Have been to switzerland sept 2019 and My Husband & I are going again sept 2022 . Flying into Zurich from charlotte nc.
Have already spent 2nghts in Bern, 3 nights in Murren , 2 nights in Luzern, and 2 nights in Zurich. Was thinking of spending 3 or 4 nights in Montreux, seeing Lausanne and Vevey from there. What other Towns in Berner Oberland in would be good for a couple of days or would it be better to stay in interlaken ? Also was wondering if anyone has been to Basel and is it worth going to for a day or 2. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Posted by
Chicago
3005 posts
I like Basel, but I used it as a base to see France (colmar and Strasbourg) and Germany (Freiburg).
My first trip to Switzerland this past Sept. I stayed in Basel, Lauterbrunnen, and Lucerne. For my return this coming June, I’m staying in Montreux, Wengen, and Lucerne. Flying in and out of Zurich. Did you get to the Wengen side at all? Go to mannlichen and kleine Scheidegg? That’s where I would go.
Posted by
USA
62 posts
Maybe explain what you want to see/do on this trip back to Switzerland since you have seen some of the top locations already. Basel has tons of museums so a good option if you like that. Montreux/Vevey/Lausanne is awesome so maybe focus time there?
Posted by
464 posts
Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux will be great! The Lavaux Vineyards are a Unesco World Heritage site and Lake Geneva is beautiful. The Port d'Ouchy area of Lausanne and the Old town of Lausanne are lovely. There is also the Olympic Museum there. Vevey has Laderach Chocolate where we took a chocolate making class, and Montreux has the Chillon Castle. In the Berner Oberland you could stay in Wengen or Interlaken. Interlaken is convenient to see either Grindelwald, Wengen, or Lauterbrunnen by train and Lake Brienz is nearby also. We enjoyed Interlaken to sleep at a lower altitude, watch the parasailors, some great restaurants there and ease of transportation to the other Berner Oberland towns.
Posted by
USA
62 posts
Would not suggest Interlaken unless you are doing adventure trips such as paragliding which sometimes organize out of there or the lake trips in that area. Since you have been in Murren, what about Zermatt instead of the B-O? As RS says in his book, if you say all mountains look alike, you have not seen the Matterhorn. On the other hand, weather can be unpredictable and even in summer the peak does not always show itself.
You don't say how much time you have or what interests bring you back to Switzerland after your previous trip. That might be helpful for responses to be most pertinent.
Basel has tons of museums so a great spot if that is an interest. Otherwise, maybe not since you have been to Bern? for sure stay 4 nights in Montreux if you have not traveled in that area before. Beautiful and lots to do!
Posted by
Noblesville, Indiana, USA
1387 posts
Basing in Montreux is a good idea! We had a couple of nights there back in 2017. There's a great hike up to Oeschinensee from Kandersteg in the BO - you could stay in town or at the lodge by the lake. Basel is worth a stop. It has more of a big city feel than the other places you've previously visited.
Posted by
Switzerland
8 posts
I know you said Berner Oberland, but as the other cities you mentioned are not in Bern, I thought I’d throw this out there. Try Ticino as you haven’t seen south side of the Alps yet. Lugano is easy enough to get to by train from Zurich and Luzern. If you like hiking, there are some superb routes just outside Bellinzona. Bellinzona itself is also worth visiting for its castles.