A Swiss pre- or post-cruise itinerary: Interlaken and Lucerne

Switzerland’s lakes, mountains and medieval towns make the perfect add-on to a Rhine River cruise. This four to five-day journey through Interlaken and Lucerne balances adventure with relaxation

Switzerland, with its blend of natural beauty, historic charm and culinary delights, is an ideal pre- or post-cruise destination. At its heart is Basel, the country’s second-largest city and a key Rhine River port, perfectly positioned at the meeting point of the Swiss, French and German borders. With its rich history, lively cultural scene and backdrop of the Alps, Basel makes an excellent starting or finishing point for a scenic journey. From there, this four to five-day itinerary through Interlaken and Lucerne combines lakes, mountains and medieval towns for a well-rounded Swiss adventure.

Day one: Arrival in Interlaken and raclette rafting

We arrive in Interlaken by scenic rail and check into the comfortable Hotel Metropole, where the view from the 13th floor gives us a bird’s-eye perspective of the township with the celebrated peaks of the Jungfrau, the Mönch and the Eiger beyond. Bundled in warm jackets and gloves, we get our first taste of Switzerland with a Raclette Rafting experience from nearby Bönigen back to Interlaken.

Relocated Kiwi Owen Glover has been hosting guests for water sports in and around Interlaken for 12 seasons with local adventure company Outdoor. In his Zodiac, a small central table holds individual gas burners to melt flavoured raclette cheese. Once bubbling hot, the cheese is poured over boiled jacket potatoes with pickled vegetables and a glass of wine.

Lake Brienz is the deepest in Switzerland, its glacial flour turning the water a vivid turquoise-green. It’s a perfect introduction to the region and a chance to absorb the pristine environment.

Day two: Exploring Thun and dining on Lake Thun

The next day we travel by train to historic Thun, a picturesque town at the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. Its medieval Old Town dates to the 12th century and is crowned by the imposing 1190-built Thun Schloss, with its vast Knight’s Hall and sweeping views over the town and lake. Quiet in winter, Thun’s cafés and fondue restaurants welcome locals with sheepskins draped over chairs. Without large hotels, it naturally avoids big groups, making a leisurely stroll blissful.

Surrounded by the snow-capped Bernese Alps, we enjoy lunch on Lake Thun while cruising back to Interlaken aboard a restaurant ferry operated by BLS Interlaken Lake Cruises. Over creamy potato soup and steak with chips, we pass castles along the shore as the boat darts from one village to another. Boats have been integral to Swiss life since the 18th century – long before alpine roads were perfected – and a few century-old steamboats still run today. Sensibly, train and boat timetables remain synchronised – so very Swiss.

That evening, a horse-drawn carriage takes us around central Höhematte Park as the township lights up. We dine at the welcoming Taverne restaurant in the historic Hotel Interlaken. When in Switzerland, do as the Swiss – fondue is the order of the night. Bread cubes and pickled vegetables are dipped into melted cheese, alongside rösti topped with raclette and fried eggs on spinach. A salad cuts the richness before dessert: hot chocolate fondue with fruit, nuts and marshmallows for dipping. hard to miss this main drag, what with the supersized cowboy boot signs, neon lights and bars that pump out tunes every day of the week from 10am until 3am. Conquer the ride-on bull at the Wild Beaver Saloon (just off the main strip) and make a toilet stop at Redneck Riviera to check out the basins fashioned out of tyres and petrol bowsers.

Day three: Trauffer cows and the Lucerne–Interlaken Express

We set off for Lucerne, stopping first at the village of Hofstetten to visit Trauffer, a third-generation family business hand-carving Switzerland’s beloved wooden cows. Guests can paint their own miniature cow while children create their own works in a dedicated studio. Traditionally spotted red, these whimsical cows have been embraced by international companies in all colours. The adjacent boutique Bretterhotel continues the theme with clever use of local timber.

From there, we board the Lucerne–Interlaken Express, a commuter train with one of the most scenic routes in the world. The two-hour journey delivers panoramic views of lakes, meadows, villages and the snow-capped Alps. A table in the Bistro car makes for a memorable lunch on the move.

In Lucerne, we check into the historic Grand Hotel National on Lake Lucerne’s shore. Minutes from the Old Town and close to rail, bus and boat stations, it is ideally placed. At twilight, we wander the Old Town and cross the iconic 14th-century Chapel Bridge. Rebuilt in just eight months after a 1990s fire, it retains a handful of the original paintings illustrating Lucerne’s history. With Christmas approaching, decorated shops, frescoed guild houses and historic hotels add to the charm.

We encounter a festive tradition in the cobblestone alleyways: St Nicolas hands out sweets, while boys with clattering cowbells lead a troupe of costumed ‘monks’ chasing them playfully. Later, we dine at the atmospheric Burgerstube at the Hotel Wilden Mann, on dishes such as creamy mushroom soup and corn-fed poulard.

Day four: To the top of Rigi and alpine spa relaxation

The day dawns bright for our boat transfer to the lakeside village of Vitznau, where we board Europe’s oldest cogwheel train. It climbs to Rigi Kulm at 1,797 metres, where crisp mountain air and panoramic views extend across 13 lakes, and on clear days, into Germany and France.

At Rigi Kaltbad, the Mineralbad & Spa offers thermal mineral pools with sweeping Alpine views – a serene contrast to the lively climbs. After soaking, we descend by train and return to Lucerne.

Day five: Scenic transfer to Zürich and onward journey

Our journey concludes with a short scenic train ride to Zürich for our onward travels. It becomes clear that in Switzerland, the transfers themselves – by boat or train – are as memorable as the destinations. Together, they create the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, making this Interlaken–Lucerne itinerary a seamless pre- or post-cruise escape.