Holes in Switzerland itnerary

Lauren, last year we spent 3 nights in Gruyères. I think 2 nights would be enough, Gruyères is very accessible by train. We visited the cheese factory, chocolate factory, did some hiking and museum.

One option for your time between Munich and Murren would be to take the train from Munich to Lucerne and then Brienz, which is west of Meiringen. Brienz is on the eastern tip of Lake Brienz and enroute to Interlaken, your entry to Murren. You could do a day in Meiringen seeing Reichenbach Falls and/or the Trift Bridge (Europe's highest and longest suspension bridge). Then you could go on via very short train ride to Brienz, a bucolic town known for its wood carvers.

I presume you will be day-hiking while in Murren. There are many possibilities. Mountain View trail is easy with spectacular views of Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. It's worth a trip to Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn (consider--cable car up, hike down from Birg). Two books you might find helpful are SWISS BERNERSE OBERLAND by Philip & Loretta Alspach (a slim book filled with tips and day-trip guides). If you plan to hike, check out Ken Reynolds' THE BERNESE ALP:A WALKER'S GUIDE.

As for your days between Murren and Geneva, you've been to many of the most interesting towns. Going back to Bern for a couple days might be worthwhile. Also consider a few days in Geneva. I happen to like Geneva and its French culture. It is the headquarters of numerous international institutions including the Red Cross, with a museum that is definitely worth a visit. From Geneva it's very easy to do a day trip (via bus) to Chamonix, Fr., where you can take the cable car up to Augille du Midi (spectacular views of Mont Blanc). Also very possible is a day trip to the quaint walled town of Yvoire on the southern shore of Lake Geneva, only 27 km from Geneva.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas! We really appreciate your thoughtful suggestions. We are so excited about the trip :-)

I'll make the same suggestion I always make for a stop between Munich and the Berner Oberland... the Bodensee! Try researching Lindau.

Hi Tom,
Yes, Lindau was on our list, but it seems that hotels/B&B are more expensive. Do you have any recommendation, or would you think we can spend 1/2 day there, and then go on to Luzern?

Thanks much,
Lauren

Between Munich and Mürren---if you are going via Zürich, I would suggest heading to Rigi, specifically Rigi Kaltbad---reached with by cogwheel train from Zürich via Arth-Goldau up and over Rigi Kulm, or by boat + either cablecar or cogwheel train from Luzern. However you go, it is a spectacular and varied trip. Spend two nights at the Bergsonne (http://www.bergsonne.ch/) and spend the full day between enjoying the wildflowers, cows, views over the lake, and walks of whatever grade you like. Then head back down to the boat to Luzern, and take the Golden Pass route to reach Mürren.

For the time between Mürren, I would go to Kandersteg and up to Oeschinensee (www.oeschinensee.ch), where there is a lovely rustic mountain hotel (no rooms with ensuite bath). The Wandfluh family raises much of the food served at the hotel at their organic farm. The lake is a Swiss national treasure, and there are lots of people during the day, but few stay to spend the night. You arrive by chairlift and horse-drawn coach. Or you can walk. You can rent rowboats or pedalboats to explore the lake, or hike the lakeshore, or climb up to the spectacular Freundenhütte on a cabled cliff-carved trail.

After 2 nights at Kandersteg, I would proceed south to Brig and a few minutes east to Betten (2 stops from Brig) and take the cablecar up to Bettmeralp to spend 2 nights. www.bettmeralp.ch. See the website for photos. You can hike or ride a chairlift up to various viewpoints to see the Aletschgletscher, Europe's longest glacier. "25 km of ice in one piece" as the local brochures call it.

Then ride the cablecar back down, catch the westbound train to Brig and onward to Lac Leman and spend the fifth night at one of the smaller towns along the lake, within reach of Geneva if you need to catch your plane the next day. Vevey? Morges?

Have you fit in any southern range highlands hiking? There are all these Alpine villages and well-marked paths and crossroads signs way up there, and rentals and huts to stay in. Spectacular views, beauty and calm.