About ZIWA
What's on in Zürich and around in the region
Favorite days out
What else to do in Zürich:
Also check out the SBB website, www.sbb.ch, for details of special excursions, train timetables and prices. For bus times and tram routes, look at www.zvv.ch for door-to-door travel in Canton Zürich. And check with your local Gemeinde - it may offer one special price ticket per month, valid anywhere in Switzerland, to local residents.
A good guidebook to Switzerland is the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide, which is simple to use and well-illustrated.
In and around Zürich:
- A day out in Zürich
Recommended by Angela.
"How about a day starting with breakfast or an early lunch at the Hotel zum Storchen (www.storchen.ch) - they offer a special brunch on Easter Sunday and Monday, then the market at Bürkliplatz or at the main train station or somewhere else (have a look at the list of markets in Zurich), and then do not forget the famous hot chocolate at Café Schober before it closes down in April?" - Boat trips on the Zürichsee
Recommended by Julia.
"Easter is early this year. It takes place on the first full moon after the Spring equinox. The summer season for boats on the lake starts on Good Friday, 21 March. You can take the short round trip via Thalwil and Küsnacht, the medium round trip via Wädenswil, or the long trip to Rapperswil (see below). All of the boats serve refreshments, so you can enjoy a drink or lunch on board if you have time." (www.zsg.ch) - Dolder walk and lunch
Recommended by Marianne.
"If only looking for a walk in Zürich: near the Dolder, the Restaurant Degenried in the middle of the forest, Degenriedstr. 135, is open daily from 9am. Good food and service. Tel 044 381 51 80." - Zürich zoo
Recommended by Lakshmi.
Open from March to October. Take the tram.
"The link below to Highlights mentions the various highlights on every day of the week. And there is also information on the baby animals currently at the Zoo. The Masoala rainforest is definitely one of the highlights of the Zoo, also because of its connection to the conservation efforts in the real Masoala. " (http://www.zoo.ch/xml_1/internet/en/application/f1537.cfm) - Rapperswil
Recommended by Julia.
"You can take the boat from Bürkliplatz, drive (ample, well-signed parking in the town) or train via Pfäffikon SZ or Stadelhofen. Explore the castle and the old town, the small shops are delightful, and the restaurants overlooking the lake are numerous." (www.rapperswil.ch) - Betlis, on the Walensee
Recommended by Cynthia.
"Take the autobahn direction Chur, and get off at Weesen. Proceed in direction Amden but soon the road to Betlis will branch off to the right (watch out - sign isn'' big). Proceed along the lake until you reach the sign telling when to proceed further. There is only one-way traffic as the road is narrow and there are some small tunnels. Wait at the sign until the cars go through in a convoy every half hour (allowed 7 minutes to complete journey with a few minutes to spare for emergencies). Road will curve up to the left and in a couple of minutes you arrive at the Paradiesli Guesthouse, which has a nice garden, and reasonably priced hot and cold meals. Afterwards you can walk further on to a waterfall; there are nice views over the Walensee. For return journey the times you can proceed are on another big sign near the guesthouse (again allow 7 minutes for trip)." (www.amden.ch) - Braunwald, off the Chur autobahn, via Glarus
Recommended by Helga.
"My suggestion would be Braunwald, which is a place up in the mountains of Glarnerland and Klausenpass.You take the train to Linthal, which takes about 2 hours or drive with the car (big not too expensive paid parking lot) and then take the cable railway up. There are no cars and lots of hiking and for Easter maybe some skiing, depending on the weather. It is at 1256 meters. There are a couple of hotels and restaurants and one cable car." (www.braunwald.ch)
Zug and Luzern region:
- Unterägeri, on Aegerisee near Zug
Recommended by Julia.
"Drive from Zürich direction Zug via Sihlbrugg, and take the Aegeri exit at the Sihlbrugg roundabout. Keep following signs to Aegeri along the small roads. In Unterägeri, park in the carpark beside the lake and take a picnic over to the park. You can bathe there, take a boat on the lake, the views are beautiful, and theres a crazy golf course too!" - Goldau Wildpark, near Zug
Recommended by Hazel.
"You can feed the deer by hand as they come right up to you as they roam freely in the park. It is a bit pricey to get in but worth it I think." (www.tierpark.ch) - Schloss Heidegg in Gelfingen
Recommended by Cynthia.
"Near the Baldeggersee. It has views over the lake, a museum with changing exhibitions, and a rose garden. There is a small self-service cafe on the top floor for drinks and cakes. (www.heidegg.ch) - Glacier Gardens, Luzern
Recommended by Cynthia.
"One idea for Easter is to visit the Glacier Garden (and Lion Monument) in Luzern. Many new members may not know of it, and it's suitable all year round because of the cover over the garden, the in-door museum, and the Hall of Mirrors. I have been many times (usually with overseas visitors) and always found it worth seeing. It's open from 9.00 to 17.00, and can be combined with your own sightseeing tour of the city. If it's a nice day one can park at the car park opposite the lido and walk along the lake to the Glacier Garden, or there is plenty of parking around the station and nearby streets. There is a kiosk at the gardens and plenty of tea rooms and restaurants in Luzern." (www.gletschergarten.ch)
Caroline adds, "The recently restored Bourbaki Panorama in Luzern is very interesting to visit." - Hergiswil
Recommended by Cynthia, Julia.
"By train, car or boat from Luzern, Hergiswil glass factory, museum and shop is worth a visit, and there are walks and restaurants beside the lake with beautiful views. Closed Bank Holidays and Sundays." (www.glasi.ch) - Bürgenstock
Recommended by Cynthia.
"It's 874 m.ü.M. - boats from Luzern and also Flüelen / Brunnen / Weggis to Kehrsiten - Bürgenstock, then take the funicular to the top. Can also drive up, there are walks at the top, and if you take the path called Höhenpromenade des Felsenwegs, after 25 mins. you come to the Hammetschwand lift which takes you further up to 1132 m.ü.M. with wonderful views. There are several restaurants near the funicular station." (www.sbb.ch) - Rigi round trip
Recommended by Frances, Julia.
"Train to Rigi Kulm via Arth-Goldau, walk and lunch in the restaurant, then return via Vitznau and boat to Luzern on the Vierwaldstättersee." (www.rigi.ch/en/welcome.cfm, www.sbb.ch) - Pilatus round trip from Luzern
Recommended by Julia, Frances.
"From 1 May onwards, you can take the boat from Luzern to Alpnachstadt, then up the steepest rack railway in the worldŐto Pilatus. Before then, take the bus to Kriens and walk up to the cable car. Enjoy the views and the restaurant at the top. Return via cable car to Kriens then walk down to get the bus back to Luzern." (www.pilatus.ch)
For boats on the Vierwaldstättersee, see this link www.lakelucerne.ch
The spring season starts on 21 March 2008.
North of Zürich and the Rhine:
- Winterthur Technorama Museum
Recommended by Julia.
"For enquiring minds, there are many hands-on science and technology exhibits here. Take the Oberwinterthur exit from the autobahn. Good for wet days. Closed Mondays." (www.technorama.ch) - Stein am Rhein walk
Recommended by Heidi.
"I suppose you know Stein am Rhein? We go there sometimes and we always park in Hemishofen and walk to Stein among the vineyards with a view of the Rhein. Over the town, there is a castle called Hohenklinge which is newly restored, and there is a restaurant which I haven't visited yet. One could walk up there, have lunch, walk down to Stein and along the Rhein back to Hemishofen. That's a nice Sunday trip, about an hour's drive from Zürich (you could throw in Andelfingen and the garden of Schloss Andelfingen on the way) and 3 to 4 hours walking in all." (www.stein-am-rhein.ch) - Teufen on Rhein/Töss river junction
Recommended by Marianne.
"My suggestion for a day out would be the Rhein/Tss river joint where one can walk along the river. The restaurant is called Tossegg in Teufen. One drives to Kloten-Embrach-Rorbas-Freienstein- Teufen. Wine region! Tel 044 865 01 88" - Zurzach, on the Rhein
Recommended by Marianne.
"The restaurant Wasserstelz across the border in direction to Zurzach is charming. It's off the road to the left after crossing the Rhine river and customs in Kaiserstuhl, after two kilometers down a narrow little road. Good to sit outside when warm enough. Friday night they have a fantastic fish buffet dinner! Tel 0049 7742 92300." - Bike trip along the Rhein
Recommended by Paola.
"We did this trip by motorbike, but you can do it by car as well (or by bike if you are strong enough). I like to follow the river Rhein, particularly in the stretch Eglisau - Laufenburg because in this section you never lose sight of the water. You can stay either on the Swiss or on the German bank, or on both: at some points - Kaiserstuhl, Zurzach, Laufenburg and few other - there are bridges to cross from Switzerland to Germany and these are all ancient towns, each with its own specific character, all worth a visit. This is a day trip; you could include a lunch in a restaurant along the river (there are so many choices; my favorite stop is in Kaiserstuhl)." - Insel Mainau
Recommended by Julia, Caroline.
"By car, or train to Konstanz and boat on the Bodensee. The spring flowers should be coming out now. DonŐt forget your passport!" (www.mainau.de) - Schaffhausen and the Rhine Falls
Recommended by Christine.
"Don't tell your visitors what's in store when you get there... arrive on the south side at the castle... it gets better as you go down the path. At the bottom, walk along towpath and then cross bridge to other bank, then towpath to other side of falls. Eat at Schloss Worth (or one of the other restaurants in the area) - you may have to book, food good and good value (especially with a Tageskarte), panoramic views, then take boat back (in season) or walk over falls & railway bridge to complete the loop. Combine it with Stein am Rhein - the Lindwurm museum in main street is good - a bijoux of a place!" (www.rheinfall.ch, www.gastroplanet.ch)
- Towns of Solothurn and Zofingen, Strohmuseum in Wohlen
Recommended by Mirka.
"Great places to visit."
Central Switzerland:
- Meiringen and the Aare Gorge
Recommended by Cynthia.
"Enter the Aareschlucht from the Eingang West where there is a big indoor restaurant and also a garden one with reasonably priced hot and cold meals, and a big car park. The Eingang Ost only has a kiosk and souvenir shop. It takes about 40 minutes to walk one way through the gorge and if you don't want to return via the gorge, you can take a forest path or a small train back to Eingang West. Wear a waterproof jacket to catch the drips from the overhead rocks in the gorge. Nearby are the Reichenbach Falls where one can take a funicular up and see the place where Sherlock Holmes and Moriaty went over the falls to their deaths. There is a Sherlock Holmes museum in Meiringen (check opening times)." ( www.aareschlucht.ch, www.myswitzerland.com) - Ballenberg Open Air Museum
Recommended by Anne-Marie.
"Accessible by train and bus or by car. Opens on 12 April, it's a microcosm of Swiss rural life and history." (www.whatsonwhen.com) - Giessbach Falls
Recommended by Julia, Francesca.
"Drive or train to Interlaken, then boat on Brienzersee and rack railway up to the falls, which are spectacular. You can walk behind them or underneath, so better on a fine day!" (www.myswitzerland.com)
French Switzerland:
- Fribourg
Recommended by Anne-Marie, Linda.
"The medieval town where Jean Tinguely was born, and the new Tinguely museum are worth a visit."( www.fribourgtourisme.ch) - Gruyres, Chillon castles
Recommended by Linda, Anne-Marie.
"The impressive medieval Château de Chillon on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva, and the pedestrian-only hilltop town of Gruyère, home of the famous cheese, are definitely worth a special trip. Two and a half hours drive from Zürich." (www.sbb.ch) - Neuchâtel, Lausanne, Sion, La Chaux-de-Fonds
Recommended by Anne-Marie and Francesca.
"Don't forget the French-speaking part of Switzerland. All these towns are worth a visit. Lausanne's Gothic cathedral and Olympics Museum are worth a special mention. Check opening times of museums etc." (www.lausanne-tourisme.ch) - Jura
Recommended by Caroline.
"For walkers and hikers, going to the Jura is nice and has little villages with typical restaurants."
Italian Switzerland:
- Bellinzona
Recommended by Julia.
"Two and a half hours by direct train from Zürich. Bellinzona with its three castles is a Unesco World Heritage Site. There's also a Saturday market on 22 March. If you only have time to visit one of the castles, the Castelgrande has great views over the valley, and you can lunch in the restaurant - best to book ahead." (www.bellinzonaturismo.ch)
Further afield:
- Colmar
Recommended by Julia.
"The beautiful and historic town in the Alsace region of France is worth a day trip for its churches, museums, old buildings and characterful shops. Try the Tarte Flambee and Riesling for lunch. Travel by car or train via Basel."
Caroline adds, "Also try Mulhouse or Strasbourg" (www.france-for-visitors.com) - Vaduz
Recommended by Francesca.
"One and a half to two hours by car or train to the Liechtenstein capital. There's a new art museum which is worth the trip alone." (www.liechtenstein.li) - German towns over the border
Recommended by Caroline.
"Freiburg, Tiengen and Waldhut or Konstanz are all nice little villages."
| Julia Newton, 14 March 2008. |