My husband and I plan to spend 3 weeks in Switzerland. Rick Steves provides recommendations for only a 2 week trip. We'd like to use his basic plan and add extra cities to it but are unsure in what order to visit them all. We appeal to travelers familiar with Switzerland. We are flying in and out of Zurich mid May-midJune. Thank you for any and all suggestions! We look forward to your input. PS - we like to choose a few base cities, such as Zurich, and stay for about 3 days taking day trips to visit nearby sites. That way we don't have to pack/unpack every day or two. For 21 days that would involve about 7 base cities. We are considering Zurich, Lugano, Pontressina, Zermatt, Lausanne, Geneva, and Bernese Oberlander. A two-day stay is ok if there is not much else around.
Posted by
Sunnyvale, CA, United States
1 posts
Thank you for your prompt response!
We like mountains and enjoy hiking. Unfortunately, my husband has a knee problem and won't have surgery until after our vacation. It doesn't prevent him from walking, it just can't be too strenuous or prolonged. So we won't be able to take long, steep hikes, only mild short ones. We walk at home for an hour in the morning and a half hour in the evening and look forward to walking on our vacation.
We will be traveling by train between base cities.
Yes, I agree that the Bernese Oberlander area sounds the most interesting. I was listing the cities in the order Rick suggested in his "Best Two Week Trip by Train" and just realized that I left out Appenzell, although I think that it could be a day trip from Zurich.
Thank you for your input.
Posted by
West Sacramento, California, USA
281 posts
Sue:
I would start taking the train from the Airport to Zug, about a 40 minute trip, and staying in the old town section--Hotel Lowen for the first couple of nights. This is a great place to get on time zone, wonderful area to walk along the lake, take the funnicular up to the Zugerberg for great fairly level walking with terrific views of Rigi and Pilatus. Also, just 20 minutes from Luzern, and you can take a day cruise on Vierwaldstattersee (Lake Lucerne) then come back to Zug by train from Brunnen or Fluelen. Near Luzern you can visit the Glasiwerk (Glass Works) in Hergiswil, which gives a great history and demonstration this ancient craft. Also, near Zug is the town of Einsiedeln, where you can see the Black Madona, or the other direction to Engelberg, a great village with the lift up Titlis for the best views in Central Switzerland.
Leaving Zug, take the train to Bern or Fribourg. Explore these cities, and make a day trip to Murten and Avenches.
Next head to Montreux
Posted by
West Sacramento, California, USA
281 posts
On the way to Montreux, stop in Gruyeres a great old village, and home of one of the best cheeses. While staying in Montreux, you can go Chillon to tour the castle.
Take the Golden Pass train to Interlaken, gateway to the Berner Obeland, but also be sure to go to Ballenberg Open Air Museum, and the Aareschlucht, an incredible gorge carved by the river. The Berner Oberland has numerous other postings so I won't detail it.
Leaving there, take the train from Thun through to Domodossola, change trains, and head to Locarno. Enjoy the sun and warmth along the Lago Maggiore for a few days.
From there, take the Palm Express Post bus route to St. Moritz, then take the train over the Albulapass to Davos.
From Davos head to the Appenzell, then to Zurich before you head home.
Off of the this route but worth time are Schaffhausen and the Rheinfall, as well as Basel.
I have spent many summers in Switzerland, and can assure you that where ever you go, you will not be disappointed