I’ve only received info from this Forum prior to this year. But since traveling this year has been so different, I decided to post our experience in flying to Zurich, and heading to Appenzell for 3 days. People who have trips scheduled to Switzerland this year have been so helpful so I want to “pay it forward.”
We originally planned to stay 2 nights in Appenzell before heading to Zurich for the start of our tour, but then I found out we could get the Appenzell Holiday Card with a 3 night lodging.
It also includes a free round trip train ticket from the Zurich airport to Appenzell. So we’ll only pay for the train travel from the airport to the hotel stop.
The card also allows us to ride the local train in the area for 3 days and one round trip cable car to Ebenalp, which we did today, since it was a glorious sunny day.
There was only one problem. My checked bag did not arrive…so my only pair of shoes are my Clark’s slip-on…and we wanted to walk at Ebenalp to the Aescher-Gasthaus. The hotel owner showed me that with my Holiday card a local outdoor store offered “one day trial of hiking shoes.” So…I hiked in a 250 CHF pair of Lowa hiking boots, and one trekking pole which my husband generously shared.
I think we were the only Americans on the mountain. Many people are from Germany who drive here for a few days. I feel like we are really doing “back-door” traveling. At the restaurant tonight the waitress said Americans have not been here.
Being in our 70s, we like to “ease-into” traveling, such as reading train schedule and track # and also noticing if we are entering a 2nd class car, etc. At the moment we wish we could stay longer than 3 days. The hills are so green; no one is masked outdoors, but masked on trains. I can’t get over the beautiful green hillsides…and I’m originally from Kauai, the Garden Island.
And we really hit the jackpot. The Cows and Goats are scheduled to come down from the mountains tomorrow…passing right in front of our Hotel Adler.
So…as of right now, we feel so thankful and safe to be here.
Posted by
289 posts
Smart planning, don’t you just love getting a deal! Enjoy the rest of your trip, I’m looking forward to Switzerland next year.
Posted by
Narberth, PA
1255 posts
Thanks for sharing. I am living vicariously through people currently travelling like you! I have never been to Appenzell - yet - but everything I read tells me to go there. Thanks.
Posted by
Paris
10193 posts
Carol , this sounds just wonderful. So savvy of your hotel owner to have you take advantage of that incredible deal !
I hope your luggage will get there soon. I am so happy for you that you are going to be there when the cows and goats come down !
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Posted by
OP
Southern Oregon
682 posts
Debbie, the area is so restful. We’ve been to the mountains twice on two different cable cars. We know we are traveling with locals because there have been dogs everywhere, on the train, cable cars, and trails. The hills remind me of Pennsylvania, where husband is from originally, except the green rolling hills go on for miles.
Kim, actually our hotel host did not alert us to the Appenzell Card. I found out about it when doing search on the area; and I realized it is mentioned in RS’ Switzerland guidebook.
…and my suitcase was outside my door this morning. So all is good.
…and as promised, today the cows and goats were brought down from the high country…in 3 different groups. One little girl looked like Heidi. She was barefoot and in regional attire. 😊
Posted by
Narberth, PA
1255 posts
Thanks, Carol. I am scheduled for Venice and Florence in spring, but the mountains are calling!! I am glad your trip is going so well.
Wait - I did not mean to use the same words as you use in the title of your next post - purely coincidence - but then the calling mountains must really be true!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Carol,
It's wonderful to hear that you're having such an enjoyable time in Appenzell. Your experience with Hotel Adler is not surprising as I found the staff there to be very helpful. Just hearing the name of the hotel reminds me of the wonderful odours from the bakery in the morning (hopefully they still have that?). Hopefully you'll get a chance to attend one of the local folk music performances.