Staying 6 days in Interlaken, need to add 3-4 more days somewhere else

Posted by kwarbritton79 on 01/20/20 03:57 PM

My husbands company is sending us to Interlaken for 6 days at the beginning of April. They plan everything for us while we are there so don't need help with that part. We have not booked our flights yet so at this point, we are flexible as to where we will fly into. We would like to add 3-4 nights somewhere else (maybe 2 places) before we arrive in Interlaken. We have never been to Switzerland before but it looks stunning and I think we want to just stick with staying there. We are not interested in skiing. We love culture, history, quaint/hidden gems, awesome tours, do not care for art much and of course love food and wine. We will have our 19YO son with us too. If anyone can help us plan an itinerary with why you like it and also where to fly into and best way to get to Interlaken from there, that would be amazing!

I planned our entire Spain trip with the help of RS and it was incredible, thanks to all of you!

Posted by FastEddie

Florida

01/20/20 04:16 PM

1450 posts

Zurich and Geneva have the primary airports and both are about the same distance from Interlaken.

Near Geneva in the west are Lausanne, Montreux, and the famous Matterhorn peak. This is the French-speaking portion of Switzerland although everyone seems to speak flawless English. Predicatably, the food in this region is better than in the rest of Switzerland in my opinion. I would plant myself in Vevey, near Montreux, if I were doing your trip from Geneva.

Near Zurich is Luzern in the German-speaking side of the country, but again seemingly everyone also speaks English. Luzern is my favorite Swiss city. It has a great old-city core to explore, a neat train museum, a Picasso exhibit, and some good night life. And the ferry rides to other little towns lining the lake are fun. I'd base from here if starting the trip from Zurich.

Near Interlaken is the Lauterbrunnen valley and the alpine towns of Wengen and Murren around it. Normally this area is a hotbed of hiking and adventure sports but in April it's still basically winter there, so many of these activities are still shut down (the higher elevation towns will still get snow even in April). It would still be well worth it to visit Lauterbrunnen for a great walk or bike ride up and down the valley floor. A walk through Murren or Wengen will wet your appetite to return in the summer. This would make a fine day trip from Interlaken.

From Interlaken it is also easy to explore the fine capital city of Bern (good opera and theater here, as well as a relatively great museum on Einstein). Cruising the lakes straddling Interlaken can be fun but chilly in April. Thun has a sweet castle and near Ballenberg is a great open-air museum dedicated to traditional Swiss farming and culutre.

Posted by Tim

Knoxville, TN, USA

01/20/20 04:20 PM

7209 posts

Interlaken is on the doorstep of the most beautiful place on earth...the Lauterbrunnen Valley and surrounding alpine villages of Murren, Wengen, etc. While I never recommend people to stay in Interlaken when they could stay in the LV or Murren or Wengen - since you are being sent there by your company then definitely make the most of it by getting to the LV area on the little 20 minute train ride.

You can read lots of things about travelers to Switzerland here:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g188045-i336-Switzerland.html

You'll board to the train to Lauterbrunnen at Interlaken Ost station so if you could stay near there (instead of Interlaken Est) you'll cut a little time off your daily transit.

How lucky to be given a trip to Switzerland - it's by far the most beautiful country I've ever seen.

Posted by kwarbritton79 OP

01/21/20 02:07 AM

98 posts

@ fasteddie Thank you for the wealth of information. You are certainly well versed on Switzerland! I will investigate those places and look at the flight situation for both.

@Tim Yes! We feel so lucky to receive such a fabulous trip! It has been on the top of my list for quite some time. I will see what day trip/excursions they have planned for us and be sure to add the places you suggested, if they have not.