Zurich travel tip: Can we do a short day trip on the Bernina Express?

VISITING ZURICH IN MAY, CAN WE DO A PARTIAL TRIP ON THE BERNINA EXPRESS AND BACK IN ONE DAY? ALSO, WHEN IN VENICE IS IT POSSIBLE TO VIEW THE ARMSTONG CRANE? K. BROWN, LONDONDERRY NSW

The journey aboard the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano packs a lot into just four hours, and the train trip from Zurich to Chur adds less than two hours. Therefore you could make it from Zurich all the way across the Alps to Tirano and back in a rather long day, although one you wouldn't forget in a long time. Another possibility would be to take the train from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen, deep in the valley below the Monch, Eiger and Jungfrau peaks, which takes just over two hours. From Lauterbrunnen take the little train up to Wengen, have a stroll around and admire the spectacular scenery then return to Zurich, with a stop at Interlaken if time allows.

The Armstrong Mitchell Hydraulic Crane is located in Venice's Arsenale, the city's former shipyards. The Arsenale is generally open to the public only during the city's Biennale, and the next one is not until 2019. However it appears that some boat tours make a circuit of the Arsenale and this is probably your best option. Ask at the Tourist Information Office either in Marco Polo International Airport if you arrive by air or the one at Piazzale Roma, where you board the ferry to travel along the Grand Canal.