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Swiss tracks

The Swiss Pass entitles you to a 50% fare reduction on the Brienzer Rothorn Bahn. The implication that I got from the caption on page 88 of the April ’07 issue was that it was free (“included”). We enjoyed it on a Swiss vacation in September ‘06.

• Page 99 of the April issue mentions that the funicular between Lauterbrunnen and Grütschalp has been replaced by an aerial gondola. That is since my visit last September, when it was still out of service. The post bus and cable car, always an alternative route from Lauter­brunnen to Mürren, was the only way to get up there.

Swiss Pass a bargain

On a 2-week Christmas trip to Switzerland, Dec. 23, 2006-Jan. 4, 2007, my wife, Anita, and I had a wonderful, exciting time while using the Swiss Pass (www.sbb.ch) exclusively. We had read in ITN and other sources about this remarkable bargain but previously had always rented a car.

The cost for two traveling together for 15 consecutive days was $548, and we opted to add reservations on the Glacier Express (on Dec. 24th, no less), bringing the total to $598.

Railpass roundup 2007

They buried the Eurailpass this year. Without so much as a memorial service, their marketing team renamed their flagship pass, the mother of all railpasses and far and away the best-known brand in European train travel, the “Eurail Global Pass.” It costs 5.3% more but doesn’t provide any more free travel than the 2006 Eurailpass did.

Morocco arrangements

My wife, Sandy, and I took a 16-day trip to Morocco, Aug. 29-Sept. 15, 2006, visiting via train the Imperial Cities of Fes, Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech. We traveled with a private driver/guide for four days from Marrakech to Fes. We booked our arrangements through the Internet and, excluding airfare, our total cost was about $3,600.

What follows are random thoughts that we hope will be helpful.

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