Where to visit in Switzerland?

Hello fellow travellers.

I am planning to undertake a solo trip to Switzerland in December 2018. I have never visited this country and I am looking forward to experience its serene beauty and peaceful nature.

Interlaken has captured my interest and I am looking at this as a possible destination.

My aim for this trip is to relax by the lakes, experience the local cuisine, lifestyle, and people.

I will be travelling from the UK.

I would appreciate any advice or thoughts from an expert (local or traveller) and a suggested itinerary would be beyond amazing.

Many thanks.

Imz.

You might enjoy the open air museum at Ballenberg. It has buildings from all over Switzerland and different periods of history. There are animals wandering you can pet and craftspeople to show you their crafts. It's great fun and in a gorgeous part of Switzerland with mountain views as you walk through the museum. We drove to it; walked from one end to the other and took the bus back to our car. You could just use the bus and not bother with a car if you prefer. Click here for the Ballenberg Swiss Open Air Museum web site

Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva is fascinating and the lake views spectacular, not to mention the views over the lake of the Alps. Click here for the Chillon Castle web site

There are many things to do in Switzerland, both in the cities and out in the countryside. You asked for itinerary help. How long do you have and how are you planning to get around? Lots of cute villages if you have a car. We loved the medieval village of Gruyères and visited the castle and a cheese making factory. There is a museum there too and lots of fun restaurants, not to mention views.

Let us know how long you have and whether you have a car or are using public transportation and you should get lots of suggestions.

Have a great trip.

You will have to adjust your plans to the season. December is the beginning of winter.

"Relaxing by the lakes" would require decent weather and comfortable temperatures, which you won't have in December. If your idea of "nature" includes green forests and blooming meadows, you chose the wrong time of year.

Ballenberg is not open in December, they close from November 1 for the winter and reopen in mid April.

Interlaken used to be an upscale holiday resort in the 19th century. It has become hardly more than a transport hub in recent times. I would not bother. If you want winter in the mountains, then stay in one of the mountain (ski) resorts higher up which have a better chance of snow. Otherwise, stay in the cities which have more to do even in bad weather and during the long dark evenings, like Bern or Luzern.

Good catch Kathrin. December would be best for a skiing holiday. Gruyères and Chillon Castle would be available and there is the Swiss Organ Museum in Roch. Daylight is very short in December . . . not great for sightseeing.

there are lots of travel group out there or someone that needs travel buddy. Have fun on your trip buddy.

Thanks for all your replies. Really helps me out. Should I make a plan in April instead of December? I would be going for 7 days...

What do you want and expect to do in Switzerland? There is no "best" season for everything.

April is spring in the lowlands, most beautiful around the lakes and in particular in the southernmost part, Ticino, with its almost mediterranean climate. High up in the mountains, however, it is the end of winter, no guarantees that there is still good snow for skiing (maybe, maybe not), high risk of avalanches, and things already closing down for the "in between" season, maintenance of cable cars, etcetera. So this really depends on your plans.

Quoting Imzino

Thanks for all your replies. Really helps me out. Should I make a plan in April instead of December? I would be going for 7 days...

if you're into outdoor activities, then I would suggest the month of september, it's said that september is the perfect month for outdoor activities.

Quoting natnatroswell22

...it's said that september is the perfect month for outdoor activities.

Said where? For which outdoor activities? In Switzerland or somewhere else?

Quoting natnatroswell22

Quoting Imzino

Thanks for all your replies. Really helps me out. Should I make a plan in April instead of December? I would be going for 7 days...

if you're into outdoor activities, then I would suggest the month of september, it's said that september is the perfect month for outdoor activities.

Skiing is an outdoor activity and I wouldn't suggest september in Switzerland for that (not impossible though there are some summer skiing areas)