What I liked that you have included different activities also. Helpful Apps for Travelling in Switzerland- Here are the free apps I used during my trip to Switzerland. I am thinking base camp would be Grindelwald area with day trips out of there? I had an enjoyable afternoon strolling past the riverside restaurants and admiring the covered wooden bridges, but I really fell in love with Thuns skyline. I would surely visit Switzerland again and hopefully end up in Interlaken which I see on Instagram a lot and seems so promising! 2023 Travel? Pilatus (you can do round trip including boat ride, mountain train ride & cable car rides), Mt. There are chocolate shops, factories, restaurants and cafes here to enjoy some warm time for those who might feel too cold. You should be able to find copies at your local Library or larger book stores. Approximate travel time: Thun to Zurich Airport- 1 hr 40 min. A walk along this forested area which is along the river is absolutely enjoyable! The Verzasca Valley is a gorgeous area thats easily accessible from Locarno, thanks to the local bus system. Does this sound do-able? I would go to Luzern for a quick afternoon visit and a nights stay or go straight to Interlaken Ost for the connection to the Lauterbrunnen Valley. I visited both the Baroque cathedral and the Abbey Library, which houses a large collection of medieval books. What other places in Italy are you interested in seeing besides Rome? Thun was the final stop on my 2 week trip to Switzerland. Not much to do and see in the city itself, I agree . The Chocolate Train experience is really fun! Of course, I know Id love it if I were to return there. Your tour will begin in the picturesque Lake Lucerne, where you will be surrounded by majestic mountains and crystal clear waters. The amount of rental points meant I could often (not always) pick up a bike in one town and return it in another. Maeinfeld, Heidis Village is one place we would love to head to. 18 Austria, Italy And Switzerland 14 Days tour packages with 50 reviews View Map In-depth Cultural I was using the company Rent-a-Bike because they have about 200 locations, 80 which are at railway stations. Standing above the Old Town is the medieval Thun Castle, its prominent turrets offering fine views of the town, lake, and surrounding mountains. Rick Steves guidebooks and videos are extremely helpful in planning and in getting around. Here is a trusted, leading retailer where you can. Switzerland is one of those iconic destinations that you will visit, which you'll always want to go back to again someday. Heres an in-depth look at my Switzerland trip itinerary, including travel times and a summary of what I did in each destination. We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get! Sounds like great advice to base yourself in one place and do day trips from there although Im absolutely loving your overnight camp spot right on the lake. I suspect they'll want to show you the area, which could take several days out of your already very short Itinerary. Any part of Switzerland that you travel to is gorgeous! I had a bit of time in the afternoon, so made a quick trip to Lauterbrunnen to see Staubbach Falls. As like Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein, St. Gallen also had many exquisite bay windows. Although we may be able to see the Rhine Falls on our way between the two towns; they look awesome. Also, many hidden cafes and restaurants located in stunning places can only be visited if you have your own vehicle to drive around and explore! Do stop for a short picture break near the medievalLaufen Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the falls. Schaffhausen was a perfect introduction to both the natural and architectural beauty Id see throughout my 2 weeks in Switzerland. INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS. Rama, That is very kind of you Rama, I am really glad that you enjoyed your trip! Start day 5 in your itinerary for Switzerland with acruise along Lucerne Lake, clickhereto check all the options possible and the timetable In Switzerland, this was the only lake I decided to take a cruise on and it was probably the best decision! An interesting thing to do is take the cable car from Adliswil up toFelsenegg, a fantastic vista point. If you're travelling in winter to Europe, having a tank top or light base layer will keep you warm without having to result to a bulky coat or jacket. Brilliant views at the top , Haha, Zurich does make a good base for day trips outside to places such as Rhine Falls, Lichtenstein. We are planning to take a return flight from Mumbai, India to Rome since we are getting a good deal on return fare ($1200 for 2). However, in Switzerland, we are interested in visiting Zurich, St. Gallen, Titlis, Mt. I would love to go one day, so I was very keen on your itinerary. Just when I thought this would be the highlight of the trip, we began descending into the gorgeous Val Poschiavo before crossing over the Brusio circular viaduct. That is important when suggesting an itinerary. You might tell me that I saved the best for the last because a day trip to Chamonix, which is in France, was probably the highlight of our itinerary for Switzerland. Visit the highlights of Italy and Switzerland, a popular pair. You can reserve a bike online by choosing your pick up and return stations, and rental period. After a late night at the Blues to Bop festival, I still felt energized and excited to hike down Monte Br, one of the two mountains that frame Lugano. Here is a trusted site that has a large selection of tours and tickets for activities in Switzerland. Wow! Thun is a picturesque town located at the lower end of Lake Thun, with the historic city centre situated near the Aare river. My trips to Calgary, Norway and New Zealand followed my visit to Switzerland but although these countries were gorgeous in their own right, nothing ever replaced my love for and the memories of Switzerland. The Mont Blanc range was my fav leg of the 2-week trip as well and I am happy that you liked my recommendation. On day 2 of your itinerary for Switzerland, I recommend you take a road trip to the awe-inspiring Rhine Falls. EU Holidays Xanne Lim Apr 11th, 2016 Could you clarify that you'll have 14 days on the ground? Make sure to wrap up! Late afternoon I caught a train to Locarno, another beautiful city in Switzerlands Italian speaking canton of Ticino. June. Roam about on your own for a while, have your lunch in the quaint town before you board your bus toBroc, for a tour of theNestle-Callier chocolate factory. Thank you for your reply and advice. Many years ago, I took a train through Switzerland and had a magical time, though I only had a few days there. Ive bookmarked this for my future visit likely in winter as I love the sledding there. How nice to see someone exploring a country in-depth like this, and it looks like you saw so much! Welcome to Bernese Oberland, the most magnificent area in Switzerland. Rick's guides to Italy and Switzerland are important as well. Before my 2 week trip to Switzerland, I had a somewhat stereotypical vision of what Switzerland would be like. We also went there during summer and it was hot enough to swim in the lake. Looks so beautiful! Although weve been to a few place in Switzerland weve never done a road trip and travelled around which looks a great option. I have only visited switzerland once and briefly I am now super keen to give it a proper visit! Youll be amazed to see the green hills, blue lakes, sleepy towns, goats and sheep and snow-capped peaks as you drive along. Take naps. Also should we be taking the train rather than driving around? This was my favourite day of my 2 weeks in Switzerland because I got to enjoy perfectly clear views of the Matterhorn as I hiked the 5 Lakes trail. After loading my bike onto a gondola, I arrived at the Alpenbikepark on Brambresch, Churs local mountain. I picked up some good speed! I am going with my husband. This is going to be an exciting day because you will visit the highest peak in Europe Jungfraujoch. To get here I took the Gornergrat train, Europes highest open-air cog railway. 10-Day Northern Italy and Switzerland Itinerary: Florence - Turin - Lausanne 2. Two weeks doesn't even scratch the surface in Italy. If you have only a week and you love the nature and countryside, I would advise you to skip the big cities such as Zurich and only visit the countryside. We would like the trip to be between 2-3 weeks, and would like to spend the bulk of the trip in Italy with the first 3-4 days in Switzerland. If youre lucky, you will be greeted with vistas of blue skies and white snow, and a lot of people enjoying winter sports. If your teens have cell phones, you'll have to consider the cost of roaming with these. I spent the next two days enjoying some outdoor adventures, falling in love with the famous Matterhorn mountain, and wishing I never had to leave. I cant wait to take Darcee back to see Lucerne and personally I want to do some canyoneering in Interlakken! And what about Eastern part of Swiss? A road trip in Switzerland is a great idea! A perfect little laid-back town along the lake, you must enjoy your coffee here as you watch the lovely hills in the backdrop, red flowers decorating the shores of the blue lake, people jumping into the waters for a swim or boating in calm, or simply relishing a quiet moment by the lake. In the afternoon, I took a relaxing, scenic boat ride on Lake Constance to Kreuzlingen. Even though the boat trip from Stein am Rhein to Kreuzlingen was over 2.5 hours, I was enjoying it so much I didnt want it to end. For example, if you stay in a hostel or Airbnb, you can get places much cheaper as compared to staying in a hotel. THANKS TO ALL FOR GREAT ADVICE - IT IS VERY VERY HELPFUL! We all got that one country (or sometimes two) that grabs us and it will always hold a special place in the heart. Go for it! Even with the rain and approaching darkness, the vivid blue water of Lake Thun shimmered brightly. Medha, this is an excellent itinerary. I disembarked at the Grandhotel Giessbach to have lunch with a view of the Giessbach Falls. For your visit to the Jungfraujoch, I'd suggest checking the forecast and local webcams before you go. After purchasing your tickets, buy some snacks from the Coop for the train ride. . Yes Please!|ProPhoto Photographer Template, Getting to Know St. Gallen- A Tour of St. Gallens Old Town, Hiking Down Monte Br- Switzerlands Sunniest Mountain, Alta Verzasca Bike Route- Cycling in the Verzasca Valley, 6 Memorable Things to Do in Zermatt- Switzerlands Alpine Paradise, Things to Do in Thun- Gateway to the Bernese Oberland, Lake Brienz Cruise- Highlights of a Lake Brienz Boat Tour, tours and tickets for activities in Switzerland, Best of Zurich City Tour: Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein, From Zurich: Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls, Interlaken: 1 hour boat cruise on Lake Brienz, Zermatt: Gornergrat Bahn Cogwheel Train Ticket, Best Cities to Visit in Europe- My Favourite European Cities for Travellers, Five Weeks in Europe- Our Itinerarys Hits and Misses, Exploring Bavaria- The Best Places to Visit on a Trip to Bavaria, Germany, How to Spend 4 Days in Paris- Our Itinerary, Flightseeing in the Yukon- 4 Awe-Inspiring Air Tours, What to Expect on Your First Trip to Switzerland- A First Time Visitors Guide, The Swiss Travel Pass can be purchased online from various websites or at a service desk at Swiss rail stations. For those looking to enjoy the nightlife in Zurich,click hereto read about the areas and best clubs to visit. Have been to Switzerland and am in love with the country. Train journeys are unbelievably beautiful in Switzerland and every place I've mentioned in my itinerary for Switzerland is reachable by public transport (bus or train). To determine rail travel times and details, one of the easiest websites for trains all over Europe is the Germain Rail site - https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml . Someone was asking me why I did not include St Moritz in the itinerary and thats what I told them how much can one cover in 2 weeks? I like love visiting castles and think Rapperswil Castle looks like a lot of fun and the Titlis Ski lift too. If you go to Switzerland Becca, spend the least amount of time in Zurich and Geneva. While I didnt connect with the town itself, I sure did love the surrounding mountains and Upper Engadin lakeland. . Does this sound plausible? It will be our first trip to Europe. Drive along Lake Zurich to Rapperswil, a mountain town which is on the route towards Liechtenstein. Be prepared for a much lower temperature here, even during summer. So here is my breakdown of the itinerary, costs, lodging, and our thought process for how we made decisions on routes. After that use the RS Italy and Switzerland books to plan hotels, sightseeing, transportation, etc. There are several other activities that you can choose - from canyoning to rafting, skydiving, bungee, rafting, jet boat rides, waterskiing and what not! We are flying out of Chicago. Around Lake Como you may need lake boats and/or buses as well as trains. Do you prefer staying in cities or smaller towns/villages? Answer 1 of 2: Hi everyone, Me and my wife are planning for an 8-day trip to Italy and a 6-day trip to Switzerland. Rigi (you can do boat trip & mountain train & cable car trip too) or Mt. Really enjoyed this, Medha! Dramatic mountains, spearmint lakes, cute alpine towns blanketed in sparkling white snow Switzerland is the Switzerland Road Trip: My 2-Week Switzerland Itinerary - WildJunket After clearing customs, I caught a train to Schaffhausen to begin my 2 week trip to Switzerland. Wengen 5 nights - 4 days I wish to go there one day! Words and photos cant accurately capture just how beautiful Switzerland is in person. . 28 Italy And Switzerland 14 Days tour packages with 98 reviews In-depth Cultural I hadnt realized how easy lichtenstein could be reached From there, Its just a couple of hours away by road . The journey will be taken in 2 stages; the first cable car takes you up to Plan de l'Aiguille (2,317m) and the second one from here to the top station. Its a full day trip. And they all fall in one route (almost). I can see why you love Switzerland so much though, it really is a fairytale country as well. That was a really beautiful place and famous. A turquoise blue lake on the way, as you go up, will catch your attention. At night, head to the famousKapellbrucke Bridge, which lights up beautifully against the backdrop of the snow-covered mountains, providing a scene you will never forget. You'll first have to take the Wengernalpbahn down to Lauterbrunnen, connect with the cable car to Grtschalp and then take the mountain railway to Mrren to connect with the Schilthornbahn. Once youre up there, however, the visit is totally worth it. that is a tourist places? It means youll be running around a bit too much without being able to give each of these places the time they deserve. It was a long travel day that involved passing though Italy, but the captivating scenery made the time go by quickly. Our only priorities are skiing for 1-2 days in the Swiss Alps and seeing Venice/Milan/Verona. This 1-hour drive is most along the beautifully blueLake Brienz, one of the two lakes responsible for the name of the town Interlaken (between two lakes). For dinner that night I went up to Muottas Muragl, taking a funicular railway to make the 700 metre climb. Also, didnt realize how unpredictable the weather is, even during the summerthats something to definitely take note of! Geneva looks stunning and I love all your photos of the castles, its like a fairy tale land. There are so many lovely places to see, I felt even 2 weeks didnt do justice! Jump to bottom. This spectacle of nature, history, and food are best experienced as part of a Switzerland road trip. The route was well marked (Rhein Route 2) and roughly followed along the Rhine River, passing through Germany before arriving in Stein am Rhein. 3 nights. Given that you want to visit both the Jungfraujoch and the Schilthorn, Lauterbrunnen would be the logical place to stay as it's the transportation hub for both sides of the valley. Getting Around- Switzerland has an impressive public transportation system so theres no need to rent a car. Its so close by for you, you should get there already! We are planning to go for 1 week with our 5 yr old. Now, Im glad I didnt try to reach it and miss out on so much! This is a 2-or-3 hour train ride from the Zurich airport. You visit Switzerland every year? Airfare also depends on WHEN you book your tickets and where from! - Don't be overwhelmed - The Swiss train system is so easy and efficient. Many times I have wanted to go there but I can not go because I dont have proper guideline to go there. There are many funiculars, cable cars, and cog railways meaning even mountaintops are easily accessible. It was just the first of many scenic boat trips I did during my 2 weeks in Switzerland. I luv Swiss alps so much .. The red stripe on a white background is usually included on the yellow signs, but I also saw it painted on rocks, trees, and buildings. But you will not go wrong with either location. so beautiful pictures and great information The Ultimate Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks With its iconic mountains, alpine lakes, fairytale castles, and some of the most delectable chocolate on the planet, Switzerland is one of the best places in Europe to take a road trip. I had only covered Zurich and InterLaken, Lucerne Engelberg (Mt Titlis) and JungFarauoh. It was a lovely place to linger before beginning my hike to the bottom of Monte Br. And Rhine falls always magical. Here's a link to a map: The freeride trails meet up with a mountain road in places, so you can switch off if you want an easier ride. It won't let me post a link or even an image since I'm new here but it has the following listed:This itinerary takes you to the following destinations in Italy and Switzerland: Day 1: Zurich . You made me nostalgic again ! Or you can choose to ride the road from the top gondola station all the way to Chur, at the bottom of the mountain. havent been to Switzerland yet so this is a very helpful and detailed itinerary. Day 2 & 3 - explore Lauterbrunnen Valley with gondolas, cogwheel trains, hiking, Day 4 - transfer to Florence. Unless it is not in your budget, I always recommend to rent a car and drive around because that gives you a lot of flexibility to stop anywhere, anytime. I received guest cards in Ticino (Lugano and Locarno), Thun, and St. Moritz (transportation card only). I am always divided between taking scenic train journeys or driving around in such lovely places Although it is more expensive to rent a car, it is amazing to be able to stop anywhere, anytime and enjoy the beauty of the place. It was an expensive activity, but worth it because nothing beats a birds eye view and the feeling of freedom! Do not skimp on guidebooks. Visiting the Gornergrat is an absolute must-do when in Zermatt. Choose from 42 trips with 181 customer reviews, that range from 11 up to 14 days. Summer is usually the best time to go Katie, although it can get quite crowded, especially when its summer vacation time in schools (July/ August) because Switzerland is a popular family destination for tourists. that will add slightly on your trip to the Schilthorn. The bike park has 5 freeride trails in three levels of difficulty. I see you went to Liechtenstein too! That looks very interesting to me! Two Weeks in Italy Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Rome Day 2: Rome Day 3: Rome Day 4: Sorrento Day 5: Capri Day 6: Amalfi Coast Day 7: Florence Day 8: Florence Day 9: Day trip to Tuscany Day 10: Travel to Cinque Terre Day 11: Cinque Terre Day 12: Travel to Venice Day 13: Venice Day 14: Venice Two Weeks in Italy Map document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What you need to know before you travel to Norway, How to spend the perfect 3 days in Black Forest, Germany. and when do we book the trip up to Jungfraujoch? They are waymarked with yellow signs for walking, often with an estimated time to the next destination, and red signs for cycling. So funny - I was just looking at the Michelangelo just before I read your reply :) You have given me great info - much appreciated. Theres even a hiking path that goes behind the falls, overlooking the hotel down below. We had rented a car but I am sure youll be able to find other options! Thanks Medhu, so I guess, chocolate train is a must visit with our 10 Yr old. Balancing seeing bits of a lot of places and still being able to remember where you have been and not be exhausted at the end: that is the challenge! From here, I caught a train to St. Gallen where I spent the night. However, the most rewarding part of the day begins from here when you board the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car, the highest cable car in the world, toPoint Helbronner,which is in Italy. Each of those two villages are on mountains on opposite sides of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and you have to connect through the village of Lauterbrunnen to get from one side to the other, but it's very easy to do. So beautiful. Buy the HFC in advance, if you like, or at your first train station in SW. We booked the Jungfraujoch the day prior when we had a good idea of the weather plan. Ascona is a lovely town on the shore of Lake Maggiore and I ended up preferring it to Locarno. The landscape and climate was surprisingly varied as well. I loved walking those streets and the bridge with those paintings that they had saved from destruction. We are happy to see bits of lots and change hotels (since we have not been would like to take advantage of seeing as much as possible). Thanks for getting me all nostalgic about my trip , Woo!! But it cooled down after a shower You live in Italy, its a shop, skip & jump for you. I really want to go to Geneva, and Ive heard Zurich is nice too x. Cheers Lori. Welcome to our 2-week tour across Switzerland and Italy, a journey designed to showcase the best of what these two beautiful countries have to offer. (just a little bigger and more shops etc). Browse Rick's best Switzerland tours and vacation packages: Best of Switzerland in 12 Days Tour 2023 On my first trip to Switzerland, I discovered that while there is a lot of truth to this conventional view, there is so much more diversity to the country. I know Switzerland is worlds most beautiful country. Cheers, Of course the Matterhorn was the main attraction, but the lakes, mountain valley, and distant glaciers were mesmerizing as well. I knew I wouldnt have much time in Lauterbrunnen, but still wanted to check and see if it was an area Id like to visit on a future trip to Switzerland. Heres a map of the places I visited during my 2 weeks in Switzerland. That should provide a good starting point to plan sightseeing. Some are handwritten and over 1,000 years old! This will be the road trip of a lifetime! I know the weather is unpredictable and it is bad luck (like it was for us) if you reach there on a day when the weather is not good. We have a 2 week trip starting in Genoa - we have couple of nights and a day to spend there. To avoid disappointment, I advise to book in advance. If time allows, make a pit stop atMaienfeld, where you can visit Heidis house. We live in London, so we took a very laidback 2 week trip just to cover south : Geneva-Lausanne-Montreux-Lauterbrunnen-Interlaken-Zermatt , But we did save the best for the last too! I expected to see wooden chalets, meadows surrounded by rugged mountains, and cows grazing in green pastures as bells around their necks rung with every move. The village of Lauterbrunnen is nestled in a valley between imposing rock faces and mountain peaks. After I read your post, now I want to go there. Awesome. A drive to this area is recommended because it is away from the busy streets, in the Swiss countryside. Its the same for food, some people stay in Airbnbs and cook, which saves a lot of money or just pick up sandwiches from supermarkets as compared to sitting in restaurants and eating. Though that isnt Switzerland, we spent 3 days in Vaduz and loved it there! I and my husband are planning a 2 week trip to Europe in June 2015 for our second honeymoon. I can provide a more detailed version of this if you're interested. Others might want to experience some zip lining or tobogganing in this enchanting place. Instead, I enjoyed some mountain top meals, visiting the Diavolezza for lunch and Muottas Muragl for dinner. From here, another 1.5-hour drive away is your stop for the evening Lucerne. Anyone who has been to Switzerland is bound to fall in love . Consider skipping Rome this time and staying in northern Italy, especially if you want to visit Lake Como. Italy adopted a color-coded regional system to indicate the level of Covid risk and the related restrictions early on, and this system is still active. However, it got as hot as 34 degrees during the daytime! Skip Milan by what most are saying and go right to Florence from Como? You can also take the Post Bus from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg and connect with the Schilthornbahn there. June. It was exceptionally hot the time we visited! This 13 days itinerary is designed to give you a good balance of sights, sounds and experiences. This impressive fortress was the residence of the Duke of Milan, and it was built in the XV century. It's a bit off the beaten path which will add time and cost to other sightseeing in that area. Our favorite way of exploring any Swiss city is cruising on the calm lakes surrounded by the Alps and quaint villages. Hiking the 5 Lakes trail was an experience Ill never forget, largely because of the inspiring reflections of the Matterhorn I saw in 3 of the 5 lakes. Is there a way to travel to Lugano from the Interlaken area? You may be a bit jet lagged for the first few days, so won't get as much touring done as you planned. Today was all about soaking up beautiful views, nature, and Mediterranean vibes as I actively explored Monte Br. Oh 1 week only? Yet another fabulous train journey, this train itself is special! I love traveling. But then after 4 days, it rained and got cold, so it was fine . A really informative post, and one Ill refer to when I get to Switzerland, which is only 1 hour away by plane!! love the range of photos from the lovely lucerne to the stunning mountains! I love being out on the water so a boat cruise on Lake Constance was the perfect way to relax and enjoy the hot afternoon sun. Spend two weeks extensively exploring some of Europe's most beautiful landscapes. I can say why Switzerland was special to you. It was perfect! I couldnt get over the deep turquoise hue. Also, what kind of travelers are you? Switzerland Tours Rick Steves Switzerland tours provide the best value for your trip to Europe.
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