The picturesque town of Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland is the perfect base for your holiday in Switzerland, and it's no surprise that the town is one of this small country's most visited tourist destinations. Set against a beautiful backdrop of green mountains and clear blue skies, Interlaken oozes chocolate box Swiss charm, Alpine scenery and plenty of nightlife and activities for all the family.
The town of Interlaken is ideally located for exploring the surrounding Bernese Oberland, the mountains and the lakes, and is directly linked to the rest of Switzerland and beyond by its great (and famously punctual) railway network. Interlaken centre is surprisingly compact, and visitors can spend a whole day in the centre itself, taking in the many souvenir shops and picking up local crafts and wares, including of course the fabulous Swiss chocolate for which the country is famous.
Hotels and Accommodations in Interlaken
There are plenty of tourist hotels and accommodations in Interlaken, catering to all budgets. Of course, a large number of hikers and backpackers come through this beautiful town, and there are plenty of low-mid range backpacking hostels and guest houses available, as well as more upmarket hotels.
On cold days, you may wish to stop off for some warming hot chocolate in one of the many cafes in Interlaken, before taking a relaxing afternoon in the local pool which comes complete with sauna and steam room, as well as Jacuzzi. Just the place to relax those muscles after a hard day's sightseeing in Interlaken!
Night Life and Entertainment
In the evening, visitors will not be short of night time entertainment. With plenty of restaurants offering local and international dishes, you'll be spoilt for choice when dining out in Interlaken. Fondue is a must, as is raclette, and there are quite a few international restaurants as well specialising in Asian and European cuisine.
After dinner, why not head to one of the many local beer houses to take in some of Interlaken's atmosphere and mingle with the locals and tourists who visit year round.
Local Outdoor Activities
Interlaken is also bursting with outdoor activities, and the surrounding area beckons families and individual travellers alike to explore this stunning area. Hiking and climbing are particularly popular, as is mountain biking. The two nearest lakes (Brienzersee and Thunersee) are easily accessible from Interlaken, and offer a wide range of outdoor activities set against a stunning backdrop. Of course, Interlaken is also the perfect winter break destination, with skiing and snowboarding in the nearby resorts being prime activities during the colder months.
Other Places to Visit
Making Interlaken the base for your Swiss holiday will ensure that you are in a prime location for all of the above activities, as well as some of the most beautiful scenery in Switzerland. From Interlaken, the UNESCO heritage site of Jungfrau Bieschhorn is readily accessible, as is the beautiful old town of Unterseen. The beautiful Jungfraujoch with its stunning views is a short distance away, and is a perfect place for a day trip, whilst the Kleine Scheidegg walk is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon. In short, there are plenty of activities to do in the area surrounding Interlaken, and you'll need at least a week to complete them all!
Ray Varley is a writer, walker and photographer, who has visited much of Switzerland over the last 20 years. His aim is to provide travellers with knowledgeable advice on where to go, where to stay, and what to see on their visit to this breathtakingly beautiful country.
Please visit his site for information on Interlaken and the railway journey from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch.
Article Source: Ray_Varley
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