Swiss tour by Mar.'12

Dear Moderators,

Really it's very much helpfull forum for all swis new comers like me and I would like to get advice for our trip by last week of Mar.'12. We are planning 6 nights & 7 days only in Swiss and we would like to make the start & end point as Zurich to reduce the cost of flights by booking as return trip. We don't know about any of the places in swiss and based on this site info only, we propose the plan as Zurich - Zermat - Interlaken - Lucerne - Zurich. Please advise the following.

1. Whether Zermat is worth for this session and also none of us have the skiing experience. If it's not worth then please suggest the alternative itnerary?
2. Please advice the must see tourist spots in each locations & no of night stays to book the hotels in each locations.
3. We are two families consisting of 4 adults & 3 kids. As we are new to swiss, is it easy to manage in our own site seeings without any tour guide & car arrangements. Our tour operator is arranging only hotel booking & rail tickets.
4. We are getting all the tour intercity rail & excursions tickets from the tour company and teh swiss pass upgradation is an optional with an additional payment. Is it required to upgrade or can we upgrade in swiss railway station itself if required.
5. Is it required to always carry out passport with us in swiss if police wants to verify or we can keep with our luggage at hotel itself.
6. Any alternative advice if we book return ticket to Zeneva. Which one is better either Zeneva or Zurich.

We look forward you valuable advice. Please help.

Thanks.
Muthu, India.

Thanks Annika and we neee some more help from you in finalzing our itenerary.

While revisiting with our tour operators, we have been given one more package like Milan(1 night) - Via. Lugano to Lucerne (5 nights) - Back to Milan and our flight will be to & fro from Milan. We will be sepnding the 5 days in Lucerne as mentioned below.
1. Lugano - Swiss miniature, gardens & city tour - It's on the way to reach Lucerne & we can not avoid.
2. Mt. Titlis, Snow park & Lucerne - 1 day.
3. Golden pass line - Interlakan - Jungfraujoch - 1 day.
4. Berne & Geneva region - 1 day.
5. Lausanne & Montreux - 1 day.

While going through the time table, it looks travelling is more and we would like to skip any of Berne / Genva or Lausanne / Montreux trip. Would you please advice in which one to skip and alternatively some other trip nearby lucerne or Zurich. While going through your daytrip link, nothing is there in & around of Lucerne, please suggest something like falls, rivers like...

And also we will be given [u]Trump card[/u] by our tour operatoer and it was told that it is as like as swiss card to travel anyhere free & 50% discount in selceted routes. We have not come across anything about this card in this forum. Please advise.

Thanks in advance,
MUTHU, India.

Hi Muthu,

If staying in Lucerne, I would skip Geneva, Lausanne and Montreux as it is too much traveling for one day. There are plenty of alternatives close to Lucerne. Please check this and this topic for some ideas. I have not heard of a Trump card before, I'm sorry.

Thanks Arno for your valuable suggestions.
MUTHU.

Hai!
We will be in swiss from 23/02/12 to 29/02/12. We have been offerred swiss flexi pass 6 days in 1 month and also two days free excursions to Mt. Titlis & Jungfro. Is it ok or we need to ask for the 8 days swiss pass. Please advice.

And also please advise whether this 6 days in 1 month swiss flexi pass has to be used continuously for 6 days or split into 2+4 or 3+3 days. How to activate this option either at the time of purchase or at the time using each day in the railway station.
Thanks,
Muthu, India.

Hello Muthu! The 6 day Swiss Saver Flexi Pass sounds reasonable for your itinerary. The days don't have to be consecutive. You can activate free travel days by stamping the pass or writing down the date before boarding your first train/bus/boat that day. Please find all specifics at our Swiss Saver Flexi Pass page.

Thanks Annika.