Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE LAKES
Anyone who travels to Interlaken for the first time from Bern will never forget the moment
they clap eyes on Thunersee (Lake Thun). As the train loops past pastures and tidy villages
on the low southern shore, some people literally gasp at the sight of the Alps rearing above
the startlingly turquoise waters.
Bordering Interlaken to the east, Brienzersee (Lake Brienz) has just as many cameras
snapping with its unbelievably aquamarine waters and rugged mountain backdrop.
Steamers ply both lakes from late May to mid-September. There are no winter services
on Brienzersee, whereas special cruises continue on Thunersee. For more information con-
Tuesday to Sunday, Sfr29 on Monday; children pay half-price. Eurail Passes, the Regional
Pass and the Swiss Pass are valid on all boats, and InterRail and the Swiss Half-Fare Card
get 50% off.
Thun
POP 43,400 / ELEV 559M
Ringed by mountains, hugging the banks of the aquamarine Aare River and topped by a
turreted castle, medieval Thun is every inch your storybook Swiss town. History aside, the
town is infused with a young spirit, with lively crowds sunning themselves at riverside
cafes and one-of-a-kind boutiques filling the unusual arcades.
Sights & Activities
For a magical 360-degree view of Thun, the lake and the glaciated Jungfrau mountains,
walk 20 minutes south of the centre to Jakobshübeli viewpoint.
SCHLOSS THUN
(
www.schlossthun.ch
;
adult/child Sfr8/2; 10am-5pm)
Sitting on a hilltop and looking proudly
back on 900 years of history, Schloss Thun is the castle of your wildest fairytale dreams,
crowned by a riot of turrets and affording tremendous views of the lake and Alps. It once
belonged to Duke Berchtold V of the powerful Zähringen family. Today it houses a
mu-
seum
, showcasing prehistoric and Roman relics, tapestries, majolica and plenty of shining
armour.
| Castle
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