I need some advice on if this will be a pleasant itinerary for "on-the-go" travelers without being too exhausting. I did a trip 2 years ago that was so transport heavy that I felt like all I did was transfer from one place to the next with not enough time in each place. I want to see as much as possible without feeling like I am not getting to experience the area.
I am an experienced traveler and like to have transport, accommodations, and acitivities planned ahead of time. I do like to leave a bit of free time and wiggle room when possible when plans change. Our primary purpose for the trip is to see Sound of Music sights, but we also want to soak in the beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley and Lucerne so I wanted to get the opinion on this leg from the Switzerland experts. Munich and Zurich were our best flight options for In/out.
Day 0 (July 27) -Fly ATL to Munich
Day 1 (July 28)- Arrive Munich 9 AM, Explore Munich, Rest, Stay in Munich
Day 2 (29)- Munich (Either explore Munich or Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle or Romantic Road), Stay in Munich
Day 3 (30)- Train Munich to Salzburg, Explore Salzburg afternoon /rest / Stay in Salzburg
Day 4 (31)- Salzburg (Halstatt Day Trip?), Stay in Salzburg
Day 5 (Aug 1)-Salzburg (Sound of Music Tour) , Stay in Salzburg
Day 6 (Aug 2)- Travel Day - to Lucerne or Lauterbrunnen area *appreciate travel tips for trains, Stay in?
Day 7 (Aug 3)- Lauterbrunnen Valley (Gimmelwald, Murren, Lauterbrunnen, cogwheel train, light hiking), Stay in?
Day 8 (Aug 4)- Lauterbrunnen Valley (Interlaken Paragliding, Lake Thun), Stay in?
Day 9 (Aug 5)-Train to Lucerne AM, Explore Lucerne, Stay in Lucerne
Day 10 (Aug 6) - early AM train to Zurich from Lucerne, fly to ATL from Zurich
I have read info from forums and Rick's books (have both best of Germany as well as Switzerland). Appreciate any additional tips for my arrangement of the itinerary. I expect the travel day from Salzburg to our next destination (somewhere in Lauterbrunnen Valley or Lucerne?) will take all day. I debated staying in Lucerne last 4 nights total, but I think it would be a haul to get to Lauterbrunnen Valley at 2 hours each way. From what I have read, we should just sleep in the Berner Oberland area and come back to Lucerne the last day and night. Thoughts on this? My 2 friends and I aren't as interested in the tip-top views and snow activities. We are more interested in the valley, light hiking, and small towns / picturesque villages.
Again, I appreciate your kindness and any advice or recommendations.