My husband & I and good friends (all in our 70s) are taking a river cruise that ends in Basel on Oct. 3, and must be back in Basel on the 9th we fly home early on the 10th. We’ve thought about spending those days in Basel & Zurich, but Would really like to get away from big cities and experience smaller towns in the mountains/lake regions. I’ve read Rick Steve’s book on Switzerland cover to cover, but come away still baffled. We would love to include a day on one of the scenic mountain trains, and I’m looking for recommendations for what experienced travelers consider the best town(s) to use as a base for day trips either by car or train. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
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Nashville, TN
1242 posts
Oct 3 - Basel > Wengen
Oct 4 - Wengen > easy Walk Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg + optional Jungfraujoch > Wengen
Oct 5 - Wengen > Lauterbrunnen > Grutschalp > Mürren > Schilthorn > Mürren > easy walk down to Gimmelwald > Stechelberg > Lauterbrunnen > Wengen
Oct 6 - Optional rest day around Wengen or go Wengen > Lauterbrunnen > Wilderswil > Open air cog train to Schynige Platte > Return to Wengen OR Wengen > Lauterbrunnen > Interlaken Ost > Interlaken West > Boat ride on Lake Thun with castle stops at Spiez, Oberhofen & Thun (tour castle Thun) > Return to Wengen via Thun
Oct 7 - Wengen > Lauterbrunnen > Interlaken Ost > Boat ride to Brienz with your luggage > scenic train to Luzern (Interlaken-Luzern express)
Oct 8 - Old Town Luzern + optional scenic boat ride on Lake Luzern to Fluelen
Oct 9 - Optional trip up to Rigi > Basel
Oct 10 - Fly home