Four of us adults are coming from an Avalon River Cruise ending up in Basel and heading to Zurich that morning. It was 43 years ago since I've been to Zurich where I lived for a year. We are staying at the Marriott Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel for only one night and then must fly home to the States. Sadly, we cannot spend more than the one day there. I'm trying to show the group a good time and make the expensive one day deviation from our trip worth every penny. I would have loved after unloading luggage at the hotel to be able to catch a train and let them see something beautiful like Grindelwald. I've read on these forums however that maybe Grindelwald isn't the spot? Here's the hope: to take them to a picturesque part of Switzerland they'll never forget, without it being a headache and a hassle. Renting a car is out, so we're limited on time as to where we can go and what we can enjoy. I was thinking of Luzern, but it's not as pretty as Grindelwald. One of our group members is dealing with brain cancer. If this trip comes to fruition, I want to help create a lasting memory for he and his wife. Does anyone have any thoughts on the best way to show them around while in Zurich? Thanks in advance.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8966 posts
tdeltr, Grindelwald is certainly lovely, but its not exactly in the neighborhood of Zurich. Looks like about a 3 hour train ride one way, so most of your day would be on a train. Maybe all of it - Basel>Zurich>Grindelwald>Zurich. Thats a whole day just on the train. If you're flying out of Zurich, I'd just skip Zurich itself, and stay in Luzern. Its about an hour by train from Basel, and there are trains that go to the airport in Zurich direct from Luzern, about 1.25 hours. It qualifies as scenic, and you can take a cruise on the lake, or take a trip up one of the mountains.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7884 posts
You didn't explain why a car is out, but I'd rent a car in Basel, and plan to visit Augusta Raurica, Stein am Rhein, Aarau, and if time and light permit, the Rheinfall. Then return the car in Zurich.
Are you relying on Avalon for a bus from Basel, the hotel, and a bus to the airport the next day? Is that what you meant by "expensive one day deviation"? It might be cheaper on your own.