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Ripping Apart My Itinerary

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited for our Europe trip in two weeks! Was wondering if my itinerary is up to mark for a first timer to Switzerland. We are a group of 6:

my senior citizen mum (70 yrs)
husband and me (couple 1 newly married)
Sis + husband + 10yr old son (couple 2)
arriving at Wengen on the 16th June from Paris
We have gotten the Swiss Pass so pretty much free to roam everywhere (I know it was expensive but we made a decision to allow room for freedom and impromptu trips)

Day 0 16th June (Arrive from Paris by approx 6pm)
- Arrive in Wengen and just walk around town. It's a long journey by train from Paris so not scheduling anything in.

Day 1 17th June
- Keep the first day at Jungfrau. Check weather and take a call and head there first thing.
- Come back down to Kleine Scheidegg by early afternoon. Spend a few minutes taking in the sights around KS before catching the train down to Wengen. Have lunch and rest at the Chalet we booked. Ride down to Lauterbrunnen in evening. Dinner at hotel in Lauterbrunnen comes with a great view of the mountains.
- Any suggestions on what we can add here? Have not added any hikes or slippery waterfalls because mom will find it difficult

Day 2 18th June
- Since we have explored the Alpine on the first day, would like to see the city!
- Spend day in Interlaken
- A lake Brienz cruise can be combined with the visit to the Giessbach waterfalls and hotel.
- Having a tough time deciding what to do this day. Any suggestions? Maybe go to Murren in the evening??

Day 3 19th June
- Pack up and head to Lucerne
- Spend the day in Lucerne
- Walk the bridges and see the Lion Monument. Just wander about basically taking the sights in. Nothing specific in mind

Day 4 20th June
- Not sure about this - was wanting to do Glacier 3000 for the Alpine Coaster - too far right? Maybe do the Golden Round Trip?
starts with a Boat cruise on lake Luzern from Luzern to Alpnachstad
a cog wheel train ride from Alpnachstad to Mt. Pilatus Kulm (Summit)
cable car down to Kriens
and finally a bus back to Luzern

Day 5 21st June
- Here is where a lot you will bash me up :)
- We plan on catching the Bernina Express via Zurich. Yes, in the wee hours of the morning.

Thank you for reading my itinerary and helping me plan a wonderful trip for my family. Appreciate the time and effort!!

Posted by
1450 posts

The Swiss Panorama web site has a live feed during the day from the Jungfraujoch. It may be helpful to keep tabs on it.

If you get good weather I would spend the second day on the other side of the valley in Murren or down in the Lauterbrunnen valley. Otherwise if the weather is blah, go to Interlaken. The alps in nice weather simply can't be beat.

On day 4 consider cruises in Lake Lucerne. If the weather is nice, take a cable car up to Mt. Rigi (at the Weggis stop on the lake cruise) or to Mt. Pilatus.

Posted by
21094 posts

Day 5, are you planning a return trip on this or are you heading elsewhere after Tirano?

Posted by
33720 posts

when you arrive from Paris will you be coming from Paris or will you have just landed there and immediately come to Switzerland?

Posted by
30 posts

@FastEddie: Thank you! Have scheduled Jungfraujoch for Day 1 specifically so that we have the next day to fall back on if the weather is terrible.

@Sam: Heading to Italy!

@Nigel: We will have spent 3 glorious days in Paris before coming to Switzerland

Posted by
743 posts

I would skip Interlaken and spend that day on the other side of the valley going to the Shilthorn. Rick Steves book descibes how to get there. The cable car is directly across the street forrm the Lauterbrunnen train station. Dad (80) and I actually enjoyed this trip better than the Jungfau. Had a lovely lunch at the revolving restaurant and enjoyed the scenery.