Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The long Ascension weekend, 13-16 May, where many people take Thursday and Friday off work, starts this evening. Expect heavy traffic and damp weather at the outset, but the rest of the week should show some improvement in western and southern Switzerland, but do carry your umbrellas.

Traffic forecast from the Swiss federal highway department, Ascension weekend

Heading south, peak traffic times

Wednesday 12 May from 12:00-22:00, Thursday 13 May 07:00-17:00, Friday 14 May 16:00-21:00, Saturday 08:00-16:00.

• A2/E35, Basel to Chiasso: Expect heavy traffic at Basel customs posts, Belchen tunnel and the Haerkingen intersection, between Erstfelt and the north entrance to the St Gotthard tunnel, the Chiasso/Brogeda customs post and the toll booth for Como/Grandate
• A3 Basel-Sargans: between the Basel/Saint-Louis customs post and the Wiese intersection, between Reichenburg and Muehlehorn (roadworks)
• A13 CHur-Bellinzona: between Chur-south and Reichenau, at the northern entrance to the San Bernardino tunnel
• Bern ring roads (A1/A6), in the direction of Lausanne (A1/A9) and Zurich (A1/A3)

Heading north, peak traffic times

Saturday 15 May 10:00-21:00 and Sunday 16 May 10:00-21:00

• A1 Geneva-Zurich: between Villars-Sainte-Croix and Chavornay (roadworks), between Wiggertal and Haerkingen
• A2/E35 Milan-Chiasso-Basel: Como/Grandate toll booth, customs post at Chiasso/Brogeda, between Quinto and the southern entrance to the Saint Gotthard tunnel, between Erstfeld and Beckenried (roadworks), between Reiden and Wiggertal, customs post at Basel/Weil am Rhein
• A3 Sargans-Basel: between Mühlehorn and Reichenburg (roadworks), Basel/Saint-Louis customs post
• A9 Martigny-Lausanne: between Bex and the Glion tunnel
• A13 Bellinzone-Sargans: between Hinterrhein and Nufenen (roadworks, road closed), at the southern entrance to the San Bernardino tunnel, between Rothenbrunnen and Reichenau, between Zizers and Maienfeld
• Bern ring roads (A1/A6), from Lausanne (A1/A9) and from Zurich (A1/A3).

Weekend Swiss travel suggestions

Bern and Lucern are easy by train, with frequent departures, from Geneva and Lausanne. The bear park in Bern is a perfect springtime outing, all the more so this year with two delightful bear cubs. (background, GenevaLunch). And the Transport Museum in Lucern is celebrating 100 years of aviation. It’s a wonderful place for grandparents and little people, not to mention their parents. The museum was recently renovated and it’s a comfortable easy place to visit in a beautiful city. Zurich’s Rietberg Museum houses a breathtakingly beautiful exhibit, “Teotihuacan, mysterious city of pyramids”, which ends 30 May. The traveling show, with excellent commentary, was first in Paris and it moves to Berlin from Zurich. It’s worth the trip.

And now have a moment’s fun with the bear cubs learning to climb trees, in Bern.