[xzzhu22]

30 June 2022 at 6:48:04 #827650

Day 1: Late (20:30 arrival at Geneva airport)

Day 2: See lake Geneva, bus to Chamonix

Day 3: See Mt Blanc, train to Interlaken

Day 4-6:Trümmelbach falls, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, First, Schynige Platte, Harder Kulm, boat tour on the lake Brienz

Day 7-8: Train to Lucerne, see Lake Lucerne, Mt. Rigi and Pilatus

Day 9: Train to Lugano

Day 9:Train to Milan

Day 10, Fly out of Milan

Questions:

1, DW wants to tour a cheese and chocolate plant. I found them in Gruyère. However it means we have to give up Chamonix/Mt. Blanc.

2, Between Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Mt. Blanc and First, do we plan too many snow peaks?

3. Between Schynige Platte, Harder Kulm, Mt. Rigi and Pilatus, any similarities?

4. Any other recommendations? We really want a diverse experience. Is Lake Como similar to Lake Brienz and Lake Lucerne?

5. Did I choose the right base? Seems like not many options of accommodation?

[Removed user]

30 June 2022 at 17:52:55 #943808

Hi xzzhu22!

Yes, the chocolate factory near Gruyeres and the cheese factory in Gruyeres are one of the most famous ones. You can read about them here: http://www.myswissalps.com/gruyeres.

There are other chocolate factories as well, here you find a list: http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/culinary/chocolate

For me all mountains are different, so I would say that Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Mt. Blanc, First, Schynige Platte, Harder Kulm, Mt. Rigi and Pilatus are all different. But if you see them during a short time that might be too much. I recommend staying flexible and if you feel that you would like to experience more or fewer mountains, you can still change plans.

I haven’t been to Lake Como (Italy) so I cannot advise on that. Lake Brienz, Lake Geneva and Lake Lucerne are different. You can travel by boat on one of them: http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakebrienz, http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakegeneva and http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakelucerne.

What are your bases? Interlaken and Lucerne? You can find accommodation here:

• Interlaken: http://www.myswissalps.com/interlaken/hotels and http://www.myswissalps.com/interlaken/rentals
• Lucerne: http://www.myswissalps.com/lucerne/hotels and http://www.myswissalps.com/lucerne/rentals

As you are going to France and Italy, check these too: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy and http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/france

Take care,

Ildiko

[xzzhu22]

1 July 2022 at 5:39:11 #943809

Thank you! For Day 4-6:Trümmelbach falls, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, First, Schynige Platte, Harder Kulm, boat tour on the lake Brienz

I was planning to based in Interlaken but maybe Wengen is a better choice to save a little bit travel time back and forth? However I used google map to find the transit schedule, and it turns out traveling from Interlaken are not much longer than from Wegen.

[Anna]

1 July 2022 at 7:17:50 #943810

Hi xzzhu22,

Wengen would be a great base for excursion to Jungfraujoch and other mountains in the Jungfrau region. The location offers wonderful views of the surrounding mountains and areas. Interlaken is also a good base, has more facilities, transport services and is easily accessible for boat trips on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. Either way, I think you’ll be fine. You can use the SBB timetable to plan your journeys.

regards,

Anna

[Removed user]

1 July 2022 at 11:39:09 #943811

Interlaken is the best overall base for trips in the Berner Oberland area. The Berner Oberland is a small area in what is already a small country (Switzerland) so journey times are never too long. In terms of size the whole area is no larger than a large city such as London or New York.

Schynige Platte is the most interesting train ride, as the trains are very old. The locomotives in use are all around 100 years old

On the Pilatus, the current trains (about to be replaced) are also historic (built 1937), and the Pilatus is the steepest rack railway in the world.