SWITZERLAND - Interlaken
One of the oldest and most popular tourist regions in Switzerland, Interlaken delights visitors year-round with its breathtaking natural beauty and endless diversions. Its ideal location, just an hour by train from the Swiss capital of Berne, makes it a favorite base from which to explore the surrounding Alpine peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, as well as the crystal-clear lakes that gave the town its name.
In winter, Interlaken teems with opportunities for snow sports, from skiing and snowboarding to sledding and snowshoe trekking. The spring thaw reveals a host of warm-weather activities, including tennis, championship golf, hiking, biking, bungee jumping, paragliding, lake cruises and river rafting.
Summer brings hordes of music lovers to town for the world-famous Interlaken Music Festival, while the William Tell Open-Air Amphitheater recreates one of Switzerland’s most beloved tales. Mystery Park, which attempts to explain the riddle of our origins through seven themed pavilions, is another popular attraction.
Built in 1865, the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa is an attraction in its own right. Guests here enjoy the best
Interlaken has to offer, along with all the world-class health and beauty offerings of the hotel’s highly acclaimed ESPA.
The famous Jungfrau Railway takes visitors up the slopes of Jungfrau to Europe’s highest railway station, more than 11,000 feet above sea level. This is the terminus for the fascinating Ice Palace and Alpine Research Exhibition, the Ski and Snowboard Park and panoramic views from Sphinx Terrace.
Berne, in all its medieval glory, its just a one-hour rail trip from
Interlaken. Listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, its attractions include the famous Bearpits - home to
Berne's heraldic animals - and excellent shopping.
