Getting Oriented
- Schaffhausen and the Rhine. A trip from the Rhine Falls through Schaffhausen and upriver to the more tranquil village of Stein-am-Rhein transports you back to medieval and Renaissance times. The house facades, alive with colorful frescoes and bay windows, attract tourists by the busload.
- Bodensee to Walensee. Vast and windy, the Bodensee—also known as Lake Constance—is a favorite of visiting Swiss and Germans who come for its mellow vibe. Creative and hardworking St. Gallen’s biggest draw is its manuscript-stuffed Abbey Library (as well as a picturesque Old Town full of great public arts, tasty restaurants, and a thriving theater scene). Walensee’s gorgeous, tranquil, cobalt-blue lake is backed by the dramatically steep Churfirsten range.
- Liechtenstein. The last remnant of the Holy Roman Empire, this tiny castle-topped principality offers an excellent contemporary art museum and breathtaking hikes.
