I'll be staying near the Zurich Airport during early September and would like to visit Germany. Any possibilities for a day trip or a few day trip that would be convenient? I'll be at ZRH for five days.<BR><BR>Many thanks,<BR><BR>Gerry K

The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Timetable. Table 940 shows that Stuttgart is three hours from Zurich, and trains are direct or involve one change: they have buffet cars or restaurant cars. Leave Zurich at 0713, 0913, and every two ours. Leave Stuttgart at 0802, 1202, and every two hours. So a trip could be Zurich 0713, Stuttgart 1000 to 1802, Zurich 2047. Or two hours from Zurich on the same line would take you to Horb, in the Black Forest. The site http://www.horb.de/, then Touristik und Geschicht, then Auf dem Oberen Markt gives you photos of the centre of this fine old town.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR>

Fantastic, Ben. As always, thanks for the great help. (If anything else comes to mind, I'd be most grateful for it. E-address: [email protected]<BR><BR>Cheers,<BR><BR>Gerry

Gerry,<BR>You might want to consider a trip to Meersburg on Lake Konstanz. A charming town with many half timbered houses and panoramic views of the lake and Swiss mountain ranges. Depending upon the train you choose, the ride ranges from two to three hours in duration.

Gerry,<BR><BR>Any particular reason why you want to go to Germany? There is so much spectacular scenery to see in Switzerland, I can hardly see the point.<BR><BR>Great day trips from Zurich include Luzern, St. Gallen & Appenzell, Bern and Schaffhausen.<BR><BR>The Berner Oberland, Graub&uuml;nden or Lake Geneva are ideal for a "few day trip".<BR><BR>All these places are far more attractive than Stuttgart, the Black Forest or Lac Constance IMO.<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR>Andre

Many thanks, Wes and Andre. <BR><BR>Your suggestion seems very worthwhile, Wes, and Andre, to answer your question, I'd like to visit Germany primarily to be able to say I've done so, and a train ride there seemed like a fun way to do it.<BR><BR>Cheers,<BR><BR>Gerry

I agree with Wes Fowler, I don't think that Stuttgart is worth a trip.There are prettier places in Southern Germany.

Two other thoughts, Gerry,<BR>You can train from Zurich to Freiburg in about two hours. Freiburg is an interesting university town with a fine cathedral and market square. In two and a half hours or so, you could train to Gengenbach in the heart of the Black Forest. Take a "virtual" tour of <BR>Gengenbach at www.badenpage.de/gengenbach/index.html<BR><BR>It's as charming as Rothenburg and far less inundated with tourists.<BR>