If you had eight days in Europe and landed in zurich, what would you do? There are two of us that got cheap tickets to zurich and we are headed there in February. We though of spending two-three days around zurich then take a train up to Germany for a couple more days. We would like to see at least one castle, a concentration camp, and a chocolate factory {not all in one day }Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Message:<BR>Hello Briar,<BR><BR>Well I can’t help you if I answer your question honestly -- I have a favorite spot and I tend to return to it time and time again.<BR><BR>But, here are some ideas for castles and chocolate factories.<BR><BR>In the French-speaking western part of Switzerland lies one of the country’s most famous castles, the Chateau du Chillon, outside of Montreux. Close to this are the Chateau d’Aigle in Aigle, the Chateau de Gruyeres in Gruyeres, and the Chateau de Bulle in Bulle. There are many, many more castles in Switzerland, and to get a list of all of them, go to www.swisscastles.ch. You can search by canton.<BR><BR>A chocolate factory close to these castles is at Broc, near Gruyeres. You can get information on the castle and the chocolate factory at www.la-gruyere.ch.<BR><BR>However, getting from this western part of Switzerland to Munich (for the concentration camp) is very long! The train ride from Montreux to Munich will take 7-8.45 hours with 2 to 4 changes. The train ride from Gruyere to Munich will take 7.30 to 8.50 hours with 3, 5, or 8 changes.<BR><BR>There seems to be two more chocolate factories in the north eastern portion of Switzerland, one at St Gallen and one at Flawil just east of St. Gallen. Information is at www.schoggi-land.ch. I don’t know personally of any castles in this area, but the swisscastles website lists 14 there!! Getting to St Gallen from Zurich is easy; it’s just over an hour by train with 0 changes. The connection from St Gallen to Munich is also much easier: it is only 3.20 hours with 0 changes.<BR><BR>Rail info is at www.rail.ch. I found the info on chocolate factories at www.myswitzerland.com and doing a search on “chocolate.”<BR><BR>If I were you, I would spend only an afternoon in Zurich -- it’s very expensive and (in my opinion) has little to offer after you see the Bahnhofstr and the lake. So I’d spend all of my nights in St Gallen, where you’re more likely to find a cozy, reasonable inn or b&amp;b for your stay.<BR><BR>Best of luck!<BR><BR>s<BR>

With all the great winter areas and neat small towns to see in Switzerland I would not spend too much time in Zurich. It is a large business town in my opinion. There are many better areas to visit to spend too much Switzerland time here.<BR><BR>Head down to Lucerne and that area for some scenery.<BR><BR>Head north to the Bodensee/Lake Constance (same thing, different names) and tour around the lake area. You can even visit Lichenstein, a country not many tourists make it too.<BR><BR>Weather will be one of your factors at this time. Go prepared to enjoy some snow areas and resorts and you will see some great vistas.<BR><BR>I visited Dachau again in 2001 after first seeing it in 1970. Interesting, but I would not make this the focus of your trip. Pretty depressing. Stick to mountains, castles and snow resorts.

&quot; visited Dachau again in 2001 after first seeing it in 1970. Interesting, but I would not make this the focus of your<BR> trip. Pretty depressing. Stick to mountains, castles and snow resorts.&quot;<BR><BR>That is exactly the reason to go to Dachau.....Never again. I think it's a must see to get a perspective on the history of WWll. Without the history, how can you enjoy Europe...much less Germany? Not a &quot;focus&quot;, but a &quot;should see&quot;.<BR><BR>Dick <BR>

I agree with Bob's advice. But Zurich is a great city to fly in/out of, and is a good hub for many things you'd like to see. Lake Constance/Bodensee is beautiful, and go to Stein am Rhine while there. Lovely doll museum and the Rhine Falls nearby. Dachau is the closest concentration camp, and Lucern is just gorgeous. You may want to end up in the Stuttgart area. Lots of great shopping there, a couple castles, and auto companies to tour! There are also castles around Meersberg and Lindau.

Thank you so much, all of you, I appreciate greatly the advice! I have never been there before and this helps a bunch! I check back often if you all think of anything new. Thanks Again!

Hi Briar,<BR>I'm an American living in Zurich. I agree with the above posts not to spend too much time in Zurich - its a great hub for transportation (and I love it here), but there are more scenic things to see if you only have 8 days. Walk down Bahnhofstrasse, and along the Zurichsee and call it a day.<BR><BR>Keep in mind that Z is also one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Some of my friends drive to Germany (45 minutes) to do their grocery shopping. <BR><BR>I would recommend:<BR>- Montreux/ Lausanne. Beautiful scenery. Varied food. 2.5 hours by train from Z. Better chance for sun.<BR><BR>- Luzern. 50 minutes by train from Z. Trains run every 1/2 hour. Go up to Pilates (cable car) for a spectacular view of alps (if not raining/snowing). Easy day trip from Z.<BR><BR>- Freiberg Germany. 3 hours by train from Z. Beautiful city with fabulous gothic cathedral. Easy overnight from Z.<BR><BR>Plan on it being cold, gray and rainy. You have better chance of seeing the sun if you go to Geneva (Lausanne / Montreux) area, or south of Alps to Como/ Lugano area (FABULOUS - only 3 hrs from Z).<BR><BR>Germany will probably also be gray, cold and rainy.<BR><BR>It has been a very warm fall/winter. No skiing below 1500 meter. No snow. Things could change by next month, but if you're winter sports buff, the pickings are limited this year. Same true in Austria / Germany.<BR><BR>Write if you have questions. You'll be off season for tourists and should be able to get some deals on hotels!<BR>Lisa

Good morning, Briar<BR>Would spend the first three days in going from Zurich to Luzern with one day<BR>for sightseeing in Zurich...In Luzern <BR>you have the old town and the rest of the city, the Swiss Transport Museum,<BR>Lion Monument and etc, as well as the Lake itself, Mts Rigi, Pilatus and Titlis. After down to Interlaken and <BR>the Berneroberland, suggest staying within Murren, Wengen or Grindewald. An<BR>awful amount to see, Grindelwald First,<BR>the Mannlichen, Jungfrau and Schlithorn<BR>plus many other places, if you are into<BR>hiking this is a very good area for same. Large Lindt/Sprungli chocolate<BR>factory outside of Zurich and possibly<BR>taking the train to Montreaux for a day<BR>or two and Castle Chillon, of course there many others as on Lake Thun.<BR>Richard of LaGrange Park, Il..

Hello all! Thanks for the continued responses! My friend and i have decided on just half a day in zurich at the begining of the trip and at the end (thanks to your suggestions). We are headed up to munich for two days (want to see dachau) and then down to the innsbruck, Austria for one day and then we are trying to decide waht to do after that. We wanted to see Leichtenstein but can't find a train that goes into its main city. We also though of heading back to zurich and then taking another train to somewhere else like bern or lucerne. Any suggestions? Also would we be better off getting the second class ticket or first class- I mean is it worth the extra money? The train rides really arent that long. Also any particular choices of hotels that were cheap would also help. Thanks again to you all that wrote!

Hi Briar,<BR>If you want to go to Leichtenstein you must take a bus from Sargans (I think its sargans). Anyway, I didn't think it was worth it: not much to see other than a Stamp museum. You can get your Passport stamped for 2 ChF. The castle is private, and you cannot tour.<BR>You'd be much better off going back to Z then heading to Bern, which is quite a lovely city.<BR><BR>I don't think there is too much difference between 1st &amp; 2nd class on the trains. I would recommend to get reserved seats on 2nd class however. Train travel does not guarantee you a seat unless you reserve a seat. I've seen folks stand or lay in the aisle between the Z - Munich (4 hours).<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR>Lisa