Suggestions for Zurich, Lucerne, Geneva
 

My adult daughter and I are planning a week in Switzerland in July. We enjoy history, and while we like scenery, we did not want to stay in a mountain town. I have booked two nites in Zurich, three in Lucerne and three in Geneva. (I am meeting a friend in Geneva and going on to a week in the French Alps.) I would appreciate some advice on how to best use our days in Switzerland.I am interested in Jewish history so I am considering visiting Endingen and Lengnau from Zurich. I think this would take the better part of a day. I also thought about doing a day trip to Mt. Riga from Lucerne and visiting Chillon from Geneva. Of course we would do some kind of city tour in each of the places. Thanks

Taking trains - should IMO for going to cities- and suggest a day trip to Interlaken area for a day in the awesome high Alps - take mountain trains from Interlaken to say Grindelwald and be wowed by Alps (you will see later but daughter won't?)

I'd really suggest staying in the Jungfrau Region a couple of days and just going to Geneva for two nights - take scenic Golden Pass train between Lucerne-Interlaken and Interlaken-Montreux - slower than main line via Bern and Lausanne but much more scenic. Many folks enjoy Montreux more than Geneva - only a short train ride from Montreux. If you stayed in Montreux Chateau Chillon is just a short sweet lakeside walk away - take train from there to meet friend in Geneva perhaps.

Anyway a Swiss Travel Pass will be great as you are moving most days - www.sbb.ch for lots on Swiss trains - also BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

I'm not sure why you would do some kind of city tour unless that's your preference -- each of these cities is easy to visit on one's own with just a guidebook. I found the Michelin Green and Rough Guide best for each of the cities you mention.

You might find some useful information on Geneva and surrounds in my trip report; particularly post # 28.
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...thanks-983126/

Geneva itself didn't wow me for the most part though there is an interesting Old Town area. But I absolutely loved the Lac Leman region which is very easy to reach by train in a bit under or over an hour... Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux (where Chillon is). Even if you stayed out in these towns would be very easy to meet your friend in Geneva still.

Zurich - Lengnau takes just 40 min by train and bus and Endingen is 5 min farther away.
You may also be interested in
https://www.museums.ch/org/en/J--dis...um-der-Schweiz
Jüdisches Museum der Schweiz - Jüdisches Museum der Schweiz

https://www.bern.com/en/detail/einstein-house

Bern also had Einstein's House from when he was a patent clerk.

Thanks so much. I will look into your suggestions. I appreciate your taking the time to respond. Libby

Zurich also has some famous climbing trams that take you to forests high above town - nice easy walks. On a nice day a walk along the eastside of lake is cool - on nice weekends a multi-ethnic array of folks out enjoying the sun.

May be you ar also interested in the Riehen (Basel) Memorial https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Kv2uMHowzzu or in the Paul Grueninger Bridge at Diepoldsau/Hohenems

Thanks for the additional suggestions. Libby

In Zurich, be sure to walk along Bahnhofstrasse, often called the world's most elegant street for its many clock/watch shos, bank HQs and fancy boutiques:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bahn...w=1253&bih=615