20 days in Switzerland Itinerary

In north-central Switzerland, Lucerne represents a small city boasting a well-preserved old town.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Old Town and Jesuitenkirche. Change things up with these side-trips from Lucerne: Interlaken (Schlosskirche & Parasailing & Paragliding), Lake Brienz (in Brienz) and Zurich (Bahnhofstrasse & Lake Zurich). The adventure continues: tour the pleasant surroundings at Mt Pilatus, explore the activities along Lake Lucerne, snap pictures at Chapel Bridge, and admire the landmark architecture of Lucerne Station.

To see photos, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Lucerne travel route planner.

Washington DC, USA to Lucerne is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time to Central European Standard Time is 6 hours. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Washington DC in September: high temperatures in Lucerne hover around 67°F and lows are around 51°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sun) so you can drive to Lauterbrunnen.

A small village in a valley, Lauterbrunnen showcases an abundance of awe-inspiring waterfalls.

Lauterbrunnen is known for nature, adventure, and shopping. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Jungfraujoch, take in the dramatic scenery at Trümmelbachfälle, appreciate the views at Lauterbrunnen Valley Waterfalls, and don't miss a visit to 007 Walk of fame - Schilthorn.

To find other places to visit, maps, photos, and tourist information, use the Lauterbrunnen trip builder site.

Traveling by car from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can travel to Brusino Arsizio.

Brusino Arsizio is a municipality in the district of Lugano in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland on the Lake of Lugano.HistoryThe village has been inhabited since the Roman era. Start off your visit on the 8th (Thu): explore the ancient world of Parco Archeologico di Tremona-Castello, take in the spiritual surroundings of Baptisterium Riva San Vitale, then explore the ancient world of Monte San Giorgio, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Chiesa dei Santi Fedele e Simone, and finally stroll the grounds of Cimitero Monumentale.

To find ratings, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Brusino Arsizio trip planner.

Explore your travel options from Lauterbrunnen to Brusino Arsizio with the Route module. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Zermatt.

Best known as home the Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt serves as a chic ski resort town of the Swiss Alps.

Visit Mountaineers' Cemetery and Roemisch-katholische Kirche Tasch for their historical value. There's lots more to do: take in the awesome beauty at Gornergrat, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kapelle Winkelmatten "Zur Heiligen Familie", tour the old-fashioned way with Glacier Express, and contemplate the waterfront views at Riffelsee.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Zermatt trip planner.

Getting from Brusino Arsizio to Zermatt by car takes about 3.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Mon) so you can go by car to Brig.

Brig, officially Brig-Glis is a historic town and a municipality in the district of Brig in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.The current municipality was formed in 1972 through the merger of Brig, Brigerbad and Glis.Together with other Alpine towns Brig-Glis engages in the Alpine Town of the Year Association for the implementation of the Alpine Convention to achieve sustainable development in the Alpine Arc.Brig-Glis was awarded Alpine Town of the Year 2008.The official language of Brig is German, but the main spoken language is the local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect.HistoryThe name Brig is derived from Briva, or "bridge." Its older houses are very Italian in appearance, while its most prominent buildings (Stockalper Palace, former Jesuits' college and Ursuline convent) all date from the 17th century, and are due to the generosity of a single member of the local Stockalper family, the baron Kaspar Stockalper.The prosperity of Brig is bound up with the Simplon Pass, so that it gradually supplanted the more ancient village of Naters opposite, becoming a separate parish (the church is at Glis, a few minutes from the town) in 1517. On the 13th (Tue), get to know the fascinating history of Kleine Scheidegg, take in the awesome beauty at The Eiger, and then explore the striking landscape at Aletsch Glacier. Keep things going the next day: stroll through Maennlichen Romantic Trail, then take a memorable ride with Luftseilbahn Wengen-Mannlichen, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Burgkirche Raron.

For reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Brig road trip app.

Traveling by car from Zermatt to Brig takes an hour. Alternatively, you can ride a tram; or take a train. October in Brig sees daily highs of 57°F and lows of 42°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Montreux.

Mostly known for its world-renowned jazz festival, Montreux serves as a picturesque lakeside resort town on the Swiss Riviera.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Thu): have fun and explore at Chaplin's World, then appreciate the history behind Freddie Mercury Statue, then see the interesting displays at Queen Studio Experience, and finally step into the grandiose world of Chateau de Chillon. On the 16th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: indulge your senses at Swiss Riviera Wine Tours and then browse the exhibits of Gruyeres Castle.

To find traveler tips, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Montreux day trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Brig to Montreux takes 1.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) so you can go by car to Geneva.

Geneva brings the world to one small city with a huge expat population and the highest number of international organizations in any one city.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Sat): contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Geneva. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 18th (Sun): make a trip to The Flower Clock, admire the local landmark of The Geneva Water Fountain, then admire the natural beauty at Jardin Anglais, and finally take some stellar pictures from Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre.

Plan my trip to Geneva with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

You can drive from Montreux to Geneva in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. October in Geneva sees daily highs of 61°F and lows of 46°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) early enough to fly back home.