Ursula

Topping for Phil.<BR><BR>jw: yes, you got it straight. I did not follow up the story that close though. Too much more interesting news to read.

jw

While we're on the subject of real news -- Ursula, is there a really good web site for Swiss news? I remember that I was trying to find info about floods in Ticino a year or so ago and did, but I can't recall the site.<BR><BR>Second question for anyone -- What is the closest little hotel with a balcony view of a lake to the Zurich flughafen? Closest by bus or train, that is. Any lake. Thanks all, J.

Ursula

jw:<BR>1. The Neue Z&uuml;rcher Zeitung (NZZ), best Swiss paper, has a news site in English (national and international news). <BR>www.nzz.ch<BR><BR>2. Probably the Ermitage in Kuesnacht, right on the lake, but very pricy. Sorry, can't think of any other right now.<BR><BR>PS: This thread is getting ways too long. What shall we do?

jw

Couldn't resist. It was like leaving a favorite book behind in a hotel room. Here's a question I need to ask, just in case the assumptions I've made over the past months are in error: Friends, can you tell me 1)what you do for a living? 2) are you male or female? and 3) do you travel alone or with friends? <BR><BR>The reason I'm being so snoopy is that I'm thinking that the experiences and the advice you share w/me should be taken with some sort of frame of reference. You all pretty well know my profession, my budget, my age, and since I've mentioned denim skirts, probably my sex as well. Anyway, if you can fill in the blanks, I'd appreciate it. J.

webcamfan

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jw

This one's for you, gw. There is indeed a perverse streak to my nature. Love to all, and especially to you Ronda. J.

stew

We have travelled to most of Switzerland in recent years. Usaully 3-4 weeks each trip. With all that we have never been to Davos. Hiking is our interest and we are considering an apartment in Davos Dorf for a week out of season (May). Anyone think that this is a good or bad idea?

xxx

Davos is one of the most un-charming villages in Switzerland. If you want some real chalet-feel, some sort of smallness, etc., then try nearby Klosters (though it's grown too, but they've managed to keep lots of the old character); you'll have access to lots of the same hiking trails as Davos. <BR><BR>Or even better, go to the Engadin area -a further 1hr. drive from Davos down the Fluela Pass and over to Pontresina or Sils Maria. There you'll have hiking heaven, a slightly different chalet-style architecture, more stone, starker, but definitely worth the trip there. Hike at Muottas Muragl, Alp Languard, Fuorcla Surlej, Furchettas, Fex Valley, the Bernina area, up to the Morteratsch glacier, and above Celerina, just to name a few places...<BR><BR>

xxx

Addendum - just saw again that you were thinking of May for trip to Davos. It's not quite late enough for hiking that high up (snow remnants, lifts probably still closed). Thus, if you need a lower-lying place to go near Zurich, then try the Emmental or Appenzell area; near Geneva, then parts of the Jura or the Fribourg-Alp region south of Gruyere (Chatel St. Denis - Les Paccots for instance). Alternatively, the Saanenland area including Chateau d'Oex, Rougement, Saanen, Sch&ouml;nried, which are at around 1000m altitude. Or - perhaps you could even use Martigny in the Valais as a base - it is in down low in the valley, which is generally quite mild and from there you can try nudging up higher in areas near Martigny, Aigle, and Bex. <BR><BR>

Stew

Thank you for the comments. We have stayed in Pontresina and Appenzell and had some great hikes. Last year we did Scoul and also stayed in the national park. We will scratch Davos and consider Klosters again. It so quiet in May that it is not possible to find an apartment in Klosters from here. The tourist office Emailed that they would give our request to the owners and we would hear from them. That was two months ago with no reply. Anyhow that area came up because we would then take the bus to Lugano and stop along the way. We will look at all of your other suggestions. Thanks again.