4 Days in Switzerland -- General Questions

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.

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

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

I will recommend to visit Basel and take the local train to Dornach to visit the Rudolf Stainer house where they have tours. lectures and other activities. Here is the link.
http://www.goetheanum.org/Kalender.vk.0.html

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.

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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