Susan

I will be staying in Engelberg for three weeks in June. We have some weekend side trips planned for Germany & Austria. Can I travel out of Engelberg easily? On maps it appears that I will be "locked in" by the Alps except through Lucerne. Which mode of travel is best for touring the Berner Oberland and Zermatt from Engelberg -- the train or a rental car? <BR> <BR>I have one last very silly question: I am addicted to diet coke. Will I find it readily available in Switzerland? <BR>Thanks!!! <BR>

Carol

Hi Susan, <BR>I can't really tell you about the coke, but as far as I remember every shop in the world I have ever been to has had it, so for your sake I hope Engelberg does too : )) This brings a smile to my face because I was watching Oprah sometime last week and they were saying how stupid it is that you often see folk odering burgers and chips and all the calorie loaded foods, then a DIET coke aswell. Actually I think they were trying to say that Americans have crazy eating habits, not that I am saying you are nuts!! Just made me smile! Sorry, I mean no offence <BR>Anyway now to the serious part of your question (not that the coke thing isn't serious hehe) I have only visited Engelberg as a day trip, but it took us forever to get to because it is so high in the mountains and you have to take the train, one of those narrow-gauge ones that climb the track, so I don't think it is the ideal place to take day trips from. You are right, you do get there from Lucerne. Check out this url http://goswitzerland.about.com/trave...-s_central.htm it may help. Good luck with the diet coke , hope you have a wonderful trip.

richard j vicek

Good evening, Susan <BR>Engleberg is reached by rail from Luzern, it takes about one hour from station to station. From Engleberg to Lauterbrunnen in the Berneroberland <BR>takes about 03hr10min with 2 changes. <BR>Zermatt takes about 7hr with 4 to 5 <BR>changes. Travel time with a car <BR>would not improve things. A more <BR>central location if you wish to <BR>visit Luzern, Berneroberland and <BR>Zermatt, would suggest Interlaken. <BR>You would be about two hours to <BR>Luzern and about three hours plus <BR>to Zermatt..Richard of La Grange Park, Il. check out www.sbb.ch/

Ed

Like so much of Switzerland, Engelberg may look close to much but is hemmed in by geography. <BR> <BR>Richard has given you good info re travel by train. www.rail.ch takes you directly to the English section of the SBB web site where you'll find excellent train schedule info for the country including most fares, and full schedules for service to all western European points. <BR> <BR>There are several auto route planning sites on the web ... you find some listed at www.twenj.com/usefulsites.htm <BR> <BR>As Richard suggests there are several locations that would be better for stay ... if you have that option. It sounds, though, as if business or a time share cause to be tied to Engelberg. While it's not a hot tourist destination, it, like most all of Switzerland, is a quite pleasant area. And you can make an excursion to the 10,000 foot high Titlis there. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com

Christine

Guerzi Susan, <BR> <BR>I currently live in Stans (about halfway between Engelberg and Luzern) and I highly recommend you rent a car. Driving in Swizerland is very easy. Engelberg is only a 20 minute drive from the A2 and we find this area a very convenient place for getting around. <BR> <BR>Luzern is 1/2 hour away <BR>Interlaken is about a 1.5 hour drive over Brunig Pass. <BR>Zermatt is about 2.5 hour drive over the Furka Pass (we just returned yesterday from a weekend trip). <BR>Bern is less then 2 hours away. <BR>Zurich is less then 1.5 hours away. <BR>Germany is about 2.5 hours (Lake Constance) <BR>Innsbruck is 4 hours <BR>Italian Lakes 2.5 hours <BR>All depending on traffic of course. <BR>A great day trip is to drive to Stanstad and take the ferry to Luzern (takes about an hour) either take the ferry or train back to Stanstad, plentiful parking. <BR> <BR>Engelberg is a popular destination for hikers and it is a very beautiful area with lots of places to hike. Though it is true not many Americans visit Engelberg-it is popular with Europeans. <BR> <BR>As far as Diet Coke-yes it's everywhere but they call it Coke light-order it as "cola light". <BR> <BR>Email me if you would like more area suggestions. <BR> <BR>Christine

Rob M.

Susan, My wife and I found Engelberg on a trip once on a drive that started that day from outside of Innsbruck. We stopped at Nueschwanstein and in Vaduz that day, while enjoying the beautiful countryside and mountains of the area. When we arrived in busy Lucerne early that evening, we decided we wanted to stay in a quieter, more secluded area, rather than in a busy city that night. We pulled out our map and looked for a dead end road that went up into the mountains that wasn't far from Lucerne. That road ended in Engleberg, and it was only a 20 minute drive. <BR> <BR>Switzerland is a small country, and yes there are mountains you have to go through, around and over, but driving a car, you should be able to see Zermatt in a day trip (drive to Tassch), the Jungfrau region on another one, etc. <BR> <BR>Also, it will be Coke "light" you will be drinking there.

Susan

Thank you to all who responded! I am centered in Engelberg due to my husband's business there, but I will personally be able to take 1-2 day trips around the area. I will rent a car as it sounds as if I will save much time that way. I am delighted that I can find cola light!!!