The greatest network in the world

Advantages: Clean, on time, quiet, efficient, extensive network
Disadvantages: None!

...The SBB is, without a doubt, one of the best railway services anywhere in the world, without any exaggeration. The trains are quiet, modern, clean, efficient and always, always scrupulously on time. The network is fairly extensive, and there are often services run by other companies that go to the parts SBB doesn't reach. All connections such as these are, however, well worked out beforehand and give you plenty of time; there is hardly ever a missed connection, simply because the trains are hardly ever late. Couple this with some of the most fantastic Alpine scenery and you have all the reason you need to go everywhere by train in Switzerland. It's cheap as well - you can travel on high-speed trains without needing to pay any supplement - and often time-saving, as trains go through mountains instead of over them! All in all this is...

Alternum 25.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of SBB Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (Switzerland)

Great for a City Break

Advantages: Luxurious, Excellent Service, Close to Everything
Disadvantages: Only one restaurant and no gym or swimming pool

...My mum and I booked this hotel via Travelbag's online site. We were a little apprehensive as we had paid upfront using a debit card and receieved only an email/electronic receipt, which we had to print off and take with us. We travelled for a 4 night stay at the beginning of December 2005. My mum, sister and myself arrived at Bern SBB (Station) and decided to walk to the hotel as it was not too far. It was about 10-15 minutes walk from the station; we were a little slow as we had trolley cases. Most people who arrived at the hotel used taxis or had cars, so we did get a few surprised looks when we turned up on foot and with our luggage. The staff at this hotel are extremely polite and helpful. Unlike many 5 * hotels, they were not stuffy and didn't look down on "regular" people who had decided to stay there. We had booked...

vlal21 06.01.2006 · Read review
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Review of Hotel Bellevue Palace, Bern

Switzerland - my former home

Advantages: Beautiful country
Disadvantages: Quite expensive and very cold in winter

...answer in your language if possible and try to help you as good as possible. Public Transport: Never ever take a Taxi in Switzerland, they are much too expensive! The public transport is good, as long as you are not up in the mountains. There is no underground and the buses and trains are a bit cheaper than in England. As Swiss people are always exactly on time, don?t be late. On www.sbb.ch you will find all the train and bus connections you need (or call 0041 900 800 800)....

Shanon 02.04.2005 · Read review
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Review of General: Switzerland

Bern - the jewel in our Swiss Holiday

Advantages: lovely historic city
Disadvantages: may be limiting if you want a big city scene

.... The journey from Scotland via the Channel Tunnel took two days which tried our patience a bit, however it turned out to be worth it. We made day trips to Bern on several occasions. First some general orientation. The old part of the city is on a large rock promintory surrounded on 3 sides by the River Aare. This has prevented the old part of the city sprawling. The city centre is easily walkable from the main SBB railway station. If you like you can hire a bike or scooter free from a cabin outside the station (there is another rental point in the town). You have to pay a deposit and leave ID (eg a Passport) but this is all refunded. You can if you want use the extensive tram or trolleybus system. The no 12 trolleybus takes in the main shopping street, the bear pit (which is a tourist hub) and winds up at the Paul Klee Art Museum. If you buy...

mark-southside 04.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Bern (Switzerland)

Take a step off the tourist trail in Switzerland

Advantages: Beautiful medieval city, relatively cheap, lots to do, excellent transport links
Disadvantages: none

...minutes by train) or Zurich (2 hours by train) and pick up the train directly from the airport terminal. The train station is in the centre of Fribourg and is also the main local and regional bus terminal (the Swiss are very organised). Cars can be rented from any of the airports or from the train station on arrival according to the SBB website. Fribourg is situated in the extremely picturesque Prealpes, with amazing views from almost every street. The majority of the town is built on the side of a valley, one hundred metres deep and several hundred metres wide that has been carved out by the town's river, the Sarine or Saarne. In the valley itself is the Old Town a fascinating medieval residential area where some buildings cling precariously to the slopes and others enjoy the wonderful river surroundings. ****History**** Fribourg was...

historywitch 25.09.2007 · Read review
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Review of Fribourg, Switzerland

Butterfly Paradise

Advantages: Inexpensive, open on a Sunday, lots to see, appeals to all age groups
Disadvantages: Uncomfortable on a hot day

...are on their well-organised website, but it is worth mentioning the fact that they have a dedicated train station next to the site, 80 metres away in fact. This station is called 'Kerzers Papiliorama' and details of trains can be found on the SBB website. The train schedules were posted in the entrance and it looks like there are trains every hour or so to Neuchatel and connecting stations. We drove however and easily found a parking space in the medium sized car park. It is important to mention when buying entrance tickets that you brought a car as they charge you an extra 3CHF and give you an exit token in exchange, which works the car park barriers. Once parked we took the short walk down the gravel path to the entrance, passing a small shop on the left selling organic produce which was actually growing by the path. The pleasant walk...

historywitch 31.08.2007 · Read review
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Review of Papiliorama, Kerzers, Switzerland

Comfort and Joy

Advantages: Reminders of joyful simplicities
Disadvantages: None (apart from breaking my own rules of reviewing)

...'ll start reading there anyway. June spends much time talking about gardens and fruits and flowers. Yet it is only a 'kinda' grouping, because you can never tell when SBB will wander off to talk about something else: a stressful day, carparking, paying bills - or making curtains, playing at the beach. At the end of each month (which is the one thing wrong with this book - they should be at beginning!) is a list of 'joyful simplicities': wonderful fun, cheap'n'cheerful (if not absolutely free) things to do this month just to celebrate being alive, being on planet earth, being you. For a flavour: June offered 'remember ice cream is good for the soul'?or camp out in your back yard?lie back & look at the stars. The Book has a purpose: which is to remind us that we are more than our driven selves. Yes, we want all the goodies on offer...

hiker 03.07.2006 · Read review
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Review of Simple Abundance - Sarah Ban Breathnach