[Bless10s]

4 February 2024 at 15:39:06 #1113724

I was in Switzerland last summer and going back this summer. We will be landing from the USA in Zurich around 11:35am. This time we are starting in the eastern part of Switzerland and we want to stop in Liechtenstein so we are renting a car for our first 48 hours or so. This kills me as I love the Swiss train system but it seemed the quickest way to see Liechtenstein and get to Pontresina.  Plan to spend our first night, July 24 in Appenzell. The next day drive to Pontresina and leave the car there.

While we have a car for the first 48 hours what do you recommend?

On the first day, is Rhine Falls worth it right when we land? Is there something else we should see by car? We like to hike and be outside but energy could be low the first day.

On the second day any other suggestions before or after Liechtenstein with the car between Liechtenstein and Pontresina?

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[Don F.]

Reply 1 of 4 • 5 February 2024 at 15:32:42 #1117919

Hi there,

Sounds like a nice trip. The Rheinfall is great. It’s not far from the airport (+/-40min). Only +/-22km from there is the medieval village of Stein am Rhein. It’s one of my favorites, worth many photos. (https://sunsetsandrollercoasters.com/switzerland-rheinfall-schaffhausen-stein-am-rhein/)

Appenzell is really nice, especially the countryside, town, gabled buildings and so. About 22km from Appenzell is the mountain Säntis. It’s quite special. I’ve climbed it, but the cable car is also a great way to get to the top. The view is spectacular. (https://en-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/S%C3%A4ntis?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc)

Liechtenstein is nice. It even has it’s own ski resort – Malbun.

Depending how you drive from Liechtenstein to Pontresina, you might pass Chur (Switzerland’s oldest city) and drive through a little village called Bivio (worth stopping for a coffee), before going over the Julier Pass, used by the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago (at the top of the pass are the remains of two Roman columns by the road, anti-tank measures from the war, artillery emplacements inside the mountains – though the doors aren’t so easily visible unless you look for them). You then might drive past St. Moritz, and if you have time maybe take a coffee and cake at the famous Hanselmann Café, Bakery and Confectionery Shop.

Pontresina is a very nice town. Many things to do from there. You could take the Canton’s longest funicular (or hike) to Muottas Muragl (hotel/restaurant) for a great view of the Engadin valley. Just across the valley from Pontresina is the Roseg glacial valley, which is nice for walking, but you can also take a horse drawn carriage (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_Roseg  and  https://www.engadin.ch/en/activities/horse-drawn-ride-val-roseg-summer/). From Pontresina you it’s a short drive or 10min train ride to the Morteratsch glacier valley, where you can take an easy walk to the end of the glacier tongue or a little bit more ambitious hike up the glacial moraine to the Boval Hut (https://www.thecatandthepeacock.com/blog/a-hike-to-the-boval-hut-is-one-of-the-most-beautiful-walks-in-eastern-switzerland) for a nice lunch from which you get a great view of the Bernina range. (https://www.pontresina.ch/en/activities/outdoor-mountainsports/hiking/hiking-tours/detail/morteratsch-glacier-trail/#)

Obviously,too much to do, too little time. Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Best,

Don

[Bless10s]

Reply 2 of 4 • 5 February 2024 at 18:14:33 #1117947

Hi Don,

Thank you for the information. Since we will be coming from the airport, we will have our suitcases in the car and we will also have them in the car on the way to Pontresina. I know you always run the risk of theft but is it prevalent in Switzerland?

[Don F.]

Reply 3 of 4 • 5 February 2024 at 19:14:47 #1117948

Hi again,

WOW! That’s some question. In my view there’s always a risk of theft. However, I think one can minimize it by taking precautions, not advertising that there’s something to steal and locking the car. I’d never leave my camera equipment just laying about on the car seats. I try to put luggage in the boot of the car, covered. I carry CHF 2,000 in car theft insurance, but have never needed to use it. We never lock our apartment door at night and do so only if we go out for the whole day. Do I know anyone who has had something stolen? Yes, I do. I even had a pair of snowshoes stolen from our building’s ski room once. But, I know of more cases where items are returned to the owner than taken from the owner. We live in the eastern part of Switzerland, in a village of less than 200 permanent residents. I might be more cautious in a city like Zürich. I don’t know about US homeowners insurance. But, maybe you have some coverage from that for travel. I know that’s not a direct answer to your question, but I don’t think a definitive answer is possible. Hope this helps.

Best,

Don

[Anna]

Reply 4 of 4 • 6 February 2024 at 20:29:17 #1122131

Hi Bless10s,

Here’s a route suggestion if you have time – drive from Vaduz (Liechtenstien) to Kreuzlingen then to Appenzell. You’ll be passing through Lake Constance which has some lovely sceneries. You can find more details about this route from this itinerary: https://www.myswissalps.com/itinerary/all-season-road-trip/ (read Day 5).

Regards,

Anna