28 days in Zurich & Canton of Bern Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Switzerland trip planner
Start: Washington DC
Fly
1
Zurich
— 7 nights
Drive
2
Grindelwald
— 5 nights
Drive
3
Kandersteg
— 3 nights
Drive
4
Lenk im Simmental
— 3 nights
Drive
5
Biel
— 8 nights
+2
Drive to Zürich Airport, Fly to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Drive to Washington DC
End: Washington DC
Fri, Dec 6 - Thu, Jan 2
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View full calendar
Zurich — 7 nights
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Big Small Town
The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.Get in touch with nature at Lake Zurich and Mt Pilatus. Explore Zurich's surroundings by going to Kronberg (in Gonten), Santis der Berg (in Urnaesch) and Lucerne (Altstadt Luzern, Lake Lucerne, &more). There's still lots to do: wander the streets of Old Town, buy something for everyone on your list at Hauptbahnhof, explore the world behind art at Museum Rietberg, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Fraumünster Church.
To find photos, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Zurich trip itinerary maker.
Washington DC, USA to Zurich is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central European Standard Time (CET), which is usually a 6 hour difference. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Washington DC in December; daily highs in Zurich reach 41°F and lows reach 30°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Grindelwald.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 6 — 14:
Highlights from your trip
Grindelwald — 5 nights
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Glacier Village
As one of the country's oldest ski resorts, Grindewald serves as a prime example of a cozy Swiss ski town.Escape the urban bustle at Titlis and Lauterbrunnen Valley Waterfalls. Change things up with these side-trips from Grindelwald: Luftseilbahn Wengen-Mannlichen (in Wengen), Gletscherschlucht Rosenlaui (in Rosenlaui) and Thrill Walk Felsensteg Birg (in Murren). There's still lots to do: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Jungfraujoch, look for all kinds of wild species at Maennlichen, appreciate the views at Lauterbrunnen Village, and tour the pleasant surroundings at The Eiger.
To see more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Grindelwald trip itinerary builder app.
You can drive from Zurich to Grindelwald in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can drive to Kandersteg.
Side Trips
Grindelwald-Wengen-Murren-Lauterbrunnen, Lauterbrunnen, Titlis, Gletscherschlucht Rosenlaui, Thrill Walk Felsensteg Birg
Find places to stay Dec 14 — 19:
Highlights from your trip
Kandersteg — 3 nights
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Kandersteg is a municipality in the Frutigen-Niedersimmental administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Take a break from the city and head to Oeschinen Lake and Rodelbahn Oeschinensee. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Kandersteg: Tropenhaus Frutigen (in Frutigen), Thun (Flussbad Schwabis Thun & Thunersee) and Murren (Blumental Panorama Trail & 007 Walk of fame - Schilthorn). And it doesn't end there: explore the striking landscape at Aletsch Glacier, stroll through Gemmi Pass, stop by Trummer Woodcarving, and make a trip to Lotschberg Summit Tunnel.
For photos, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Kandersteg online travel route planner.
You can drive from Grindelwald to Kandersteg in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) so you can go by car to Lenk im Simmental.
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For photos, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Kandersteg online travel route planner.
You can drive from Grindelwald to Kandersteg in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) so you can go by car to Lenk im Simmental.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 19 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Lenk im Simmental — 3 nights
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Themed trails make vacations in Lenk im Simmental popular with winter sports lovers.Step out of the city life by going to Skigebiet Metsch and Adelboden. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Lenk im Simmental: Lauenensee (in Lauenen) and Adelboden (Tschentenalp & Trottiland). There's much more to do: hit the slopes at Skigebiet Betelberg, contemplate the long history of Historical village of Saanen, take in the dramatic scenery at Simmenfalle, and let the kids burn off some steam at Lenkerseeli/Spielplatz.
To see other places to visit, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Lenk im Simmental online holiday builder.
You can drive from Kandersteg to Lenk im Simmental in 1.5 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 34°F, and evening lows to 25°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to drive to Biel.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 22 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
Biel — 8 nights
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Get in touch with nature at Aare River and Bergbahnen Meiringen-Hasliberg. Get out of town with these interesting Biel side-trips: Basel Minster (in Basel), Gurten (in Wabern) and Bern (Bundesterrasse, Freibad Marzili, &more).
For traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read our Biel trip itinerary maker app.
Traveling by car from Lenk im Simmental to Biel takes 2 hours. In December, daily temperatures in Biel can reach 39°F, while at night they dip to 29°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 2nd (Thu) to allow time for travel back home.
more
For traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read our Biel trip itinerary maker app.
Traveling by car from Lenk im Simmental to Biel takes 2 hours. In December, daily temperatures in Biel can reach 39°F, while at night they dip to 29°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 2nd (Thu) to allow time for travel back home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 25 — Jan 2:
Highlights from your trip
Canton of Bern travel guide
The Canton of Bern is home to a diverse landscape of plateaus, breathtaking mountains, waterfalls, and lakes. In the capital city you'll find the Old Town, built in a loop of the river Aare. Its sandstone houses, narrow streets, fountains, and medieval atmosphere have earned it World Heritage Status. Sightseeing stops on your itinerary include the 101 m (331 ft) high platform at the Rose Garden, the bear family at Bear Park, and the Houses of Parliament that often open their doors to tourists. Shop the 6 km (3.7 mi) long covered medieval promenade, the longest shopping arcade in Europe. The boutiques, bars, and cabaret stages, some housed in vaulted cellars, are among Bern's other tourist attractions. Outside of the capital city, hike valleys and foothills, or take on the staggeringly steep mountain cliffs by ski or snowboard.
