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Check whether a walking tour of Bern and/or a visit of the woodcarving factory in Brienz are included in the itinerary. In winter and early spring the Brünigpass between Brienz and Lucerne might be closed. Check if you are in doubt. This is unlikely, but it is worth checking after a heavy snowfall, as the alternative is quite a detour.
· If you have arrived on the overnight train don’t rush to Lucerne (Engelberg) – the hotel probably won’t be ready before 2 pm. However if a walking tour is included with the TM, try to have students deposit their luggage in the hotel and then fit the walking tour (60 to 90 mins) in before they are set free. Visiting the Lion Monument can be done at this point and take up half an hour if need be.
· For Engelberg, coming from Brienz, you do not go through Lucerne. When you reach the N2 turn towards Stans (Gotthard) and take the Engelberg exit.
Bern – visit
Follow signs to city centre and park just up from the Bear pit (Bärengraben). There are toilets here downstairs in the information building. Make a rendezvous for departure, and tell the group if they will be coming back to the bus on their own. If the GL is not comfortable with this, lead the group into town, make a meeting spot for example at the Zytglocke, and walk back to the bears together.
The walking tour should include some time for the Bear Pits and view of old Bern across the river Aare. Then cross the bridge and take the left hand street Junkern Gasse to the Cathedral (Munster). (Open Mon – Sat in Summer 10.00 – 17.00 and in Winter 12.00 – 16.00. Sundays open from 11.30.)
From the Cathedral walk into the central Kramgasse/Marktgasse.
Point out the fountains and the clock tower (Glockenspiel 5 mins. before the hour). Continue to the Bundeshaus (Federal Parliament) and its terraces from which the view is stunning.
Give them free time for lunch.
There is usually a market on the Bärenplatz and lots of banks (with ATMs), cafes and chocolate shops. There are more shops, bakeries etc. on the way back to the bus.
Brienz
Brienz is the woodcarving capital of Switzerland. Two workshops do demonstrations lasting about 30 mins. You should call ahead to reserve a visit (numbers on Yellow Pages General Info), groups have to pay for the demonstration and visit to the museum but visits to the shop and toilets are free!
There are a few cafés along the lakeside that are used to groups.