Guide number 1 - Train tickets and public transport deals

There are plenty of great train offers and inclusive deals to be found online: check out the following:

www.sbb.ch, the Swiss rail network website, allows you to find your integrated travel itinerary and even book tickets online. Make sure you carry id with your online ticket though.

Swiss pass For visitors to Switzerland, valid for 3, 4, 8 or 15 days.

Swiss pass

Halbtax Abo: if you’re staying here for a while, get a Halbtax abonnement for one, two or three years, allowing half-price travel throughout Switzerland on public transport including trains, boats, buses and trams and some cablecars.

http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/railpasses/half-fare-travelcard.html

Zurich card covers travel in 7 zones for 24 or 72 hours, including the airport, a short boat trip, free museum entrance, shopping discounts and all public transport in the wider Zurich city area. Ask at the station ticket office. Similar cards available in Basel, Lucerne and Geneva.

http://www.zuerich.com/en/Visitor/Information/zuerich-card.html

Mehrfahrkarte for 6 similar journeys for the price of five at any time; stamp your ticket when you set off each time.

Tageskarte allows travel in specified zones for 24 hours from time of issue.

9-Uhr Pass For the whole of Kanton Zurich is a very good deal; travel after 9am on weekdays and at any time at the weekend. Ask at the station ticket counter.

Discover Zürich This vintage tram journey takes you on a two hour tour of the city in comfort. It runs on alternate Saturdays throughout the year. Starting point is Usteristrasse in front of MacDonalds. For information about this and other tram journeys https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/polybahn-a-train-that-is-a-zuerich-landmark.html

RailAway Combi tickets are available for seasonal journeys including discounted admission to specific museums or events all over Switzerland. Ask at the ticket counter. www.railaway.ch

Gemeinde Tageskarte Many Swiss districts and towns offer cheap day tickets for travel all over Switzerland. Prices range from CHF35 – 50 and you can usually book online with your local Gemeinde. You need to select a date and number of tickets (limited). Good when guests are visiting. This website might help but it’s not fully comprehensive: http://www.tageskarte-gemeinde.ch/

Be your own tour guide!

No need to pay for an expensive guided tour; you can take a tour of the main sights in any major Swiss city with the help of a good guide book and a street map. The following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra information from our members:

Featured town: Zurich

In coming weeks, discover these cities (see right for links):

Zug

Luzern

Bern – you can also visit the Swiss Parliament on a guided tour

Basel Altstadt

St. Gallen cathedral area

Schaffhausen

Chur

Bellinzona

Murten
Schaffhausen
Konstanz

Plus why not explore on your own these lovely towns and cities:

Geneva - see http://www.geneva.info/

Fribourg – a medieval town on the French/German language border

Appenzell – an old-fashioned town

Lugano – gateway to three lakes

Locarno – on Lago Maggiore

And more…

Compiled by Julia Newton, 2 September 2011. Edited April 2016.

With contributions from Amy Eber, Colin Hawker, Ewelina Pace, Gill Rüttimann, Helga Meyer-Piening, Lindsey Carver, Otto Schreibke, Paola Cavallari, Sue Poolman, Trudi MacDonald ,Valerie Quiblier.

Guide number 2 - Lake and river bathing, boat trips and picnics

Switzerland’s clean lakes and rivers offer many places to swim in safety and comfort. You can go to a Badi or lakeside bathing place with changing facilities, cafes and children’s play areas, or just find a good spot to dip in. See also our feature on Strandbads around the Zurichsee.

Here are a few suggestions:

Rüschlikon Strandbad on the Zurichsee has free admission, grass and gravel areas, a café, steps into the water and other family-friendly features. Also popular with teenagers. Close to the 165 bus route. Suggested by Ewelina.  http://www.badi-info.ch/zh/rueschlikon-seebadi.html

Tiefenbrunnen on the right bank of the Zurisee is easily reached by tram or train and has a very large grassy sunbathing space as well as diving boards, children’s pools and barbecue sites. Small entrance charge. http://www.badi-info.ch/Tiefenbrunnen.html

Turlersee near Hausen-am-Albis is a beautiful location with large picnic area, safe bathing, floats and rafts, and walking around the small lake. http://www.tuerlersee.ch/strandbad.php

Unteraegeri near Zug has a park, cafe and picnic area and you can swim from the rocks. http://www.campingunteraegeri.ch/en/infrastructure/bathing_site/

In Zug visit the Strandbad in the old town close to the main square, Gemeindeplatz. Free entry. http://sospo.myswitzerland.com/details/?id=27&lang=en

Luzern lido is a short bus or boat ride from the station with fresh-water pools and lake bathing. Small entrance charge.http://lido-luzern.ch/english.php

The lakes around the Zurichsee such as Greifensee, Pfäffikersee, Wägitalersee and Sihlsee are very pleasant places to swim or take a dip.

Rhine river bathing is popular with many. You can bathe from Stein am Rhein, Diessenhofen and other towns along the stretch from the Bodensee to Schaffhausen. Check your exit point downstream before you jump in.

Boat trips on the lakes and rivers

With a halbtax-abo, boat trips on the lakes are no more expensive than the regular public transport and are often covered by other tickets.

On the Zurichsee at Bürkliplatz, take short, middle or long round trips or a one-way trip to lakeside towns www.zsg.ch

Round trips on the Zugersee from Zug  http://www.zugersee-schifffahrt.ch/

Excursions on the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne) from Luzern, Brunnen and Fluellen www.lakelucerne.ch

On the Bodensee (Lake Constance) from Konstanz  http://www.bsb-online.com/

Boat trips on the Rhine from Kreuzlingen to Schaffhausen. www.euregiokarte.com

Picnic places

Always popular in summer, you can take a picnic virtually anywhere in Switzerland. As well as the above parks and gardens, here are a few more favourite spots:

Unteraegeri (ZG) near Zug is my favourite spot, surrounded by mountains. From Sihlbrugg roundabout, follow signs to Aegeri and then on to Unteraegeri. Drive through the village, then park in the signed parking place on the left. The lake contains water lilies and a fountain, there’s a children’s playground, benches and grass, barbecues sites and plenty of spots to put down your picnic rug. You can also buy an ice cream or get a drink in the café and play minigolf. There are also boat trips on the lake. http://www.aegerisee.ch/en/navpage-AegeriErlebnisSommerZT.html

Belvoir Park, Zurich. The bottom entrance to the restaurant and park is open to anyone wishing to sketch, sit in the sun or take a packed lunch. Park at Mythenquai and cross the road, or take the 165 bus. It’s very peaceful. The iris season is especially beautiful.

Park im Grüene, Rüschlikon. Near the Thalwil exit of the A3 Chur motorway, ample parking. Stroll around the park, borrow a deckchair, admire the view over the Zurisee and get out your picnic on the grass or one of the benches. Children’s pool and donkey rides in summer. If it rains, try the Migros café. http://www.parkimgruene.ch/front_content.php?idcat=3059

Zurichhorn. The grassy area beside the lake in front of the China Garden near Zurichhorn is a pleasant place to sit and enjoy an icecream.

Be your own tour guide!

No need to pay for an expensive guided tour; you can take a tour of the main sights in any major Swiss city with the help of a good guide book and a street map. The following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra information from our members:

Featured town: Zug

In coming entries, discover these cities: links to towns are on the right:

Luzern

Bern – you can also visit the Swiss Parliament on a guided tour

Basel Altstadt

St. Gallen cathedral area

Schaffhausen

Chur

Bellinzona

Murten
Konstanz
plus Zurich

Plus why not explore on your own these lovely towns and cities:

Geneva - see http://www.geneva.info/

Fribourg – on the French/German language border

Appenzell – an old-fashioned town

Lugano – gateway to three lakes

Locarno – on Lago Maggiore

And more…

Compiled by Julia Newton, 2 September 2011, updated April 2016

With contributions from Amy Eber, Colin Hawker, Ewelina Pace, Gill Rüttimann, Helga Meyer-Piening, Lindsey Carver, Paola Cavallari, Sue Poolman, Trudi MacDonald,Valerie Quiblier.

Guide number 3 - Cycling, bike hire, walking and hiking

Cycle paths are numerous in Switzerland. You can rent a bike in many Swiss towns.

For bike rental at two locations at Zurich HB, as well as at Globus City, Bürkliplatz and Bahnhof Enge, see this link: http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/aoz/de/index/shop/veloverleih/standorte.html

Also SBB has details about bike hire throughout Switzerland: http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/car-bike/hire-or-borrow/rent-a-bike.html

And there you can also find details about taking your bike on the train. See this link: http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/car-bike/on-the-move-by-bike.html

For an organised bike tour in Zürich, have a look at this website: http://www.zuerichbybike.ch/touren_e.htm

Organisations such as HEKS run free bikes, in Wädenswil for example. See this link:
http://www.heks.ch/en/switzerland/zurichschaffhausen-regional-office/heks-rollt/

Slow-up Zürichsee is on the last Saturday in September, when the streets of the city and also the stretch round the lake between Schmerikon and Meilen are closed to motorized traffic for cyclists to enjoy a family day out.

For bike rental in Geneva, see this link: http://www.bikeswitzerlandrentals.com/index.php

Another country-wide bike rental organisation: http://www.veloland.ch/en/page.cfm/318349

For more bike rental in the French part of Switzerland, see this link: http://www.suisseroule.ch/

For bike routes in Switzerland, see this link: http://www.bikemap.net/

Walks and hikes

Switzerland is a hiker’s paradise with numerous well-marked walking trails in cities, mountain areas, lake and riversides and through country villages. Here are just a few suggestions:

Ütliberg to Felsenegg (ZH). The Planetenweg takes about one and a half hours in either direction. You can get a round trip ticket to take the train up to Ütliberg (871m.), admire the view, and take a leisurely walk along the route marked by proportionally sized planets starting from the sun. At Felsenegg take the cablecar down to Adliswil and there’s a short walk down to the station for the train back into Zurich HB.

Schanzengraben (ZH) Walk along the old moat around Zürich from Bürkliplatz to the Sihl. Historic signs give information along the route. Takes one hour.

Weg der Schweiz near the lake of Luzern, the Vierwaldstättersee, takes about 2 days to cover in total. The stages of the walk represent the Swiss cantons in terms of size and population. For a short section, take a half-day trip from Brunnen, by boat to Treib, cablecar up to Seelisberg and a downhill walk to Rütli where the Swiss Confederation was signed in 1291, thence by boat back to Brunnen. The view over the Urnersee is spectacular.

http://www.weg-der-schweiz.ch/

Pilgerweg This street name crops up in many Swiss villages as part of the pilgrims’ way from Zürich to Einsiedeln and further afield as Jakobsweg to Santiago de Compostelo in Spain. The stretch from Schwarzenburg to Fribourg (FR) can be walked in half a day: www.myswitzerland.com code 57249

Grindelwald and Mürren (BE) Deb B says these are her favourite hiking areas.

Mühlehorn to Walenstadt  (SG) – level 2 walk – beautiful walk along the Walensee. About 12 k, but flat (and along tarmac roads, which, like marmite, some love and some hate). We have done it twice this year, with folk for whom views and conversation and coffee pauses are more important than training for next year’s Olympics. Great for people who have just arrived in Switzerland and want a taste of the mountain views and lakes and like ice cream at the end. Takes 3 hours. Colin Hawker.

Flims/Laax area– Crap Sogn Gion to Naraus (GR) - Level 3 walk. This starts at 2,200 m (having taken the cablecar up from Laax), and walks around two valleys, finishing at 1,800m. Although predominantly downhill, it is undulating and although along marked paths, conditions underfoot are tricky and slow (but not difficult). In decent condition, very rewarding (fantastic actually) in terms of the views into the valleys and potential sighting of marmots.  Colin Hawker.

http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Flims-Laax/pistemap_full

Recommended hike guides: Rother Wanderführer series. Grades hikes as Blue, Red or Black.

Be your own tour guide!

No need to pay for an expensive guided tour; you can take a tour of the main sights in any major Swiss city with the help of a good guide book and a street map.

Featured town: Luzern

In coming guides, discover these cities  - see links on right:

Bern – you can also visit the Swiss Parliament on a guided tour

Basel Altstadt

St. Gallen cathedral area

Schaffhausen

Chur

Bellinzona

Murten

Schaffhausen

Konstanz

Zurich

Zug

Plus why not explore on your own these lovely towns and cities:

Geneva - see http://www.geneva.info/

Fribourg – on the French/German language border

Appenzell – an old-fashioned town

Lugano – gateway to three lakes

Locarno – on Lago Maggiore

And more…

Compiled by Julia Newton, 2 September 2011, amended April 2016

With contributions from Amy Eber, Colin Hawker, Ewelina Pace, Gill Rüttimann, Helga Meyer-Piening, Lindsey Carver, Otto Schreibke, Paola Cavallari, Sue Poolman, Trudi MacDonald ,Valerie Quiblier.

Guide number 4 - Gardens and Parks

Although many Swiss turn their modest balconies into hanging gardens worthy of Babylon, there are many gardens throughout the country that are worth a journey, and most of them are free.

Zurich Botanical Gardens Part of Zurich University, a lovely spacious area near to Zollikon tram stop. It has beautiful planting, nicely labelled, with greenhouses, water features, an allotment growing herbs and vegetables, a cheap café and plenty of places to sit and relax. Open all year. Free entrance.

https://www.zuerich.com/en/visit/nature/botanical-garden

Gardens and arboretum, Zürich Mythenquai. By the lake near Bürkliplatz, a large grassy area lovely for strolling, with a small arboretum and aviary.

Zurich Utoquai and Seefeldquai from Bellevue to Zürichhorn This side of the lake offers a half-hour walk through grassy areas where you can sit and admire the view. The plants and sculptures around Lakeside and Zurichhorn are particularly nice.

China Garden, Zurich A little gem in the park close to Zurichhorn, a gift from the town of Kunming. Small entry fee. This is a Chinese garden in miniature, with traditional features such as rocks, water features, pavilions, a zigzag bridge, and waterlilies and magnolias. There’s also a cheap takeaway café there. Or take a picnic.

http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/ted/de/index/gsz/natur-_und_erlebnisraeume/chinagarten.html

Rose garden, Rapperswil (SG) In the city of the roses, the small rose garden at the foot of the castle features many varieties, in bloom from June to September.  Take the long boat trip from Zürich Bürkliplatz, or go by train. www.zsg.ch, www.sbb.ch

For events in Rapperswil including free guided tours in August, contact Tourist Information at 055 220 57 57. (Gill)

Insel Ufenau in the Zurichsee is worth stopping off at, to spend an hour exploring nature.

www.zsg.ch

Enea’s Tree Museum, Rapperswil-Jona

An ultra-modern garden designed to show off many different tree varieties collected by Swiss landscape artist Enzo Enea on his travels. You can see trees in a natural, landscaped setting and also buy them in the garden shop. Driving recommended. http://www.enea.ch/

Meier Garden Centre, Dürnten (between Rüti and Hinwil) (ZH)

More than just a garden centre, it’s worth a half day trip in itself to see the indoor and outdoor plant displays,  seek answers to all your gardening questions, add to your plant collection and enjoy a coffee or lunch in the airy café. Also new this year, a Butterfly House with European and imported species.

http://www.meier-ag.ch/cms/

Villa Boveri Baden (AG) Formal gardens at the villa once owned by ABB founder Walter Boveri.

http://www.abb-wfs.ch/articles/98

Schloss Arenenberg (TG), in the grounds of Napoleon III’s former castle, on the shores of Lake Constance. The gardens alone are worth seeing, and you can also make a RailAway tour with reduced entrance to the charming house. Napoleon Museum at Schloss Arenenberg

St. Gallen Botanical Gardens (SG) are extensive, well laid out and full of interesting plant varieties. Free entry.  St Gallen Botanic Gardens

Merian Park, Basel (BS). An extensive park and garden on the outskirts of the city, featuring irises, fuchsia, roses, rhododendrons, peonies and many other special displays, as well as a café and museum. Entrance free. Take tram 10 or 14 from Basel SBB station. Merian Park Basel

Schöntal sculpture garden. Paola reports, ‘Sculpture garden and gallery in a partially restored monastery (dating back to the 1100 century) - the place is awesome, totally unexpected.’ http://www.schoenthal.ch

The trip can also include a visit to Balsthal http://www.balsthal.ch/ ‘nice village, with good restaurants and two castles (ruins of a castle in Balsthal itself and a castle nearby), close to Olten (SO) and not far from Aarau.’

The Ticino region of southern Switzerland has many beautiful and exotic gardens.

Locarno Camellia Park and exhibition every May www.myswitzerland.com

Isola de Brissago in Lago Maggiore http://www.isolebrissago.ch/en

The Lausanne Jardin Botanique is open year-round and also features special exhibitions. http://www.musees.vd.ch/fr/musee-et-jardins-botaniques/

The Geneva Botanical Gardens near the city centre is part of a series of parks. The Gardens feature a plant library, a herbarium as well as the extensive gardens and conservatory. Free entrance, open all year round.

http://www.ville-ge.ch/cjb/jardin_en.php

Insel Mainau (DE) An island in the Bodensee (Lake Constance) with extensive gardens featuring seasonal displays of tulips, rhododendron, roses and dahlias as well as an orchid house and well maintained flower beds, herb garden and plant shop. Jazz program in August, restaurants. Travel by car (park on German side and take bridge) or train via Konstanz and boat (look for RailAway offer in summer season). www.mainau.de

Be your own tour guide!

No need to pay for an expensive guided tour; you can take a tour of the main sights in any major Swiss city with the help of a good guide book and a street map.

The following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra information from our members.

Featured town: Bern

You can also visit the Swiss Parliament on a guided tour of Bern - book in advance and take pass.

In coming guides, discover these cities - see links on right:

Basel Altstadt

St. Gallen cathedral area

Schaffhausen

Chur

Bellinzona

Murten

Konstanz

Zurich

Zug

Luzern

Plus why not explore on your own these lovely towns and cities:

Geneva - see http://www.geneva.info/

Fribourg – on the French/German language border

Appenzell – an old-fashioned town

Lugano – gateway to three lakes

Locarno – on Lago Maggiore

And more…

Compiled by Julia Newton, 2 September 2011. Amended April 2016

With contributions from Amy Eber, Colin Hawker, Ewelina Pace, Gill Rüttimann, Helga Meyer-Piening, Lindsey Carver, Otto Schreibke, Paola Cavallari, Sue Poolman, Trudi MacDonald ,Valerie Quiblier.

Guide number 5 - Churches and monasteries

Many Swiss churches have plain interiors since the Reformation, but there are still many that are worth a visit and don’t cost anything: they can also tell you a great deal about the history of Switzerland.

Zürich Grossmünster (ZH) with its twin towers dominating the skyline was founded by Charlemagne in the late 8^th century on the graves of martyrs Felix and Regula. Here, too, the Reformation priest Zwingli preached. Visit the crypt, see the cloisters, climb the tower (a small charge) and note the Romanesque door and the Giacometti windows.

Zürich Fraumünster (ZH) dates back to 853 when King Ludwig founded the church as a convent for his daughter Hildegard. The Chagall windows are particularly memorable, and the recently renovated cloisters feature frescoes telling the city’s early history.

Einsiedeln  (SZ) is a fine example of Baroque architecture and a Benedictine monastery  and pilgrimage site. The church interior is very elaborate and also contains a statue of a Black Madonna, said to have miraculous powers. The abbey library can be visited by appointment.

Hofkirche Luzern (LU) Dating back to the 12^th century, this impressive church was rebuilt in the Renaissance style.

Franciscan Church, Bern (BE) This is Bern’s oldest church, originally a monastery before it was taken over by the French Huguenots. The Münster in Bern is also impressive as a great Gothic cathedral, the tallest church in Switzerland.

Cathedral Notre- Dame, Lausanne (VD) Another early Gothic cathedral dating back to the 12^th century on a Roman and Carolingian site. It was formerly a Catholic church which became Protestant after the Reformation. The tower view is worth a visit.

Münster, Basel (BS) This monumental cathedral was built in the 8^th century, and rebuilt in the 12^th and 14^th centuries after an earthquake. During the Reformation in the 16^th century it was stripped of all it decoration, but some frescoes and stained glass windows remain.  The cloisters and crypt are also worth exploring. The tomb of Erasmus is here.

Botta’s church, Mogno, Locarno (TI) Built in 1990 by the Ticinese architect, this church was built in a tiny hamlet after an earthquake in 1986. It has a striking marble checkerboard interior.

Kloster Fahr, near Zurich (ZH) A Benedictine nunnery with 26 nuns still in residence. The garden is beautiful.

Karthause Ittingen (TG) A former Carthusian monastery, now converted to a conference centre and museum. Entrance to the beautiful gardens is free, you can see the old roses and the herb garden, enter the church and the labyrinth, the restaurant is very nice and prices reasonable, and the shop sells local produce including the famous Ittinger beer. Near Frauenfeld, ample car parking.

St. John’s Church Mustair (GR). In a very remote corner of Switzerland, this church is the country’s oldest and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Be sure to ring ahead if you plan to visit.

Kappel am Albis (ZH) (Paola)

‘Originally a Cistercian monastery built in the 11th century. In a beautiful location: amazing view of the lake of Zug and the Alps (on the good days), and amazing buildings - the church and cloister are still in the original medieval forms, while the monastery was rebuilt in the 16th century and has been lovingly restored in recent times (with the original furniture still there in a very tasteful mix with some very modern, design pieces).

‘Actually, the monastery has been brought to a new life as congress centre, but you are free to visit every corner of this place and open all the doors (unless of course the rooms are in use for lessons or conferences). They also organize some guided tours of the whole complex.

http://www.klosterkappel.ch/de

‘I love this place: it is so beautiful and peaceful - and the people running the monastery/conference centre are so nice (it is not just a commercial thing - you can feel there is more to it!)

You can also eat in the cellar of the monastery - they offer quite an interesting menu using the products they grow themselves (the monastery has farms - like in the monks' times.)’

How to get to Kappel am Albis: the easiest way is by car, but you can get there also by bus from Affoltern am Albis, or from Thalwil with a change in Hausen am Albis.

For people interested in Swiss history: Kappel am Albis was the site of the 16^th century wars between the Protestant and Catholic cantons and the so-called "Milchsuppe" peace that followed.

Zwingli lived here few years and died in a farm still there in a village nearby (a visit to this village is well worth the 10 minutes’ walk from Kappel).

Be your own tour guide!

No need to pay for an expensive guided tour; you can take a tour of the main sights in any major Swiss city with the help of a good guide book and a street map. The following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra information from our members:

Featured town: Basel Altstadt

In coming weeks, discover these cities - see links on right:

St. Gallen cathedral area

Schaffhausen

Chur

Bellinzona

Murten

Konstanz

Zurich

Zug

Luzern
Bern including Swiss Parliament visit

Plus why not explore on your own these lovely towns and cities:

Geneva - see http://www.geneva.info/

Fribourg – on the French/German language border

Appenzell – an old-fashioned town

Lugano – gateway to three lakes

Locarno – on Lago Maggiore

And more…

Compiled by Julia Newton, 2 September 2011. Amended April 2016

With contributions from Amy Eber, Colin Hawker, Ewelina Pace, Gill Rüttimann, Helga Meyer-Piening, Lindsey Carver, Otto Schreibke, Paola Cavallari, Sue Poolman, Trudi MacDonald ,Valerie Quiblier.

Guide number 6 - Swiss life and culture

It doesn’t cost anything to absorb yourself into Swiss life and all that it offers. Here are a few things that anyone can enjoy:

Traditions

Swiss festivals are numerous and colourful. These take place every year, either locally or nationwide:

Fasnacht. Timing varies in Catholic and Protestant Cantons. Celebrating the Lenten Fasting period between Shrove Tuesday/Fasnacht Tuesday and Easter, parades take place in many villages as well as big processions in the cities of Basel, Zürich and Luzern, for example.

Sechseläuten A Zürich city half-day holiday usually on the third Monday in April, this festival is marked by a procession of all the guilds down the Bahnhofstrasse to Bellevue where a snowman or Böögg is burnt on a bonfire at 6pm.

Swiss National Day A nationwide holiday on 1 August celebrated locally with speeches, music and fireworks.

Zürich Street Parade This has become a summer tradition over the past 20 years, a huge music festival and costume parade in the streets of the city, with food and drink and lots of noise. Goes on into the early hours.

Knabenschiessen In Zürich, a half day holiday on the second Monday in September marks the end of the three-day Boys’ Shooting event (also for girls). The fair at Albisguetli is good fun.

Appenzell In October the cattle are brought down from their summer pastures and parade through the streets.

Räbeliechtli Marking the end of the last vegetable of autumn on the second Saturday in November, the biggest parade takes place in Richterswil (ZH), when all the streetlights are turned off for the procession  of floats made from turnips or Räben. Other villages in Canton Zürich have their own children’s procession.

Local Spring and Autumn Markets Look out for these events near you, a great opportunity to buy local produce and crafts.

Chilbis or fairs which travel around during August-September. Smell the bratwurst, garlic bread and candyfloss.

Bern Onion Market takes place on the last Monday in November. Visitors come from all over Europe to this colourful event.

Samichlaus Day on 6 December is when Swiss children celebrate before Christmas. He wears a long red robe, travels with his silent companion Schmützli and leaves nuts and oranges in children’s shoes. Grittibanz or dough men are on sale then.

Advent and Christmas Markets take place in many towns such as Zürich, Einsiedeln, Luzern, Basel, and Bern, selling crafts, gingerbread cookies and Glühwein.

Libraries. Find out what’s going on in your local town by joining the library. They have a great selection of fiction and non-fiction books, many have the latest English fiction as well as German, French and Italian novels. For a modest annual fee you can also borrow CDs, DVDs and children’s games and toys.

Ortsmuseum Your local museum is a good place to find out about local history. Check opening times.

Cafes and restaurants can be found on every corner, at the tram stop and even atop the highest mountain peak. Swiss coffee is possibly the best in the world, there are still some traditional Swiss beers such as Ittinger, Rappi Bier and Wädibier, local wine can be bought by the glass or decilitre and bratwurst, pommies (what the English call chips) and barley soup are ubiquitous. Over the past 10 - 15 years, the number of high-end restaurants catering to every taste, nationality and pocket has also multiplied.

Starbucks Starting to become a Swiss institution after 10 years, their smoke-free cafes offer a welcome beverage choice from a long list, locally baked cakes, cookies and sandwiches, WiFi access and comfortable seating. You can sit there all morning over a single cup of coffee. Many do coffee tastings on request or have book exchanges. Also welcoming for parents with young children.

http://www.starbucks.ch/

Be your own tour guide!

No need to pay for an expensive guided tour; you can take a tour of the main sights in any major Swiss city with the help of a good guide book and a street map. The following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra information from our members:

Featured town: St. Gallen

In coming weeks, discover these cities - see links on right:

Schaffhausen

Chur

Bellinzona

Murten

Konstanz

Zurich

Zug

Luzern
Bern
Basel Altstadt

Plus why not explore on your own these lovely towns and cities:

Geneva - see http://www.geneva.info/

Fribourg – on the French/German language border

Appenzell – an old-fashioned town

Lugano – gateway to three lakes

Locarno – on Lago Maggiore

And more…

Compiled by Julia Newton, 2 September 2011. Amended April 2016

With contributions from Amy Eber, Colin Hawker, Ewelina Pace, Gill Rüttimann, Helga Meyer-Piening, Lindsey Carver, Otto Schreibke, Paola Cavallari, Sue Poolman, Trudi MacDonald ,Valerie Quiblier.

Guide number 7 - Shopping and entertainment

Window-shopping in Zürich’s famous Bahnhofstrasse doesn’t cost you a penny. But if you’re keen to spend some cash or wear out your credit card, these suggestions might save you money:

Alpenrhein Village Landquart (GR) is conveniently located next to the Chur autobahn and right beside Landquart train station. Good for household goods, kitchenware, bedlinens, factory stores, shoe and sports shops as well as several chains aimed at the younger, slimmer shopper.

Mainline stations and airports are great places to buy just about anything, also on Sundays. Zürich airport features Switzerland’s biggest retail centre, also try Basel and Geneva airports. 80 Swiss train stations also have shopping centres. Basel station has a surprisingly good wine store in the passageway from the Swiss to the French side.

Westside Shopping Centre near Bern (BE). As well as the shops, there’s a spa, cinemas and restaurants. Sale time is usually July to August.

Lindt Chocolate Shop in Kilchberg (ZH) is always worth a visit just for the smell, and they have bargains and new ranges too. Bus 165 stops at Schooren or S8, S24 trains to Kilchberg and then a 5 minute walk.

Jucker Pumpkin Farm (ZH)

The pumpkin show runs from mid-August to early November each year. And every year a different themed display! As well as pumpkins of many sizes and varieties, you can buy local produce and gifts in their farm shop, and enjoy pumpkin soup or a choice of salads for lunch on one of the picnic benches overlooking the Pfäffikersee. Great place for families. Suggested by Helga.

http://www.juckerfarmart.ch/

Im Viadukt market (ZH)

Zürich’s first covered market nestles under the railway arches in Josefstrasse, Zuri-West. The market hall is extensive and features food and drinks from all over Europe. You can taste before you buy in many cases. A feast for the eyes, nose and mouth. Tram 4 or 13 to Dammweg.

http://www.im-viadukt.ch/

By the roadside Look out for farm sales and ‘pick your own’ flowers and fruit in the countryside during late summer.

Near Lugano, look out for Fox Town Mendrisio (TI), a large outlet shopping centre. Suggested by Joanne S. 
http://www.foxtown.ch/index.php?lingua=en&centro=mendrisio

Over the border

Lindsey reports, ‘I like to go shopping to Singen in Germany which is quite close to Schaffhausen. Not a particularly pretty town but has some lovely clothes shops. Prices are about half what you pay in Switzerland. Particularly when the exchange rate is so low at the moment! Also Constance (Konstanz) is a lovely place to shop. Sometimes I food shop in the large Carrefour in Mulhouse, France. It is a huge supermarket and the choice is enormous! Fish is a particularly good price and always fresh’.

Arts and entertainment

Cinemas are cheaper on Mondays.

Arthouse cinemas in Zürich are cheaper than the multiplex cinemas.

Sculpture in the open is free and widespread in Switzerland. Max Bill and Jean Tinguely are often featured.

Lunch concerts at the Zürich Tonhalle, usually on the first Thursday of the month from September to June, last an hour or so and are cheaper than the evening performances. Family concerts on some Sundays are also reasonably priced.
The annual Zürich Festival in June/July has a comprehensive program.

Lucerne Festivals at Easter and in summer at the KKL are world-renowned. Book early to get the cheaper seats.

Festivals in other cities – look out for SBB special deals in Neuchatel, Winterthur, Ascona, St. Gallen Open-Air, Montreux Jazz Festival, Frauenfeld Open-Air, Live at Sunset at the Dolder Eisbahn, Gurten Festival Bern, Nyon Paleo, Locarno Film Festival etc are just a few examples. Train ticket offices have excellent brochures. www.sbb.ch

Be your own tour guide!

No need to pay for an expensive guided tour; you can take a tour of the main sights in any major Swiss city with the help of a good guide book and a street map. The following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra information from our members:

Featured town: Schaffhausen

The following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra information from our members.

Zurich

Zug

Luzern

Bern – you can also visit the Swiss Parliament on a guided tour

Basel Altstadt

St. Gallen cathedral area

Chur

Bellinzona

Murten
Konstanz

Plus why not explore on your own these lovely towns and cities:

Geneva - see http://www.geneva.info/

Fribourg – on the French/German language border

Appenzell – an old-fashioned town

Lugano – gateway to three lakes

Locarno – on Lago Maggiore

And more…

Compiled by Julia Newton, September 2011.

With contributions from Amy Eber, Colin Hawker, Ewelina Pace, Gill Rüttimann, Helga Meyer-Piening, Joanne Seiler,  Lindsey Carver, Otto Schreibke, Paola Cavallari, Sue Poolman, Trudi MacDonald ,Valerie Quiblier.