There are a number of special railway trains that cater to tourists who want to get a glimpse of the Alps. The Glacier Express goes between the resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz. The Bernina Express tales passengers from Chur to St. Moritz, the climbs the Bernina Pass into Italy. The William Tell Express goes by rail across the St. Gotthard Pass, after which passengers get on a boat for a cruise down the length of Lake Luzern. Bicycle Travel For those train travelers who want to get away from the city, the Swiss railway rents bicycles in most train stations. For an extra small fee, the cyclist can rent the bike at one station, and drop it off at another station. There are discounts for groups according to the number of bikes rented. Normally, it is necessary to reserve the bike earlier than 6 p.m. on the day before it is needed. Most tourists offices will be able to supply bike route maps. Hiking the Alps Not surprisingly, the Swiss mountains are honeycombed with well-marked walking trails. Hiking is especially popular in the Bernese Oberland. Most tourist offices, newspaper stands, bookshops, and train stations can supply detailed maps of a specific area. Switzerland by Car Swiss highways are some of the best in Europe. All are clearly marked.Travel through mountain passes, such as the road over the Great St. Bernard Pass, and the road over the Furka Pass, is especially scenic. Luckily, travel on mountain passes is possible almost all times except during snowstorms. Since authorities recognize the fact that not all drivers want to climb mountains in their cars, some areas allow drivers to put their automobiles on trains for transport through certain tunnels. The Swiss National Tourist Office can provide details. Car rentals are available in most towns, and U.S. and Canadian drivers licenses are valid in Switzerland. Those who plan to travel extensively by car in Switzerland and other foreign countries may wish to consider getting an international driver’’s license. In North America, such a license is issued through the American Automobile Association and the Canadian Auto Club. The international document is valid when used in conjunction with the driver’s current state or provincial driver’s license. |
