Hi y'all!

Good to see the "Switzerland loving crew" again!

Susan001 - great itinerary. You'll stay in the small towns and villages that are not crowded, at least not after the day trippers are gone.

The Meisser is not bad. I wouldn't pick it first, though. Pension Val Tuoi has more charm and you get more value for the money, and Hotel Piz Buin is IMO also very, very good. However, you won't be disappointed with the Meisser.

I personally use to make the most of my vacation days: carpe diem! You could go by train and bus to Tarasp, walk up to the castle and tour it (only guided tours and a bit on the expensive side - but very beautiful). Back by bus to Scuol. If the weather doesn't co-operate you could spend two or three hours in the wonderful spa there. Love it. Otherwise take the gondola from the train station up to Motta Naluns, hike from there to Prui (30 minutes), take the chair lift down to Ftan, hike to Ardez (1.30 h) and walk through the village. Depending on the time you could hike to Guarda (maybe 1.30 to 2 h) or take the train/bus.

If you prefer a slower pace then split these activities up and spend two days with them. On the other hand, a hike from Guarda up into the 'real' mountains to the chamanna Tuoi hut is too tempting ...

Soglio - aaaahhh, heaven. With one full day there you should explore the village, then hike down to Castasegna through the chestnut woods, hike to Bondo and Promontogno and take the bus back up to Soglio (also possible from Castasegna). Would make a perfect day.

I have been to Colmar, but not to any of the villages in the area. Sorry, can't help with that.

jw, Thanks so much! I'll see what I can find out about getting to these towns using public trans. I'm sure my hotel in Colmar will have information, as well (but I will research this ahead of time).

Ingo, Wow. Thanks for the detailed hiking information for the area. I will definitely attempt some of hikes you recommend.

swisshiker, it was Susan who posted the lovely photos last year. I had "gently" persuaded her to go after our trip there the year before. We love all things Swiss, German & Austrian.

Our photos from our 2006 trip:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/554510509SyxotU

FYI: Just found out that the guided tours of castle Tarasp start every day at 2.30 and 3.30 pm. You should calculate a good 20 minutes walk from the postbus stop in Tarasp up to the castle entrance. Photo stops not included ;-)

Ingo,

You have been unbelievably helpful. Thank you so much! I will allow plenty of time to get up to Tarasp for the tour.

Susan, I answered you on another thread so I searched for you! I have had dealings with most people posting here :-). Here's my trip report:
http://www.epinions.com/content_238856932996

LOVED the Hotel Salis and the food is to die for. Lunches in the garden are amazing. Take the bus to the start of the Panoramic Trail and do the beautiful hike. Visit the man who sells fresh cheese half way. Make sure your hiking shoes are waterproof, there are a couple water falls to go through..you might avoid getting wet, but if you're worried, carry an extra pair or two of hiking socks. We stayed at the Piz Buin in Guarda and loved it. However, we watched the soccer matches at Meisser's little bar across the street and it was fun! Piz Buin had delicious, reasonable dinners. Also some good places in Scuol. We took train and bus to Vulpera and khiked to Tarasp...it's gorgeous! You start by hiking by a golf course, then through meadows, a few hamlets, then the back way up to the castle beside a babbling brook- not a long or difficult hike but SO pretty! Also, read my report on catching the bus up into town (Guarda) when the train arrives. Miss it and it will take you 30 min to walk up there! Almost all Swiss towns have bus connections meeting the trains..but you probably know that. I agree...take the trail behind Piz Buin and hike up the Val Tuoi. You don't have to go as far as the hut to appreciate it. That's a good first day hike for altitude. Ardez is pretty and we had a great meal there. I also mentioned the VERY fun hike go to Pontresina, take the lift up Muottas Muragl hike to Alp Languard and the chair ride down. The view over St Moritz, towns and lakes is amazing! That's an easy train ride from Guarda. If you don't have the time to do the hike, you can just ride the lift up and enjoy the view. After this year's trip to France and last year's to Austria, my husband is on my case to get us back to Switzerland in 2009. Oh well!!!!

oops...have you booked a Zurich airport hotel? We did it on Priceline...I think that's in my report as well. Definitely the way to do it, cause it doesn't really matter where you are- they're right togther and if they don't shuttle, a cab will be cheap. Get to the airport with at least 2.5 hours...it was the longest and most involved security lines(s) I've ever seen.

gosh I'm annoying...but we talked to several people in Tarasp who said that there is nothing unusual or original in the castle anymore and that the tour was a waste of time and money. Not so with Chillon, though!! ;-)

Linda,
Thanks so much for your detailed reply. I was in such a hurry to make sure I had accommodations (after finding a bargain airfare on Orbitz), that I forgot all about Priceline!! Can't believe I spent $200 on the airport hotel, Zurich. I think I booked it on AirportHotels. Mistake! I'm sure I could have saved $100 or more on Priceline. Oh well.

I'll plan to have dinner over at Piz Buin. Thanks for that and all other recommendations. Personally, the thought of getting on a chair lift scares me (never was a downhill skier). An enclosed gondola is more my style.