Ok, I know many of us have suggestions for what to do in Switzerland, but as it come towards Christmas, many of us will experience the "visit" : when friends or relatives land on your doorstep for a long weekend. How would you entertain two or three able-bodied friends for three days that land exhausted in Zürich on Friday night and leave again Tuesday morning.

Would you exclude skiing/boarding from the equation ? Extra marks for preserving sanity and all remaining sober for at least 50% of that period.

Any four-line itineries to offer ?
dave

Switzerland generally closes for Christmas. Nothing happens. It was even once a problem buying petrol - it might still be, I don't go out as everything is closed.

Ski resorts remain one of the few beacons of life still functioning as Switzerland 'celebrates' Christmas...

do be prepared for queuing at any ski resort at Christmas; there's the tourists who booked that week hoping for a decent dump (snigger) at the "popular" resorts and the locals getting out and about at the hidden resorts (Y Brig, etc).

On the bright side, if it ain't sunny, there will be more locals at home on their couches

Dave are you also looking for suggestion for what to do in the run up to Christmas?

I was thinking about the weekends in December, not necessarily Christmas itself when relatives descend. I'm curious to know how people act as the entertainments committee and create an all-in-one taste of Switzerland for just three days - which basically rule out a lot of the traditional excursions...

cheers
dave

My parents came over for a long weekend over Christmas itself last year.

They loved - Glühwein, the Weihnachtsmarkt in the HB, Ice Skating in the Landesmuseum, Christmas lights on the Rennwegg

Not so impressed - Christmas lights on the Bahnhofstrasse, the fact that Uetliberg was shrouded in mist.

Make sure they see a bit of snow (out of Zurich if necessary), get them slightly drunk on festive drinks, enjoy the Christmassy Zurich atmosphere.

I found with my parents or in-laws a Sunday trip Window shopping up Bahnhofstr, a wander round the Christms market at the station and then hot chocolate at Sprüngli always goes down well. On one weekend in Dec there is a Christmas market on Pilatus if you want to take in a mountain trip at the same time. Check out here for more ideas.

Take a train journey to Rapperswil, mosey around the town and castle, and head across the lake on the wonderful wooden footbridge to Hurden, where there are plenty of posh restaurants to warm your cockles. Sounds wacky, but the scenery as you stroll out into the mists is spectacular, a vantage point usually unappreciated from the car.

Go for a long walk in the Dolder forest, preferably in the snow, followed by afternoon tea at the hotel and later perhaps ice-skating up there. Seeing as the daylight is so short, wrap-up and take a torch/flashlamp each and go at night. Super!

When planning a tourist trip around the town, suggest three places and allow plenty of time - make sure there's a least room for hot-chocolate/Glühwein at every interval. They'll be tired. Three places are enough for anyone, right?

Find a really cosy restaurant in advance, preferably one with wood-panelled walls and a fire-place, perhaps a little traditional and off the Züri-Cool scene. The local places are often more atmospheric and quirky to the visitor than some grand effort or chrome and glass palace.

If the weather's good: lunch up a mountain goes down well. I took my folks up to Spirstock Resaurant at Hoch Ybrig - about 45-50 mins from the town of Zurich. It's a Gondola and chair lift, with 400 metres of walking between.

They were amazed that they could eat outside in late December. There are some stunning views from there too. The mixed cold meat and cheese plate (Spirstocktaler) and a bottle of wine will complete the trick...

Take a look:
www.google.ch/search?q=spirstock&sa=Suche&domains%22=picswiss.ch &sitesearch=picswiss.ch

I'd recommend ice skating in Dolder aswell, walks around the christmas markets, dinner in the zeughaus keller and beers anywhere.
I really don't know if this would be something you'd like either but in Alpamare (the water park in Pfaffikon) when it snows and you are in the outside heated pools its pretty amazing and good fun at night too.

B

I think people come to switzerland for 1 thing: Mountains.

Toboganing / schlittern (1day, any slope will do)
Skiing (Flumserberg / Hoch Ybrig) all within 1.5hrs from ZH (1 day), just making it up there is good.
Wintermarkt (ZH HB)

HAT