I have a weekend to spend in Swiss from April 21-23 coz a friend is not going to be able to get a Schengen visa and Swiss is the only country not requiring visa for UK work visa. Appointments not available until May 8!

1. Is Switzerland the best option non-EU (considering Czech visa takes too long)?
2. What is the best place to spend the weekend...in Switzerland? I am assuming I would have to avoid Zurich and head to a smaller place, but which place for late April?

1) best for what?
2) Why do you have to avoid Zürich? What do you want to do on the weekend you spend here?

Please don't forget that they excluded mind-readers from the Fodor's forums recently!

sorry about that! I guess I was really really vague. Was kind of in a hurry..
Here's the answers:
1. Interests are mountains, castles, river cruise, food n wine!
2. Was under the impression based on some other posts that time is better spent in smaller towns in Swiss rather than Zurich.

>sorry about that! I guess I was really really vague. Was kind of in a hurry..
Here's the answers:
1. Interests are mountains, castles, river cruise, food n wine!

Lausanne/Vevey/Montreux area is possibly your thing then. There are no navigable rivers here except teh Rhine around Basel but I guess lake cruises would do it too.

2. Was under the impression based on some other posts that time is better spent in smaller towns in Swiss rather than Zurich.

Depends - if you prefer culture and a good access to mountains and nature at the same time then Zürich will be OK.

Geneva area. From Vevey, etc. you can take cruises on Lac Leman (but it's a lake not a river). I'm not sure about boating as early as April but you can check schedules.

Chateau de Chillon outside Montreux is a terrific castle. As is the less old one fairly nearby at Gruyeres.

You're in a wine region and generally speaking can find excellent food and wine both.