Willem46

My wife and I will be taking the Euro Train in Switzerland and Germany in May. WE expect to spend three days in Switzerland and three in Germany. I know Germany quite well, but am short a little on Switzerland. We considering visiting Interlaken, Luzern and Zurich

I would appreciate if anyone had any suggestions on train tours through Switzerland or suggestions in General.

Thank you,
Willem46

swandav2000

Hi Willem46,

I'm not really wild about your plan -- you seem to be planning to spend all your time in Switzerland on the move. To my mind, that's not the way to see or enjoy the country.

If you see a different place every day for three days, you'll only get a very shallow and broad impression of the place; similarly, if you spend your three days only on the trains, you'll only get a window's-width impression of the country.

I suggest that you find a beautiful spot in Switzerland and stay there for the three days; you can spend your days on Alpine rambles, running around a lake on a ferry, or rumbling through an historic old town. You'll experience the country in a very personal way, and your views will truly be panoramic! You'll come away with much deeper memories and a lot better time imo.

I suggest that you pick either a mountain village south of Interlaken or Luzern for your trip. You'll have a wonderful time!

s

Willem46

swandav2000

Thank for your insightful comments. I would agree on normal circumstances, but on this trip my goal is two fold; see some Switzerland where I have been 4 times, but my wife has been before and see old friends in Nurnberg, Munich and Frankfurt.


I have traveled through Europe extensively, but mostly on business. Before I retired last January I had worked for Siemens of Germany and developed a lot of friendships. I can really relate and appreciate your comments as that was my life for ten years.

In the years coming we will go back to Switzerland and do a more relaxed trip.

W

gabrieltraian

In summer 2006 we spent two days in Switzerland, one day each in Luzern amd Basel respectively. We enjoyed both cities very much.

You might find some ideas in my report (Swiss Topping on My German Ice Cream)

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34861658

Cimbrone

The most recommended train tour on Fodor's seems to be the Bernina express, from St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy. There is also the Glacier Express. Google either of these, and sites will come up. A very scenic train/post bus combination that we enjoyed went from Chiavenna, Italy to Zurich.

We loved the brief time we spend in the Engadine region and plan to return next summer to stay in the beautiful village of Soglio.

I agree that three cities in three days doesn't make a lot of sense. Why not just stay in Lucerne? From there you can train to Zurich in about an hour and spend a good part of the day, take boats on the lake to quaint villages, hike or cog rail up mountains. You'd get the best of Switzerland without schlepping all over the place.

gruezi

I vote for Luzern with boat trips to surroundings...

Willem46

We have decided to use Luzern as our base (3 nights) and use one day for Luzern and possibly a short cruise. The day we arrive we will do Zurich which I know well and in my view can be done in half a day. The other day is still open.

Thanks to all,

Willem46

swandav2000

Hi Willem46,

What about a trip up to a mountaintop like Rigi (www.rigi.ch) or Pilatus (www.pilatus.ch) or even a short trip to the ski town of Engelberg & its mountain, Titlis (www.engelberg.ch and www.titlis.ch).

Have fun!

s