I just came back from Switzerland and just want to share my experience and observations.
Itinerary was 2 nights Wengen, 2 nights Zermatt, 2 nights Lausanne (side trips to Vevey and Montreux), 3 nights Lucerne (side trip to Mt. Pilates and Bern), 2 nights St Gallen (side trips to Appenzell and Liechtenstein).Swiss travel pass of some sort is the way to go. Information booth is located at all the tourist train stops. When you are travelling with multiple changing of trains to get to your destination, the information booth will print out a card with time and connecting track number information for you Always ask if your pass gets you a discount for any museum or other transportation. (Boat ride from Montreux to the Chillon Castle was free). In Lucerne they recommended a short hike for us along with a map. You can get to most place by rail. One hotel suggested that we pay by US dollars on our credit card. We did some research while in Switzerland and found out that it is to our advantage to charge in Swiss Francs. We were in Wengen on Sept 29 and Sept 30. I realized that we were going a little out of season but was surprised that Wengen was a ghost town. So if you looking for the Rick Steve's experience that you saw on video or TV, you need to go in May or June or August earlier September.
Top of Europe (Jungfrau) takes about 5-6 hours including travel, lunch and walking outside.
Wengen, Zermatt, Lucerne, and St Gallen has no nightlife. In Wengen and Zermatt the restaurants and bars were empty (maybe because it was a little out of season). In Lucerne our hotel had a bar/club on the top floor, On a Thursday it was empty and on a Friday it caters to the younger generation Ask the hotel about any clubs or bars that we can go to and they came up with nothing. You will get some nightlife in Lausanne, Zurich and Montreux. Otherwise nothing.
We did a side trip to Mt. Pilates and Bern. After doing the Top of Europe and Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn), no need to see Mt. Pilates, and I thought that the side trip to Bern was a waste of time. Probably took 6 hours or so round trip from Lucerne to Bern.
Go to Switzerland to do some hiking, skiing, mountain biking etc. Everywhere you go people of all ages or running, hiking cycling etc. There are no major buildings or museums in Switzerland, I did like the Olympic Museum.
A lot of watch stores or a stores selling Swiss army knives.
2 days in St. Gallen with side trips to Appenzell and Liechtenstein. Go to Liechtenstein if you are a stamp collector otherwise skip it. Appenzell is a quaint little town but did not see anybody dress in the traditional garb. If I would do this trip again I would have eliminated this part of the trip.
Hiking trails usually have signs that point you in the direction that you want to go, but sometime it will point to two paths which was a little confusing. But whatever path we took we somehow made it back okay.
In Zermatt, Wengen, Lucerne the majority of the restaurants are combined with the hotels. I found the Swiss food to be surprisingly good.
Last day stayed at the Hilton airport hotel in Zurich, and they provide a free shuttle to and from the airport/train station. More food option and price range in Zurich. I did walk the old town route in Zurich. Nothing stood out.
Switzerland is not influenced by pop culture. Women and girls (teenagers) wear little or no makeup. No trendy clothes. No loud music outrageous outfits, billboards that you see in the USA. Only in Zurich did I see women get dressed up. Cars and houses are usually neutral colors.
Usually rounded up for a tip. Online line they indicate 15% service change already included in bill. Conflicting info online on how to tip. A lot of Chinese tourist.. They are happy but tend to push you out of the way, jump in front of you while you are taking a photo and spend 15 minutes taking their photos with various poses.