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4 Days in Switzerland -- General Questions

Hey All! So I'll be traveling for business to Berne and have taken the 15th to the 18th of August off to explore!! I can't wait!! Here are some quick notes: - I'm not the biggest hiking fan. - I do love riding bikes and so i'm very open to that - I'll be staying in Hostels the whole way through - I've always wanted to see the Alps :) -I'll be getting a swiss pass (4 days), unless other suggestions are given. I've done some research and here is what I think i'll be doing: - Leave Berne on the 15th (early) and travel to Lucern. Get a Golden Roundtrip ticket and head up Mt Pilatus. I should be staying at the Backpackers Lucerne Hostel. - on the 16th, take the train to Engelberg and go up Mt Titils --> Glacier cave is something I want to see. --> I think it would be great to go biking downhill (although I have never done it before)
--> Anything else to do there? - on the 17th (don't know what time yet) i'll be heading out to Zurich, most likely staying at the Youth hostel Zürich. - on the 18th at noon, get to the airport and fly-back to Canada!! How does this sound? Do I need to pack a Winter Jacket(I see people wearing shorts and people wearing snow suites!)? Anything in particular I "don't wanna miss"? Oh yeah.. apparently I have to bring back lots of chocolate lol. Any advice would be great.. .unlike Span/England/France/Italy/etc... it seems finding info on Switzerland is a little bit harder :). Feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks! Alex

Posted by
5 posts

Alex, I have done the Golden Round trip and I really enjoyed it. About biking downhill, I know it sounds easy, but I am not sure that it is. I have not been there, but my guess is there is no actual road, and the biking would be off road. In a terrain that may be unfamiliar, and if that's not the type of riding you do, it might not be a great idea. I am sure other RS posters will be able to comment on that. Not sure what month you'll be there, but a windbreaker might be a good idea, especially on the mountain tops. There is a Lindt factory in Zurich....could be a spot to tour and pick up some chocolate!! Have a great trip.

Posted by
5 posts

Hi Terry, Just made the change on my question to reflect that it is in Aug :). Regarding the downhill biking, it is something that is offered at Mt. Titlis so i'm not too worried about the "no path" .. although I do agree it is unfamiliar terrain :). I'll see when I get there, depending on what people say/weather. So a windbreaker and not a winter jacket should be ok then... good! It will make my backpack less heavy lol. Any other recommendations for Lucerne/golden roundtrip/activities(not hicking)/restaurants/etc ? :) Thanks for the quick reply, Alex

Posted by
32523 posts

Congratulations on what sounds like fun. A couple of thoughts... make your your extreme sport insurance is in order While Berne and Lucerne are French spellings (look I know you're de Montreal) but local spelling is in German - Bern and Luzern, if looking at signs, etc. windbreaker good idea. You could stay in Luzern and get a train straight to Flughaven Zuerich, its on an hour or so.... bon voyage

Posted by
12 posts

Alex, I have been to Zürich numerous times. I just got back yesterday. It is fabulous. For a day visit you better research the sights and activities or you will be overwhelmed and not truly experience that city and its people. Because the history of the city goes back so far, find the portion of their history that interests you most and see only one or two things associated with that. But, like the earlier post said, trains go straight from Luzern to Flughafen Zürich. I think you would have a much better experience staying in Luzern or maybe just going a little closer to Zürich to Immensee or Küssnacht for the night and catch the train from there. Save Zürich for a later trip when you can enjoy e city more.

Posted by
5 posts

Sorry for the delay, I didn't know there were replies. My manly eyesight I guess. > Nigel:
Thank you for the tips on the spelling of city names. It's true, I had not thought of it. Extreme sports insurance > Check (via my school...else it was ouch$$) > Terry, thanks for the tip on the Lindt factory! How did I not know it was there? From what i'm reading though, it seems that there are no more tours given and the museum is closed. Those posts came from 2k9 however so I don't know if they are accurate. Do you know if the Lindt factory still gives tours? > Annia: I'm looking into it!! Thanks! > Mike: Thanks for the tip. I'm looking into it now :). I've already booked a hostel in Zuerich on the night of the 17th to make 100% sure that I was available for my flight the next day (even though Switzerland has the reputation of an unstoppable train service). That said, I will look into it because it is so simple to cancel the hostel (not last minute though...that's not right) and book somewhere in between. Thanks everyone!! If anyone knows of places I must see in those areas (restaurants/museums/activities/etc...) feel free to point it out :). Alex

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Also... Should I get a swiss pass for 4 days or go for the Swiss Flexi pass? I'll only be taking the train from the morning of the 15th and ending on the 18th so it's only 3 days. Given my destinations, does it make a difference? They are both approx the same price... Alex

Posted by
515 posts

I would reccomend the Berner Oberland. Awesome biking paths, mostly downhill and can take veniculars back up.Right in the alps. With a swiss card you get 50% off rides to the Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch.

Posted by
263 posts

Alex, sad to say the Lindt factory is open only twice a year for tours...sorry! I thought it was more. Regarding your questions about passes.....there is also a half fare card you can buy in Switzerland. Gives you half fares on lake boats, local railroads and some of the special railroads. I believe a 30 day card is 116 franc. I try to use the swiss rail system to figure the approximate cost of the trips and then see which one might make the most sense.
I know you don't have a lot of time before you go..in fact, you may already be gone. So that may not be easy to do. Anyway, enjoy your trip. It's a great, and expensive, country!

Posted by
32523 posts

Alex, If you'd like an excellent tour of a choccie factory and plenty yummy choccie to nibble as you go around you could do much worse than the Cailler factory and tour at Broc near Gruyere. Its in the blue book. We went a couple of years ago and nearly again this year. It is a most excellent factory tour.

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you to everyone for the replies!! Regarding Gruyere, it's not far from Bern so I'll try to make it happen :). Have yourselves a wonderful day! Alex