10 day itinerary with Appenzell, Berner Oberland

Hi SB12 –

I believe that you have set up a very good plan, in no small way because you have clearly figured out the transport system for schedules and timing. Those are good bases.

The progression to Montreux at the end means that you will save the warmest place, with the greatest progress into Spring (Montreux), for the last. The Cote Lavaux to the north and west along the lake shore, with its vineyards, depends on a lot of sun for good vintages.

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

http://www.lavaux-panoramic.ch/home/

Lake boat schedule may be limited in April, but some will be running. The Summer season starts in mid-April, so you can likely find something that fits your schedule.

http://www.myswissalps.com/bo atlakegeneva/gettingth ere

http://www.cgn.ch/en/our-cruises.html?departure_stations=Mon treux

One possible misunderstanding on my part –

<<“3. We will take the Golden Pass route on the Luzern-Montreux leg and the faster/less scenic route back to Zurich”>>

While technically correct, you will ride the Golden Pass routes in two segments – one from Luzern to the BO, one for the BO to Montreux. And, the scenery on the faster route back to Zürich is still quite nice.

Wengen vs. Lauterbrunnen:

You surely have looked in this link:

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

because it is a link under the BO link that Maria provided.

I’m not a fan of the region in April, because I like to get on some of the higher trails. That influences me to stay in Wengen when I do stay, but then I count on the cableway links up to Männlichen and down to Grindewald, which will not be available in April. But, since you are clear on your wishes for the region, this little bit of light reading can be considered in your spare time:

http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/tips-about-wengen-and-the-jungfrau-region-by-kim

I understand that it is being updated currently, but it will still be very useful.

From a scenic and general environmental perspective, there is no doubt in my mind that the more alpine nature of Wengen is a much better experience than Lauterbrunnen.

Certainly, as a travel base, particularly to the region out side the valley, Lauterbrunnen will save time. Since you are not rushing to tick off as many “name” locations as possible every day, the 17 minute cograil ride between Wengen and Lauterbrunnen, twice per hour from 0540 until 2203, will provide good access as you go up and down that stretch.

Although I like to stay at the Bellevue in Wengen – for many reasons, including the way the hotel is managed and organized, as well as reasonable costs,and especially the views considered by many to be the best in Wengen – it is about a 10 minute walk from the station. Frau Graf Engi or staff will pick you up and take you back to/from the station with your luggage, but should not be counted on to provide a personal taxi service. Remember that in Switzerland, walking is considered a legitimate mode of public transportation. 😉

However, you will recognize their small cart making frequent trips on the road to/from the station if you see it, and if they have space, you can hop on it. Still, you might find it more convenient to stay closer to the station.But, you are not in a hurry.

Lauterbrunnen is certainly not a bad place to stay. And the extra warmth at lower altitude ( counterbalanced by the steep valley walls which restrict sunlight somewhat at sunrise and sunset) ) will possibly mean that the valley floor is almost snow free by that time.

And, you can certainly ride up to Wengen to walk around.

It is a tough choice, but there is no bad choice.

Slowpoke

<<“19th April: Luzern

20th April: Luzern”>>

You will just make the first day of the Spring season for the lake boats.

http://www.lakelucerne.ch/en/ timetable-fares/timetable/

There are several routes and options for getting on or off at different villages., many with bus or train connections for land travel.

At that time of year, you might see the parade of cows returning to alpine pastures around the lake.

I can recommend a leisurely 3 to 4 hour boat ride from Flüelen to Luzern. Flüelen is reached by train from Luzern on a pleasant ride. Among other places, the boat returning to Luzern stops at Vitznau, with a good connection to a cograil train up to the top of the Rigi. Partway up from Vitznau is Rigi-Kaltbad, which can have some nice views out over the lake.

On a nice spring day, we often would get off at Beckenried, have lunch

at a lakeside restaurant, then pick up another lake boat onward to

Luzern or to Brunnen for the train.

The southern par t of the lake is named der Urnersee, after Canton Uri. All parts of the the whole lake give a very nice scenic ride , with a meal onboard if you wish. But, I personally consider the stretch of the Urnersee from Flüelen to Brunnen to be the most striking.

This thread, although focused on a hike around that region, offers some good images:

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

Some boat routes from Luzern stop at Alpnachstad, for the cograil up to the top of Pilatus. The cograil may not yet be running in April.

http://www.myswissalps.com/pi latus

Slowpoke