I will be traveling to Switz. twice next year---late April by myself, and September for hiking in BO with a friend.
(This follows my last trip late September 2022, wherein I caught Covid enroute, and had a very subpar vacation!)
This is my 14th (or so) trip to Switzerland, so I am aware that many mountain heights will not yet be open,
and I have already visited the "big" tourist sites already.
I will spend 9 nights on the ground, split between Zurich and Stans (Stanserhorn and Gipfelrundweg open about April 6).
I love Zurich, and will spend 48 hours just meandering and revisiting favorite sites, including the Landesmuseum (plus chocolate shopping)!

I will take a daytrip to Schaffhausen, though I did see the falls almost 40 years ago, in high school.
I will daytrip to Bern, having previously spent a week there, exploring its nooks and crannies. I 💙Bern.

From Stans, I will ascend just this ONE summit during my trip. Go Cabrio! I have previously been up to Titlis. I will daytrip to Luzern (stayed there many times), and revisit my favorite sights.
This leaves 2 days to fill.

I have stayed in, or visited, Rapperswil, Einsideln, Schwyz, Appenzell, Solothurn, Lungern, Meiringen, Arth-Goldau, Brienz, Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen/Muerren as well. I'm looking for lesser-known quaint towns or small cities (I can speak German), within 90 minutes (by train) from either hub.
I will stay in hotels. Looking for familiar and/or comfortable.
No interest in Winterthur and its culture, unless rainy.
TIA@

Check from Stans:
Bellinzona (bus to Altdorf plus train)
Engelberg monastery
Aar Gorge and Reichenbach Falls (Meiringen)
Willisau
Surseee
Zofingen,
kambly factory at Trubschachen and Kemmeribodenbad

Check fro Zurich:
Rhine river curise Schaffhausen - Stein am Rhein or Stgein am Rhein - Konstanz
Old cities and castles at Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein
Engen
Meersurg/Unteruhldingen
Konstanz and Mainau Island
Gottlieben
Arenenberg castle
Karthause Itingen and Frauenfeld
Wil SG
St. Gallen
Bremgarten
Laufenburg (tiny)
Rheinfelden and Rhine river curise to Basel
Basel (tons of good museums)
Castle and Lake of Hallwil (public boat traffic)
Aar river cruise Solthurn - Bueren or Biel/Bienne
Biel/Bienne and Lake Biel cruise
Erlach (best by boat)
La Neuveville
Neuchâtel
Aarberg
Murten
Bern
Burgdorf
Fribourg
Glarus/Braunwald
Bad Ragaz
Chur

Google for these places if you are interested n or have a look at myswitzerland.com

Stein-am-Rhein


Schloss Wildegg

Thanks neckerd,
I was considering Trubschachen Kambly factory as an add-on to my Luzern revisit. Are their treats "worth" the detour?
I have visited Basel once previously, even riding the small wooden boat which crosses the river by overhead tether, but AM considering a 2-hour guided walking tour for more information.
i have previously visited Meiringen/ Aareschlucht and Reichenbachfaelle.
I loved Zofingen, but twice seems enough.
I will check out your other suggestions. Thanks!
Michael,
I AM leaning toward SaR, since my last visit was at least 15 years ago.
Is the castle walkable?
I would likely combine my visit with Diessenhofen (thanks Adelaidean) for a look at Insel Werd and the pile dwellings.
Depending on my final choices, I may spend 6 nights in Z, and 3 in Stans for best train connections.
Thanks both!

Is the castle walkable?

Wildegg is multi-storied which, as far as I know, has no elevators. My wife, who walks with a cane, had no problems.

I've just been to Melchsee Frutt, which is worth a visit on a sunny day. It's stunning... and flat! The trail takes you past two lovely lakes and leads you to a restaurant where you can have a break and take a little "train" back to the cable car.

I've been to Kambly a few times and find the biscuits rather dry but it's still a fun day.

One of my favourite things to do is to take my e-bike and ride through the Emmental. E-bikes can also be rented.

Stoos and the ridge trail are also always a treat.

I enjoyed my stay in Stans (a full week) very much. Lovely small town, surprisingly lively for the small size. Don't miss Bürgenstock with Hammetschwand elevator - spectacular views and walk! Also, I found Sarnen with its lake lovely, you may want to have a look at nearby Sachseln and Flüeli-Ranft with all those "Bruder Klaus" memorial places (the Patron of Switzerland) interesting.

Excellent suggestions from Ingo.

If I may add something, one of my favourite restaurants and places to enjoy the views near Stans is Villa Honegg, above Ennetmoos. Simply stunning.

The castle is at 600 m above sea level), 200 metres above Stein am Rhein. You can go there by car or along a signmarked hiking trail through vineyaards and forest.
The most impressive (partly reconstructed) lake dwellings are at Unteruhldingen (boat from Konstanz).
The best Lake dweller musum is at Neuchâtel - Hauterive (Latenium).

Forget Meiringen/Alpen Tower/Aar Gorge/Gelmersee funicular/Grimsel Pass and Zofingen if you have already been there.
Medieval Willsau, Trubschachen (nothing to see but Kambly Works) and Kemmeribodenbad (the heart of old fashioned £emmental, with the biggest Méringues of the world) can all be done in 1 day,
If you go to Basel you may be interested in the excavated Roman site of Augusta Raurica nearby.
Freiburg im Breisgau, anaother gem, is just 30 min away by train (from Basel Bad Bf)..

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
I "studied" (joyfully) all last evening, and will do the same tonight.
What a great problem to have!
So far, Bremgarten/Stein am Rhein and Schloss Wildegg are in the lead.
(Bellinzona is further than I like to travel for a daytrip.)

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
I "studied" (joyfully) all last evening, and will do the same tonight.
What a great problem to have!
So far, Bremgarten/Stein am Rhein and Schloss Wildegg are in the lead.
(Bellinzona is further than I like to travel for a daytrip.)

Belllinzona is 2 hrs 10 min from Stans (by bus and train) as long as the St. Gotthard Base railway tunnel is closed for repair works. Otherwise it would be 1 h 20 min.
The tunnel will reopen next spring. For the moment, nobody knows exactly when.
I suppose you took into account that at least 4 not too expensive hotels in Stans are at less than 150 metres from the railway and bus station.
That may be a bit different in Zurich.

That's good to know about Bellinzona. I will check closer to my travel date.
And yes, I will likely stay at Hotel Engel in Stans. But, I like the split stay with Zurich. 👍

Would visiting the city of Zug on the beautiful Lake Zug be an option? There is a beautiful old town, a castle, museums and a lakeside promenade with the most beautiful sunsets in Switzerland.

Have a great trip!
Martin

........"sunsets in Switzerland.
.....and well known caves not far away.https://www.hoellgrotten.ch/en
For the biggest cavern system of Switzerland, check https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/...es/hoelloch-1/

I also loved Zug on my two previous visits. Looking for a new (though similar type of town)!
I'm thinking Bremgarten and Stein an Rhein with a hike up to the nearby castle should fill the bill.
I will not have a car.
Thanks again!