Nov 6, 2010 - 4:57 AM
Hi Travis, and welcome to the forum! Spending time in the cities you mentioned definitely allows you to visit some true highlights. Here are some tips:
- from Geneva and Lausanne, you can make boat rides over the lake. The famous Chillon castle near Montreux can be visitied within one day as well. From Montreux, a mountain train leaves for the beautiful viewing point of
Rochers-de-Naye;
- exploring the Jungfrau region when you're in Interlaken can be highly recommended indeed. You already mentioned some towns there. Consider a train round trip Lauterbrunnen/Wengen/Kleine Scheidegg/Grindelwald/Zweilütschinen/Interlaken as well. Kleine Scheidegg is impressive in clear weather, as you're literally at the foot of the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau there. Boat rides over lake Thun and lake Brienz are a nice day trip too;
- Lucerne is at the shore of a large lake, on which boat trips can be made. Beautiful viewing points include Pilatus and Rigi. Lucerne has a nice old town centre and is home to the Traffic Museum.
This topic on what to do in the Lucerne area may help you out;
- Zurich has lots of museums (including the Swiss National Museum), a lake with a park along the shore and nice traditional districts with narrow roads, old houses, little stores and churches. A tram leaving from the central railway station leads up to the viewing point
Uetliberg. In clear weather, the Bernese Alps can be seen from here. Looking down at Zurich and the lake is nice as well.
One last tip: you may want to consider using a
rail pass, as you'll be travelling quite a lot. This may save you lots of money.
I hope these first tips get you started. Visiting the tourist websites of each city/town will provide you with many more ideas.
