Touring Switzerland, Germany, and Austria
 

On june 5th, we are flying into Zurich. We have to be back to Thun, Switzerland around June 13th for a meeting. We fly back home on June 18th from Zurich.

We would like to see some sights in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. We like castles, quaint towns, nature, animals or wildlife, native culture, horses, smaller lodging (like B&B or small hotels.)
We are NOT real big on large, congested cities, art, etc.

Could you recommend an itinerary for us and a travel route?

Thank you so much.

You may want to concentrate on just Switzerland or Austria or Germany - 8 days in all three would be fleeting.

Are you going by train or car? Trains are fab in Switzerland and the other countries too - for lots of info on train travel check www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com -check the latter's online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of suggested itineraries by train.

by your posting I think that the fantastic Jungfrau Region around Interlaken and the Lucerne area could be two places close to Zurich that will fulfill these desires to the hilt.

Ensonce yourselves in a cute mountain village in the Jungfrau Region like Wengen, a perpetual favorite with Fodorites, and do easy hikes - take the myriad of toylike trains or thrilling aerial gondolas going off in all directions- admire the wild flowers and just chill.

Lucerne revolves around its lake - neat days out by iconic Swiss steamers - get on and off - take the train up to Mt Rigi or Mt Pilatus - Lucerne itself is a smallish city and one of the most gorgeous in Europe.

You could do these both when you finish your meeting in Thun - just a short train ride from Interlaken

and in the 8 days before you could say head to Munich or rural Bavaria - again trains are great - the castle of your dreams - Neuschwanstein at Fussen or many others - take the train to Salzburg and base there a few days - check out the fantastic Lake District just east of town - a short postal bus ride from Salzburg and check out such gems like St Wolfgang.

Then take the train back to Zurich.

Thank you so much. Very helpful.

topping this thread - bringing back to light of day so others can give their opinions which may well differ.

And thanks for the thanks!