12 Days in Swiss with child 2 yrs Sept 25 to Oct 6

Hi snaem85 –

Here are some preliminary comments, as a quick response, since you are traveling so soon. Since we do not know your specific interests, and considering that you travel with an infant, I offer these opinions-

1. First and and last days. Forget about Zürich and Geneva, unless you have very specific reasons to visit them. Sorry to hear that you have already booked…the advice still holds.

Instead of Zürich, stay in Luzern. Lots more to see and do.

If you need to go to Zürich, for specific reasons, it is a short train ride,

Trains at xxx10 and xx35 take 46 to 50 minutes with no change of trains. Other trains are available.

For Geneva, skip it or stay in Montreux. Unless you have specific reasons to go to Geneva. It is OK as a tourist town, but Montreux and surroundings are much better. In my opinion 😉

2.- As you wrote it you seem to be going back and forth to Luzern, Day 3 and day 6, as written, confuse me.

Please clarify where you will be sleeping and how you will get to Luzern for day 6. It seems that you will be in Interlaken???

I do not understand what you wrote.

Slowpoke

<<“As for our interest, we are at Swiss solely for the nice natural views. “>>

Of the places that you have listed, you will find those nice (and scenic) natural views most easily in the Jungfrau region, Zermatt, and the Lake Lucerne area. Also, the north-eastern part of Lake Geneva near Montreux (Lac Leman.)

http://www.myswissalps.com/be rneseoberland

http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfrauregion

http://www.myswissalps.com/ze rmatt

http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne

Although Geneva is on the beautiful lake, which is nice for a boat ride, the city itself is not really a scenic location in the sense of those other three. Montreux offers the vineyards and mountain railways nearby, especially Rochers de Naye. The mountains come right down to the lake there. The vineyards near Lausanne are also nice, especially in the harvest season.

http://www.myswissalps.com/so uthwestswitzerland

http://www.myswissalps.com/mo ntreux

http://www.myswissalps.com/ro chersdenaye

http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/lutry-epesses

http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/lavaux-wine-train-mobilis-lavaux-riviera-pass

The train mentioned in that last link, from Vevey to Puidoux, is a short and scenic ride. Depending on your ability or interests in walking/hiking with a two year old, walking in the vineyards can be enjoyable. The terrain is definitely not level. 😉

http://www.switzerlandbyrail. com/trains/scenic/lava ux_wine_train_vevey_ch exbrex.htm

http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/wine-train-lavaux-please-advice

The best part of the Golden Pass Route is the line above Montreux, especially to Montbovon, on the way to Zweisimmen, thence to Interlaken. You might enjoy simply riding from Montreux to Montbovon and return, or deviate from the Golden Pass route and take the longer route onward to Gruyeres from Montbovon and return by (for example) Bulle, Romont, Puidoux, Lausanne, Geneva.

map.search.ch/Gruy%C3% A8res?pos=562144,154944&z=8& poi=zug

Zoom in for the rail lines; I have turned on an overlay under Points of Interest/Traffic/ railways that shows the train stops.

The short stretch of track as you leave the tunnel at Puidoux and go through the vineyards toward Lausanne , including towns like Grandvaux, is a very striking and beautiful view, best seen on a clear day with the Alps in the background. There is a joke popular in the French speaking regions, that once someone from the north of Switzerland (the German -speaking regions) sees that view, they throw away their residence permits and move to the lake shore region.

You will be on part of the Golden Pass Route when you travel from Luzern to Interlaken via Meiringen. That section is called the Luzern-Interlaken Express. It is a pleasant ride, with some good views.

We have spent many days in the area around Lake Lucerne. In German -der Vierwaldstättersee. And, as you have figured out, since Luzern is in the German-speaking region, the signs will show the spelling with a “z.”

This link shows some views around the southernmost part of the lake, as part of a description of a hike in that area:

http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/the-swiss-path-and-southern-lake-lucerne

Attached are a few pictures from near Luzern itself, or, around the lake. One show my 8 year old granddaughter absorbing the Lion of Luzern…it is a page from a photobook that I made about our trip there in 2009.

Zurich is described here:

http://www.myswissalps.com/zu rich

It is my favorite city in Switzerland, but not for scenery. Culture… museums, music, etc. It takes a while to begin to find your way into the rewards of Zürich. The old town, on both sides of the river, offers some nice walking. There is an excellent bus and tram network.

The southern part of the lake, near Rapperswil and Hurden, is peaceful and attractive. It is not a usual tourist destination. Three pictures attached.

Slowpoke