Two "mature" couples w/ rental car and some German-speaking ability are planning on 2 overnight stays to get from Bern to Luzern in early Sept. Any suggestions as to route and accommodations? Could also use ideas for overnight stays in Bern and Luzern.
Posted by
West Sacramento, California, USA
281 posts
Allen:
There are 3 routes that you might consider, all of which could be driven in a 2-4 hours, but speed is not the point if you are going to take two-nights to do this trip.
The first route would be by Autobahn heading north-northeast and then east out of Bern towards Olten and then changing Autobahns to go to the south-southeast to Luzern. This is a very quick drive across the upper mittleland, rolling farm country.
The second route would be to take the road east out of Bern towards Konolfingen and Langnau. This takes you through the Emmental Valley, home to Emmentaller cheese, which is what we call Swiss cheese. This is picturesque, but there is really nothing to stop for, it is just a nice leisurely drive to Luzern
The third route would be my recommendation. That is to go south from Bern on the Autobahn to Thun. This is beautiful town along the lakefront and is worth some time to explore. You can continue on through Spiez and over to Interlaken.
Continued
Posted by
West Sacramento, California, USA
281 posts
From Interlaken, you can head up to Lauterbrunnen, Gimmelwald, Murren, Grindlewald, Jungfrau, etc. You could spend the night in any number of the villages here, or back in Interlaken.
The next day you could further explore these villages of the Berneroberland, or you can take the route along the north side of the Brienzersee to Ballenberg. This is an open air-museum show casing the different traditional architecture of the various regions of Switzerland. It involves walking on paved paths over rolling hills, but is well worth the experience. Nearby is the village of Meiringen, and next to it is the Aareschluct. This is an incredible gorge carved by the River Aare. The walk through this on cantilevered boardwalks is spectacular.
Finish the trip to Luzern by driving over the Brunig Pass towards Sarnen and Luzern. If you still have time, stop at the Glasiwerk in Hergiswil to see craftsmen make handblown glassware.
I am sorry I have no ideas about hotels, I stay with family
Posted by
Pearland, TX, USA
852 posts
hi allen,
we've taken rooms several times in Luzern. The last two visits we thoroughly enjoyed Hôtel Chateau Gütsch. The Gütsch is not cheap - mostly because of the position of the US dollar against other foreign currencies (good for export sales of US traders; bad for US tourists in europe). Another hotel we've enjoyed is Hotel Balances (on the lake, near the Kapelbrücke).
Drive carefully and have a terrific trip!.. P
Have a look:
http://photos.igougo.com/pictures-photos-c3-s1-p299214-Chateau_Gutsch.html