Switzerland Tips in a Snapshot

Places To Visit in Switzerland

Zurich is not the only city to visit in Switzerland and should neither be. Zurich is good for flying in, due to its huge modern airport which also serve great connections to the city center and other major cities across Switzerland. However, Zurich does not provide the great Alpine scenery that one usually wishes out of their Swiss trip. Zurich is an expensive city with not many scenic sights. 

Geneva is another Swiss city located on the Lake Geneva, which is famous for its large fountain called Jet d’Eau. As per Rick Steves, a renowned travel writer, “Geneva is pleasantly situated on a lake, like Buffalo or Cleveland”. For those who do not know much about Buffalo or Cleveland, just know that Geneva is dull, boring, uninteresting and would definitely not be the ideal Swiss-feel city to visit.

Bern is the capital of Switzerland and is a beautiful medieval city, located on the river Aare. Most of the sights in the city are museums, a day or two should be enough. If one wants to include a major city in their Swiss itinerary, it should be Bern.

Interlaken is the city you have been dreaming about. The city is what real Switzerland’s natural beauty is. Interlaken is surrounded by mountains, dense forests, alpine meadows and has numerous hiking trails. Interlaken is situated between two lakes – Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and both the lakes offer beautiful lake cruises. One can also visit the famous Jungfraujoch, the highest point in Europe, from Interlaken.

(Directions from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch - 1.) Interlaken Ost - Grindelwald - Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch or 2.) Interlaken Ost - Lauterbrunnen - Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch.)  

Lucerne, is a small city also set on a lake, with interesting sights and culture and provides the Swiss feeling to any visitor. Lucerne and Interlaken are about 2 hour train ride away from each other, so it is easy to visit both in a couple of days. Lucerne is considered a good Switzerland-in-a-nutshell city. Lucerne is famously known for its Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), amongst other things. 

Mürren, is an alpine village set amidst the mountains, which can only be reached by train or cable cars. It is a great town for nature lovers. Rick Steves recommended eating Fondue at the Restaurant La Grotte in Hotel Bluemental.  

Swiss Travel Pass is a good deal for visitors who would be traveling in Switzerland for at least 3 days and will take 2+ scenic rail journeys. The Swiss Travel Pass also provides a 25% off on the Jungfraujoch mountain railway ticket and 50% off on the Schilthorn cable car.
Half Fare Card is a good deal for visitors who will not be making many rail journeys and are likely to focus on Interlaken, Lucerne and the mountain sights. The Half Fare Card provides 50% off on all trains, cable cars, and sights and attractions. 

Avoid the tour groups as they take the clients/visitor full of bus to the major cities of Zurich, Geneva, Bern and add Jungfraujoch to add some Alpine content. 

When you travel on your own itinerary, you visit the places you want to visit and get a real feel of the country. Switzerland is an expansive country with a lot to see, which requires hours of research and planning. Escape Destination Planning consults with you to understand your travel wishes and needs and does all the planning and researching for you, while you daydream and pack for your fore coming Swiss holiday. Don’t waste your time and let us be your travel consultants.
Email us today for a free consultation: info@escapedestinationplanning.com