thursdaysd

So, I'm planning the second half of my upcoming European trip, and I'm looking at going from the Italian lakes to the Black Forest across Switzerland. I would take the train from Como to Konstanz, with a change in Zurich. It occurred to me that it would be quite a long day, given I would actually start in Varenna, and maybe I should overnight in Zurich.

But I don't care for one-nighters, and doing a little reading on Zurich it seems a bit more interesting than people here have suggested, plus I could use it as a base for Schaffhausen and the Rhine Falls, and/or St. Gallen (not sure the Rhine Falls are worth a detour). There are at least three museums that look worthwhile: the Swiss National Museum, the Design Museum, and the Museum Bellerive. Plus an old town area, assorted churches, a riverside promenade and the lake. Maybe I need three nights. Are the guidebooks leading me astray, or is it worth a stop?

(I also looked at Lucerne, but I'd have to change trains both ways. I'd sooner just go on to Konstanz.)

tipsygus

Personally I think it is worth a stop, the old town is nice to walk round, the Swiss National Museum is worth a visit, if you like museums and there is always the lake and a short cruise if you have the time. The Rhine Falls are also worth a visit as is Schaffhausen.

Dukey1

I agree about the museums and the churches. St. Gallen has its own special sites. A lot of people here keep repeating the "Zurich is only a business city" mantra which I disagree with.

Andrew

I did a day trip from Freiburg im Breisgau by bus to Zurich last year. It was a rainy day, and all I did was walk around town for a few hours and shoot pictures, but I still had a good time. The city has a nice feel to it. I wouldn't have minded a night there, though it is a very expensive city so my frugal instincts might have led me to avoid the night.

PalenQ

I've stayed for several days in Zurich and it is an interesting city if not an old-worldish dream city most people have in their minds' eyes when thinking of Europe - but it is unique in its opulence - the Bahnhofstrasse being billed as the world's most luxurious street for its many fancy offices of large banks and small watch and fashion boutiques

I liked the hill-climbing trams too - took them up and did a sweet walk in the forests high above town.

Lake boat rides are sweet too and the old town has the usual cathedral and neat restaurant ghetto.

and yes it can be a good base as you say - though an expensive one - one of the most expensive cities I've ever seen.

For folks on limited time I'd say head for dem hills - the Alps but if you have more time yes check out Zurich - on a weekend in nice weather a walk along the eastern edge of the lake thru the large park is wonderful - all kinds of ethnicities out and about - street performers, etc.

bilboburgler

I've stayed here for business and visiting friends on numerous occasions. The high point is the stained glass in the cathedral, followed by the easy access to the ski slopes and hiking to the north.

The old town is.... well chocolate boxy and always seems filled with old men with died (sic) hair and their expensive PAs in mink.

Still, if you have the money look out for little merringues in pretty colours.

The Swiss will put a museum around a collection of buttercups if you let them. Note that they also invented "cow-pat bingo".

Despite having friends in the area I'd give it half a day.

The great thing about Switzerland is the country, get your boots on and get walking.

bilboburgler

Konstanz Lake is pretty good, the lake towns need about 4 or 5 days, though Konstanz itself is only a day's worth if that, get over to the island after seeing the aquarium

thursdaysd

Thanks. I'm not planning a real stop in Switzerland this trip, I'm spending time in Scandinavia, can't afford another expensive country.

Sounds like I'd better find out how much it would cost me to sleep there before I decide. I've already planned four nights in Boston this trip before finding out how expensive the hotels are! Maybe AirBnB for Zurich.

Am also interested in more opinions on the Rhine Falls, but I may have the wrong standard of comparison - the last waterfalls I visited were Iguazu, and they're more impressive than Niagara.

PalenQ

Rhine Falls are really a large cascade IMO after seeing yes proper water falls like Niagara - but there is a lot of water washing over the Rhine Falls just not the immense waterfalls pictured in your mind's eye perhaps. Schlaffhausen near the falls is a neat city however and the falls nice too.

asps

Zurich is not as bad as they say. Personally, I consider the old abbey library in St. Gallen as one of the most fantastic places in Europe. I almost wept looking at music manuscripts from the 9th century.

Mimar

We spent a pleasant day in Zurich. It's considerably less expensive on the weekend and, I suspect, in August when there are fewer business travelers.

PalenQ

One problem with Zurich is that it is TOO clean! Spic-and-span everywhere as one would expect of one of the world's richest cities - built in large part on hiding money of crooks, criminals and druge dealers and their ilk - tainted so what?

Well the banking capital of a Switzerland that cherishes hiding money is to me a symbol of how legalized graft pays off - shame on the Swiss for allowing it and Zurich is the epitome of gains from such nefarious activities.

thursdaysd

I had read a long time ago that the Rhine Falls were impressive, but after looking it up the stats weren't that exciting. I think the St. Gallen library might be more worthwhile. I'll be there in September, haven't figured out exactly when yet. September might also be a bad time for the falls - usually better in spring.

If I only went to places I found politically correct there are a lot of places I would never have seen!

PalenQ

https://www.google.com/search?q=rhin...=1600&bih=1075

at certain times of year at least fairly impressive - the biggest water falls in western central Europe I believe.

thursdaysd

But this is the competition:

http://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/S...Iguazu-Brazil/

http://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/S...a-2012/Iguazu/

Edward2005

There is nothing wrong with Zurich, I just would not put it on a list of places to see on a speedy itinerary because there are much better places to spend your scarce vacation time.

I'd like to live there but I would not want to visit.

Percy

That is stiff competition thursdaysd

Having toured through Brazil and the Amazon and almost all of Argentina, I was very very impressed at the Iguazu Falls, and wait till you get your first sighting of the Devil's Throat...

.... the first impression is mezmerizing!!

I did the Falls from both sides, Brazil and Argentina.

At a few places at the Falls you can reach over and stick your hand in the water as it goes over the edge.

Just don't go down with the water. !!!

thursdaysd

@Percy - yes, Devil's Throat was one of the highlights of my SA trip! I spent ages just watching the water.

@Edward - this is a four month trip. I'm not time constrained, I may be budget constrained!

neckervd

As you obviously want to travel via Monza (Milan), you may check
Como
Lugano
Bellinzona - Locarno
Brunnen
Lucerne
Zurich
Winterthur (museums and castle)

Along the shortest itinerary (in distance; 7 hrs ride), it would be
Madesimo
Andeer - Via Mala Gorge
Flims
Chur
Bad Ragaz

along the most scenic itinerary (8 hrs ride), it would be
Soglio
Sils Maria
Lenzerheide
Chur
Bad Ragaz

if you are interested in Zurich museums, don't forget the 2 most interesting one's: National Museum, Rietberg Museum

If you are interested in Picasso's, Lucerne (Rosengart Foundation) is a must

Ackislander

I have a close friend who lives there.

He thinks you are too kind.