Interlaken, Switzerland
Continued from page 3

ABOVE: Lake steamer "Stadt Bern" arriving in Interlaken.

Web links

Tourist information

Interlaken Tourism
The city's official tourist site has a plethora of information on accommodations, activities, excursions, and more.

Transportation/Mountain Excursions

Schilthorn (Piz Gloria)
This revolving restaurant and observation deck was featured in the James Bond movie, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It offers spectacular views and is reached by cablecar from Stechelberg, near Lauterbrunnen.

Schynige Platte
Great mountain views, and not too outrageously expensive. Accessible by cogwheel railway from Wilderswil. The Hotel Schynige Platte Web site includes a timetable. (Click "Bahn," then "Fahrpreise & Fahrplan.")

Harder Kulm switzerlandforvisitors.com
The affordable 12-minute funicular ride starts near Interlaken Ost station. From the upper platform at 4,337 feet, you can go hiking and enjoy the views of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.

Attractions and activities

Kursaal Interlaken
The Interlaken Casino has been entertaining tourists with low-stakes gambling, restaurants, dancing, concerts, and other activities since 1859. The historic building is famous for its flower clock.

Alpin Center
Rafting, paragliding, skydiving, skiing, and other adventure activities are on the menu here.

Alpinraft
This company's activities range from mild-mannered river excursions and horse trekking to bungee jumping, canyoning (sliding down "natural waterslides" in wet suits), and "houserunning," where you go head first down the side of a building.

Hotels - luxury

Grand Hotel Victoria Jungfrau
Along with the Beau Rivage, this is one of the two grande dames of Interlaken hotels. (Unlike its more traditional rival, the Victoria Jungfrau has had at least one radical facelift during the last 130 years.)

Hotel Metropole
This modern 18-story hotel may be Interlaken's ugliest and most obtrusive building. The only way to avoid seeing it is to stay there and enjoy a view of the Jungfrau from a room with a balcony facing south.

Hotels - moderate

Hotel Alpina
The Alpina is in Matten, about ten minutes from the center of Interlaken. A large parking lot makes it handy for tourists with cars.

City Hotel Garni Interlaken
The Briseid family's modern, unpretentious hotel has very reasonable prices.

Hotel Goldey
The style is modern, and the riverside location is a short walk or drive away from the high-season tourist crowds.

Hostel/rooms/apartments

Backpacker's Villa Sonnenhof
Rooms at this centrally located chalet include doubles, triples, quads, dorms (4-7 beds), and private family-size rooms. Rates include a small breakfast, linens, a personal locker, and use of the full kitchen.

Balmer's Hostel
The oldest privately owned hostel in Switzerland offers rooms, dormitory beds, and tents. Breakfast and a shuttle service are included in the rates.

Photos

Majesty Web Page: Interlaken
This site has a handful of pictures from in and around Interlaken.

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