Hi fellow travelers,

Six of us are planning a two week trip to Switzerland, the Italian lakes district and Cinque Terre this coming May. None of us have ever been there before. Our itinerary includes Interlaken, Luzern and Lake Lugano in Switzerland and Cinque Terre in the Italian Riveria. We limited our places to stay to simplify travel by train. I welcome all inputs on must-see places, things to do, dining and transportation.

Nice trip, but it would take an hour to tell you what you want to hear. My advice is to not stay in Interlaken--stay in Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald. Consider Levanto as your base for the CT. All of CH will be expensive and May will be a bit early in the mountain venues. Good luck !

I second the recommendation to stay in Lauterbrunnen rather than Interlaken.

How much time do you have in Luzern?

Any hotel recs for Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald?

Price range?

If not a concern, try the Gletschergarten or Hotel Cabana in Grindelwald. Both are lovely. For a more moderate price (especially for family accomodations) we have found Hotel Residence very reasonable (and spacious).

We haven't stayed in Lauterbrunne, but we had lunch at the Oberland, and liked the food, the staff, and the ambiance very much.