Lake Geneva, Lausanne, Interlaken Switzerland

[David Latt]

I'll be a first time visitor to Switzerland on a press trip. I'll be in Lausanne for a week and would love suggestions about favorite restaurants, activities and favorite places. Using Swiss Rail to get around the country, I would also appreciate suggestions about how the train works.

I'll also be in Zurich, Zug and Lugano. Any suggestions about favorite places to visit would also be appreciated.

Thanks

[Michaela Ruoss]

Using the train in Switzerland is as easy as it gets :)

Switzerland is superbly connected by rail, bus and boat. Nowhere in the world will you find a denser transport network - and all of it is orchestrated. Also Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and the other Swiss transport providers are constantly improving connections to the holiday regions. Trains run on a regular-interval timetable: they always depart and arrive at the same minute past the hour/half hour. Timetable info you can find on http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html.

The best ticket for foreigners, who want to travel around in Switzerland is the Swiss Pass, which does not only include all public transport has to offer (train, bus, tram and boat), but also gives you free access to over 400 museums as well as discounts for mountain railways and cable cars.
http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/home.html

http://www.raileurope.com/rail-tickets-passes/swiss-pass/index.html

[Michaela Ruoss]

Zurich Tips

Sight Seeing
Lindenhof. This spot provides a glorious view of the Old Town, Grossmünster Church, City Hall, the Limmat river, the university and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Lindenhof was also the scene of numerous historical events. In the 4th century, a Roman fort stood on Lindenhof. Today, Lindenhof is a haven of peace and tranquility in the heart of the city and a meeting point for passionate chess players.
→ www.zuerich.com/map/index.cfm?lang=en&y=247491&x=683260
Schipfe. «Schipfe» is one of the oldest quarters of the city of Zurich. The name originates from the nautical term «schupfen» (push) used by the fishermen to describe how they pushed their boats to and from the river bank. Quality and custom-made pruducts are available in the small, romantic shops and workshops along the Limmat River. The Schipfe is an idyllic location to linger, shop and enjoy some good food.
→ www.schipfe.ch/ (German only)
→ www.zuerich.com/map/index.cfm?lang=en&y=247367&x=683290

Industrial Quarter. This area where machines used to rumble and soot hung in the air is now Zürich’s trendiest place to go out. Experience the former industrial district with its new and renovated buildings, get to know where fresh life is taking root, and take a look back at the fascinating history of this city quarter.

Viaduct Arches. Life has returned to the area under the arches of the railway viaduct built in 1894 in Zürich West. A 550-yd-long urban meeting place invites you to stroll, shop, enjoy, eat and drink. A shopping paradise has been created under 36 viaduct arches. The colorful mix of delicatessens, studio galleries, sport and fashion boutiques is open to the public. At the heart of it all is the Market Hall where 20 farmers and food vendors from the area offer their wares. → www.im-viadukt.ch/ (German only)

Thermal Baths & Spa Zürich - swim through the hundred-year-old stone vaults of the former Hürlimann brewery right inside the mountain, or bathe in daylight, in the open-air rooftop pool, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of Zürich.
→ www.thermalbad-zuerich.ch/index.asp?chglang=en&kat=home

Museums

Museum of Design Zurich. (Closed Mondays) → www.museum-gestaltung.ch/
The themes of this museum are design, visual communication, shaping of the environment, art, architecture, everyday culture, photography and the media, as well as cataloguing new developments. The program includes various special exhibitions supplemented by numerous events. The museum houses four important collections (Design, Graphics, Art Collections, Posters) and a specialist library open to the public.

Dadahaus Cabaret Voltaire → www.cabaretvoltaire.ch
The Dada art movement was founded in 1916 in the Cabaret Voltaire, on Spiegelgasse, as a “protest against the madness of the times”. Artists, musicians, dancers and literati met in the Cabaret Voltaire and called the entire existing art into question. Opening hours: Museum: Tue-Fri & Sun 1.30pm-6.30pm, Sat 11am-7p
CaféBar: Tue-Sat 12.30pm-midnight, Sun 12.30pm-7pm, Mon closed

Restaurants

Restaurant «Hiltl» → www.hiltl.ch
Kronenhalle → www.kronenhalle.com/
Bar & Restaurant «Volkshaus» → www.volkshaus.ch
Restaurant «Les Halles» → www.les-halles.ch
Restaurant «Markthalle» → www.restaurant-markthalle.ch
Ziegel au Lac www.ziegelohlac.ch
Clouds → www.clouds.ch

[Michaela Ruoss]

Lausanne Tips

Highlights
Lausanne old town with cathedral – the impressive cathedral is surrounded by beautiful, car-free roads.
Lake Geneva cruise – paddlewheel steamers and motor vessels highlight the attractions of the Lake Geneva region as seen from the water. → www.cgn.ch/eng
Musee de l’Art Brut – a unique, worldwide collection of works of art created by outsiders in psychiatric clinics and prisons. → www.artbrut.ch
Fondation de l'Hermitage – the foundation presents changing art exhibitions of the highest calibre in a magnificent setting dating from the 19th century. → en.fondation-hermitage.ch/
Train des vignes – leisurely train journey onboard the «Train of Vines» from Vevey to Chexbres through the winegrowing region of the Lavaux, high above Lake Geneva.
→ www.montreuxriviera.com/en/culture_leisure/Culture_Lavaux_en/activi...

Restaurants
La Maison d'Igor → http://www.maison-igor.ch/en/
Hotel de Ville – Philippe Rochat → www.philippe-rochat.ch
Café Beau-Rivage → www.brp.ch/uk/index.php
Pinte Besson → www.pinte-besson.com
Le Café Romand → www.caferomand.com
Le Café du Grütli → www.cafedugruetli.ch

[Michaela Ruoss]

Lugano Tips

Sight Seeing

Via Nassa and Via Cattedrale, Lugano’s most-known shopping streets.

Parco Civico Ciani - Overlooking the shores of lake Ceresio, its 63.000 sq. metres constitute the city’s green lung; it’s a quiet place where you can take nice walks and where it is impossible to remain unperturbed by the grandeur of century old trees.

Monte San Salvatore (912 m) – from the top of the "sugarloaf" (reached by funicular railway from Lugano-Paradiso) you can walk down the panoramic footpath to Carona and then on to Morcote.

San Lorenzo Cathedral – set above the Old Town, it is worth a visit with its facade in the Lombardy Renaissance style, and countless frescoes and valuable Baroque artefacts inside.

Swiss Miniature – All of Switzerland's highlights in mini format. http://www.swissminiatur.ch/?fuseaction=m1.home&lan=en

Restaurants
Grand Cafe al Porto www.grand-cafe-lugano.ch
Ristorante Soave 10 http://www.soave10.ch/
Principe Leopolodo http://www.leopoldohotel.com/en/69/default.aspx
Ristorante La Tinera http://www.infomenu.ch/

[Michaela Ruoss]

Zug Tips

Sight Seeing

Old Town – an impressive Old Town building from the late Gothic period, emblem of the historic centre, is the 52 m high Zytturm, rising above the other ancient towers.
Art Museum – six annual exhibitions of modern art, artists are invited to help create the exhibition. http://www.kunsthauszug.ch/
Zug station – a light installation by the American light artist James Turrell has turned Zug station into a trendy work of art.
Lake Zug – organise a boat ride or enjoy a romantic sunset from the lakeside promenade. http://www.zugersee-schifffahrt.ch/en/home/

Restaurants
Rathauskeller www.rathauskeller.ch
Domus www.restaurant-domus.ch
CU Restaurant http://www.citygarden.ch/cu_restaurant

[YAPESA TRAVELERS AND FREIGHTERS]

Apologies for being late to reply. We have our office in Kenya etc.. how can we help ? We have an unparalleled service and outstanding reputation in the market place for the luxury traveler individual and/or group or Incentive.

Please let me know if we can help.

Thank you

regards
Yours Faithfully,
Victor Matete
Director
YAPESA TRAVELERS AND FREIGHTERS CONSULTANTS AGENCIES LTD.
P.O.BOX 52416-00100
NAIROBI KENYA
Email: [e-mail]
http://www.tfcacltd.webs.com/