If you''ve been to Basel/Bern/Zurich ...

[Harriet]

Are there any daytrips you''d suggest?

 

[Independent Gal]

Hi Harriet,

I''ve been to Switzerland maybe 5 times and I have to say that the idea of ''day trip''... you do realize that ALL of Switzerland is FAERILAND. I mean, no part of it will NOT blow your mind, right? And if you get bored of idyllic Swiss towns, the train from Zurich to Milan is the most spectacular train ride I''ve ever taken, plus I don''t think it''s more than 3 or so hours. So, shopping?

If you want to cross into Germany, from Basel to Freiburg is short, and Freiburg is a great town. Spent many happy afternoons there when I lived in the Black Forest.

 

[Harriet]

Thanks, IG. When I was in grad school, I spent a month in Geneva. I regret not making the most of it (student budget), and am determined to not make the same mistake this time. I'd love to go to Como from Zurich. Btw. what were you doing in the Black Forest?

 

[icemyster]

Hi Harriet,

Been to Switzerland many, many times....my whole family is from there...the trip that I would put on the top of my list...a bit of a ride, but worth it, is the Saint Bernard Pass (1 hour 45 Minutes from Bern). Other great trips would be Chateau de Chillion (1 hour from Bern) and Chateau de Gruyere(30 Min. from Bern...a must for the Cheese Fondue) (if you like midevil castles), Montreux for the shopping (1 hour from Bern), the boat ride from Lausanne to Evian (1 hour from Bern), and of course Zermatt. There is also a great little town where my family has a chalet. They are known for their amazing mineral water spa. It is up in the mountains, but the spa, views, restaraunts, nature walks, and scenery are nothing short of spectacular. If you want to spend time in a traditional little swiss mountain town without compromising on the luxury, this is the place. It is Ovronnaz, it is about 1 hour and 35 minutes from Bern. Here is some info from the web....

http://www.valaistourism.ch/en/navpage.cfm?category=WellnessVS&subcat=SpasVS&id=10767

http://www.ovronnaz.ch/en/useful-info/links/

Much of this stuff is toward the southern part, but Switzerland is so small that really anything is a day trip.

Enjoy Switzerland is an amazing country and it is hard to find any part of it that is not spectacular.

 

[Independent Gal]

Would you believe me, Harriet, if I told you I was sheep farming? Because I was. Baling hay is harder than it looks, BTW.

I've been to Gruyere btw, and it's extremely beautiful, but VERY touristy. I don't think any actual Swiss people actually live there. Heehee! But you may never have another chance to ride on a big plastic wheel of cheese. Do you really want to pass that up?

As for Como, that's a great plan. It's truly gorgeous there. I remember when we crossed over into Italy on the train on the way to Milan via Como. All the immigration stuff was done. Then we just sat there in the station for about 30 minutes. I couldn't figure out what was going on and was getting kind of annoyed and then suddenly I realized: We were now in Italy. It simply wouldn't do to have the train running punctually, in Helvetic fashion. So, logically, they had to make the train late upon entering Italy.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/15/2007 10:04:36 AM
Author: Harriet
Thanks, IG. When I was in grad school, I spent a month in Geneva. I regret not making the most of it (student budget), and am determined to not make the same mistake this time. I''d love to go to Como from Zurich. Btw. what were you doing in the Black Forest?

Como. Go. It is so beautiful and truly Italian, not very touristy which I LOVE!

 

[Kaleigh]

I loved Geneva, Montreau and Zermott.

 

[Nicrez]

Harriet you just picked my favorite country! Considering moving there within a few years. let me know how much you love it. I ADORE Geneve, Bern, Montreux and Zurich. Independant Gal said it best, everything blows your mind...

 

[Harriet]

Date: 6/15/2007 10:25:07 AM
Author: icemyster
Hi Harriet,

Been to Switzerland many, many times....my whole family is from there...the trip that I would put on the top of my list...a bit of a ride, but worth it, is the Saint Bernard Pass (1 hour 45 Minutes from Bern). Other great trips would be Chateau de Chillion (1 hour from Bern) and Chateau de Gruyere(30 Min. from Bern...a must for the Cheese Fondue) (if you like midevil castles), Montreux for the shopping (1 hour from Bern), the boat ride from Lausanne to Evian (1 hour from Bern), and of course Zermatt. There is also a great little town where my family has a chalet. They are known for their amazing mineral water spa. It is up in the mountains, but the spa, views, restaraunts, nature walks, and scenery are nothing short of spectacular. If you want to spend time in a traditional little swiss mountain town without compromising on the luxury, this is the place. It is Ovronnaz, it is about 1 hour and 35 minutes from Bern. Here is some info from the web....

http://www.valaistourism.ch/en/navpage.cfm?category=WellnessVS&subcat=SpasVS&id=10767

http://www.ovronnaz.ch/en/useful-info/links/

Much of this stuff is toward the southern part, but Switzerland is so small that really anything is a day trip.

Enjoy Switzerland is an amazing country and it is hard to find any part of it that is not spectacular.

Thanks for the ton of info! I''ll be based in a small town called "Ettingen" near Basel. Have you heard of it?

 

[Harriet]

Date: 6/15/2007 10:56:18 AM
Author: Independent Gal
Would you believe me, Harriet, if I told you I was sheep farming? Because I was. Baling hay is harder than it looks, BTW.

I''ve been to Gruyere btw, and it''s extremely beautiful, but VERY touristy. I don''t think any actual Swiss people actually live there. Heehee! But you may never have another chance to ride on a big plastic wheel of cheese. Do you really want to pass that up?

As for Como, that''s a great plan. It''s truly gorgeous there. I remember when we crossed over into Italy on the train on the way to Milan via Como. All the immigration stuff was done. Then we just sat there in the station for about 30 minutes. I couldn''t figure out what was going on and was getting kind of annoyed and then suddenly I realized: We were now in Italy. It simply wouldn''t do to have the train running punctually, in Helvetic fashion. So, logically, they had to make the train late upon entering Italy.

From you, yes.

Er, yes.
Maybe I can visit George Clooney.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 6/15/2007 12:24:41 PM
Author: Skippy123
Como. Go. It is so beautiful and truly Italian, not very touristy which I LOVE!

Expensive?

 

[Harriet]

Date: 6/15/2007 12:27:19 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I loved Geneva, Montreau and Zermott.

Good to know.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 6/15/2007 12:49:41 PM
Author: Nicrez
Harriet you just picked my favorite country! Considering moving there within a few years. let me know how much you love it. I ADORE Geneve, Bern, Montreux and Zurich. Independant Gal said it best, everything blows your mind...

And Lucerne, Lugano ...

 

[icemyster]

I have heard of it. I don''t recall ever going there, it is more toward the north of Switzerland....You would be between 1 1/2 hours and 2 1/2 hours from most of the stuff I recommended, but still the drives are amazing, and there are so many great places to go. August 1st is the Swiss day of independance so if you are going around that time you are in for a serious party, lots of fun. Sometimes it is fun to just grab a map and wander, you can find some amazing little villages in the mountains, fully equiped with the local cafe, pub, and restaurant.

You are going to have a great time!

 

[Harriet]

I''m going to Ettingen because the ILs live there. I''ll miss August 1 though.

 

[AGBF]

Date: 6/15/2007 1:48:09 AM
Author: Independent Gal
the train from Zurich to Milan is the most spectacular train ride I've ever taken, plus I don't think it's more than 3 or so hours

I took this train with my husband and daughter when she was around five years old. The trip seemed longer than three hours to me, but was, indeed, gorgeous. In spring the snow is melting so all that one sees from the train is water running down the Alps in what could be a movie made for prospective tourists! It is enchanting and picturesque with chalets and everything Switzerland is billed as offering.


Deborah

 

[Skippy123]

Harriet,
In my other thread about vacations why did you ask me if I was sitting down??

Just curious.

 

[Harriet]

Because I''m planning the mother of all vacations.

 

[Skippy123]

Is it the cruise that you posted earlier or did it change? The cruise is super nice. Did you see Sundials pics of her cruise!?

 

[Harriet]

I am adding to the cruise.

 

[Phoenix]

I''ve been to Basel for work and one afternoon, we went exploring the place, it didn''t take us very long! The river Rhine is beautiful. You can take a cruise, it''s very romantic (my colleagues and i didn''t but it looked nice

).

 

[Harriet]

I''ve done the Rhine cruise. Australia is tugging at my heartstrings, though.