Thun and Brienz

The sparkly turquoise waters of Thun and Brienz lakes have this spellbinding aura around them and so do their namesake villages. With mammoth mountains, lofty castles, plush boutiques and lively restaurants, Thun and Brienz make for exciting, off the beaten track destinations. The Aare river can be seen following its course while the crowds meander from one sight to another. With wooden chalets and traditional artisan workshops, these tiny settlements seem to be stuck in a time warp of sorts—one that is definitely delightful for a curious traveller. Make sure you explore the Thun Castle along with its Old Town and do remember to stroll around the stunning Schadau Botanical Park. And when in Brienz, do walk around the fairytale lane of Brunngasse and enjoy the little pleasures of life. Yet another attraction in Brienz is a steam train from the Rothorn Bahn that takes you to a height of 2300 m from where you can go along walking trails or simply relish the views of the lakes. It’s time to toss your worries out of the window.
Brienz and Thun are accessible by train from the Interlaken Ost Station and the ride is around 20 min long, thus making them fantastic day trip options. You would have to pay anything between 7 to 8 CHF for the journey. A boat tour is a good alternative.