch
* Mannlichen
* Trummelbach falls
* Sleep in Wengen


(Day 11) - Wengen Base

* Schilthorn
* Murren
* Gimmelwald
* Sleep in Wengen


(Day 12) - Wengen Base

* Spiez
* Thun Castle
* Hilterfingen and Oberhofen
* Sleep in Wengen


(Day 13) - Wengen to Lucerne

* Stop at Brienz en route to Lucerne
* Continue to Lucerne
* Explore Lucerne
* Sleep in Lucerne

(Day 14) - Lucerne Base

* Mount Pilatus
* ???
* Sleep in Lucerne


(Day 15) - Lucerne to Zurich (50m)

* Drop off luggage in Zurich
* Trip to Stein am Rhein, boat ride down to Schaffhausen
* Sleep in Zurich


(Day 16) - Zurich to San Francisco

* Depart for home

Oh, pardon the "Day" formatting... it carried over from my Amsterdam itinerary, I forgot to edit it. In any case, its 9 days in total.

<<Chillon Castle (exterior)>>

You REALLY want to tour the interior of Chillon (!!!) not just look at the exterior. It's *incredible* and well worth the time and price of admission.

I would also definitely tour the caste at Gruyeres while you are there as well. Much more interesting than chocolate or fondue (ha-ha). It's a completely different time period and experience than Chillon.

day 1 -forget Rochers de Naye - your plate will already be full - a nice mountain train but they are a dime a dozen in the Jungfrau Region. Nice if you can fit it in though. But forget Montreux' mountainsIMO

All other days seem excellent -a 15-day Swiss Pass is ideal for this on the move somewhere every day itinerary (nothing wrong with that I move around every day too).

Even pays for castle entries many times and museums and valid on lake boats - most mountain trains, postal buses.

Great! I may just drop the chocolate tour in favor of touring the castle :)

PalenQ- is there a reason the 15-Day Swiss Pass would be better than the 8 Day? The price is a little steep for us and was hoping the "Consecutive Travel Days" pass would be sufficient.

Oh gosh, I keep making typos lol. I meant "8 Consecutive Travel Days"

One of my favorite things is the street farmers market if you happen to be in town on the right day. In Vevey it's Tuesday and Saturday and Montreux Friday.

You have more than enough time in one day to visit Gruyere castle, have a fondue lunch, and visit the Broc chocolate factory before returning to Vevey.

The chocolate tour ends with an 'all you can eat' chocolate tasting! I was the only person in there... even the attendant left when I walked in. :-)

Agree that you should tour the inside of Chillon!

For Pal -- yes, it's just "a one-time motorist" .... (x) every other person travelling in Switzerland. If it were just one person every year, we probably wouldn't be having the problems we're having now with climate change.

For nOcarrots,

Yes, your plan sounds much better this time, and more logical. And, as I noted above, I do think it would be better to skip the R-d-N since you're heading to the big mountains for your next stop. Lake Geneva is unique, so focusing on the lake is not a bad idea.

You'll find that you're going over the same territory for your trip to Gruyeres and for your journey to Wengen, for the first part of the trip. But it's beautiful countryside, so it won't be that bad!

Please note that the chocolate factory is not in Gruyeres -- it is at a train stop called "Broc Fabrique." It's not a long train ride, maybe 5 or 10 minutes, but you do need to get to the station (maybe 20 minute walk from Gruyeres town) & wait for the train, etc. I have to admit that, after 3 or 4 visits to Gruyeres, I still haven't gone inside the chocolate factory. I also didn't go inside the castle until about visit #3, and I loved it. It will give you a good sense of the history of the area.

One thing to be sure to try while in Gruyeres is the double cream with berries or with meringue. It's beyond heavenly. And even if it's warm outside, try to sample some fondue -- again, heavenly.

Have fun!

s

Oh, and sorry for not posting these earlier. These are my reviews (w/photos) for Montreux. I know you don't have time to do all that's there, but it may help a bit.


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

s

I’m confused! I may be missing something obvious, but I don’t see your day 1 working – I think you will run out of time long before you can complete this list of want-to-sees.

Then, if you want to find time for any of what you skipped on day 1, I’m not sure that day 2 Is possible. I could be wrong.

FWIW, I would make seeing the interior of the Chateau Chillon a priority.

I’m sure you realize that your days 10, 11, and 12 are dependent on the weather. Be prepared with backup plans!

depending on how long you spend in Brienz, I’m not sure that you are giving yourself sufficient time in Lucerne.

JMO.

Good luck!

kja, I believe the OP is re-thinking the trip to R-d-N. So that would leave for the day:

2h Vevey exploration
2h Montreux exploration/promenade
2h Chillon

I think it would be fine.

s

I’m sure you’re right, swandav -- if that’s the plan, it could work! I must admit that I adored the Rochers de Naye, but understand that skipping it makes sense in this case.

If this is the plan, then I, personally, would check in, freshen up, and find a place for coffee before going to Montreux. I would then walk to the Chateau Chillon (because I feel the need for fresh air and exercise after a long flight), visit the chateau, and then go back to Montreux for further exploration. I would defer exploration of Vevey – which can be done once things are closed or on the next day – until last. Whether it works depends, I think, on when they arrive in Vevey, when they are ready to leave their hotel, whether they got lost or stop for coffee (or wine!), etc.

FWIW, if time permitted, I’d find time for a quick visit to Glion on that 1st day, even if it meant waiting until the next day to visit Vevey. The views from the little lake-side chapel are so glorious! And if necessary, I’d skip the Broc Factory tour if that’s what it took to see the castle in Gruyeres. Even though a chocoholic, I simply was not that impressed. JMO.

I had forgotten that the OP has some time on the 3rd day, and so another chance for things missed on days 1 & 2 … more options!

Yes 8-consecutive-day pass is best - I quickly looked at your day listing that said 15 but you have only 8 travel days so yes that is best.

This has been INCREDIBLY helpful, everyone. I'm so excited for our trip!!! Thanks so much for your time.

PLEASE report back! So few do and we all can learn from your travels and travails!

Cheers!