Switzerland

Swiss

The views, the history, the clean trains, the chalets, the food *chef's kiss*. This country is beyond beautiful. Yes, the trains and restaurants in certain cities are very expensive but prices for hotels are not much different than anywhere else in Europe and grocery stores are always an option! I recommend taking day trips, visiting mountain towns and taking it easy with hiking if you're not used to the elevation. If the food and the views don't leave an impression the smell of raclette will.

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When to Visit

Shoulder seasons -April, May, September or October

I went in March, which was a bit rainy and chilly. It was relaxing with few tourists but eerily quiet and many attractions were closed because of winter conditions/no tourists.

Trains

Plan your train tickets at major train station information centers

Interrail EU- 3 day pass 136 euro

Length of Visit

4 days is doable but I'd stay at least 1 week

2 nights in Zurich, Bern or Geneva wherever you're flying out of
3 nights in smaller villages like Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Stein am Rhein, Murten, Gruyères, Montreux, Brienz, Morcote, Appenzell, and Thun
2-3 travel days for plane rides

Alternative

Day trips in from a Annecy or Como
Trains take time

Hut to Hut Backpacking

This is #1 on my 'To Do list', having explored Switzerland in winter. Hiking the Matterhorn or Murren amongst the wildflowers would be absolutely amazing. That is if the hikes are doable. 14 miles every day for 8 days sounds like a little bit of a drag. Stay tune for updates on this when I plan my trip!

All Trails Best Backpacking

Guided Hikes

Interlaken

Party Hostel- Balmers Hostel
Barracuda Cafe & Bar
Bäckerei-Konditorei Steininger
Ristorante e Pizzeria Sapori
Bebbis Restaurant
Restaurant Stadthaus

Lauterbrunnen

Many trails and gondolas through surrounding mountains
Take tram from Lauterbrunnen to Murren
Restaurant at Hotel Oberland
Trümmelbachfälle- take the bus and get a free ride back! Closed during Winter
Staubbach Falls

Grindelwald

Train Interlaken to Grindelwald is ~40 min
Last train back to Interlaken is ~9pm
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe (I didn't go)
- Check Webcam to see clear skys
- $95 -250
Bebbis Restaurant
First Cliff Walk
Eiger Trail
Well Established Skiing here

Murren

Favorite place
Get here by cable car ride from Lauterbrunnen then a 15 minute electric train
Views of Tallest Mountains Eiger, Monch, Jungfraujoch
Gorgeous quaint town with no cars and cute chalets
Skiing available

Zurich

Zurich blends historic charm with modern style
Known for culture, museums, and old town
Paläontologisches Institut der Universität Zürich
Moulagen- disease museum
Botanischer Garten der Universität Zürich

Lucerne

Very expensive city
Restaurant Bierliebe & Friends
7am-12pm Sat /Tue market Luzerner Wochenmarkt
Wirtshaus Taube Luzern
Glacier Garden of Lucerne by the Lion Monument
Chapel Bridge
Natur-Museum Luzern

Bern

Yet to Visit

Geneva

Yet to Visit

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