Swiss Alps family summer: Lucerne, Grindelwald and the Jungfraujoch by train

The direct flight from Dubai to Zurich takes about 6.5 hours, landing in the early afternoon. The station is below the terminal, and your Swiss Travel Pass covers the train to Lucerne, about an hour with one easy change or none. Your hotel is a short walk or taxi from Lucerne station. In the late afternoon, walk across the Chapel Bridge with its painted panels, see the Lion Monument carved into the rock, and have an early family dinner by the River Reuss. Overnight in Lucerne.

Board a lake steamer at 9.30 am for the 90-minute cruise to Alpnachstad, then ride the world's steepest cogwheel railway up Mt Pilatus, with gradients of up to 48 percent. At the top, short paved paths lead to viewpoints over the lakes and alps. On the way down by gondola, stop at Fräkmüntegg for the summer toboggan run and the rope park, the highlight for many children. Continue by gondola to Kriens and take the bus back into Lucerne. Overnight in Lucerne.

Take the boat to Vitznau, about an hour, and ride Europe's oldest mountain railway up Mt Rigi, the Queen of the Mountains, fully covered by your pass. Walk the gentle 40-minute path from Rigi Kulm to Rigi Staffel with views of the lakes, then descend by train and cable car to Weggis for the boat back. In the afternoon, visit the Swiss Museum of Transport, where children can drive simulators, climb into locomotives and visit the planetarium. Overnight in Lucerne.

Take the panoramic Luzern-Interlaken Express, with seats reserved, for a scenic two-hour ride over the Brünig Pass, past Lake Lungern and Lake Brienz. Change at Interlaken Ost for the 35-minute train up to Grindelwald. After lunch and check-in, take the short walk to the Pfingstegg cable car for the summer toboggan run, or explore the village and its playground. Dinner of rösti or cheese fondue in the village is a family favourite. Overnight in Grindelwald.

Elena's team books this day flexibly so you can choose the clearest morning. Take the Eiger Express gondola to Eigergletscher in 15 minutes, then the Jungfrau railway through the mountain to Europe's highest station at 3,454 metres. Visit the Sphinx terrace for views over the Aletsch Glacier, the Ice Palace and the snow fun park with tubing. Allow four to five hours in total and pace children carefully at altitude. Return via Kleine Scheidegg and Wengernalp for different views. Overnight in Grindelwald.

Ride the gondola to First, 25 minutes up, and walk the First Cliff Walk, a metal walkway clinging to the rock face. Then hike the wide, gentle trail to Bachalpsee, about an hour each way, where the lake mirrors the Schreckhorn peaks; it is suitable for children from five. Picnic by the water. On the way down, the optional First Flyer zip line, the mountain carts and the Trottibike scooters make a thrilling descent back to the village. Overnight in Grindelwald.

Take the train to Lauterbrunnen, a valley of 72 waterfalls, and walk to the Staubbach falls in the village. Continue by bus to the Trümmelbach falls, glacier water thundering inside the mountain, reached by a tunnel lift. After lunch, ride the cable car and mountain train to Mürren, a car-free village on a cliff, and the funicular to Allmendhubel for its flower trail and adventure playground. Return to Grindelwald for a farewell dinner. Overnight in Grindelwald.

After breakfast, take the train from Grindelwald to Zurich airport, about two hours 45 minutes with a change at Interlaken Ost and sometimes Bern, all covered by your pass. Swiss trains carry luggage easily, and for a fee the railway can send your suitcases ahead the day before so you travel light. Allow two hours at the airport. The direct flight to Dubai takes about six hours.