Hello! I am new to this forum so thought I would try it out with this topic.
Trying to organize my itinerary early for my trip to Switzerland next summer. I have been to Switzerland multiple times in the past and want to focus my efforts this year on places I have not yet visited and need to plan my itinerary around using public transport since I will not have a car. I would definitely like to visit Gstaad and Saanen while there and need to decide if I should plan for a stay over in Gstaad or just plan as a day trip. Sometimes it is better to experience a place at night when there are not so many tourists, even though definitely a bit more hassle to change hotels for only one night. Not planning on spending time in any of the museums, choc/cheese factories, just want to experience the cities and small villages and generally enjoy the beauty of Switzerland. Planning on doing a short hike between Gstaad and Saanen while there, but no other long hikes are planned.
Below is my tentative itinerary. Would appreciate any input on this particular question and my itinerary in general, as well as on how to most efficiently make use of my time and minimize backtracking via public transport.
Thanks much!
Day 1- Fly in to Zurich and take train to Bern. Spend day in Bern. (2 nights in Bern)
Day 2- Full day in Bern.
Day 3- Train from Bern to Fribourg/Gruyeres. Spend half day in Fribourg to see the sights and continue on the Gruyeres. (1 night in Gruyeres)
Day 4- Train from Gruyeres to Gstaad. Spend the day in Gstaad/Saanen. (1 night in Gstaad)
Day 5- Train from Gstaad to Montreux. Spend the day in Montreux. (2 nights in Montreux)
Day 6- Day trip from Montreux- Boat to Vevey.
Day 7- Train from Montreux to Geneva. Spend the day in Geneva. (2 nights in Geneva)
Day 8- Day trip- Bus to Annecy? (Still trying to decide if I should do this as a day trip and return to Geneva or stay the night in Annecy and head to Provence the next day. Transportation seems easier from Geneva.)
Day 9- Train from Geneva and on to Avignon where I will spend 1 week exploring Provence... More questions on that leg of my trip later!