A big thanks to everyone!! I am off to spread my wings!!

That's great. Life goes on! You are going to love Switzerland or if you had been before love it again. There is nothing like it.

Carrie, I feel the same way! I have been checking this forum daily since I discovered it in 2017! Oh my gosh, I have learned so much.

I hope you have a fabulous trip and please report back so I can start using your tips for my trip to Switzerland ( whenever that may be).

Carrie, enjoy your adventure! Please consider posting a trip report (of any length and level of detail) when you return as most of us are traveling only in our dreams these days.

Oh Carrie I hope you have a wonderful time ! What a lovely message.

So happy for you Carrie. I too have learned, and continue to learn so much from all these posts!

Carrie- have a wonderful trip to Switzerland. May you make many wonderful memories, and then come back to share them on Trip reports on the forum. ;o)

Have a wonderful trip Carrie. When I planned my first solo "My Way Italy" back in 2015, this forum was my bible! It also gave me the confidence and skills necessary. Although I was very nervous, I had no problems and 6 years later still go back thru my emails and photos to relive those wonderful memories. Enjoy your trip and be safe. You will absolutely love Switzerland, I did the "My Way Alpine" back in fall of 2019 - my last trip and one of the best.

You couldn't have chosen a better place for your first visit. I don't think I have ever heard anyone say they didn't like Switzerland. Bon Voyage and enjoy.

Carrie, You have the Best Wishes from all your “Forum Friends.” You have helped so many people here by sharing what your research revealed.
You will NOT be disappointed in Switzerland and will fall in love with the beauty of the country. I remember I was in awe on my first trip to Switzerland. The landscape in places look like a picture postcard. I still am in awe of how beautiful places are.
Here’s to the FIRST of many traveling adventures for you.
Bon Voyage! Carol

Have a wonderful trip. I haven’t been to switzerland yet and look forward to your trip report. I too have learned so much from the wonderful people on this forum and Rick’s books. Wouldn’t travel anywhere in Europe without researching here first.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone!! I promise a trip report on my return.

Here’s the tentative plan: First stop Basel to see Freiburg, Colmar, and Strasbourg. Second stop Lauterbrunnen to see cows, waterfalls, Schilthorn, Bern, Thun and Lake Thun to see the 5 castles. Last stop Luzern to see Mt. Rigi and Titlis, Zurich, Bellinzona, and Mainau if we’re up for a long day trip.

I don't post much in the Switzerland section (so I can't take any credit), but I'm glad you found people who were helpful. Hope you have a great trip!

Dave, I’m sure you’ve helped me somewhere along the way. I’ve been taking notes for future trips—Italy, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, Poland, and Budapest (I was intrigued by Hungary after several people mentioned Budapest on one of Allen’s posts asking for top places or something like that). I was also inspired by another post where several people mentioned they wished they had traveled more when they were younger. So, at 48, I already feel like I’ve wasted so many years.

I’ve also devoured tips over on the packing forum (I love my packing cubes) and the best walking shoes forum. I think I tried every shoe mentioned. I started to get worried that my credit card company was going to think I was involved in some sort of shoe scam as I was buying and retuning so many shoes. 😊 I really wanted the Eccos, but they just didn’t fit properly. So, I settled on Brooks Ghosts which are super comfy, even though not as stylish as I would have liked.

I’m starting to ramble. I think I’m starting to get some nervous energy. Anyway, my point Dave, is that I probably have read tips from you at some point. And pretty much everyone here. So, thanks again all!!!

Carrie, I'm very happy this is working out for you and your family who are coming. For Freiburg, I would suggest a walk through the Wiehre neighborhood if you like nice older residential neighborhoods with beautiful buildings jutting up against the forest. Its just a bit to the southeast of the Altstadt.
I like your overall itinerary. It looks like the day trips aren't going to be too far away from where you are staying, and yet you will see a nice diversity of sites, fairly similar to what I had planned for our sometime in the future trip. Have fun.