INTERLAKEN

Swiss travel posters don't lie.  Switzerland is that beautiful.  Just as you think you have discovered the most picturesque village with gorgeous wooden chalets, bowling green fields, massed floral displays and snow capped mountains positioned just right, you come across another picture postcard village on a sparkling lake.

My initial selection for the Swiss top spot was Reichenbach whose cascading falls are famous as being the site of Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty's denouement.  We were on a comfortable IC (Inter City) train and had just emerged from a long tunnel through solid rock and there it was!  Comfortable seating with panoramic windows and nearby buffet cars make Swiss trains fantastic no matter whether you are in 1st or 2nd class.

A Eurail pass is essential in Europe.  You can drive or fly from one destination to another if you are a masochist, but you will miss so much by not travelling by train.  Our experience is they run as scheduled and if a transfer is required sufficient time is provided to meet your train on a nearby platform.  With the exception of Swiss Rail, WiFi can be a bit iffy but that gives you more ever-engrossing scenery to admire.  

Our train from Zermatt to Interlaken (2 easy transfers) provided stunning views of soaring mountains with glaciers, raging snow fed streams, boulder strewn landslides, Europe's highest vineyards, grazing dairy cattle and finally views of cruising boats from a shoreline rail track.  A Eurail ticket also provides you with access to cruises and discounts.   It's the go!