From Zurich to Montreux in a few days

If you're planning to travel from Zurich to Lake Geneva, this is a suggested journey between two of Switzerlands most famous cities. This trip is detailed from Zurich to Montreux on Lake Geneva but can just as easily be done the other way round.

For each location mentioned hereing, there is the possibility for walking/hiking in the surrounding areas. I'm not a hiking type but the tourist offices in the various localities will be able to help you here. Either way, I hope this gives you the chance to see some of Switzerlands variety while also getting from A to B!

In the Zurich region

Rapperswil

During the summer months, take the ship from Burkliplatz in Zurich to Rapperswil at the other end of the Lake Zürich. The boat ride takes around 90 minutes and they depart hourly. During the winter, you can just jump on the train. Try to get to Rapperswil in the morning and take luncheon on the waterfront. Rapperswil is quite a small city but has a charming old town and medieval castle which overlooks the town. A deer park which is linked with Rapperswil founding is behind the castle. The three rose gardens have around 15,000 roses in 600 varieties, lending Rappi the nickname "Rosenstadt" or City of Roses.

Einsiedeln

From Rapperswil, goto Einsiedeln on the train (see the SBB site for timetables) The town itself is pretty unremarkable, but the Kloster is nothing short of magnificent. For some "light hiking" walk up the moutain behind the Kloster for views of the Kloster itself as well as Sihlsee and some of the surrounding moutains.

Bern

Bern Cathedral

Having explorered Zurich and some of the surroundings, head to Bern where you should spend the night. Bern's UNESCO protected Old Town dates from medieval times. The Berne Munster is Switzerlands tallest Gothic structure. From the top of Berns cathedral tower you really get a feel for the shape of the city and how the river Aare has formed the shape of the old town. At the entrance of the Cathedral do stop and look at the carving of the Last Judgement - it is regarded as a masterpiece of Gothic sculpture on account of the number of figures. It is also remarkable that it survived the reformation.

Einsteins Home

Close to the Cathedral you should also visit Einsteins home. It was at the home in Kramgasse that Einstein wrote his three most important papers during his annus mirabulus in 1905, including the Special Theory of Relativity. If you enjoy a beer, stop in at the Altes Tramdepot brew pub near the bear pits for a spot of lunch and a Marzen beer.

Solothurn

From Bern, head on to Solothurn. Solothurn is Switzerlands finest example of Baroque style town planning. The St.Ursen Cathedral is an excellent example of Baroque in the Italianite style. Further along Hauptgasse is the Jesuit church, the front of which is in the French style of Baroque. The influence of the Baroque dates from when the French amabssadors to Switzerland were stationed here as the Canton remained Catholic through the reformation.

Fribourg

After Solothurn, head west to Fribourg. Fribourg is one Rostigraben - which is the divide between German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland. Of particular note here is the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Nicolas which took over 200 years to build. If you're up to it, climb the 368 steps to the top of the Cathedrals tower. The Old Town comprises of many fountains and (apprently) over 1,000 bourgeois houses.

Murten

Between Fribourg and Neuchâtel is the town of Murten. Murten is a walled-city and amounts to a three-street affair. The walls are intact. You can walk the walls and from one side of the city (which is perched atop a hill) you have fantastic views over Murtensee (Lake Murten) Murten is a quaint place - the kind one might imagine in a tale of knights and fair maidens. (Murten is also known as Morat - the former being German, the latter French)

Neuchâtel

From Murten, continue to Neuchâtel. You are now firmly in French-speaking Switzerland. Neuchâtel was described by Alexandre Dumas as a city that looked like it had been built from butter as it was built from yellow-colour sandstone. Here the Collegial Church and castle are of particular note. Neuchâtel is also a noted Swiss white wine producing area and it's worthwhile sampling some of the local stuff. Neuchâtel is perched on Neuchâtel Lake and I know many scenic walking routes have been marked out in the area, many will incorporate the lake front as part of that walk.

Lausanne

From Neuchâtel, you can head down to Lausanne which has been branded "Switzerlands San Fransisco" on account of the undulations of the towns streets. Lausanne is on the banks of Lake Geneva which will provide you with plenty of walking oppurtunities, I'm sure. The city itself is modern and vibrant and offers plenty of wining and dining oppurtunities. The Old Academy in Lausanne was one of the first reformed theology colleges to teach in French. Again, the cathedral of Notre Dame here is a must see (and a good walk uphill from the lakefront!)

Montreux

From Lausanne head to Montreux. There's not actually that much in Montreux itself, but you can take a more than pleasant walk along the Lake from there to the Chateux of Chillon, which has become synonymous with the Lake itself.

Alternativly, from Fribourg you can head to Lausanne via Gruyeres which is world famous for it's cheese. The hills around Moleson and Gruyeres provide excellent walking/hiking oppurtunities, I'm told.

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