Berne, Lausanne, or Geneva

While in Luzern will you do any exploring of the Alps????? If not then I would spend those two days in the Berner Oberland region. But of the three locales listed, I would go with Lausanne, there is a lot to see and do in the city, and there are easy day trip possibilities to along Lake Geneva to Montreaux.

I agree with M S on this one. Lausanne can be a really fun day.

Bern can be fun in old town, too (note that it is a German speaking city and the German spelling is Bern), especially if you like live bears (in a now much improved enclosure) and ancient tall fountains in the form of human sculpture (I do), but Lausanne is close to Geneva and quite different (in a good way) to Luzern.

If you haven't visited the Alps by then I agree on a visit to the Berner Oberland, especially the views from Muerren.

Looks like we have a consensus. The alps around Berner Oberland are spectacular. If you don't have Rick's Switzerland book, you can get a taste of the region (sights listing, articles, and video link) at http://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland/berner-oberland.

Thanks for the replies - we will have spent 3 days in Zermatt before going to Lucerne so we will have had an Alps experience. Was mostly wondering what the best experience around Lake Geneva is before we head home.

I would suggest the Chillon castle, Montreux, Vevey, and the Lavaux vineyards. You can add maybe Gruyères.

The boats which connect Lausanne and Montreax along Lake Geneva are very scenic. You can take the train back from Montreux.