WOW WOW WOW I am gone for a bit more than 24 hours and I have gotten back so much information from all of you You really all know your swiss facts so I think I agree with you that I was planning to do too much in 7 nights/8 days.

Our plan has changed slightly since my last post in the sense that we are now arriving and leaving from Zurich airport. I do not know if that makes getting around switzerland harder or easier!

After reading all your posts we have decided to spend 3 nights in lucerne (we are sure the 1st night we will be jetlagged). on the 4th night we are thinking of going to either Interlaken or Grindelwald to go up the junfraujoch anf if the weather is bad to just drive around the BO. We have 3 days left and we really want to do zermatt for our 5th night and then go to locarno or lugano for 2 nights. before taking the train back on the 8th day for a night flight back home.

1- Do you think this plan is doable?

2- In the ticino region we want to rent a car in locarno and drive to lugano or vice versa...how long would that drive take?

3- If I cut one town out of this holiday which do you think it should be?

Hi kubla---probably Zermatt would be the one to omit, as it is the farthest away from the others. Then you could spend 3 nights in Luzern, two in the Berner Oberland to give yourselves a better chance at a good Jungfraujoch opportunity (I would suggest Lauterbrunnen instead of Grindelwald; if the weather is bad it is still lovely there), and two nights in the Ticino (one each in Locarno and Lugano if you like. Trains will take you back to Zürich from Locarno in just over 3 hours; from Lugano in under 3 hours. There are more direct trains (no changes) from Lugano.

Here's a thought: if you go from the Interlaken area to Locarno via Brig, you can take the scenic Centovalli Railway:

http://www.centovalli.ch/index.html

This takes you from Interlaken to Locarno in 4.5 hours, almost 2 of which are on this narrow-gauge and very scenic railway.

I know people who hav gone well out of their way to take this train, but for you it is right in your path.

I's suggest saving yourself the hassle and taking the trains. They're frequent, fast, clean, great scenery and often have dining cars so you can chat and chew and view all at the same time. Cost of parking and traffic hassles in cities makes the train a much less stressful option, too.

Switzerlad, usually considered expensive, was not for us as we stayed at very reasonable hotels and one B&B (Sunny Days) in Interlaken.

If you are staying in a hotel - turn on the TV in the morning. There's at least 2 stations that tell you the visibility and weather from various regions in Switzerland - and show live you pictures. You can see whether or not it's agood day to go to the top of mountains.

I would also suggest going to Schniggye Platte (spelling?). Absolutely spectacular and there's a huge alpine garden to walk around in when you get to the top. You get there from Interlaken. Don't miss it! Much better than the Schilthorn, in my estimation.

Schnige Platte, with the wonderful alpine garden, is indeed a good alternative to the Jungfrau or Schilthorn. Unfortunately, the train up there does not run in April; it does not begin operation until the end of May.

The Schilthorn i found totally unique in that i think what is called the Alp's longest aerial cable car swings you up to the 'world's highest revolving restaurant' i believe but also to a weird world of ice surrounding this remote outpost.

You can go walk on the ice by the station. And then there are James Bond movie associations - On His Majesty's Service i believe was famously filmed in part here.

But i agree the Schynige Platte is a wonderful alternative if not wanting that type of experience. And the view from Schnyige Platte is awesome as you see the whole of the glorious Jungfrau Massif just across the valley.

And the Schnynige Platte tiny, even for Switzerland, train is steam-powered i believe so a different means of conveyance than Schilthorn gondolas but just as novel.