" Hi everyone, We''ve lived in the Zürich area for nearly 2 years now (with luck, it''ll be for several more). We''ve already made several daytrips so far all around Switzerland, but are worried about going back to the US someday and finding out we missed something. So, we''re interested in what you experienced folks would consider to be some of the indespensable sights of Switzerland, eg. boat trip on Vierwaldstättersee, Pilatus, Chillon castle, whatever. Sure, the guide books help, in their over-enthusiastic, hyperventilated style where every destination is equally important, but what we''re looking for is a more balanced view from the front lines. So, if you were to pick a place (or experience) or two that you would consider indispensable about Switzerland, what would it be? To start off, I would say the Weg der Schweiz tour around the Urnersee, concluding with the boat ride back to Lucerne, is our top pick (so far). Any others? Thanks, Yves "

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" Hi Yves, Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order: Ballenberg/Brienz/Rothorn. The open air museum at Ballenberg is a must, and combined with a overnight stay in Brienz and a trip up the Rothorn it makes a great weekend outing. The Oskar Reinhart Sammlung at Villa Flora in Winterthur. A superb collection. The Zurich Opera. If you are not an opera fan, you soon will be. The Landesmuseum, Fraumunster, Grossmunster, and Wasserkirch in Zurich. Try to attend one of the many concerts in Fraumunster or Grossmunster. The monastery at Einseidln. Plan to stay to hear the monks sing the Salve Regina at 16:00H. Bern - take a tour of the old town, see the Cathedral, the Einstein house,the Fine Arts Museum, and stop for a Schlubig at the Kloetzlikeller. The Faschnacht Umzug in Luzern. (Sorry, you just missed it this year, but the Zurich Umzug is Sunday 4 March) The International Music Festival in Luzern (Aug. or Sept.) Also in Luzern: The Picasso museum, the Bourbake panorama, the Transport Museum, the glacier garden and the Lion Monument. The Kyburgiad music festival at castle Kyburg near Winterthur. Usually August. The Sternspiel (nativity play) at Schloss Rapperswil. Ususally the 2nd week of December. The Stifsbibliotek and Cathedral in St. Gallen. Castles Grande, di Montebello, and di Sasso Cobaro in Bellinzona. Spend a weekend in the Tessin. There are number of superb hikes - see the Kummerly and Frey series of hiking guides. We always stay in the little Berghotels. No five star luxury, but a lot more fun and character. If you have time, take the Postbus from Bellinzona to Chur on the return journey. Great scenery, and you are guarenteed to meet interesting people on the trip. The Collegiate Church and the Museum of Art and History at Neuchatel. A walk around the old town. Thun - The castle of Thun, the old town walk, a boat trip round the Thunersee, stop at Schloss Oberhofen, and hike the Beatus caves. Hiking in the Ebenalp and Santis (Appenzell) area. (Wasserauen, Ebenalp, Wildkirchli, Seealpsee). There is a delightful Gasthaus jutting out of a rock cliff on the descent towards Wildkirchli. It is especially fun to watch the parasailers. If you are a serious hiker, The walk/climb from Ebenalp up Santis is spectacular - and challenging. Hiking the Stanserhorn (NW, near Luzern). We take the train up (the first leg is an old wooden carriage train, the last a cable car) and hike down. The Aletsch glacier/Monch ""walk"". Not for the faint of heart. I only made it up about a quarter of the way, but nonetheless it was thrilling. My more fit friends who made it to the summit couldn''t stop takling about it for days. Go in high summer, and make sure that you have the correct equipment and at least one experienced person in the party. If not, hire a guide. (of course, you can always take the Jungfraujoch train if you are not into hiking). The views are magnificient. Murren - great hikes, great views of the Monch and Eiger, and one of the most scenic train rides (Lauterbrunnen-Grutschalp- Murren). The Tinguely museum, the Kunst museum and the Historical museum in Basel. Augst Raurica, the Roman archiological site. From Basel, take a boat down the Rhine to the ship landing, and its a short walk to the site. Lausanne - the cathedral, the Olympic museum, the ''Art Brut"" collection. Stein am Rhein and Gruyeres - picture postcard medieval towns. Go in early spring or late fall - summer is too crowded. The Rheinfalls at Neuhausen, lunch at Schloss Laufen. Again, way too crowded in summer and weekends. Go midweek. Go on to Schaffhausen for a walk around the old town, and a climb up the Munot fortress. IWC, the watchmaker in Schaffhausen, gives tours of the facilities (by appointment only). Martingny. The Pierre Gianadda Foundation. A must see. Several good walks, including an archiological walk. Avenches. The Roman ampitheater and museum. An opera is staged in the ampitheater every year - you must get tickets and book your hotel far in advance. More good hikes: Bad Ragaz and Scoul(Engadin), Gotthard Pass. Great train rides: Chur-Arosa; The Glacier Express; Luzern-Interlaken-Jungfraujoch; Locarno-Domodossola; The Bernina Express to Poschiavo. OK - genug. This is only a starter list. There are so many more ""musts"". I have found the ""Switzerland by Rail"" guidebook by Anthony Lambert to be quite good. We also use the Kummerly and Frey hiking guides - accurate descriptions with elevations and timing. (German or French only) Enjoy, E Dawson "

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" Wow! What a pot o'' gold here! I am wondering, which of these activities can we do during these rainy weekends we seem to be having? Also, can you recommend some daytrips for my dog and me? We enjoy the outdoors and need some hiking (from Zurich area). Thanks! Kristi "

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