[paulesue]

27 October 2026 at 11:17:17 #2799512

September 19–28, 2026
We had a fabulous time on our recent trip to Switzerland, part of a longer journey that included northern Italy. Had I known how much we would love Switzerland, I would have included even more time there, although the time we spent was pretty perfect. And the weather cooperated beautifully—we had perfect weather the entire time!

We spent three nights in Lucerne (loved it!) and six nights in Wengen (paradise on earth). I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Switzerland.

Before the trip, I bought the Half Fare Card (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-half-fare-card/) and a six-day Berner Oberland Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/berner-oberland-pass/). I debated for a long time about which passes to get, but this combination worked out really well. I never calculated whether we actually saved money, but the flexibility made all the difference. The B.O. Pass covered almost all our trips, and where it didn’t, the Half Fare Card reduced the cost.

We traveled from Como, Italy, taking a train to Locarno, where we changed to the Treno Gottardo, which follows the scenic Gotthard route to Lucerne. I had reserved seats, but that turned out to be totally unnecessary—and, in fact, I’d reserved the wrong ones! No one claimed the seats we ended up using, and the train didn’t seem particularly busy. We enjoyed the ride (I more than my husband), although I’m not sure the extra time was worth it. Still, it was a lovely journey to Lucerne.

Lucerne (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/)
We arrived in Lucerne around midday and stayed at Hotel Beau Séjour, a short bus ride along the lake from the center. We loved the hotel! Our room was very small, with a tiny balcony overlooking the water. Actually, the hotel is just across the street from the lake, but the view was open and lovely.

I had originally booked a hotel in the Old Town (Altstadt), and I’m so glad we didn’t stay there, as it was quite busy. I worried we might be too far from the center, but not at all: it was a quick bus ride or a pleasant 15–20-minute walk. The staff were wonderful, and the breakfast was the best!

We spent three nights in and around Lucerne, enjoying walks through this beautiful, very walkable city. We followed the self-guided Old Town Walking Tour from the tourist information map and covered most of the main sights.

The next day, although it was slightly overcast, we opted for Mt. Rigi, the “Queen of the Mountains.” After a beautiful ferry ride and a trip on Europe’s first mountain cogwheel railway, we arrived at Rigi Kulm. The summit was pretty foggy until we reached a wonderful overlook, where the clouds lifted just enough to reveal a dramatic view.

The following day, we traveled to Wengen on the Luzern–Interlaken Express, and the views were spectacular! The gorgeous scenic ride took us past several crystal-clear Swiss lakes to Interlaken, where we made an easy change to the train for Lauterbrunnen and then continued on to Wengen. A driver from our hotel, Alpenrose, met us at the station.

Wengen (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/wengen/)
What a lovely hotel! Family-owned for over 100 years, Hotel Alpenrose is a short distance from the town center, although the walk involves a fairly steep hill. Our comfortable, wood-paneled room had a terrace with the most spectacular views. I barely needed to do anything but sit there—I had already fallen in love with this place!

We opted for half board, which was well worth it for the convenience. The meals were very good, with two that were terrific. The staff were friendly and helpful, and we absolutely loved our stay.

We spent six nights here and enjoyed every minute in this gorgeous region. Each day brought a new adventure, and we really lucked out with the weather. We aren’t hikers, but we love walking, and there were plenty of easy trails with stunning views. I had planned our days before the trip, and the itinerary worked out really well.

Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
Our first day, we took the gondola to Männlichen (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/mannlichen/) (our first gondola ride!) and walked to Kleine Scheidegg. It was a perfect introduction to exploring the Swiss Alps: an easy walk with gorgeous views. We loved it!

We took the train back from Kleine Scheidegg. Although it wasn’t covered by the B.O. Pass, the Half Fare Card reduced the fare, and the short ride didn’t cost much. We took it easy for the rest of the afternoon, picked up a few things at the Coop for lunch, and enjoyed dinner at the hotel. A wonderful first day!

Lauterbrunnen Valley (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lauterbrunnen/)
The next day, with slightly overcast skies, we explored the Lauterbrunnen Valley. I was so pleased with how well my advance planning worked out. We followed the river, enjoying the many views of the valley and the wonderful carved animals placed along the way.

We walked to Trümmelbach Falls, a fascinating series of waterfalls that cut through the mountain and are among Europe’s largest underground waterfalls. I really liked it, although my husband was a little disappointed that you don’t see one single waterfall. Instead, you experience a series of falls cutting through the rock, which is remarkable in itself. We both agreed it was a great destination and incredible to see and hear the rushing water.

Mürren, Birg and Schilthorn
If we had to pick a favorite day, this might have been it!

We took the train from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen, then a short cable car ride to Grütschalp, followed by a train to the lovely car-free town of Mürren. We wandered around, enjoying the magnificent views once again.

And then it got even better! Another cable car took us to Birg, where we tackled the Thrill Walk. Double wow! Built into the sheer rock face, the walkway features steel and glass sections, with open steel mesh and glass panels underfoot. Don’t look too closely at the cracks in the glass! If your adrenaline isn’t already pumping, you can brave the “high wire,” and if you manage that, crawl through a tunnel made of open steel mesh. My husband tried the high wire, but I skipped both challenges. I thought I was brave enough just walking the Thrill Walk!

From there, we continued up to Schilthorn (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/schilthorn/), known for its panoramic views. And what views! There’s also a rotating restaurant (nope, we didn’t eat there), and the mountain is famous as a filming location for the 1969 James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Continuing our cable car adventures, we returned to Mürren for lunch and then walked down to the little hamlet of Gimmelwald. It was charming, although we didn’t stay long. Our final cable car ride, from Gimmelwald down to Stechelberg, was short but steep—what a drop! My heart was in my stomach as we descended. A bus took us back to Lauterbrunnen, where we caught yet another train to Wengen.

A truly glorious day!

Lake Brienz (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/boat-lake-brienz/)
Another easy day, although the others were hardly strenuous! We took the train from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen (11 minutes), then on to Interlaken Ost (23 minutes). The boat dock was right behind the train station, so we had time for a short walk along the river before boarding.

The 79-minute cruise to Brienz was the perfect way to spend a leisurely day. The boat glided across the turquoise water, stopping at a few villages and Giessbach Falls before reaching Brienz, a charming town with a long tradition of woodcarving. Wonderful carved figures are scattered around town.

Brienz is also known for its 18th-century chalets, particularly along Brunngasse, considered by some to be “the most beautiful street in Europe.” I might not go quite that far, but it’s certainly a charming street in a beautifully situated town.

We had lunch overlooking the lake, explored the Old Town, walked along the waterfront, and then returned by train. The entire journey from Brienz to Interlaken, Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, and Lauterbrunnen to Wengen was covered by the B.O. Pass.

One of the remarkable things about traveling in Switzerland is how well coordinated the transportation system is!

Chästeilet Wengen and Our Last Day
Our final full day in Wengen brought a cheese festival and more spectacular views! We had enjoyed such a wonderful sampling of the beauty of this region, and I was a little sad that our time here was coming to an end. There wasn’t much on the agenda, but it turned out to be another perfect day. The weather had been glorious all week, and it was so warm that all the cold-weather items in my suitcase remained untouched. The sun just kept shining!

First up was Chästeilet Wengen, a traditional cheese festival featuring music, dancing, and food. There were wonderful alpenhorn players, traditional dancers, and lively accordion music. The main purpose of the event is for local cheese farmers to sell their cheese and shares in their cheese, helping support local farmers and preserve traditional dairies.

We stopped by in the morning and returned in the afternoon, when we also enjoyed a wonderful lunch.

Next, we took the cable car back up the mountain (those amazing views again!) and tackled the short but moderately challenging Royal Walk to Männlichen’s summit. Once again, we were rewarded with stunning views in every direction.

Back down the mountain, we returned to the festival, where we listened to music and enjoyed the atmosphere of a local celebration—exactly the kind of experience that makes a trip feel more authentic. Then it was back to our home in Wengen, Hotel Alpenrose, for a much-needed rest.

Later, we explored our own backyard, taking a long walk just beyond the hotel, surrounded by even more beautiful scenery. The light was magical—a perfect ending to our glorious time in Switzerland.

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[Anna]

Reply 1 of 1 • 27 October 2026 at 17:26:28 #2799513

Hi paulsue,

Thank you for this detail report!

It looks like you had a wonderful trip indeed. I enjoyed reading about the hotels in each location. I always look for feedback like this as this information is very useful for trip planning. I’ve thought about booking the Hotel Beau Sejour in Lucerne but always wondered if it was too far from town.

Regards,
Anna