Switzerland Travel Forum

Recently I noticed a fourth of fifth Switzerland request. So far, all Swiss travel questions were of
"we have three days, but we have to see everything and travel the entire Swiss Rail network" nature.

I am thinking, it is probably a good idea for VT-ers to compile few journeys for Switzerland which do make sense and post as a travel tip. It's a popular destination but due complicated terrain and rail network (OF COURSE! WHAT YOU EXPECT IN CH? THAT'S THE POINT!) confusing, too.

Objections? Ideas?

First question: what are the "must see" HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL places for a shorter trips.

I begin with Wikipedia list about Romanesque architecture.


Googling at romanesque + switzerland also gave:

- Romanesque church in Spiez, Berner Oberland
- Romanesque-Gothic church, the "Collegiale", in the city of Neuchâtel
- Romanesque Church, Saint-Sulpice, Vaud
- The church in Romainmôtier.
- Grossmünster in Zürich (OK, so Zürich is worth to see!)
- Romanesque Church, Payerne, Vaud
- Basel, Basler Münster

Other findings:

- Kirche Sankt Martin in Zillis

Of course, the Abbey of St. Gallen (even as most of it isn't romanesque), but it's impressive, beautiful and important.


OK, "ROMANESQUE" PROBABLY FINISHED... Or more ideas?

these kind of questions make me laugh! I regularly visit Switzerland, usually concentrating on an area at a time, and have written many pages and VT tips.
Even with their efficient transport system you can see and enjoy so much more by getting off the train and exploring on foot, taking post buses to beautiful, off the usual touristic trail not so well known valleys and mountains like the Lotschental valley and the Fiescertal region

That's precisely the point. I would like to compile several "pre-set" options for visitors from overseas.
Unfortunately most are trapped in that stupid railpass trap "I have four days, I have to utilize all four to the max, let's see as much of Swiss public transportation as possible".

This is one of the reasons I became the sworn enemy of most passes - they are not just not providing the PERCEIVED value, they work against the traveller.

Since these wonderful TCV tickets are valid for two month without day limits, let's create few journeys what would make sense.

I am captive of my own interests (history, medieval architecture) - hence the way I begun this topic. I simply got tired to work my butt off optimizing some insane journeys (takes 2-3 hour!) + getting all ticket prices. Wouldn't be it easier to compile a little list of options like

"Switzerland for beginners - 4 days"
"Switzerland: not just mountains - 7 days"
"Swiss lakes and rails - 5 days"

etc etc. and put it on this web site. Every time someone drops by - we can point out, here is a list with few options. It's like... like creating a fairly open virtual-individual tour.

the only passes I usually get are the regional passes for a particular area - Bernese Obeland, William Tell Pass. Just back from Adelboden are there you can get hike passes for the local transport system and mountain cable-cars etc..
I see your point and yes that's a great idea. Often now on my pages I include a brief overview of how the time has been spent and where - so daytrip options and which nearby places can easily be combined.

I personally have been two dozen times to Switzerland or even more. I always concentrate on one or two areas, stay there for five-seven days (or even two weeks) and explore in depth. I can do this because I live in Germany and travelling to Switzerland is no big deal. Others come from overseas and cannot travel as often to Switzerland. (Ditto for other countries.) So for them it makes sense to cover the highlights.

For everyone the highlights are different, depending on their individual interest. I bet if they were willing to read through the guide books they could find their own favourite spots - but most travellers are just too lazy. Or, some even have even no clue what they're interested in!

I agree that it would be good (and probably most fun for us experienced Switzerland travellers, LOL) to put together a site with the highlights.

The places you mentioned for (Pre-)Romanesque architecture are pretty good. I'd like to add a few:

- Cathedral Chur (GR)
- crypt of St. Luzi in Chur (GR)
- St. Peter in Mistail/Alvaschein (GR)
- Monastery Müstair (GR)
- San Vittore in Locarno-Muralto (TI)
- San Nicolao in Giornico (TI)
- Sant'Ambrogio Vecchio in Prugiasco-Negrentino (TI)
- Battisterio in Riva San Vitale (TI)
- former Allerheiligen Monastery in Schaffhausen (SH)

I would scratch St. Gallen from the Romanesque list. You cannot see the crypts of the abbey church, only Baroque architecture.