My husband and I are leaving Switzerland next week, but still have next Sunday for a last tryp around.
We have lived in Zurich, and have visited Berna, Lausane, Geneva and Basel, as well as the Rhine Falls, Rapperswil, Lucerne, Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi.
However, I feel as if we had miss some less touristic sites, the "deep Switzerland". We have been looking if it is possible to visit any chocolate factory, but it seems to be quite difficult, specially in winter.
So, any ideas for our last day trip? We can go by train or hire a Mobility.
Some colleages have suggested Vaduz or Konstanz. Are they really worth it?
I have been to both Vaduz and Konstanz and I would rather go to the latter. Vaduz is a strange 5,000 people place, with a huge art museum, a castle on the top that cannot be visited, many places to buy watches and a street with art sculptures and shops. And many American and Chinese tourists, for some reason.
Konstanz is more like a proper nice city with a nice lake and, in the same day, you have time to visit also Stein am Rhein or St. Gallen.
I also like the Italian speaking part (Lugano, Locarno, Ascona, Bellinzona) going through Graubünden, but you would need at least one more day for that.
I'm just looking to the links of the chocolate fatories (thank you very much. I had looked some of them, Cailler included, but not Frey) and the Frey looks really interesting, as it also has a combined offer with SBB (train tickets and admission). Has anyone visited it? How is it?
Agree on Vaduz, it is an odd place. Which is why you need to get out immediately and take the Postbus up to Triesenberg or Malbun, much more charming places up in the mountains. In summer, the little lake in Steg is one of my absolute favourite places in the Alps, intensely turquoise waters surrounded by chocolate box houses.
P.S. you know how Asians like little things like little handbags and little puppies? The same thing extends to countries.
I did a day trip to Santis with my sister from Australia. She loved it there and I thought the view was amazing. I would highly recommend it. Also it's easy with the public transport. One train, one bus and then the cable car up to the top.
I go to Davos nearly every weekend. It is really nice. Not to sure if there is a chocolate factory there. But you will find breathtaking scenery and quite a few decent restaurants.
Zermatt (matterhorn) and the Berner Oberland (Grindenwald - Lauterbrunnen) should meet your definition of "deeper Switzerland. Both are famous touristy spots. Ticino is also beautiful, but maybe a bit much for a day trip.
In Berner Oberland, Thun (near Bern) is also worth a visit. And there are some interesting hikes in Meirigen, at least in summer.
A nice option is also to take the Bernina Express, a train that goes up to the Graubünden mountains on its way to Italy and back (around 6 hours + some time in a little town in Italy for a day trip). There are other alternatives such us the Glacier Express that might go to Zermatt (not sure of this).
So either Appenzellerland where Säntis could be combined with Appenzell which is a nice little town or Herisau. Appenzell can be reached by train from Zurich but you might get out a little more of the drive. You could also do some of the smaller mountains like Hemberg or generally Toggenburg (which is canton St. Gallen) and maybe even St. Gallen.
The other option is Ticino. If you go only for a day I would take the train. Stroll around Locarno and maybe even Ascona. Have a look at Bellinzona on the way back. If you stay overnight and go by car also check the Verzasca valley or the Maggia valley. Really stunning!
Definitely, after Pashos reply, the Frey Factory is an important option, and also Zermatt, and Appenzellerland. I'll have to have a look at distances, as I am a little bit lost right now.
The Italian part is discarded, though. We also went to Milan twice, but the time we went by car we had a bad experience with snow in the road, just around Bellinzona...
[QUOTE=etsius;2542225]I have been to both Vaduz and Konstanz and I would rather go to the latter. Vaduz is a strange 5,000 people place, with a huge art museum, a castle on the top that cannot be visited, many places to buy watches and a street with art sculptures and shops. And many American and Chinese tourists, for some reason.
The Reason you see so many Americans or Chinese tours in Liechtenstein is - a 4 country tour is- Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Germany. A 5 country tour adds France.
The glacier express is stunning if you haven't done it? Check if there are any good day trip SBB offers. They did a really good one for a family anywhere in Switzerland for 80CHF I think? Good luck and enjoy, XXXXX