Rhine and Alpine Adventures in Germany and Switzerland

Located between two bodies of water — Lake Brienz and Lake Thun — Interlaken is the perfect place to explore the serene natural beauty at Switzerland’s heart. Interlaken is a place for those who seek adventure amid spectacular natural surrounds. Rock climbing, canyoning, bungee jumping, and paragliding are just some of the ways to fill a day here, and countless backpackers descend on the town every summer to do all of these and more. Less intense, but no less rewarding, are the many opportunities for hiking, sailing, and swimming. Or, take to the rails. At the nearby Kleine Scheidegg pass, a train runs through the snowy Swiss Alps to the highest train station on the continent. The fun here doesn’t stop at night. After a hard day of adventure, backpackers flock to the town’s many pubs and bars to soothe their aches and pains with steins of beer. Interlaken is a place where fun and excitement reign supreme and somewhere to experience Switzerland’s striking nature in the most thrilling way.

Switzerland’s second-most populous city, Geneva is a place where languages, cultures, and institutions have converged for hundreds of years. Here, diplomacy and sophistication play a central role. Formerly home to the headquarters of the UN, Geneva still hosts the International Red Cross, World Trade Organization, and World Health Organization. Lake Geneva, the largest body of water in Switzerland, dominates the surrounding landscape with its calm waters and brooding presence. By the lakeside, the imposing Jet d’Eau blasts water 140 meters into the air for most of every day. As you stroll through the city’s enchanting old town, you'll find its winding streets dusted with antique shops, ancient architecture, galleries, and world-class restaurants.   Centuries of influence from countless cultures have given Geneva a special, complex identity. Travelers here can spend hours sampling food and drink from across the world. Or, simply sit by the water, and sip an Espresso while you soak up Geneva's unique and cosmopolitan vibe.

Heidelberg is buried deep in the forests of southwest Germany. Flanking both sides of the Neckar River, Heidelberg's red and white baroque old town looks like something from a book of folktales. On the hillside above the town, you'll see the looming, tumbledown remains of Heidelberg's Gothic-Renaissance castle, Heidelberger Schloss. The subject of strange local legends, Heidelberg Castle was once home to knights, a famous court jester, and even a witch. It is said the first person who pulls out an iron ring embedded in one of the great doors will be the castle's true owner. Surely on your visit, it's worth a try? Across the river, follow in the footsteps of scholars on a hiking trail known as The Philosophers’ Way. Heidelberg University is the oldest in Germany, and its leafy, temple-like campus contributes to the gentle, contemplative atmosphere of the town.  A poetic city with the dreamy feel of a watercolor painting, it's no wonder Heidelberg inspired writers like Mark Twain and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The city has even been recognized by UNESCO as a City of Literature. Especially on misty, grey days, Heidelberg has a way of sweeping you up in its romanticism.

Dubbed ‘Mainhatten’ for its glass highrises, financial prowess, and proximity to the Main River, Frankfurt offers a fascinating glimpse into the ‘engine room’ of Europe’s economy with an unexpected twist. Among the glass and steel buildings, the old-worldly Römerberg square will give you a double-take. The square’s 15th-century half-timbered houses, old statues, and church spires contrast dramatically against the modern 21st-century skyscrapers beyond. If you visit at Christmas, the Römerberg is truly special, aglow with the light of the tallest Christmas tree in Germany. The square fills with stalls selling handicrafts, and the air is scented with hot apple wine, honey, and cinnamon.  Delve deeper into Frankfurt and you’ll find a substantial museum district, the Museumsufer (Museum Embankment). This area features a cluster of twelve museums on either side of Main River. This includes the Städel, home to Tischbein’s famous painting of renowned writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of Frankfurt’s most prestigious sons. The more time you spend in Frankfurt, the more you’ll discover a highly cultured city lurking beneath its glass facades. If you have the time, Frankfurt is certainly worth a second look.

Arriving in Munich, you would be forgiven for thinking you were on the set of a movie about old Bavaria. At the Old Town beer halls, barmaids laced in dirndl dresses serve up frosty Helles lager, as oom-pah music drifts across the Marienplatz square. Men in lederhosen and checked shirts merrily give toasts as they knock glasses, or steins, as they’re known here. They sit at tables laden with wurst sausage and giant pretzels oozing with herby butter. This is Germany’s Germany, a place where folk traditions never stopped, and the revelry doesn’t either. Even when it isn’t Oktoberfest, the town’s notorious beer-drinking celebration, Munich is always happy to show you a good time. Simply cast your eyes around the lavish, gilded banquet hall at the Munich Residenz, the 13th-century Wittelsbach palace. You’ll see Munich has been impressing guests for centuries. Or, swing by the BMW Museum and check out the classic German cars. They even let you sit inside to test out the new models. At the city’s English Gardens, surfers ride waves on one of the park’s rivers. Munich is filled to the brim with this kind of pure-hearted German fun.

Lucerne’s international name may be French, but this spellbinding little city is actually situated in the heart of Switzerland’s German area. Lucerne was one of the first cities to join the Swiss Confederation and is a microcosm of all the typical Swiss quirks and charm that draw visitors to the country from all over the world. The city’s old town is beautifully preserved and also extremely compact. This is a place that is perfect for walking and looking. You’ll soon start to get an in-depth feel for the Old Town after just a few hours. Stroll across the famous Kapellbrücke bridge or the smaller Spreuerbrücke, or wander to the Löwendenkmal, the wounded lion memorial carved from a rock face. Stunning nature surrounds Lucerne, and the landmark Mount Pilatus towers over the city. It’s possible to climb the mountain, where hikers (and cable-car riders) will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the town below and the Alps beyond. Back at ground level, Lake Lucerne calls out for boat trips, which stop at the many villages and parks around the shores.