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practical information The funicular­ operates from April 22nd – Oct 23rd. On the other side of town, some 500 m south of West Station, a unique, nostalgic How to get there: funicular takes you to the top of Heimweh­ There are train connec- fluh – also called the top of Interlaken tions from and to Zurich Airport (takes (670 m / 2,196 ft), where you’ll be sure to 2 h 20 min.) and all major Swiss ­cities (i.e. enjoy a fabulous view! Near the funicu- 53 min. from and 2 hours from Zurich). lar station you’ll find the Interlaken Rope Interlaken has two train stations (1 West Park, an adventure park featuring up to and 2 East [Ost]); West Station is near 7 different rope trails and more than 90 downtown. Both provide foreign exchange, different challenges, from ground level up a hotel reservation board and travel infor- to 20 meters in height. Various degrees mation (mainly for the region), of difficulties allow people of all ages to lockers, fast food. 3 Post office at Markt- test their agility and fitness. Professional gasse 1; i Tourist office 4 at Höheweg 37 guides will help you along. Open daily (033 826 53 00). Opposite West Station you’ll Mon – Fri 1 – 6 pm, Sat & Sun 10 am – 6 pm; Paragliders over find a Migros supermarket with restaurant during July & August daily open from (Rugen­parkstr. 1, second floor). @ Internet 10 am – 6 pm); CHF 37.– (including equip- stations at all Backpackers and Hostels (in nterlaken is the heart of ’s adventure activity scene, located in the center ment and instructions). some, for guests only). Bahnhofstrasse/ of the Bernese Oberland. The closeness of the mountains and the view of the three On hot summer days take bus no. 6 (direc- Höheweg­­­ is the main street. Launderettes at world-famousI peaks , Moench and Jungfrau (Top of Europe), equally add to the tion Thun) to the Interlaken “beach” at Wasch und Glettstübli Steiner, Spielmatte beauty of the area. Excursions to the highest railway station in Europe, the Junfraujoch Neuhaus! Another good place for bathing 10, Unterseen and at Self-Service Wash and (3,454 m / 11,333 feet), and to one of the most exclusive view points in the alpine world, is Lake , one of the cleanest lakes in Dry Schmocker, Beatenbergstrasse 5, Un- the Schilthorn peak, can easily be made from here. It is nothing extraordinary for a city Switzerland. But be warned, the water’s terseen. to be situated by river, lake or sea. But that it is, like Interlaken, between two lakes – Lake really cold! Thun and – is practically unique. And Interlaken is the number one resort Rent a bicycle and explore the area on www.interlaken.ch in Europe for adventure and fun! At each hostel you can book outdoor activities. It is your own. Many local suppliers (ask at www.interlakenadventure.com worth staying several nights here enjoying the fabulous nature and exciting adventure your hostel) and both railway stations as www.berneroberland.ch possibilities! well offer bike rental and will be happy to www.backpacker.ch give you tips on making the most of your highlights pedal-powered excursion. Biker’s maps are available at Interlaken’s tourist office. 9 Interlaken’s main street is the long “Höhe­ It houses some of the area’s oldest build- The St. Beatus-Caves, Switzerland’s first $ save money weg” with a train station at each end ings, and the square in front of the Amts­ and only underground cave museum – ­(Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West). And haus (municipal building) off Untere Gasse spectacular but safe. Explore this mysteri- Ask at your hostel for the free visitor’s the centrepiece of the Höheweg is the Höhe- is particularly picturesque. You reach Unter­ ous maze of stalactites, stalagmites, lakes card which offers you many reductions! matte, where the vista opens out over the seen by strolling along the river. and waterfalls to a depth of 3,000 metres. green meadow towards the mountains, = See how chocolate is made and try your From Interlaken by ship, car, bus – or on with the unique view of the Jungfrau. A hand at becoming a chocolatier! The foot along the historic pilgrims’ path (ap- budget accommodation wide promenade with shady trees and res- chocolate­ show is held daily at 5 and 6 pm prox. 2 hour walk from Interlaken West taurants invites you to ­linger. at Grand Restaurant Schuh at Höheweg Station). Open March 27th – October 26th, 5 Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof, Alpen- 0 Japanese Garden. This is Switzerland’s 56. Daily show at 5 and 6 pm, entrance fee 9.30 – 5 pm. Guided tours only! Tours start strasse 16 (033 826 71 71) ›››www.villa.ch; first Japanese garden (designed in 1995 by CHF 14.80 (including chocolate voucher). every 30 minutes, duration approx. 1h, entry­ 6 Balmer’s Herberge, Hauptstr. 23 (033 a Japanese landscape gardener). Next to q A funicular rises from behind the Ost costs CHF 18.–, students or if you hold a 822 19 61) ›››www.balmers.com; 7 Happy the Interlaken Hotel on Höheweg, small Station through the woods to the Harder­ visitor’s card 16.–. It can get cold in the Inn Lodge, Rosenstrasse 17 (033 822 32 25) but beautiful. kulm (1,310 m), offering vistas over the caves, so bring something warm to wear! ›››www.happy-inn.com; 8 River Lodge, - Unterseen, adjoining Interlaken north town, both lakes and a panorama of Brienzstr. 24 (033 822 44 24, closed after of West Station, is an atmospheric village. snowy peaks close enough to touch! Oct 9th) ›››www.riverlodge.ch; Interlaken- BE ATE NBE TIP! RG ST RA SE S GARTENSTR AS SE Bönigen Youth Hostel, Aareweg 21, 033 OBE RE GOLDEY EN AB R Amtshaus funicular REIHOFSTRA EMG F SS E D F U A S 822 43 53 (closed April 1st – 7th and after C E Interlaken is perfectly positioned S H S E A ID G G - E R S A E P S T I S N E E U L RF UNTERSEEN M DO A BER T Oct 23rd) ›››www.youthhostel.ch/boeni- O E T as the gateway into one of the most S AS E A Sackgut STR ar UPT e campsite E HA S S T AS V

R R

EST I E A S E K Kursaal q 8 T F S N RDOR S O UNTE E R D I S RA A B gen (bus number 3 from Interlaken Ost to B beautiful regions of Switzerland. This is S T S A A S E A E H R T D K E R SS N S C TG D A RA H T Ü T ASSE R UG S S IAS O NE R R

T A E S LV F A E M H EB S PO H E S G T A E R S A S R S A E V I RA S K BL R ST S T UM adventure and E the number one resort for “Lütschinenbrücke” stop from where it’s a N N U TE E G STR . A AR A G E M S AU B B S E 4 HÖHEWEG ZLI ÖL 5-­minute walk to the hostel) LH 3 i Ost fun! No other part of Switzerland has IE 0 EG SP HÖH EW Station K

ASSE L R O S 2 HO FST C BAHN S HL J T O S F E U 9 S R

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= S R E G A IE D C T S more adventure in store than Interlaken, F S S A E R E R T N E N A A Höhematte R E T S U S R A M SE S STRAS S S O West ÜHLE A Höhematte S 1 M A AR T E R A L S P S R R L E A Station E T A T R S S S N A S A S D K S E Schloss A S N R E E hence most of the Swiss adventure com- Z T T M S A F L L L L OR N P AST RA E A F SSE O S 7 SE O S H NIE A A SE R R N NSTR LPEN ST LINDE H ASSE STR ER NALL A AS ST EE B SE O KL G E panies are based here. The beautiful Ber- J U N TW B G R E F O R E P SAN STRASS R NA UI ENERAL-G A S G U S S

S T T R UL R A nese Oberland offers tons of outdoor ac- A A S L 5 P E E S EN S S S G E T S E E S R G A S S A E S SS S E S R E A T E T A R S S R S R T S S A T S A E A S K S R R EI D SE T TR R A S N S I F tivities – on land, in the air and in or on P R G E N K L U G

R S M G L GE S DE A U E L L P Ä R N ASSE A A ORNSTR G A ROTH W H U A R E B TTENG ST U MI RABENSTR T . E PT RN S R S O A T water (you can book outdoor activities at R L

S AS FR A MATTEN S K SE S

I T E E WY R CH D ELSTR A A W SSE S

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G E SE AS each hostel!). Read more about it (and TR ES UNT EL O SSE ER O B WAL DEGGST RA DO E RF R STRA E S B SE Ö NIG 6 ST RA about the region’s natural wonders in S SE

Rugen Open-air R H Ü TIS B Woods A TRA ÜH Theatre U SSE LS P E TR T S AS S S S and around Interlaken) on page 28–33, E

T A

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A M R E E S TZ G L

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E A SSE S E K and see ›››www.­inter­laken­adventure.com

BAUMGA RTENSTR Powered by Rough Guides ASSE Bernese Oberland – interlaken 37 events entertainment, fun & parties June 9th – 11th Greenfield Open-Air. Over 40 international and Swiss bands • Brasserie 17, at Happy Inn Lodge (Rosenstr. 17), is the best party place in town for present rock, punk, hip-hop and electronic sounds. The entrance young people from all over the world! Live music – blues, rock, reggea, funk & soul, ticket also entitles you to camp out at the festival site! every Thursday night from 9 pm. Free entrance! The Brasserie is also famous for June 16th – 19th Swiss Yodeling Festival. Around 10,000 yodellers, flag throwers, its ­spareribs, chicken wings, baked potatoes and five different beers on tap. alphorn blowers and around 200,000 visitors are expected • Balmer’s Metro, at Balmer’s Herberge. Check out this different beat! Bar, June 16th – Sept 2nd Wilhelm Tell Open-Air Theater. Annual performance of Schiller’s nightclub, disco. play about the Swiss national hero at Tell-Spiel Areal Matten • The Hüsi Pub, at Postgasse 3 (pedestrian area), is an English-style pub with darts, (it’s German spoken, but it’s pretty obvious what the plot is) ­pinball and many other games. June 24th – 26th International Trucker & Country Festival. Famous country stars • RiversidE Bar, Marktgasse 59. They serve the famous Rugen beer, best Caipirinjas & bands. Western village, big truck & motor-bike exhibition in town and have chess, backgammon and lots more. (at the Military Airfield) • In Buddy’s Pub, at Hotel Splendid (Höheweg 33), you’ll find a large selection of beer. July 29th – 31st Buskers Festival in Rosenstrasse (in front of the Brasserie 17). • For disco nights check out The Caverne (at the Mattenhof resort, Hauptstrasse 36 Street artists show with acrobatics, juggling, magic and comedy, in Matten – bus no 5 from Interlaken West), or in Metrobar at the Metropole Hotel daily buskers shows from 5 pm (free entrance) (Höheweg 37), or Johnny’s Club at the Carlton Hotel (Höheweg 92). July 29th – 31st Interlatina. Interlaken will be struck with Latino fever • Positiv einfach, Centralstr. 11. Small, cozy bar. Very popular among young people. (concerts, market stands, dance shows and more at the Marktplatz) • Hooters, Höheweg 57. Where the famous Hooters girls (girls in orange hot pants) serve Aug 1st Swiss National Day celebration with a grand folklore parade American cuisine, American and European breakfast and lunch specials. through the centre (at 3 pm) and with a fireworks display • Jamming Corner (Bahnhofstrasse 1 Unterseen). For those who like Jamaican (at 10 pm at Höhematte meadow) ­specialities. Sep 10th International Jungfrau Marathon. Start at the Höheweg • Helvetia Sport Bar, at Bahnhofstrasse 6 in Unterseen, has snooker, pool tables, Interlaken (565 m), finish at Kleine Scheidegg (2,070 m), 42.1 km and darts. Latest re-opening, totally refurbished; light, airy and under experienced with some hills in it! An American magazine has rated this management. Enjoy! marathon as the most beautiful race course in the world! • High-Life, at Rugenparkstrasse (near West station), is a rock club with live music, Oct 7th – 10th Interfolk . Yodeling, alphorn blowing, flag open daily from 10 pm until 3 am, Fri and Sat until 5 am. throwing and more at -First, Kleine Scheidegg, Harder Kulm/Interlaken and Mürren/Winteregg ‹‹‹

Camping TCS, Brienzstrasse 24, CH-3800 Interlaken-Ost, Phone +41 (0)33 822 44 24, [email protected]