3 Days in Zurich
Apr 4th, 2016, 12:07 PM
#1
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3 Days in Zurich
I am going to be in Zurich for 3 days following a Rhine River cruise and need some sightseeing suggestions. I am staying at the Schweizerhof hotel, which I understand is close to bus and train stations for out of town touring. I would only like to be in Zurich for one day, and then 2 days of day trips. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Apr 4th, 2016, 12:17 PM
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Lucerne would be a great day trip - look around one of the cutest towns in Europe, situated on lovely Lake Lucerne - do a boat tour of the lake - makes for a full day - Lucerne is just a short train trip from Zurich.
It would have made a much nicer base IME and of many as there is lots to see and do around the lake - Mt Titlis and Mt Pilatus - Alpine Wonderlands of your dreams with thrilling mountain trains and cable ways to their summits.
Zurich is a nice enough large modern city but lacks the romance of a Lucerne - in Zurich I like to take the hill-climbing trams to forests high above the city where you can walk on nice trails and lake boats also on Lake Zurich.
For lots on Swiss trains check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com - you are not traveling enough to look at any kind of passes it seems. Just buy regular tickets at the stations - no discounts usually for booking in advance on those short trips.
It would have made a much nicer base IME and of many as there is lots to see and do around the lake - Mt Titlis and Mt Pilatus - Alpine Wonderlands of your dreams with thrilling mountain trains and cable ways to their summits.
Zurich is a nice enough large modern city but lacks the romance of a Lucerne - in Zurich I like to take the hill-climbing trams to forests high above the city where you can walk on nice trails and lake boats also on Lake Zurich.
For lots on Swiss trains check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com - you are not traveling enough to look at any kind of passes it seems. Just buy regular tickets at the stations - no discounts usually for booking in advance on those short trips.
Apr 4th, 2016, 12:24 PM
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Apr 4th, 2016, 04:57 PM
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I found the <i>Michelin Green Guide</i> invaluable when planning my time in the area. And although it's no substitute, but you might take a look at my trip report for some other ideas -- just click on my name to find it.
Apr 4th, 2016, 05:44 PM
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Thank you Palen for your reply....much appreciated..
.would also have preferred an alternate start off point such as Lucerne, but just leaving a river cruise and traveling by bus from Basel....Zurich it is !....
.would also have preferred an alternate start off point such as Lucerne, but just leaving a river cruise and traveling by bus from Basel....Zurich it is !....
Apr 4th, 2016, 09:36 PM
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Hi travelled,
If you have an extra day (your first priority and first day ought to be Luzern and its lakes and mountains), you could spend a day in beautiful Rapperswil. Take the ferry boat one way and the train return.
I thought Rapperswil was just delightful. It has a wonderful old town, a castle in town, a rose garden, and (I think . . .??) a deer park. It's certainly worth half a day!
Another thought is Zug, where I've stayed a few times. It's a lovely town sitting on its own lake, and it also has a castle in town. I loved walking down the lake, and I loved getting lost in its old town.
Have fun as you plan!
s
If you have an extra day (your first priority and first day ought to be Luzern and its lakes and mountains), you could spend a day in beautiful Rapperswil. Take the ferry boat one way and the train return.
I thought Rapperswil was just delightful. It has a wonderful old town, a castle in town, a rose garden, and (I think . . .??) a deer park. It's certainly worth half a day!
Another thought is Zug, where I've stayed a few times. It's a lovely town sitting on its own lake, and it also has a castle in town. I loved walking down the lake, and I loved getting lost in its old town.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Apr 4th, 2016, 09:41 PM
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"your first priority and first day ought to be Luzern"
Respectfully, IMO, maybe, maybe not. Depending on the time of year, Luzern could be quite unpleasantly packed with tourists. With SO many options, I'm not sure I would say what ANY person's fist priority should be. JMO.
Respectfully, IMO, maybe, maybe not. Depending on the time of year, Luzern could be quite unpleasantly packed with tourists. With SO many options, I'm not sure I would say what ANY person's fist priority should be. JMO.
Apr 10th, 2016, 09:14 PM
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Yes, we disagree kja. As (I think) you know, I prefer to be outside in nature rather than stuck in a city. Generally, I dislike cities. For that reason, my priority, and my recommendation, would be to get out into the lakes and mountains of Luzern. (Do please note that I didn't say the city of Luzern itself is the draw but rather the lakes and mountains just outside.)
In addition, since this is the op's only stop in Switzerland, I do think it's important to see some of that Swiss countryside -- the lakes and mountains outside of Luzern -- and the Swiss Alps.
My recommendation doesn't change just because it might be crowded. If this is the op's only stop in Switzerland, I think it's important to set foot on the Alps.
s
In addition, since this is the op's only stop in Switzerland, I do think it's important to see some of that Swiss countryside -- the lakes and mountains outside of Luzern -- and the Swiss Alps.
My recommendation doesn't change just because it might be crowded. If this is the op's only stop in Switzerland, I think it's important to set foot on the Alps.
s
Apr 10th, 2016, 10:05 PM
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@ swandav -- thanks for clarifying! I think your explanation might prove very valuable to the OP, because knowing YOUR priorities could help the OP understand the basis for your suggestions and better place them in context.
I must admit that I cringe just a bit when anyone implies that Switzerland's wonderful cities should be skipped, or suggests that Lucerne (or Interlaken or whatever) is necessarily THE most reasonable option, or that any particular plan is the "best" in the absence of clear info from the OP about preferences -- and let me hasten to add that I am NOT saying that you did any of these things, swandav!
While I found much to treasure in Switzerland's magnificent cities, I agree that its mountains and valleys and lakes are breathtaking and well worth seeing. What a wealth of opportunities visitors to Switzerland have, and how fortunate you and I are to have experienced so many of its delights!
FWIW, on my first visit to Switzerland, back in 1989, I spent a few days in Lucerne and, ooooh, I was enamored of it! I was saddened to go back in 2013 to find it utterly overwhelmed by visitors -- enough so to make it decidedly unpleasant at times. In an odd twist of GOOD fortune, it was quite chilly and raining VERY hard on the day when I arrived for that visit -- so most people stayed inside and I had much of the city at least largely to myself.
I appreciate your willingness to discuss differences of opinion, swandav, and think (hope!) it also helps us help OPs.
I must admit that I cringe just a bit when anyone implies that Switzerland's wonderful cities should be skipped, or suggests that Lucerne (or Interlaken or whatever) is necessarily THE most reasonable option, or that any particular plan is the "best" in the absence of clear info from the OP about preferences -- and let me hasten to add that I am NOT saying that you did any of these things, swandav!
While I found much to treasure in Switzerland's magnificent cities, I agree that its mountains and valleys and lakes are breathtaking and well worth seeing. What a wealth of opportunities visitors to Switzerland have, and how fortunate you and I are to have experienced so many of its delights!
FWIW, on my first visit to Switzerland, back in 1989, I spent a few days in Lucerne and, ooooh, I was enamored of it! I was saddened to go back in 2013 to find it utterly overwhelmed by visitors -- enough so to make it decidedly unpleasant at times. In an odd twist of GOOD fortune, it was quite chilly and raining VERY hard on the day when I arrived for that visit -- so most people stayed inside and I had much of the city at least largely to myself.
I appreciate your willingness to discuss differences of opinion, swandav, and think (hope!) it also helps us help OPs.
Apr 10th, 2016, 10:20 PM
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lol, I SO agree that there isn't any ONE place that is the best option for seeing Switzerland. If there were, of course it would be Gstaad.
But having said that, I do believe in my bones that the best part of Switzerland is the countryside.
s
But having said that, I do believe in my bones that the best part of Switzerland is the countryside.
s
Apr 10th, 2016, 10:28 PM
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lol, Gstaad was the place I LEAST liked of those I've visited within Switzerland!
I love that people differ in what enthralls them. I love that people travel for different reasons and with different preferences. From my point of view, life would be MUCH more boring -- and traveling MUCH more difficult -- if we all wanted to do and see the same things!
Vive la difference, swandav!
I love that people differ in what enthralls them. I love that people travel for different reasons and with different preferences. From my point of view, life would be MUCH more boring -- and traveling MUCH more difficult -- if we all wanted to do and see the same things!
Vive la difference, swandav!
Apr 11th, 2016, 11:01 AM
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lol, I SO agree that there isn't any ONE place that is the best option for seeing Switzerland. If there were, of course it would be Gstaad.>
I am steadfast in my opinion that for the average first-time visitor to Switzerland the Jungfrau Region is the best option for lots of reasons - 1 - everyone seems to love it - if only time for one Alpine Wonderland chose the Jungfrau Region - for the average first-time Swiss tourist - Gstaad just can't compare with the variety of things to do in the Jungfrau region - on foul days you can day trip to cities like Bern or Thun or even Interlaken to go to the casino to replenish dwindling trip funds or a lake boat ride on either of the two lakes book ending Interlaken.
I am steadfast in my opinion that for the average first-time visitor to Switzerland the Jungfrau Region is the best option for lots of reasons - 1 - everyone seems to love it - if only time for one Alpine Wonderland chose the Jungfrau Region - for the average first-time Swiss tourist - Gstaad just can't compare with the variety of things to do in the Jungfrau region - on foul days you can day trip to cities like Bern or Thun or even Interlaken to go to the casino to replenish dwindling trip funds or a lake boat ride on either of the two lakes book ending Interlaken.
Apr 11th, 2016, 02:21 PM
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For only 2 days yes the awesome Jungfrau Region is tops - especially if coming from nearby Zurich.
https://www.google.com/search?q=jung...w=1745&bih=868
https://www.google.com/search?q=jung...w=1745&bih=868
Apr 11th, 2016, 03:08 PM
#15
Some things to do in Zurich itself, plus a different day trip suggestion:
https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...ecting-zurich/
https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...ecting-zurich/
Apr 11th, 2016, 04:08 PM
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Thank you so much for all the wonderful posts..please know that I will take All into consideration.... I am a senior and have traveled extensively throughout Europe , but have never been to Switzerland .....my " bucket list " for sure....so looking forward to new adventures...travelled
Apr 11th, 2016, 09:53 PM
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Oh Pal!!! Do you not see the winky face???? My statement was totally kidding and ironic. This should be especially obvious because of the context of the conversation between me & kja, and because of the context of that sentence itself. Please please please PLEASE let's not go over all this again.
s
s
Apr 12th, 2016, 07:09 AM
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OK - but my comment was mainly meant for the statement that there is no one best place for a novice Swiss tourist wishing to experience the ethereal awesomeness of the high Alps - and the best for that IME is the Jungfrau Region. I should have edited out the Gstaad part but I was not totally sure -next time make a face for dummies like me.
Sorry again. Interlaken rocks!
Sorry again. Interlaken rocks!
