Swiss trip
 

Our family (two adults, one 11 year old boy) will be spending a week in Switzerland in the middle of June. We are renting a car and going directly to Lucerne for two nights after landing in Zurich. After flying all night we plan on spending the first afternoon exploring Lucern. The next day we will visit Mt.Pilatus and trying the Frakmuntegg toboggan run. We're also planning on visiting the Engelberg Monestery. The next morning we drive to Interlaken for two days. <BR>We plan on taking the Jungfrau upon our arrival. I understand there dog sled rides at the top and my 11 year old would love that. Does anyone know if I need to make resevations, or any type of prior arrangements? We also would like to visit Trummelback falls and take the Schilthorn excursion. Can both Junfrau and Schilthorn be done in one day? We also plan on taking a lake steamer to the Brienz area (or we could drive if that saves alot of time) We'd like to fit in a trip by steamer to Thun as well and visit Zahringen Castle. Is this too ambitious for a two night stay? Any thoughts or suggestions? Does anyone have any information on Helicoptor tours, such as availability, price etc. I suspect the price will be prohibitive but maybe.... <BR>On our third day in Interlaken we leave and drive to Lugano. I understand this will be about a three hour drive. Does anyone have any suggestions for stops along the way? <BR>We haven't purchased any type of swiss pass or rail pass since we are renting a car. Should we look into that in light of the mountain and lake excursions we are planning? <BR>We are dropping the car off in Lugano after two days and taking a train to Milan to catch a train to Venice. Does anyone know how I can get a train schedule before arriving in Milan? I've assumed trains run fairly frequently and planned on just "playing it by ear" upon arrival in Milan: but maybe that's not such a great idea. Any thoughts? We have hotel reservations in Lucern, Interlaken, Lugano and Venice as well as our car rental voucher. Our daily schedule is flexible. <BR>I realize we are packing alot into a short period of time, but we can rest when we get home! Any imput would be greatly appreciated! <BR>Thanks! <BR>Wendy <BR>[email protected] <BR>

Easy ones first. You'll find train schedules at www.rail.ch Also http://www.fs-on-line.com/ <BR> <BR>You should look into the train in Switzerland. With mountain and lake excursions the SwissPass may be the better option if your schedule works against it. It comes in 4 and 8 day flavors. Discount for two passes and son is free (CHF 20 if you buy the passes in Switzerland.) Details at www.twenj.com/swpasses.htm <BR> <BR>You can fit the Jungfrau, Schilthorn and Truemmelbach in one day, though it'll be a bit of a push. You'll find our thoughts on the better of the mountain excursions at www.twenj.com/swmountaintrips.htm <BR> <BR>Compared to what's available in the mountains and your extremely short stay there I'd think you'd get more enjoyment from the mountains than Brtienz or Thun ... both pleasant cities but not comparable to other sights/activities in the area. <BR> <BR>Helicopter is quite expensive, though &gt;very&lt; recommendable. Suggest you e-mail to the Lauterbrunnen tourist office ... they'll be able to provide the info. [email protected] <BR> <BR>You didnt' ask, but I do think you're trying to cram a bit too much into a short visit, especially with an older adolescent. It sounds like the, unfortunately, typical American 'overachiever' tip plan. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twe

If you leave Interlaken Ost on an early train, like 6:30 AM, you can be to the top of the Jungfraujoch before 9 AM. The trip takes 2:18 of actual riding time. <BR>Then after about an hour of great views, you should have had enough of that stuff, so you can head down hill to Lauterbrunnen, which takes a little under 2 hours. After a quick lunch, you can either take the Post Bus to Trummelbach Falls for a quick look and continue on to the valley station of the Schilthornbahn. The ride up is about $45.00 and takes 32 minutes. The last car leaves about 4:30 for the top. So you will have to leave the Jungfrau about 11 AM to allow time for Trummelbach before heading up the Schilthorn. <BR>You might have time to take the most interesting walk of the Jungfrau trip, -- the snow track to the mountain hut on the side of the Moench which is the next peak to the north of the Jungfrau. Stupendous views over the glaciers, but it takes a while to walk out there. <BR>At any rate, you should have quite a day of it. I think you will get your $1,000 worth. <BR> <BR>On the way south, go by Zermatt and ride the train to the end station on the Gornergrat. Or take the Little Matterhorn cable ride. Or both. <BR>Nothing quite like it.

Dear Wendy, You were right. This is a great site. Your trip sounds fab, but I hope that you canceled your reservatios for a hotel in Lugano. We are all looking forward to having you, Mike and Matt stay with us at the Villa de Pelullo. I think it will be loads of fun. Sincerely, Jane.

One way to enjoy a lake steamer trip from Interlaken to Thun, is to do it in the evening, as a round trip, and enjoy excellent bar service and Dinner on the steamer, rather than spend (waste?) time in an ordinary restaurant. In mid June you will enjoy daylight until around 10 p.m. You can do this on most of the Swiss lakes, and I've found it a most enjoyable way to have Dinner and sightsee the surrounding Alps at the same time.