Luzern has tons of activities and because it's so touristy almost all speak English. The transport museum is always a favorite with the kids along with the imax theatre. Lovely boat rides around the lake or Swimming at any of the many beaches along the lake! Always a hit! Have fun!

You have been given some great ideas that I am sure your daughter will enjoy. However, I suspect that she is also going to just enjoy spending time with you as well, even just doing ordinary things like going for a walk, sitting together whilst slurping icecream, talking. Enjoy yourselves

PS: It seems that she is not keen on the U/M thing. Much nicer to travel with you if it can be afforded :-)

Sounds like a lot of funs stuff there for kids. Since we arrive first in Zurich and I notice hotels (hotels.com) in Zurich seem for some reason cheaper than Luzern (only 45 mins from Zurich) perhaps we should stay couple of nights in Zurich and explore Zurich Zoo and do a boat ride/swim by lake in Luzern next day...

If your daughter is over at the middle of August there is the Chur Festival

http://www.churerfest.org/

I think you are so right there.. For somone who is used to seeing his child during some weekends only, almost every min of this time will be precious, including the chats and gossips about her life,school/friends, time at dinner table, bed time storys, and even the time together in the train, the aiport, security queues, plane, etc.. By the way just booked our round trip easyjet flights (she was not so keen on the u/m idea afterall, perhaps another year..) all for just under £300 (11-17 Aug).

What a shame - we will miss this as she(we) will fly back to UK on 17 Aug

I saw that from your post at the same time as mine. I was there for last years festival and it is a fun event for all ages

I have heard once the Bernina train reaches Tirano, there is a bus that goes to Lugano by Como. I wonder if it can all be done in one day from chur? or is the journey too long...

Is that because hotels are expensive there..

No it was because it didn't look like a big enough place to warrant staying over.

BTW - you know that you can get a train ticket for children up to the age of 16 for just 20CHF that is valid for 1 year for accompanied travel in the whole of Switzerland. I forget the official name (Junior Card?) but ask at any bahnhof and they will know.

I echo one of the other posts. Atzmaennig was a real hit with my kinds. Beautiful location and also has a tobogan run and other kids rides.

I guess that Chur - Tirano - Lugano - Chur could just about be done in a day but it would involve over 10 hours travelling. Como as well would almost certanly not be practical. You would need to check the timetables to see if it is feasible for you.

The Bernina Express to Tirano is a good day on its own. It gives around an hour and a hlf in Tirano with around four hours each way on the train.

There is so much to see that the return journey is not a repeat of the outward one.

Thank you all for your v useful suggestions and comments. I feel almost obliged to report back to you as to how it all went with my 10 year old daughter during the 6 days she had here:

Day 0: arrived together at Zurich airport from UK about 7 pm. Bought A Junior Karte at 30 CHF after producing her passport (Thanks to Kodokan!) at airport which meant that all train,tram and cable car journeys were free for her. Straight to the pre-booked Park Inn hotel by the airport (my own home is a further 2.5 hour journey from airport- good location for Luzern next day - also kid likes hotels as ‘ you don’t have to fix your bed’). Not a bad 4 star hotel but v poor area for 2 nights at 278 GBP (incl breakfast).


Day 1: Luzern, took the boat to Mount Pilatus (all inclusive ticket from zurich was around 100 I think). Beautiful scenery all around and day was sunny. Took cogwheel train (steepest in the world) to the top. Ate at the restaurant, food selection poor, next time may go to the fast food section. Took cable car down, awesome experience. Stopped half way at one of the stations which had LOADs of kids activities, including the professional rope handling course (which I was planning to do in Flims) , climbing and using pulleys on ropes between high trees. 70 CHF for both. Cable car again to town. Back to hotel.


Day 2: check out at hotel. Train to Pfaffikon and then 5 min bus to Alpamare (water park). She loved the adventure although I am not such a fan of great g forces. Afternoon off to my home in Bonaduz near Chur by train. V warm and exhaustive day.


Day3 (Sunday): Rested at home in Bonaduz. PM: Took cable car from Rhazuns (3 mins by train from us) to the top village, Feldis. Walked around in the beautiful nature. Pic niked with sandwiches from home in the forest and chit chat all the way. Lots of butterflies – she caught a few on camera. Stopped on way back by my company so she has an idea of where I work.


Day 4 (15 Aug) : Rented a car from EuropCar (v expensive: 1 day –unlimited miles- almost 200CHF). Drove to Vaduz (Liechtenstein). Happens to be their National Day. Walked to the royal palace on top of the hill (sweating all the way!) and saw the ceremonies and the prince giving speech. Party afterwards with free food and drinks for everyone. Managed to approach Princess Sophi (after seeing the crowd around her) and introduce my daughter and she asked my daughter in English if she was enjoying the day (‘yes’- of course). Took a pic of my girl and the princess. She loved the experience. Drove to Feldkirch (Austria) then Lindau (Germany) by the Bodensee and then back to Feldkirch for a famous steak restaurant (such a long name, can’t even remember, but inside an ancient gothic castle). Food not so good but atmosphere almost from harry potter movie.


Day 5: Returned car in Chur. She bought some chocolate for her mum and grandma. Rested and got ready for flight back to UK. Color pens and paper to keep her busy with drawing while I packed and tidied up. She spent the day writing a long story in her notebook.


Day 6. Back to Zurich in time for flight. But 5 hours to kill, so left luggage at Zurich HB and headed to Zurich Zoo. Hot day. Average kind of zoo and nothing special. Back to the airport and off to England!


Other notes: No time for Bernina/Glacier Express and lots of other good suggestions. Of course we talked forever and I took the opportunity to quiz her mind whenever possible catching up with her life in general. I think overall she went home happy and with a good impression of Switzerland and a good summer break having seen her dad for 6 consecutive nights. If nothing else, she now has some idea of where her daddy is these days (having ice cream on top of Mount Pilatus! ).

I expect that she was 'Miss Happy' with all of those activities. Sounds like you both had a great time.

What a lovely way to spend time with your daughter. You sound like one super pappy!

Sounds like you both had an amazing time! Real quality time! I hope you can be together again soon.

That would be the Schattenburg and is known for its Wienerschnitzel (locally called elephants ears and roughly the same size) rather than its steaks.

Really lovely post to read - sounds like a super few days!

This unfortunately is the reality of divorce; it's not getting rid of your partner, it's losing the kids which is the killer. The battle with your ex is chicken feed compared to the inner turmoil of the kids and not seeing them regularly.

Glad you had a good time, whatever people may say, this country is very kid friendly and there is plenty to do.

Yes indeed, here is the link for anyone interested:
http://www.austria-urlaub.com/schatt.../schnitzel.php