Short Day Trips from Zurich & Zurich Farmer's Markets?

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mewood24
mewood24

Boyfriend and I are spending a weekend in Zurich in early May. We would like to balance our urban visit with a day in the countryside, but I am overwhelmed by choices as Zurich is such an easy jumping off point. We'd prefer a place that is less than 2 hrs (one way) travel by train, and are interested in something low-key; exploring old villages, enjoying views/nature, and eating good food.
I've already been to Lucerne and would rather something a little less touristy anyway. Boyfriend has never been outside the USA so I really would like to show him the best of Switzerland. I am considering:

  • Weesen (or another more appropriate village on the Walensee)
  • Fluenen, Brunnen, Seedorf or another more appropriate town on the Urnersee
  • Mt. Rigi (with a visit to Kaltbad)

The second part of this question is: which day is better to make this trip, Saturday or Sunday? Does it matter? Or, alternately, which day is better to spend in Zurich?

While in Zurich we'd really like to visit a farmer's market to put together a picnic lunch on either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. I am having a hard time finding any information on something like this. Suggestions welcome!

I appreciate your help in making our quick stopover in Switzerland a great one!

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anonymous
anonymous

As for low key excursions: Weesen is not exactly a thing that I would recommend. Rather go to Amden which is just above. Or further up and above Walensee: Walenstadtberg. Want to see my wallpaper ? It's been taken up there.

Flüelen/Seedorf: Not really. But Brunnen is a good choice. Set across to Rütli where, by the fairy tale and back in 1291, Switzerland was supposed to have been invented.

Rigi is definitely a place to go - not exactly low key but much less overrun than places like Pilatus or even Titlis. Do it this way: From Zurich, take the train to Arth-Goldau, from there by cog-railway to the top. Have lunch up there. Come down by cog-railway (or hike!) to Vitznau, take the boat to Lucerne, train back to Zurich.

For personalized schedules as well as prices, click here . For tons of information, answers to questions you may still have as well as for finding hidden gems of Willy Tell's own country, I heavily recommend to click here :-)

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neckervd
neckervd

Fresh food markets in Zurich (more expensive than in supermarkets:
http://www.zuercher-maerkte.ch/

The market at Berne is particularly scenic, as it takes place in the center of the medieval town, 5 min from the railway station (55 min by train from Zurich)
http://www.bernerwochenmarkt.ch/
http://www.berninfo.com/en/page.cfm/Bernerleben/Sightseeing/Brunnenstadt

There are usually more day trippers in trains and mountain restaurants on Sundays than on Saturdays. But the most important issue is the weather: choose a day without rain!

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strauss1944
strauss1944

Fluelen is the other end of lake from Lucerne, and we quite enjoyed our stay of 5 days there, is has a wharf that you can access the ferry to Lucerne from, we done a ferry trip from there and quite enjoyed it, the ferry trip to Lucerne is highly recomended.

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anonymous
anonymous

Some more info about Zurich which was thrown out by Thorn Tree when I posted yesterday:

Saturday is a better day for a visit of Zurich than Sunday. Remember that shops are closed on Sundays throughout Switzerland, towns therefore are rather quiet. You may however like exactly this if you only want to walk around and do money saving window shopping ;-) About what to do in Zurich, click here. As for fresh products: There are 11 weekly markets right downtown Zurich. The link neckervd already provided tells you where and when they're on (however only in German).

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mewood24
mewood24

Thanks much for all your input. Rigi seems to be the best bet, according to the general consensus, but I worry that we are going to have a hard time figuring out all the legs of the journey. Is it difficult to do so? I'd rather enjoy the day than be stressed out about getting on the right train/cog-wheel/boat.

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anonymous
anonymous

Relax! The Rigi round trip ticket (Zurich - Arth-Goldau - Rigi - Vitznau - Lucerne - Zurich) can be bought at Zurich main station (actually at every other manned train station as well). Ask for a free print-out of the schedule when you get your ticket, it should explain everything. Really as easy as it sounds. One last remark: Please report back so that the community knows how it turned out.

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mewood24
mewood24

a_p: it is not in my nature to relax...hence the vacation! :) Thank you for the reassurance...I recently found some information on the vineyards/villages of Bündner Herrschaft (train from Zurich to Bad Ragaz, walk to Maienfeld, Jenins, Malens, train to Landquart and back to Zurich). Does anyone have any input on that day trip? I see they have a 'wine walk' trail. BF and I are pretty big fans of vino, so this might be a good fit, but I don't know if Swiss wineries work the same way as US ones--can you just walk in for a tasting when they are open?

Thank you again! I will, of course, report back...if I ever make my mind up.

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anonymous
anonymous

The area around Maienfeld, Jenins and Malans is not only famous for its Herrschäftler wines+ but also for a girl that was supposedly living there: Heidi. Swiss wineries work much differently from US ones - you can't simply walk in and taste. Mind you about +walks - they, too, are not the same as in the US. Here, you simply follow the yellow signposts that are the same all over the country. Nothing like boards that explain everything, instead, you read a brochure or a guidebook first and then hike. The area is however pretty and calm - it's up to you to decide if you want to go. I don't have to, I was there already :-)

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mike2s
mike2s

This is not a actual farmer market but it is nice place for buying organic food.

Im Viadukt

Best you start at the Tramstation "Dammweg" (Tram nr. 4 and nr. 13).

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