|
|
 |
 |
Get Out of Town |
|
|
Zurich being the most popular gateway for North American flights to Switzerland is an exceptional starting point for your vacation travels in Switzerland. Do be sure to take time to enjoy the abundance of history and culture Zurich has to offer but be forewarned that inspiration is sure to set in and inspire you to explore the Swiss countryside by car. Switzerland holds a world of splendors to delight the senses, the Alps region offers the reality that tourists imagine when they dream of an exquisite Swiss vacation, while a tour of Geneva offers a most relaxing lakeside retreat. Car Rental driving itineraries are the best way to explore all that this beautiful nation has to offer and make the most of your car rental in Switzerland. Driving along lakeside or through the steep mountain passes offers the marvelous opportunity to experience the Swiss country at its most charming and car rental in Zurich is exceptionally easy.
For the most comprehensive car rental driving itineraries Auto Europe highly recommends Karen Brown’s Guide to Switzerland. The following sample itinerary suggests areas to explore to take advantage of your car rental in Zurich: Swiss Highlights.
For the traveler who wants to see the highlights of Switzerland including the picture-book-perfect destinations repeatedly seen on postcards and read about in books, this is an ideal itinerary. The following path leads you through some of the most scenic areas of Switzerland and introduces you to a wonderful variety of famous cities, charming villages, beautiful lakes, lush valleys, and splendid mountains. The towns and destinations featured deserve the accolades of loyal tourists who return year after year to savor Switzerland’s stunning scenery. If you have only a few days, you can take segments of this itinerary. As an example, you could take only the Zürich to Geneva portion. If you have already, on previous holidays, enjoyed Zürich, Lucerne, and Interlaken (one of the most famous trios), you could begin this itinerary in Geneva and end it in the Swiss-Italian Lake District. If your time is extremely limited, you could very easily journey from Zürich to Geneva in one day and even have time to squeeze in sightseeing along the way. This itinerary provides a framework to piece together your own custom tour of Switzerland’s highlights.
|
|
|
Top
|
Grindelwald |
|
|
En route for Grindelwald, head south from Lucerne toward Hergswil. Near Stansstad follow the highway signs south toward Brienz. About midway between Lucerne and Brienz you pass through the town of Sachseln located on Lake Sarner. Take a few minutes to stop in Sachseln where you find in the center of town the church that is a very important for Swiss Catholics. Within the nave are the remains of Saint Nicholas of Flüe who is not only a religious hero, but also a patriotic hero of the Swiss. Saint Nicholas, a peasant with a reputation as a fair and peace-loving man, gained fame in the 15th century when he is credited with keeping peace within Switzerland and furthering the growth of the confederation. When disagreement threatened war between the cantons, parish priests went to consult Nicholas, who negotiated a compromise—instead of battling, Solothurn and Fribourg joined the confederation in 1481.
Leaving Sachseln, you pass through the little towns of Giswil, Daiserbuhl, and Lungern before going over the Brunig Pass. The road leads downward from the Brunig Pass to the town of Brienz. Brienz, beautifully situated on the lake, is a very popular resort and also one of Switzerland’s wood-carving centers. On the outskirts of Brienz, located by the Wyssensee, Ballenberg is a marvelous open-air museum that serves as a wonderful introduction to the regional architecture and cultures of Switzerland. Historic buildings slated for destruction were saved, relocated, and restored to their original and authentic state. A path weaves through this park of over 80 hectares and travels a course that takes you through the various cantons of Switzerland. You can tour the park on foot or, for a fee, by horse and buggy. Due to the vastness of the park, even if you decide to selectively visit just a few cantons, plan on allocating at least a half day here.
For a detailed description of this suggested car rental driving itinerary Auto Europe highly recommends Karen Brown’s Guide to Switzerland, Charming Inns & Itineraries.
|
|
|
Top
|
|
|
Itineraries |
|
|
These itineraries are excerpted from Karen Brown's Guides. Auto Europe highly recommends Karen Brown's Guides for all travel to Europe. It is possible to purchase the individual itineraries or the guide complete with additional regional itineraries and recommendations of Europe's most charming places to stay. For more information about Karen Brown's Guides to this country as well as her other international titles, please visit Karen Brown's Guides.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
