Zurich base or West Switzerland for 10 day trip
Feb 15th, 2016, 06:11 AM
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Zurich base or West Switzerland for 10 day trip
Hi,
My brother has moved base to Zurich and has been living there for a few months now. We thought we could use this opportunity to visit him and see a bit of the region. This will be our second trip to the country in 5 years having visited Jungfrau, Interlaken, Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, etc on the earlier trip.
This will probably be the first week of May. We fly in from India and will probably have about 10 nights.
DW and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary so we have a side trip to Paris for 5 nights.
We're contemplating staying put in Zurich and doing day trips (max overnight stays) upto a 2-3 hour radius (Vaduz, St Gall, Richenau, Basel, Freiburg, Black Forest, etc) or renting a car and exploring the west / south of Switzerland (Neuchatel, Zermatt, some french border towns). I can't decide either way.
We are active 40 year olds but will have 2 of our girls aged 5 & 8. DD2 was 9 months during our last visit to the country and we still hiked up Jungfrau so mobility will not be a problem.
Any suggestions from you Fodorites?? Thanks in advance.
SS
My brother has moved base to Zurich and has been living there for a few months now. We thought we could use this opportunity to visit him and see a bit of the region. This will be our second trip to the country in 5 years having visited Jungfrau, Interlaken, Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, etc on the earlier trip.
This will probably be the first week of May. We fly in from India and will probably have about 10 nights.
DW and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary so we have a side trip to Paris for 5 nights.
We're contemplating staying put in Zurich and doing day trips (max overnight stays) upto a 2-3 hour radius (Vaduz, St Gall, Richenau, Basel, Freiburg, Black Forest, etc) or renting a car and exploring the west / south of Switzerland (Neuchatel, Zermatt, some french border towns). I can't decide either way.
We are active 40 year olds but will have 2 of our girls aged 5 & 8. DD2 was 9 months during our last visit to the country and we still hiked up Jungfrau so mobility will not be a problem.
Any suggestions from you Fodorites?? Thanks in advance.
SS
Feb 15th, 2016, 06:43 AM
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We're contemplating staying put in Zurich and doing day trips (max overnight stays) upto a 2-3 hour radius (Vaduz, St Gall, Richenau, Basel, Freiburg, Black Forest, etc)>
If doing a lot of train travel on many days look at the Swiss Pass which also covers city trams and buses, postal buses, lake boats - like on Lake Zurich - and gives free entry to 470 Swiss museums - for lots of info on Swiss trains check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.
One day trip I found interesting was to Schlaffhausen and the Rhine Falls near it - trains go right to the falls.
If doing a lot of train travel on many days look at the Swiss Pass which also covers city trams and buses, postal buses, lake boats - like on Lake Zurich - and gives free entry to 470 Swiss museums - for lots of info on Swiss trains check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.
One day trip I found interesting was to Schlaffhausen and the Rhine Falls near it - trains go right to the falls.
Feb 15th, 2016, 11:59 AM
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Be sure to get your kiddos a free Family Card for folks under 16 who are traveling with their parents - whenever the parents pay for any transports - like gondolas, etc the kids go free - always - adults have to buy a ticket or have a pass and kids go free - even on the most expensive things. Get at any train station when you buy your train tickets (even by car in Zermatt you have to leave your car in Tasch and take a shuttle train into town - the take the Gornergrat Bahn mountain railway or gondolas - no cars allowed beyond Tasch.
Feb 15th, 2016, 12:54 PM
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For a daytrip into the Black Forest, I recently posted this:
If you want to see the Black Forest, then drive up from Zürich northwards, preferably the small scenic road through the Alp Valley. See the Feldberg, the highest mountain, and walk on top. See glacier lakes and moraines, beautiful valleys and waterfalls. Picturesque villages and traditional farmhouses with wood-paneled living-rooms and ceramic stoves inside. Go on a longer or shorter hike.
One of the prettiest and most authentic Black Forest villages is Menzenschwand with lots of traditional houses, lovely scenery, a deer park, a waterfall, moraines, hiking trails, goats and cattle grazing on mountain meadows and a wonderful spa with saunas and a thermal indoor/outdoor pool.
Driving time from Luzern would be around 1:45, and from there to Munich 4 hours with the option of a stop at Lake Constance.
BTW, there is nothing wrong with driving back to Venice. You will cross the Alps again and drive through Kärnten, a valley with many lovely lakes.
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a_traveler99 on Feb 13, 16 at 4:21pm
Thanks for clarifying where the Black Forest is. I should have looked on a map. Sounds beautiful. I will check out the town of Menzenschwand. How many days do you suggest? I was thinking of 2.
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bilboburgler on Feb 13, 16 at 5:17pm
Lake Constance is worth putting into the mix and yes the Black forest is worth it for the hiking and the local beers
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Mimar on Feb 13, 16 at 5:24pm
Add in the expense and trip time lost if you must return to Venice. Might be worth a little higher fare.
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traveller1959 on Feb 13, 16 at 5:57pm
There is enough to see and to in the Black Forest for two days - even longer. Here just a few examples:
- I already mentioned the Feldberg. Take the cablecar up to the summit and walk there through a tundra-like landscape.
- You may walk to the Feldsee, a very picturesque circular glacier lake with an impressive moraine. Have traditional fare in the Raimartihof near the lake.
- In Rothaus, there is one of Germany's most successful and most beautiful breweries. They also have a traditional, wood-paneled restaurant and a beer garden. Opposite the brewery, you find the "Hüsli" - a traditional Black-Forest house that has been turned into a museum. Very recommendable. If you like, you can hike a bit through the forest to the Schlücht Lake. There are also two neat historical chapels nearby (actually in walking distance, but also accessible by car). And in the nearby town Grafenhausen there is a wood-cutter named Stiegler who makes traditional carnival masks as well as modern sculptures.
- The Schluchsee is the largest lake in the Black Forest. Do a roundtrip partly with the steamer, partly on food and have a meal at Unterkrummenhof. Also, boat and canoe rentals.
- For a more demanding and dramatic hike, you may hike through the Hasslach and Wutach gorges, very idyllic.
- In Bonndorf, you find a carnival museum with traditional masks and dresses of the Black Forest.
- In Schluchsee town, in the café at the Kirchplatz, you get (no wonder) the world's best Black Forest Cake, of course heavily infused with kirsch schnapps.
- In Altglashütten, you may watch a glassblower doing his work.
- In Menzenschwand, what about a hike through a lovely valley with glacier moraines and a waterfall and after that relaxing in the thermal Radon-Vital-Bad (spa)?
- There are also many scenic drives. There is some pretty scenery in the area of Feldberg, Bernau, Todtnau. Todtnau has impressive waterfalls.
- Bernau has another traditional farmhouse that has been turned into a museum about woodworking.
If you want to see the Black Forest, then drive up from Zürich northwards, preferably the small scenic road through the Alp Valley. See the Feldberg, the highest mountain, and walk on top. See glacier lakes and moraines, beautiful valleys and waterfalls. Picturesque villages and traditional farmhouses with wood-paneled living-rooms and ceramic stoves inside. Go on a longer or shorter hike.
One of the prettiest and most authentic Black Forest villages is Menzenschwand with lots of traditional houses, lovely scenery, a deer park, a waterfall, moraines, hiking trails, goats and cattle grazing on mountain meadows and a wonderful spa with saunas and a thermal indoor/outdoor pool.
Driving time from Luzern would be around 1:45, and from there to Munich 4 hours with the option of a stop at Lake Constance.
BTW, there is nothing wrong with driving back to Venice. You will cross the Alps again and drive through Kärnten, a valley with many lovely lakes.
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a_traveler99 on Feb 13, 16 at 4:21pm
Thanks for clarifying where the Black Forest is. I should have looked on a map. Sounds beautiful. I will check out the town of Menzenschwand. How many days do you suggest? I was thinking of 2.
Report Abuse
bilboburgler on Feb 13, 16 at 5:17pm
Lake Constance is worth putting into the mix and yes the Black forest is worth it for the hiking and the local beers
Report Abuse
Mimar on Feb 13, 16 at 5:24pm
Add in the expense and trip time lost if you must return to Venice. Might be worth a little higher fare.
Report Abuse
traveller1959 on Feb 13, 16 at 5:57pm
There is enough to see and to in the Black Forest for two days - even longer. Here just a few examples:
- I already mentioned the Feldberg. Take the cablecar up to the summit and walk there through a tundra-like landscape.
- You may walk to the Feldsee, a very picturesque circular glacier lake with an impressive moraine. Have traditional fare in the Raimartihof near the lake.
- In Rothaus, there is one of Germany's most successful and most beautiful breweries. They also have a traditional, wood-paneled restaurant and a beer garden. Opposite the brewery, you find the "Hüsli" - a traditional Black-Forest house that has been turned into a museum. Very recommendable. If you like, you can hike a bit through the forest to the Schlücht Lake. There are also two neat historical chapels nearby (actually in walking distance, but also accessible by car). And in the nearby town Grafenhausen there is a wood-cutter named Stiegler who makes traditional carnival masks as well as modern sculptures.
- The Schluchsee is the largest lake in the Black Forest. Do a roundtrip partly with the steamer, partly on food and have a meal at Unterkrummenhof. Also, boat and canoe rentals.
- For a more demanding and dramatic hike, you may hike through the Hasslach and Wutach gorges, very idyllic.
- In Bonndorf, you find a carnival museum with traditional masks and dresses of the Black Forest.
- In Schluchsee town, in the café at the Kirchplatz, you get (no wonder) the world's best Black Forest Cake, of course heavily infused with kirsch schnapps.
- In Altglashütten, you may watch a glassblower doing his work.
- In Menzenschwand, what about a hike through a lovely valley with glacier moraines and a waterfall and after that relaxing in the thermal Radon-Vital-Bad (spa)?
- There are also many scenic drives. There is some pretty scenery in the area of Feldberg, Bernau, Todtnau. Todtnau has impressive waterfalls.
- Bernau has another traditional farmhouse that has been turned into a museum about woodworking.
Feb 15th, 2016, 05:16 PM
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Thanks PalenQ. We took the swiss pass the last time and it was so convenient. Every single mode of transport and it was valid everywhere. Thanks for the tip. Schaffhausen and Rheinfall is on our list.
Feb 15th, 2016, 10:45 PM
#7
Follow the weather and any traditional events.
Most mountain passes will be closed but a few are open all year round including:
- Flüela (unless there's a snowstorm brewing)
- Julier
- Lukmanier
Weather is always iffy the first week of May so you may find yourself heading more south, which may bring you to Wallis (Zermatt) or Tessin (Lugano/Locarno/Ascona)
Don't overplan but do your research so you can make the most advantageous decisions at the last moment.
Have fun!
Most mountain passes will be closed but a few are open all year round including:
- Flüela (unless there's a snowstorm brewing)
- Julier
- Lukmanier
Weather is always iffy the first week of May so you may find yourself heading more south, which may bring you to Wallis (Zermatt) or Tessin (Lugano/Locarno/Ascona)
Don't overplan but do your research so you can make the most advantageous decisions at the last moment.
Have fun!
Feb 16th, 2016, 01:30 PM
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and we still hiked up Jungfrau so mobility will not be a problem.>
You hiked up the Jungfrau? Wow with a 9-month old? You must mean something else - no one except experienced climbers can hike up the Jungfrau - do you mean you took a train up and hiked around once up there? curious.
You hiked up the Jungfrau? Wow with a 9-month old? You must mean something else - no one except experienced climbers can hike up the Jungfrau - do you mean you took a train up and hiked around once up there? curious.
Feb 16th, 2016, 07:55 PM
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So based on your feedback and some extra reading this is a tentative plan for the moment. We have 10 nights in the Zurich region.
Zurich - 3 nights - day trips to Rheine falls St Gall Lake Konstanz
Black Forest - 4 nights. In addition to the suggestion of Menzenschwand above lot of good things about Gengenbach. We will have a Car but also want to use the Konus train system in BF. Feldberg, Titisee, BF outdoor museum, triberg falls, any other must do sights or short treks in the region?
3 nights open for now. Thinking of Innsbruck or Montreaux.
Apart from tolls are there other charges you pay while crossing the border into Austria or Germany in a rental? We will be renting from Zurich and return to same location.
Thanks.
SS
Zurich - 3 nights - day trips to Rheine falls St Gall Lake Konstanz
Black Forest - 4 nights. In addition to the suggestion of Menzenschwand above lot of good things about Gengenbach. We will have a Car but also want to use the Konus train system in BF. Feldberg, Titisee, BF outdoor museum, triberg falls, any other must do sights or short treks in the region?
3 nights open for now. Thinking of Innsbruck or Montreaux.
Apart from tolls are there other charges you pay while crossing the border into Austria or Germany in a rental? We will be renting from Zurich and return to same location.
Thanks.
SS
Feb 16th, 2016, 10:56 PM
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Your car rental from Zurich should allow you to drive also to the neighboring countries without extra fees. But to be on the safe side, you will have to scan the fine print before you rent.
Since you plan to drive to Freiburg, keep in mind that many larger and mid-sized towns in Germany made their city centers designated low-emission zones. Freiburg is one of those.
You need a specific sticker to drive into the city centers. Foreign plate vehicles are NOT exempt from this obligation:
https://mvi.baden-wuerttemberg.de/fi...4_englisch.pdf
In addition, all countries have slightly diverging rules on what kind of (emergency) equipment you need to have with you. In France, for example, you need to have (cheap) breath analyzers (for alcohol) in the car.
A good summary you can find here:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/
Since you plan to drive to Freiburg, keep in mind that many larger and mid-sized towns in Germany made their city centers designated low-emission zones. Freiburg is one of those.
You need a specific sticker to drive into the city centers. Foreign plate vehicles are NOT exempt from this obligation:
https://mvi.baden-wuerttemberg.de/fi...4_englisch.pdf
In addition, all countries have slightly diverging rules on what kind of (emergency) equipment you need to have with you. In France, for example, you need to have (cheap) breath analyzers (for alcohol) in the car.
A good summary you can find here:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/
Feb 17th, 2016, 12:43 AM
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err.. well, the two major towns named Freiburg are:
1. Freiburg (im Breisgau), SW Germany in the state of Baden-Württemberg, one of the gateways to the Black Forest
2. Freiburg / Fribourg, W Switzerland, bi-lingual capital of the canton with same name
In formal German, both cities would be pronounced Fry-boork, emphasis on first syllable.
In French, the Swiss Fribourg would sound somewhat like Free-boor, emphasis on second syllable.
Just don't do this rolling thing with the "R", in case your native language is English.
1. Freiburg (im Breisgau), SW Germany in the state of Baden-Württemberg, one of the gateways to the Black Forest
2. Freiburg / Fribourg, W Switzerland, bi-lingual capital of the canton with same name
In formal German, both cities would be pronounced Fry-boork, emphasis on first syllable.
In French, the Swiss Fribourg would sound somewhat like Free-boor, emphasis on second syllable.
Just don't do this rolling thing with the "R", in case your native language is English.
Feb 17th, 2016, 03:41 AM
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Thanks kja and Cowboy.
I'm currently leaning toward Gengenbach as a base for 4 nights in BF. Zurich to G'bach takes me through Freiburg but if there could be emission norms, the detour is about 20-30minutes. Will explore both options.
I'm currently leaning toward Gengenbach as a base for 4 nights in BF. Zurich to G'bach takes me through Freiburg but if there could be emission norms, the detour is about 20-30minutes. Will explore both options.
Feb 17th, 2016, 04:07 AM
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Coming from Switzerland/Basel on A5 motorway, you can drive through Freiburg im Breisgau legally West-East without a low emission sticker when you take exit #62 (Freiburg-Mitte) and drive straight East through town on B31a (towards Hinterzarten).
But that is the only thoroughfare exempt from the rule, the North-South B3 is not exempted.
But that is the only thoroughfare exempt from the rule, the North-South B3 is not exempted.
Feb 17th, 2016, 06:59 AM
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Gengenbach is a very picturesque town and it is certainly worth a visit of two or three hours (including the rafter museum - it is a very small town), but it is not a Black Forest town. Architecture is completely different. Gengenbach looks like all historic towns in Germany, Alsace and Switzerland look: With coloured renaissance, baroque and classicist buildings.
As a base to visit the Black Forest, Gengenbach is not ideal, because it is located at the edge of the Black Forest. Driving from Gegenbach to the Feldberg takes almost two hours.
I would rather recommend a more central location in the high Black Forest and do a daytrip from there to Triberg, Vogtsbauernhof and Gengenbach.
BTW, Staufen is another picturesque historic town with a better location. In Staufen, you can still have a meal or drink in the inn where Dr. Faustus, after making a treaty with the devil, went into hell in 1541.
For a few pictures, see here:
http://www.ferienwohnung-am-schlossb...e/staufen.html
Also Staufen is not in the Black Forest but in the plains. But within a few minutes driving time, you will be in the most scenic part of the Black Forest.
Strategic locations within the Black Forest would be Schluchsee, Menzenschwand (very authentic), Rothaus (the brewery, museum and chapels), Bernau (scenic), Todtnau and Titisee (however very touristy).
As a base to visit the Black Forest, Gengenbach is not ideal, because it is located at the edge of the Black Forest. Driving from Gegenbach to the Feldberg takes almost two hours.
I would rather recommend a more central location in the high Black Forest and do a daytrip from there to Triberg, Vogtsbauernhof and Gengenbach.
BTW, Staufen is another picturesque historic town with a better location. In Staufen, you can still have a meal or drink in the inn where Dr. Faustus, after making a treaty with the devil, went into hell in 1541.
For a few pictures, see here:
http://www.ferienwohnung-am-schlossb...e/staufen.html
Also Staufen is not in the Black Forest but in the plains. But within a few minutes driving time, you will be in the most scenic part of the Black Forest.
Strategic locations within the Black Forest would be Schluchsee, Menzenschwand (very authentic), Rothaus (the brewery, museum and chapels), Bernau (scenic), Todtnau and Titisee (however very touristy).
