From Geneva to Lucerne, encounter the picturesque scenery of Switzerland!
In-depth travel guide to Switzerland: Encounter a romantic country with picturesque scenery
Some say that Switzerland is God's secret garden on earth. The snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests, and small towns, every scene is breathtakingly beautiful. If you are also longing for a trip where you can embrace nature and immerse yourself in pure beauty, Switzerland is definitely the perfect choice. Now, follow this guide and embark on a dream trip to Switzerland.
1. Preparation
Apply for a Schengen visa 3–6 months in advance. Book round-trip air tickets 2–3 months in advance to usually get better prices. There are many types of Swiss Travel Passes, such as the Swiss Travel Pass, which allows unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats within the validity period. Choose the right pass according to the number of days of your trip.
2. Itinerary
Geneva (2 days)
- Day 1: Arrive in Geneva in the morning, check in to the hotel, take a short rest, and then stroll along Lake Geneva to admire the Jet d'Eau, a landmark of Geneva with a water column up to 140 meters high. In the afternoon, visit the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum to learn about the history of humanitarian relief. Dine in the old town in the evening and enjoy cheese fondue.
- Day 2: Visit the Palace of Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations. The building is magnificent, and you can join a guided tour to learn about international affairs. Afterwards, visit St. Pierre Cathedral and climb the church tower to overlook the panorama of Geneva. Take a walk in the park near Lake Geneva in the evening and enjoy your leisure time.
Bern (1 day)
Take the train from Geneva to Bern. After arriving, visit the old city of Bern, a World Heritage Site, which preserves medieval streets. Visit the Clock Tower, where mechanical puppets perform on the hour. Then go to the Bern Bear Park to see the brown bear, Switzerland's national animal. In the afternoon, visit Einstein's House to learn about the life and research experience of this great scientist.
Interlaken (2 days)
- Day 1: Travel from Bern to Interlaken. After checking in, go to Höheweg, the busiest street in Interlaken, where you can buy souvenirs. In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Lake Thun to enjoy the picturesque scenery.
- Day 2: Go to Jungfraujoch. Take the cogwheel train up the mountain. The scenery along the way is spectacular. After reaching the top of the mountain, visit the Sphinx Observatory to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Alps. You can also experience the ice and snow world in the Ice Palace on the top of the mountain.
Lucerne (2 days)
- Day 1: Travel from Interlaken to Lucerne. After arriving, visit the Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, with exquisite paintings on the bridge. Afterwards, visit the Lion Monument, which was built in memory of the Swiss Guards who died in the French Revolution. Dine in Lucerne's old town in the evening and experience the local atmosphere.
- Day 2: Take a cable car up to Mount Rigi, known as the "Queen of the Mountains," which overlooks Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains. There are hiking trails on the mountain, and you can choose a hiking route according to your own situation. Return to Lucerne city center in the afternoon and stroll around the local specialty shops.
3. Food Recommendations
1. Cheese fondue: Melt cheese in a pot and eat it with bread cubes. It is a traditional Swiss dish.
2. Swiss roll: Soft texture, rich filling, with a variety of flavors such as chocolate and cream.
3. Zurich veal: Veal with cream sauce and mashed potatoes. It is delicious.
4. Shopping Recommendations
1. Swiss watches: Rolex, Omega, and other brands of watches are of excellent quality and can be purchased at watch stores in major cities.
2. Swiss Army knives: Victorinox, Wenger, and other brands of army knives have various functions and are very practical.
3. Chocolate: Lindt, Toblerone, and other brands are smooth and make good souvenirs.
5. Important Notes
The official languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian, and Romansh. English is also widely spoken. The local cost of living is high, so plan your budget in advance. Keep quiet in public places and observe local etiquette and customs.
Embark on the return journey, the beautiful scenery, delicious food, and unique culture of Switzerland still linger in my mind. This trip is a visual feast and a comfort to the soul. I look forward to meeting Switzerland again and continuing to write more beautiful stories.
Lucerne, one of the top 5 tourist cities in Switzerland, has sparkling waters on one side and lush mountains and rolling peaks on the other. The city area north of Lake Lucerne and the Reuss River is called the Old Town of Lucerne, where you must slow down and stroll and take photos leisurely. Stroll along the shore of Lake Lucerne, take photos on the Capel Bridge, climb the Musegg Wall to reminisce about the past, visit the St. Leodegar Church, and check in at the Lion Monument... everything is done on foot.
The Lion Monument is a must-see when traveling in Lucerne, Switzerland. In the old town of Lucerne, walk through the bustling streets and enter the simple iron gate. There is a clear lake and a huge cliff. In the center of the cliff, the Lion Monument built in 1821 is clearly visible. In the stone cave carved out in the middle of the 6-meter-high and 10-meter-wide monument, a dying lion lies weakly on the ground, with unyielding resentment in his eyes, sharp arrows piercing his back, and Swiss cross shields scattered around him. Above the lion statue is engraved Latin: Dedicated to the loyal and brave Switzerland; the text below records the moving history commemorated... At that time, Switzerland was a poor small country. Men forced to make a living went to various European countries as mercenaries, and they were loyal to their duties and brave. During the French Revolution in 1792, when the mob attacked the Tuileries Palace in Paris on August 10, all 786 Swiss mercenary officers and soldiers in the guard were killed in order to protect King Louis XVI and the Queen.
The cities in Switzerland are not big and the environment is very beautiful. The old town is surrounded by mountains and water, with snow-capped mountains in the distance. It is quiet and peaceful, with some old churches and old buildings dotted around. It is beautiful and comfortable to just stroll around.
It is introduced that the Royce River crosses from the city of Lusen, divided into two parts, one is the old and simple old city, and the other is the beautiful and dignified new city. But I really didn't see the difference between the old city and the old city. I felt that the street buildings where I was looking were quite historical. We mainly sightseeing on the north bank of the Isles, which is the old town divided by area. Very nice view, I like the city very much.
The city itself is not large, the main attractions are basically scattered within walking distance, the city retains many historical buildings with murals, statues, fountains and other medieval buildings, historical vicissitudes and unique natural landscape blend, giving the unique charm of the city.
The old town of Lucerne is a place worth relaxing, where many famous luxury shops are gathered, as well as many restaurants and cafes, walking along the old stone road, slowly looking at the shops on both sides is also a good enjoyment. It is recommended that he has a cheese hot pot restaurant and is one of the local specialties.