Last weekend we took the “2 pour 1: Promotion Suisse” offer from Migros and bought ourselves 2 train and entry tickets to Papiliorama. From Lausanne it cost CHF49 if both adults have the CFF half-card. The trip took 1h 22m one way. We had to change the train twice (in Neuchâtel and Kerzers), but it was smooth and easy.

The Papiliorama was great. We went there on a Sunday but it wasn’t too crowded, we could easily enjoyed the butterflies. Wee one (almost 2) was excited all the time. The potential “problem” would be the heat and humidity as it made us tired easily.

Here are some pics from inside the Papiliorama – the exotic butterfly area:

the caféteria (you can see we brought our “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” book and plush):

and the petting zoo where they have donkeys, goats, and rabbits:

Beside those above, there are other attractions to see, such as the nocturnal animals and the rain forest area. There is a Swiss Butterfly Garden, but we actually saw fewer butterflies within this facility than outside! There is also a playground. It seems that they’re expanding and I hope they will include a grass area for picnic on the ground, as again I missed it there.

For more info, check the website.

Btw, we found the Migros offers to be really good. You can still collect the stickers until Aug 23, and the completed form (10 stickers) can be used to buy the offers up to 2 Oct 2010. FYI you buy the tickets at the ticket booth at the train station and you have to directly decide which day you want to go there. Our next one should be the Basel Zoo. We are hoping for a weekend with good weather now.

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My daughter and I went to Zurich a couple of weeks ago to meet a friend of mine, and we used the opportunity to go to the Zurich Zoo. We went to Zurich cheaply using a train Day Pass from the Commune. Lausanne-Zurich by train takes around 2h15m.

The zoo is easily reachable by tram from the train station (Tram #6, direction “Zoo”). We went there on a Monday afternoon, so despite being in the middle of the school holiday we could enjoy the animals easily. The zoo size is good, not too big, even with the new “Masoala Rainforest” area. We finished it in 4 hours (we could linger longer, but the zoo was closing by then).

The website is very useful, with good amount of information in English. They also have a list of feeding times, so if your kids (or you) have favorite animals, you can make sure you don’t miss them in action. They also have “Keeper’s Talk”, but I have no idea whether it’s in German only or also in English. Other activities include “Elephant Washing” and “Penguin Parade” (the latter in winter only, when it’s <10°C).

The zoo has a few picnic places and playgrounds. The only thing that we really missed was an open space to picnic on the ground, or at least to lie down. There are bushes everywhere and the designated eating areas (with tables and chairs) are covered with gravel, so there was no possibility to rest on the grass.

That said, I still totally recommend this zoo to go to if you’re in the area. Definitely a lot of fun.

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ATTENTION, MOMS! This could be one of the most useful posts I wrote about. At least for those of you new in Switzerland. But even I(!) only knew it several months ago, despite having lived in Lausanne for 4.5 years.

So this is what it’s all about:

Day travel passes from the commune (Carte Journalière Commune)! For all trains, boats, and local public transports within the CFF network! That doesn’t require a Half-Fare Card! And cost only CHF35!*

Now you wonder how to get those tickets? The tickets are sold by your commune. There are a minimum of 2 tickets per commune (it varies according to the size of the commune), and can be bought well in advance. For example, my commune in Epalinges sells 4 tickets for each day, up to 4 months in advance (just got those for our trip to Zurich in September).

Here are some points to note:

• Unlike the regular CFF 1-Day Travel Pass that has longer validity, this Carte Journalière Commune are only valid for the date printed on them (see picture).

• First come, first serve. You have to buy the tickets in person, booking is not always possible. You can call in advance to check if your commune still have the tickets for the date you need. If your commune is as fantastic as mine (ehm!), you’ll find it also online (click here for availability in commune Epalinges).

• You have to be an inhabitant of the commune to buy the ticket, but the ticket itself can be used by anyone. So you can also buy it for someone else, or you can sell it if something comes up so that you can’t travel on the date.

Have a great trip!

*The price can vary between commune.

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My husband and I never own a car in Lausanne and have been relying heavily on TL and CFF to commute. So far we are happy with their service and think that it’s still easier and cheaper for us to just use public transport vs having a car. So I think I should share some of the special services from TL that we have tried and tested, and may not known by some of you who don’t use TL that much. This time I’ll tell you about the Taxibus Matin & Nuit.

Taxibus is a special service for commuters who have to travel early in the morning (before the buses and métros begin), late at night (when they have stopped) or in remote area. As the name indicates, it’s a regular taxi that will pick you up at any TL stop that you choose (these taxibuses have Taxibus sign).

• Taxibus Matin: The operating hours are 4:45am, 5:05am, 5:25am, and 5:45am. The taxibus picks you up at any TL bus stop (but it should be the stop going to the direction of central Lausanne) or one of these the métro stops: Cerisaie, Moulie and UNIL-Dorigny. Drop off would be in central Lausanne (Chauderon, Bél-Air, St. François, Georgette or Lausanne-CFF).
• Taxibus Nuit: Operating hours are 0:00 (midnight), 0:20AM, 0:40AM, 1:00AM and 1:20AM, and the pick-up points are Chauderon, Bel-Air, St-François, Georgette or Lausanne-CFF. Your destination should lie within the network zone 11 and 12.

These Taxibus services are offered every day. To book, call at least 30 minute in advance to 0800 805 805. Don’t forget to let the operator know how many people will travel with you. You will need regular ticket covering the zones you’ll be travelling (or a Mobilis subscription) plus a CHF4/person, payable to the Taxibus driver. We found this service a very good value when we had to catch very early train to go to the airport. As we live in Epalinges, we usually have to pay around CHF27 to go to the train station. With this service, we only had to pay CHF8 for two (fyi, we both have Mobilis subscriptions). We still have to go to the pick-up point, so that it’s slightly less convenient than being picked-up at home, but as the bus stop is only 2 minutes on foot, it was never a big deal.

For more info and other services, check out TL website.

*Logo courtesy of Transport Lausanne

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On our trip to Indonesia last month, we flew with 2 huge suitcases, 1 cabin bag, 1 travel stroller, 1 baby back-carrier, 1 backpack, and a baby. Unfortunately our airline didn’t offer the possibility to check-in at the station, and as we had no car, we had to take everything on the train to the Zurich airport. Luckily we learned about the Fly Rail Baggage service from the SBB/CFF. Since we obviously didn’t have enough hands to handle so many stuffs, we sent the 2 big suitcases earlier on the day of our departure. We dropped the suitcases at the station in the late morning and picked them up several hours later directly at the Zürich airport. It was very convenient. The only drawback was that the baggage office closed at 7PM, and our flight was scheduled at 10PM. Our original plan was to arrive at the airport at 7PM, but then we had to come an hour earlier to make sure that we could get our baggage before the office closed. It wasn’t a big deal though, at the end it actually left us plenty of time to feed the baby, had dinner and prepared the baby for “bedtime”.

Also on the way back to Lausanne we used the same service. We dropped the 2 suitcases at the Zurich airport station (we arrived in the morning) and could get them back in Lausanne Station between 4-7PM on the same day (we picked them up the next day though).

The service cost CHF20/luggage – not really cheap, but we think it was worth it (remember that we were also carrying a baby here!). FYI, besides the Rail Fly Baggage, there are many other service concerning baggage offered by the SBB/CFF. Click here for the Fly Rail Baggage info and here for other baggage-related service.

*Photo courtesy of dougww, used under Creative Common License

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General Tips

http://www.ausflugstipps.ch
http://ausflug.eltern-hilfe.ch
http://www.ausflugsziele.ch

Erlebniswelt

http://erlebniswelt.liliput.ch

Castles in Switzerland

http://www.swisscastles.ch
http://www.burgen.ch

Finder for Family Hiking & Biking Routes

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/page.cfm/93753

Sleep in the Straw in Barns throughout Switzerland

http://www.abenteuer-stroh.ch

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AARGAU

Rolling Rock Inline Skate Park – Aarau
Climbing Walls & Inline Skating.

Schweizer Kinder Museum – Children’s Museum – Baden

Seilpark Gantrisch

Lenzburg Castle – Lenzburg
Children’s Museum inside and a playground outside.

Murimoos Organic Farm – Muri
A playground, small pet farm, horseback rides & little cafe.

Wildegg Castle – Wildegg
Indoor Children’s Experiential Room and a play area outside.

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BASEL

Dampfbahn – Mini Steam Engine – Psychiatrichen Universitaetsklinik Basel
Mini Steam Engine rides every second Sunday (middle of April through middle of October).

Puppenhausmuseum – Doll House Museum – Basel

Tierpark Lange Erlen – Basel
Animal Park

Zoo – Basel

Wiesner’s Beeriland – Bottmingen
Berry picking in June & July.

Park “Im Grünen” – Münchenstein
Playground, Mini-Golf, Restaurant…

Solarbob – Langenbruck (BL)
A rodelbahn (alpine summer sled run) that uses solar energy for the lift.

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BERN

Museum of Communication – Bern
This museum has plenty of hands on activities and interactive exhibits.
For stamp buffs, it houses more than 500,000 stamps from all over the
world – one of the largest collections in Switzerland that is open to the public.

Kindermuseum Creaviva Zentrum Paul Klee – Bern

Zoo Tierpark Dählhölzli – Bern

Ropetech Adventure and Seilpark - Thunplatz in Bern
Children (from school age allowed) under 14 have to be accompanied by an adult.

Reichenbachfall in Meiringen BE
Very nice family friendly town to visit
http://www.meiringen.ch/tourismus
with the water falls where Sherlock Holmes “died”
http://www.reichenbachfall.ch/html/reichenbachfall.html

Seilpark Gantrisch – Rüschegg Heubach BE
Children under 12 have to be accompanied by an adult.

Zoo, Playground & Restaurant – Studen

Gurten Park im Grünen – above Bern in Wabern
Lots of open space, play areas, kid’s train, and restaurant,
kids sledding in winter as well. Good views on the city and the Alps.

Ballenberg Open Air Museum – Brienz

Brienz Steam Engine Train Ride
Hour long train ride with stunning views and a restaurant at the top. The bottom station of the railway is just a stones’ throw from Lake Brienz and its boat rides, pedaloes, mini train etc.

Aare Gorge – near Interlaken

St. Beatus-Höhlen – near Interlaken

Sensorium – Walkringen
Hands-on experiences for young and old:-)

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FRIBOURG

Fun Planet – Bulle
arcades, bowling, go-carts, indoor children’s playroom…

Charme(y) Aventures – Charmey
5 adventure trails (parcours) in the woods.

Château de Gruyères

Papiliorama Swiss Tropical Gardens – Kerzers
Butterfly / Nocturnal animal place.

Espace Junior – Fribourg
Indoor play park for kids ages 2-12.
TEMPORARY indoor play areas

Payerneland – Payerne
Go-carting, Mini Golf and Indoor play park.

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GENEVA

Beaches in Geneva

City Parks
The town has some great parks with lots to do for children – such as “Les Eaux Vives” and “Bois de la Bâtie (Bâtie Woods). They both have paddling pools in the summer and the latter has a free mini-zoo.

Espace Junior – Geneva Palexpo
Indoor play park for kids ages 2-12.
TEMPORARY indoor play areas

Excursions by Minitrain – Geneva

Natural History Museum – Geneva
Free entrance – The largest museum of natural history of Switzerland.

Swimming Pools in Geneva

Yatouland in Vernier-Geneva
Indoor play place for 0-10 year olds

Summer Bobsledding & Mini Golf – La-Roche-sur-Foron (France)

Forestland – Divonne-les-Bannes (France)
Just across the border about 20 km from Geneva: great pool, mini golf, go-carting and “Forestland”.

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GRAUBÜNDEN

Pradaschier Rodelbahn & Seilpark – Churwalden GR
The largest Rodelbahn in the world.

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LUZERN

A Place for Us – Luzern
An indoor play area for kids up to the age of 4 – also has playgroups/courses

Glacier Garden – Luzern
It has a great room of mirrors to walk through.

Swiss Transport Museum - Luzern

Lido in Luzern – across from the Transport Museum
An outdoor swim area on the lake with a big playground. A mini-golf course is nearby.

Rigi Mountain – near Luzern

Restaurant Alpenhof – Kuessnacht am Rigi
has a large playground

Schongliand Amusement Park – Schongau

Pilatus Mountain – near Luzern
Gondola/cograil, metal toboggan run, large playground and hiking, caves at the top with Dragon stories.

Pilatus Seilpark – Kriens Luzern
Fun for the whole family, 8 years and older.

Glasi Hergiswil - Hergiswil near Luzern
Children watch glass being blown and can blow their own glass ball.

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SCHAFFHAUSEN

Rheinfalls – near Schaffhausen
The largest waterfall in Europe. You can take a boat ride and there is a playground.

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SCHWYZ

Natur- und Tierpark Goldau
Children can throw food to the bears (who catch it in their mouths), pet and feed deer.  Great playground and restaurant.

Alpamare – Pfäffikon
Indoor Water Park

Sattel Hochstuckli - Sattel
Summer: Roller park, bouncy trampolines, metal toboggan run, chair lifts…

Cheese Factory in Seewen

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SOLOTHURN

Storchensiedlung Altreu - Stork Colony – Grenchen
It’s on the River Aare and you can visit the info center for free.There are various restaurants in the area and boat trips are also possible.  Lots of storks are in the trees! Open from April to the end of September.

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ST. GALLEN

Säntispark – Abtwil bei St. Gallen
Waterpark

Abenteurerland Walter Zoo – Gossau

Sportbahnen Atzmännig – Goldingen
Summer: Playground, trampolines, metal toboggan run…

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THURGAU

Connyland – Lipperswil
Outdoor amusement theme park.

Pferdehändler - Märstetten
Donkey & Pony rides, horse camps…

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TICINO

The 3 medieval castles of Bellinzona

Alprose Chocolate Museum in Caslano-Lugano

Caslano Minigolf
Great little place with minigolf, trampolines and small cars

Lido di Caslano
Nice small sandy beach on the lake between Ponte Tresa and Lugano

Lama Trekking – Iseo

Lido di Lugano
Great place in the summer months with huge fun paddling pool

Play Planet in Pregassona-Lugano
Pizzeria & Indoor playground for 0-12 years

Swiss Miniatur in Melide-Lugano
An open-air museum with the most important Swiss buildings and means of transportation.

Tassino Park - Lugano
Great park with lots of space, picnic and play areas.

Zoo al Maglio – Magliaso
The zoo is situated on the banks of the Magliasina river and is especially suited for young children since the animals can be petted and fed.

Monte Tamaro
Take the cable car to the top of the mountain – Lots of activities for children, summer bob sledding, adventure park and play ground for the youngest

Lamatreks – Ponte Capriasca
Lama trekking in the mountains for children and families…

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VALAIS

Chez Gaby - Champoussin
Farm, restaurant, horse back riding & adventure park in the woods.

Labyrinthe Aventur Parc – Evionnaz

Happyland New – Granges
Minigolf, game rooms & amusement park rides.

Aquaparc Water Park - Le Bouveret

Swiss Vapeur Parc - Le Bouveret
Located near the lake not far from Montreux, close to France.
Great fun for the little ones to ride the trains through miniature towns

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VAUD

Parc Aventure – Aigle
Outdoor adventure park fun for the whole family, 8 years and older.

Espace Junior – Aigle
Indoor play park for kids ages 2-12.

Park Im Grüene Signal de Bougy – Bougy
Located between Lausanne & Nyon.
Large open air park with mini-golf and playground.

Espace de Inventions Vallee de la Jeunesse – Lausanne

Swiss Museum of Games – La Tour-de-Peilz
Located in a castle on Lake Geneva between Montreux and Aigle.

Zoo La Garenne – Le Vaud

Tobagganing Park – Leysin
Located in the mountains above Aigle.

Billy’s Indoor Playplace - Montreux
Ages 7 months to 7 years accompanied by an adult.

Château de Chillon – Villeneuve
near Montreux

Fun Planet – Villeneuve
Located between Montreux & Aigle, it has arcades, bowling, go-carts, indoor children’s playroom…

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ZUG

Kids Meeting Point – Baar
Indoor play place for kids ages 1 1/2 to 12

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ZURICH

Saurier (Dinosaur) Museum – Aathal

Grüt Farm – Adliswil
Mövenpick Restaurant with Playground & small zoo

Hasenmuseum / Rabbit Museum – Bubikon

Bruno Weber Skulpturenpark – Dietikon
Open from April to the end of Ocotber, every Saturday and the first Sunday of the month.

Starbie Indoor Play Park – Dietikon

Trampolino Indoor Play Park – Dietikon

Milandia – Greifensee
Migros Indoor Adventure Park

Minigolf at Gasthof zum Morgenthal Restaurant - Hirzel

Wildpark Langenberg – Langnau am Albis
Playgrounds, restaurant, great walking paths to view animals…

Naturzentrum Sihlwald – just after Langnau am Abis
The outside area is open year round. It has a small play area and nice walks along the Sihl river. The museum and small café/gift shop are open from about the middle of March until November.

Park Im Grüene – Rüschlikon
Outdoor playground, miniature train rides, puppet shows, swimming pool, cafeteria…

Jucker Farm – Seegräben
They have a cafe, petting zoo, a store selling fresh produce
and homemade food, and a playground.

Kindercity – Volketswil
Indoor educational activities for kids up to age 12.

Planeta Magic - Wädenswil
Indoor Play Park for kids from 1-12 years

Minigolf at Restaurant Schönegg – Wädenswil

Technorama Science Center in Winterthur
Wonderful hands-on activites for ages 4 and up

Urania Observatory - Zurich

Waldhaus Katzensee - Zurich
The perfect family restaurant with a collection of 1-franc rides out front, a small train to ride, and a playground – all within view of an outdoor eating area.

Zoo – Zurich

*Many thanks to Carmen for compiling the list and sharing with us! Great work!

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We were planning our summer vacation when one mother send us information about the nursery facility of the Zurich Airport. As we will leave from that airport, I was thrilled to learn about it.

According to the website, there are two nurseries, one at the Transit A and another at Dock E. Great, isn’t it? Note, however, that one parent (or another adult) is required to company the child as the service does not include child minding.

For more information, check out their website.

The nursery details:

Nursery at Transit A
Between Transfer Desk and Special Assistance, next to entrance of Gates 60–69
Tel: +41 43 816 4631
Daily from 6:30AM – 10PM

Nursery at Dock E
3rd floor, above Gate E45
Tel: +41 43 816 7273
Daily from 7AM – 1:30PM

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When I got pregnant, I thought that maybe the time had come for us to buy a car. But at the end, we never did. The new metro m2 (which serves exactly our route from home to work/city/Ouchy) started to operate not long after the baby was born and we still enjoy traveling with train, especially since we both have the Half-Fare Cards.

If you happen to be car-less like us, and like to travel with your child by train, make sure you check the family special offers from Swiss train CFF. There are a number of special tickets that can be purchase for children such as the Junior Card, Grandchild Card, Children Day-Cards, and even a discount for a general abonnement (GA-Plus Familia).

In addition, there are also trains with special coach that has a children play area. See more information about the trains and the routes here.

Bon voyage!

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The four moms of the Babyccino blog have recently launched their Babyccino City Guides. The guides are filled with inside information of the cool places in their cities, carefully selected, tested and proven to be kid or parent friendly!

This is what they wrote about the guide:

“Visiting cities with kids in tow doesn’t mean you have to spend your days in the swimming pool of the hotel (if it even has one) feeling guilty about disturbing the other hotel guests who, without a doubt, are hoping to spend their first romantic weekend-away-from-kids in 15 years. Or… ending up in the local Rainforest Café or McDonald’s restaurant because you’re hungry and frustrated and all those fancy-looking local restaurants didn’t look very kid-friendly.”

God bless these moms! And the best part is that all four big cities they covered are just a few hours away from Lausanne! So, which one first for this spring: Amsterdam, London, Paris, or Milan?

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