The Jungfrau Region in the Interlaken area is to me and many others both the literal and figure sbsolute highlight of Swoitzetrland - glacier-girdled peaks capping cliffs soaring thousands of feet from lush valleys - toylike trains and thrilling aerial gondolas going everywhere - this area is as close as any dramatic Alpine part of Switzerland but is still a long day trip - probably two hours or so to Interlaken then another hour up to say Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, ju,mping off points for trains and gondolas into the higher Alps.

Check out these IMO fantastic sites for lots of good info on the Jungfrau Region and trains and gondolas there - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com (Switzerland section) and www.ricksteves.com.

You can drive to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen but not above those mountain towns - private vehicles being not allowed above those towns, where you must park you car on the edge of town.

Thank you PalenQ. This is helpful. Your description makes me want to go to the Jungfrau region. I will check out your links.

I agree with PalenQ. I would add that if possible you should get an early start for your day trip. Mountain regions tend to cloud up by early afternoon.

Even if the Jungfrau itself is clouded up it need not ruin your day trip as IMO just seeing lovely mountain villages like Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen or Wengen and the base of the mountains soaring up thousands of feet just a few miles away is unforgettable.

I agree that the Jungfrau region is the place to really experience the mountains. Have fun!

Thank you all for confirming the Jungfrau region. We will get up early. I did not know how to combine time in Basel with seeing the Alps and now I feel confident about where to go.

Bern is a wondrous city - to me the finest in Switzerland in many regards (all Swiss cities to me are great - even Basel, often maligned on Fodor's for some reason) but I would do it as a separate day trip from Basel - maybe by car - you may have to change trains in Basel going to Interlaken and the train station is in the heart of town but Basel needs several hours to poke around - go to the famous Bear Pits, etc.