Packed 16 day Switzerland itinerary in Sept advice
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Dear All,
I previously posted here http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/geneva-ticino-16-days-sept-itinerary-feedback but my itinerary was attached as an excel because of the sheer volume of information and also that was how i had planned it. But i was advised to make it as a forum post so that people could read it straight away and provide any advice for the relevant section of the trip. Please find the itinerary below.
Few things to note:
1) I was in Geneva on 10 & 11 June en route to Chamonix this year , so I will proceed straight along the shores of Lac Leman.
2) You will notice Jungfrau is not on my list. That’s because I have been up Jungfrau a long time ago. (almost 15 years in Dec 2002) and Interlaken, Luzern & Mt Titlis.
3) I will be travelling solo and have the 15 day Swiss Travel Pass.
Day 1 & 2: Montreux
Fly into Geneva @ 7.45 am, with luggage being a 40L backpack. Train towards Montreux (which will be my base for the 2 nights at the youth hostel), stopping by Lausanne and Vevey. Might take the Belle Epoque paddle steamboat from Vevey to Montreux depending on timing and schedule.
2nd day – take the steam cruiser to Chillon Castle and explore nearby cable car options. Suggestions please. I will have a Swiss Travel Pass (STP). I have also been suggested to explore Villeneuve. Any thoughts please ?
Day 3: Bern
Catch the 8.44 am MOB Belle Epoque train, change at Zweisimmen for the Lotschberger to Bern. Explore old town and Rosengarden, Parliament tour at 3 pm. I think I need to book in advance for the Parliament tour and it’s in German. But oh well, as long as I get to enter and have a look inside its fine.
Day 4: Thun & Leissigen
Train to Thun. Explore the town and the 3 castles of Thun, Oberhofen & Spiez using the boat cruise. I am aware the boats are not very frequent as they run hourly so will plan accordingly. I am also interested in Scholl Schadau right at the lake side which has amazing views, but I understand it’s a restaurant now (Swiss Gastronomy Musuem)? Is it possible to just wander around Schadau Park?
From Spiez, I will catch a train to Leissigen Youth hostel. Perfect location by Lake Thun as it was previously a summer residence of Albert Wander, inventor of Ovomaltine, with its own private beach!
Day 5 & 6: Kandersteg
Day 5 – Definitely the must do is Oeschinensee. Plan to do a hike around and above the lake. Might add Allmenalp via ferrata, depending on how energetic I feel. Blausee Lake
Day 6 – Day trip to Bettermeralp for Aletsch glacier panoramic path.
Day 7: Lauterbrunnen (Valley of 72 waterfalls)
Things to do:
1) Murren – Gimmelwald Via ferrata.
2) Hike from Murren to Birg for the Thrill Walk.
Day 8 & 9: Grindelwald
Day 8 – before leaving Lauterbrunnen for Grindelwald, plan to spend half day to explore around if haven’t such as Wengen and the Staubbach falls. Not sure if Trummelbach falls is worth going? Arrive in Grindelwald in the afternoon and explore the town.
Day 9 – Cable car to First and hike to Bachalpsee and possibly to Faulhorn. Maybe Schynigge Platte if time permits.
For the BO region (Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald) I have read there are a couple of very scenic and easy hikes to be done that has been mentioned on the forum. But I can’t remember.
Day 10: Brienz
Grindelwald to Brienz via Interlaken and Isetwald
Things to do:
Harder Klum & quick exploration of Interlaken to see how much has changed in 15 years
Bus to Isetwald, then boat to Brienz. Might stopover at Giessbach depending on time.
Rothornbahn depending on weather. If not then, it will be the first train, the next day and it will be 11 CHF cheaper for the morning ticket 🙂
Day 11 & 12: Luzern
Day 11 will be long. Plan to do both Trift bridge (Starts at 8am) @24 chf + GELMER FUNICULAR (9am) @32CHF. There is no discount for either with the STP. Will have to book the tickets online so that I don’t need to queue for tickets which will save a lot of time. I think most likely I will probably do only Trift bridge, especially if I were to do Rothornbahn in the morning. Arriving in Luzern pretty late either at 8 or 9 pm.
Day 12: Mt Pilatus golden round trip and possible Mt. Rigi. Both free with STP. Of course the famous Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument.
Day 13: Zurich
Just exploring the town. This would be a kinda leisure day. Anything to recommend?
Day 14: Locarno
Take the fast train to Locarno from Zurich (2.5 hours). I can’t bear the 5 hour train if I take the Gotthard Express. I think by now, I would have seen many scenic train rides and boat cruises that it wouldn’t matter to me that the Gothard Express is scenic.
To do:
1) Funicolare Locarno-Madonna del Sasso (To the church)
2) Cable car and chair lift Orselina – Cardada – Cimetta (might just go to Cardada instead of all the way to the top of Cimetta)
Day 15: Locarno
Catch train from Locarno to Rivera Bironico for the cable car up to Monte Tamaro aka Alpe Fopa & see the Church Cappella Santa Maria degli Angeli church. Then, head to Lavertezzo.
I might change this to overnight in Bellinzona instead of Locarno. Any advice? I will be staying at the Bellinzona Youth Hostel below the Castle Grande.
Day 16: Bellinzona
My STP would no longer be valid but I will still have my Ticino ticket. Plan is :
1) Funivia Monte Carasso-Curzútt-Mornera for the Tibetan bridge “Carasc”
2) The 3 medieval castles
Catch the 5.40 pm express bus from Bellinzona to Malpensa arriving at 7.45 pm. 2 hours before my flight departure time of 9.45 pm. malpensa-express.com/en/schedul es.html
The End.
Thank you for spending the time to read my full itinerary and I would greatly appreciate your advice/ feedback. I look forward to your replies.
Cheers !
Ben
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