Am arriving in Zurich mid-day Friday and have to be in Milan Sunday night for morning meeting. Would like to escape Zurich and travel by rail and would like suggestions as to where to stop. Not sure if there are any places to head into the mountains or if we should just head for Lake Como. Thanks!!

Luzern is only an hour from Zurich and makes a perfect stop to see both Swiss mountains and lakes. The next option is Lugano---also a good choice.

Luzern, Lugano and Lake Como are all easy options, but what time of year is your trip?

Also, if you haven't been to Zurich, I wouldn't be so quick to "escape." A half-day and evening there would give you enough time to see most of the top sights.

Not sure I follow your plan - why fly into Zürich if you want to "escape" immediately in the direction of Milan? Why not fly into Milan?

Stay at least Friday night in Zürich, otherwise the whole thing makes no sense, because if you catch a train to somewhere between Z. and M. upon arrival, by the time you get there and check into a hotel and freshen up, it's almost dinner time and you see nothing of that place, essentially wasting your Friday.

Upon arrival in Z., get to your hotel rightaway - trains for the city center (the central station is called Hauptbahnhof) leave from underneath the airport buildings, follow signs "to trains".

Then go for a walk through the old part of town, around the cathedral Grossmünster, then down to the lakefront, across the Quaibrücke bridge. If time permits, and depending on the season, you can take a public boat for a lake cruise.

Walk back up the famous Bahnhofstrasse where your credit cards will be in serious peril if the shops are still open.

Aim for a quick sunset trip to one of the two "mini-mountains" of Zürich, the Zürichberg or the Uetliberg - google them and pick one.

Now at least you'll have the barest of ideas about Switzerland's largest city.

If your trip is not in winter, then for Saturday I suggest you take the train as far as Stresa, just beyond the border in Italy, and leave your luggage at the station while you go see the Borromean Islands - very popular and incredibly richly landscaped, a flower paradise on the lake Lago Maggiore.

Then it's a quick trip into Milan where you'll have Sunday to sightsee (Last Supper, La Scala, Duomo - go up on the roof!) and whatever else tempts you.

Trains are at www.rail.ch - for now pick a date before Dec. 11, the timetables will be adjusted on that date.

Depending on where katiesmom lives, Zurich could be the best gateway to Europe. We love Swiss Air's nonstop flight LAX-ZRH.

I second the suggestion to spend the first evening in Zürich - there is a picturesque Old Town with lots of dining options.

There are two train connections to Milano.

The direct train stops in Bellinzona, Chiasso, Lugano and Como S. Giovanni, so you have many options to spend the Saturday and maybe half of Sunday.

The other connection has a change in Bern and stops in Stresa at Lago Maggiore which gives, as DalaiLama has written, excellent access to Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori.

Either from Lake Como or from Lago Maggiore it is just a short ride to Milano (less than an hour).

Thanks for all of the suggestions!! As Jean suggests, Zurich is serving as gateway city based on airfare and availability and hooking up with my friend flying in from another city. This is a last minute trip - time of year? This week! Zurich does have many worthwhile attractions, I've had a chance to spend some time on previous visits. We had several recommendations to take the train to Milan. And - thank you, Dalailama for Milan suggestions. I have a meeting there all week and have been there previously. It's a great city - I loved the Duomo roof!

So, we will be arrive in Zurich after 8 and 10 hr flts. Thought we would hop on a train to position ourselves for useful time on Saturday and Sunday.

I'll look at some of the options going through Bern or the direct. I did not realize Lago Maggiore was about the same time to Milan - thanks, Echnaton. As Bob suggests, Luzern might be good for only being an hour south. Or maybe continuing to Lugano.

I'll continue to research feverishly today and tomorrow. Since we will bein meetings all of next week, the thought of walking, hiking, maybe biking sounded appealing if weather not too inclement.

Many thanks for your suggestions! All thoughts welcomed!