What To Do on Bad Weather Days – Off the Beaten Track Ideas
There are plenty of options all over Switzerland for keeping occupied during cloudy, murky, foggy and rainy weather.
Click the pictures below for ideas.
Some Unique Activities in the City of Zürich
Boda Borg
Boda Borg Explained
The company started up in Sweden (mid 1990s) and then expanded to Lough Key in Ireland, Boston in USA and finally Zürich.
Boda Borg offers a series of physical and mental quests (24) for groups of 3 – 5 people. The idea is to choose your type of quest and a time frame. You can then take off and do as many different quests as you can in the time you paid for – if you succeed in the first challenge, then you move on to the next and so on … If you fail, you start again. Each quest has its own puzzles and challenges. There are three levels that relate to the physical difficulty of the quests – green, red and black.
The great thing about this place is that you will forget about the miserable weather in the outside world because it is easy to get completely engrossed in this inside world.
WOW Museum – Room for Illusions
Photos from WOW Museum and A.Leggett
About WOW
The WOW museum is different from any other museum in Switzerland. It is a fully immersive and interactive experience with rooms of illusions spread over three floors, taking up more than 400 square metres.
The rooms are full of hidden mirrors, light displays & deceptive images. These exhibits are regularly maintained, renewed and revamped by the owners. WOW is housed in a listed building but has partitions, walls and flooring that can be moved or adjusted to fit the changing displays.
I was there recently and recommend not only visiting the rooms but also taking time to look at the exhibits between the rooms – these are also fascinating and can give you a new perspective on how we see things. If possible, ask the staff for more information. I had a guided trip around and was given loads of interesting facts on how these tricks of the mind work.
One of the rooms has a collection of smaller illusions with books and gadgets that you can also purchase from the shop. The pictures hanging in this room managed to fool me – like the one above…
This museum is in central Zürich, just off Bahnhofstrasse, close to the main station, and is considered a great place to visit when shopping in the city centre.
Good to know –
- You will need to book a timeslot for viewing – arriving anytime. You can do this online – it is a straightforward process.
- Estimated visiting time is 60 to 90 minutes.
- Children under 6 don’t perceive the illusions so have different attractions – Willow the Museum gnome has 5 attractions, starting with lighting a wick leading to the illumination of the WOW in the foyer. Some of the rooms might be a bit much for very young children.
- QR codes with exhibit interaction – for example with photos.
- Great place for Social Media photos.
- You will say the word WOW a lot.
- Swiss Museum passes are not valid
focus Terra – Earth & Science Discovery Center of ETH University Zurich
The focusTerra Science Centre can be found at the ETH University in Zürich and includes a permanent earth science exhibition: It was created to:
- explain the geologic processes in and around Earth
- how earthquakes are triggered
- what makes volcanoes erupt
- where gems come from
- how fossils tell us about the origins of life
- show a collection of mountain terrain models (relief maps).
- explain the earth’s many processes.
- educate on pretty much everything you want to know about the planets in our solar system.
- show Earth’s natural resources in daily life.
- house the ETH University of Zürich’s geological-mineralogical collection going back 100s of years.
This museum has crisp clean modern lines with eye-popping displays and the main hall and rooms are big and easy to wander around.
According to the website, the highlights are:
- The Omniglobe changes to show various processes that the earth has and is going through – the moving of the plates, weather etc.
- The Indergand Crystal – one of the most spectacular groups of smoky quartz crystal from the Alps
- A very large painting showing a reconstruction of an area near Lake Constance would have looked like about 13 million years ago.
Good to Know: You can request a guided tour of the earthquake simulator (online) or join the free public tour on Sundays at 11 am, 1 pm or 3 pm.
Boda Borg Information
There is a choice of up to 24 different Quests.
You do as much as you want (and can) within your time frame – 2 or 4 hours.
Open daily and the entrance fee is per person. They recommend booking first, before arriving.
Location:
Riedmatt Centre Rümlang, 1. Floor
Oberglatterstrasse 35
8153 Rümlang
Transport:
Bus stop – Rümlang Riedmatt – 27-34 mins; Train from central Zürich (change to bus at Rümlang); 16 mins from Zürich airport. See sbb.ch for timetable.
Car Parking onsite (subject to a charge); from Central Zürich, 20 mins; from Zurich airport, 10 mins.
Further Details:
See Boda Borg website.
WOW Museum Information
Book timeslot and find info on COVID restrictions online at: wow-museum.ch
Location:
Werdmühlestrasse 10
8001 Zürich
5 mins. walk from Zürich main station or 2 mins. walk from Parkhaus Urania.
Opening Times & Costs:
For exact opening times and costs go here. Closed on Tuesdays.
Focus Terra Museum, ETH Zürich
Address:
Sonneggstrasse 5, 8006 Zürich
Website:
Visit a Chocolate Factory –
Lindt Chocolate Experience in Zürich & Maison Cailler in Fribourg
Lindt Chocolate Experience – Zürich
The original chocolate factory in Kilchberg has been home to Lindt since 1899. It has been extended to include a sleek and modern building which houses an exhibition, the world’s largest Sprüngli chocolate shop, a production line open for viewing, a cafe and a research plant.
The 1,500 metre exhibition shows where the chocolate comes from, the sustainable and responsible way it is sourced, the farmers and families that work on the crops, how Europeans discovered the chocolate bean and how it was refined and processed. Then finally the invention of machines that improved the taste and texture. All this is with some impressive visual and interactive displays and demonstrations.
As with most chocolate factories, it is possible to sample the chocolates and try three different types at the dark, milk and white chocolate fountains. They taste amazing and, after reading, interacting and immersing yourself in chocolate, by the end of the exhibition, you will definitely be ready to try some.
Roger Federer arrived a bit early for the Grand Opening – the Lindt & Sprüngli Factory’s own video below shows him walking through the exhibition
Public Transport:
Train from Zürich Main Station – leave every 14-16 mins to Kilchberg station down the western side of Lake Zürich – takes 7-11 mins. Is then possible to walk for 6 mins. or change to connecting bus No.163 or 165 getting off at the Lindt&Sprüngli bus stop. See SBB.ch for more details.
Car from central Zürich takes 10-15 mins.
Lindt Chocolate Factory can be found at 1 Schokolade Weg, Kilchberg, Zürich. It pays to book in advance as this attraction has become very popular over the last few years.
Maison Cailler – canton Fribourg
Cailler is found in the small town of Broc, close to the town of Gruyère in canton Fribourg. This historic chocolate factory offers an interactive tour with exhibits and is a great way to delve into the world of chocolate.
What the tour offers:
- A walk through the story of chocolate from the Aztecs to modern innovations
- find out, with sights, smells and tastes, how the chocolate is made.
- watch the chocolatiers preparing chocolates.
What else is there:
- A large chocolate heart made of 200 kg of chocolate demonstrates the ways chocolate can be worked – dripped, squeezed, carved and modelled.
- Escape game in the vintage wagon.
- Workshops
- Cafe and shop
3 options for when the sun comes out:
Gorges de la Jogn, Broc: Photo by A.Leggett
- Cailler’s Family interactive game around the factory and the town of Broc
- The Jogne Gorge- a narrow gorge with limestone rock formations and lush green surroundings. The river Jaun swirls through this gorge and can be viewed from the walkways, bridges and tunnels in the rock.
- The town and castle of Gruyère, although popular is definitely worth a wander through.
Public Transport:
Train from Zürich to Bern 1 hour; Bern to Bulle 1 hour; Bus from Bulle to Broc Fabrique 15 mins.
Train from Geneva to Bulle (1 change) 2 hours, 10 mins; Bus from Bulle to Broc Fabrique 15 mins.
Last but not least – A small Chocolate Factory in Eastern Switzerland worth visiting:
Toggenburgerstrasse 41, Flawil
Zürich – 50 mins, St. Gallen – 20 mins
Above the Clouds
View of Churfirsten Massif
During the autumn and winter months, the low clouds have a habit of hanging around the lowlands and valleys. Here are some places where it is possible to get up above the fog or haze to sunshine and deep blue skies:-
Important info when planning your trip: It is easy to check the webcams and weather forecasts for those pesky high-altitude clouds which will only give you views of clouds, clouds and more clouds.
Rigi – Canton Lucerne
Rigi is not just one mountain, but a Massif that has a range of peaks, valleys and slopes overlooking Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee), Lake Zug (Zugersee) & Lauerzersee. There are great views from all over the mountain. The views from Rigi Kaltbad (1,434 m) are of Lake Lucerne. The views from the top, Rigi Kulm (1,750 m), offer 360-degree views, of mountain peaks and, when visible Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne – especially impressive in winter when not only the Alps are covered in snow but also Rigi’s slopes.
This mountain is used by nine mountain railways which include the first mountain railway in Europe (1871). This mountain is affectionately called “Queen of the Mountains” by the Swiss. It is in one of the most iconic locations in central Switzerland and offers so many opportunities for leisure activities.
It is possible to do winter walking, skiing or visit the Rigi Kaltbad Mineral Baths & Spa – I can say from experience – the spa is lovely.
Good to know: It is possible to get combi tickets through Swiss Rail (sbb.ch) for both the trip up the mountain and the thermal baths – these combi tickets offer a discount for the visit to the baths.
Getting There
Public Transport:
From Lucerne either by train or boat to:
Weggis then cable car to Rigi Kaltbad then cog railway to Rigi Kulm.
Vitnau then cog railway to Rigi Kulm stopping at Rigi Kaltbad.
Car:
From Lucerne to Weggis or Vitznau for the cable car and cog railway takes 25 – 30 mins.
From Zürich to RigiBahn cog railway at Arth Goldau, approx. 40 mins.
From Zürich by train, via Zug, to:
Arth Goldau, with the RigiBahn cog railway to Rigi Kulm.
Look at this Webcam link for an idea of what can be found up Rigi and to check weather conditions.
Two sides of Brienzer Rothorn
A short walk up to the Brienzer Rothorn Peak (2,350 m) from top of the Sörenberg cable car.
There are two ways of reaching Brienzer Rothorn – the steam train from Brienz (May-Oct) and the Sörenberg cable car.
Brienzer Rothorn trains chugging up the mountainside from Brienz to the ridge of Brienzer Rothorn, Photo by A.Leggett
When I first arrived at this viewpoint I could hear the train chugging but couldn’t see it. The first thing I spotted was the steam slowly moving through the shadows of the mountain. I then took a seat and waited patiently. Not hard to do with a view like this!
The mountain railway and steam trains were built in 1892. During the cooler months they are overhauled to ensure they are safe for daily use in the summer months. It takes about an hour to get up the mountainside.
From April to October, it is possible to take the Brienzer Rothorn Bahn historical steam trains from Brienz near Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland (Canton Bern).
Looking towards Sörenberg in canton Lucerne from cable car
The cable car from Sörenberg in canton Lucerne takes 10 minutes to reach Brienzer Rothorn. This small town is on the edge of the Entlebuch UNESCO Biosphere reserve – a pretty place which is also part of Emmental.
Walking from the cable car restaurant attached to the Sörenberg Cable Car top station
What to do once there
Visit Restaurants and travel to other parts of the country
It is possible to walk between the restaurants that are joined to each mountain station, therefore, going up the Brienzer Rothorn train, then down the Sörenberg/Brienzer Rothorn cable car or vice versa. Each restaurant has terraces looking towards Berner Oberland. From here there is an incredible view of the Alps including Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger.
Walking or Hiking
- To the Rothorn Peak
- To Eisee (Ei Lake)
- To Lake Lugern’s Turren cable car (summer & autumn)
- Down towards Brienz
- Between restaurants ( 15 min walk)
- To Sörenberg (summer)
Webcam
Bergflex webcam of Brienzer Rothorn – Sörenberg
Train from Brienz
These are the options for Brienzer Rothorn steam trains or diesel trains (diesel trains used when busy).
It pays to get a seat guarantee – buying a ticket from sbb.ch isn’t a guarantee you will manage to get the departure time of your choice. You can get a seat guarantee from the below website (only for the ascent).
One Way or Return Ticket Possibilities from the beginning of May to the end of October.
Brienz → Rothorn
Brienz → Rothorn (dep 8:36 am) (cheaper option)
Ticket for Hiking
Brienz → Rothorn → Sörenberg
Brienz → Planalp (halfway station)
For more information, exact operation times and access to the ticket shop go to the Brienz Rothorn Bahn website.
Cable Car from Sörenberg
Operating Times
Winter
Daily from 11 December 2021 → 27 March 2022
Summer
Daily From 4th June → to 23 October 2022
Trip takes 10 mins. In July and August it is currently possible to take a trip up to view the sunrise.
For further information go to the Sörenberg Entlebuch website(german).
East Switzerland – two sides of the Thur River valley
Appenzell —- Toggenburg
Appenzell
Appenzell has several options for cloud climbing. Säntis (2,502 m) is the highest peak. This mountain is on the border of St. Gallen and the two Appenzell cantons. The cable car actually starts its journey in canton St. Gallen at Schwägalp.
Hoher Kasten (1,794 m) is part of the Alpstein Massif in the Appenzell region. This top station has an amazing multilevel viewing platform – where you can see Säntis, into Austria, Liechtenstein and Germany. There is also a revolving restaurant here.
Ebenalp (1,640 m) is on top of the mountain which has the famous Aescher restaurant and Guesthouse sitting 1454 metres down the side. It is a 15 minute walk from Ebenalp top station to the Aescher. A lovely little church nestled in some caves is next door.
Kronberg cable car
The Kronberg cable car leads to an impressive area high above the rolling Appenzell hills to the Kronberg peak (1,663 m). There are winter walking trails, snowshoeing trails and toboggan paths from the top.
The Toboggan run (Schlittelweg) is the longest in eastern Switzerland. Personally, I am not brave enough to do this run – but I did grow up in the middle of the Canterbury Plains, so not many hills worth sledging down.
Webcams:
Getting There
Schwägalp & Säntis Cable Car
Public Transport: From St. Gallen, 1 hr with 2 changes. From Appenzell, 45 mins with 1 change in Urnäsch.
Car: From St. Gallen, 45 mins – 35 km. From Appenzell, 30 mins – 22 km.
Kronberg – Jakobsbad
Public Transport: From Appenzell – 10 mins
Car: From Appenzell – 10 mins
Höher Kasten
Public Transport: From Appenzell – 15 mins, 1 change
Car: From Appenzell – 8 mins
Höher Kasten
Public Transport: From Appenzell – 15 mins, 1 change
Car: From Appenzell – 8 mins
Toggenburg
Found in eastern Switzerland, just outside of Waldhaus village and ski area, Gamplüt is a tiny set of two gondolas run by solar energy that leads to a Mountain Inn with sun terrace. This is a special place – solar power together with a wind turbine are used for electricity for the whole complex. More information can be found on their website – Gamplüt.ch This small cable car valley station is in the southern shadow of the Alpstein Mountains of Appenzell. It can be found just past Waldhaus, a small ski resort in Toggenburg. It is possible to walk up to the top station and mountain inn from Waldhaus in the Thur valley or drive past Waldhaus, following signs to Gamplüt.
Activities
In winter it is possible to toboggan, hop on a Bobracer, Zipflracer, airboard or snow scooter back down the mountain. There are also scooters with summer tyres for the warmer months.
All these plus snowshoes can be hired from the top station. Fun!
Webcam:
Gamplüt gondola and Mountain Inn
Getting There
Schönenbodenstrasse, Waldhaus, Toggenburg Website link here.
By Public Transport: from Zürich, 2 hrs (with changes); from St.Gallen, 1 hr 30 mins (change in Nesslau-Neu St. Johann.
By Car: approximate times – from Zürich, 1 hr 45 mins – 105 km*; from St. Gallen, 1 hr 18 mins – 62 km*
*via motorway
Good To Know: They currently only take cash for payment.
Around Zürich and Zug
Uetliberg —- Lindenberg —- Zugerberg
Uetliberg
Uetliberg is an 871m ridge above Zurich which offers views of Zurich city, the lake, and on clear days, the mountains. There are options for eating and viewing close to where you exit the train. You can start the walk with a full stomach by eating at the more casual Gmüetliberg Restaurant which has both self-service and evening table service options, or after a 600-metre walk to the top, visit the fancier option called Uto Kulm. There is also an observation tower at this point, which costs CHF5 to climb, and has several platforms to climb to for more viewing options in all directions. You can travel by car, but it involves a long, sometimes steep ascent. The most comfortable way is with the Uetlibergbahn, a train that goes from the Zurich main station to the mountain station. From there it is just a short walk to the top. This point is the start of various walks.
Ridge Hike
Difficulty: Easy Distance: 5.6 – 7km Duration: 2 – 3 hours Height difference: 8m up/120m down
This ridge hike is also a Planet trail that runs for approx 6km – or longer if you want to carry on to Pluto (about a further 2 km). The walk is mainly through forested areas and ends at the Felsenegg Cable Car. This cable car goes to Adliswil in Zürich. Then it is a short walk to the train station for connections with Zürich main station. Wonderful after a good dumping of snow.
Lindenberg Hill
When in Zürich this is simply a great place to drive to for some sun, views, countryside walks and cross-country skiing. (40 min by car to Horben lookout point)
There are plenty of tracks spread out over the elongated Lindenberg hill. On one side, there is a view to Lake Zürich and the Alps and on the other, an amazing panorama of the Alps and, either foothills and valleys, or a sea of clouds.
A good place to start is Horben, easily reached by car from Zürich. This hill has a large flat area at the summit. Tracks lead through and alongside forests, fields and meadows – sometimes covered in snow. In fact, this whole area has many cross-country skiing possibilities.
The map above shows the forests (wald) and clearings around the Horben lookout point and the cross-country loops that span out westwards.
Heidegg Castle
Down the west side of Lindenberg Hill, you can find the lovely little Heidegg castle (Schloss Heidegg), which overlooks vineyards and Lake Baldegg (Baldeggersee). It also has attractive rose gardens, a park and a courtyard with views to the Alps. It’s open to the public and has a museum (April to October) with a modern exhibition, dedicated to 800 years of the castle’s and region’s history.
Zugerberg
Zugerberg (Mount Zug) has a huge expanse of countryside and forest to wander through and around, often opening out to views of the Alps and Lakes
In Summer it is possible to walk all the way to Arth Goldau (home to the Rigi cog railway), the pretty Ägerisee and to Lake Zug. There are views, BBQ spots, an adventure playground and the possibility to do a scooter trail.
In Winter the Zugerberg has a number of cross-country skiing, winter walking and snowshoe trails. The Bergflex website has a simple map showing the possibilities.
A good lookout point in summer and winter is Hochwacht (989 m) which is about 1 km up from the Zugerberg Funicular station (915 m). Apparently, this is a great place to view sunsets.
For more information on the areas see my pages on the cantons:
Uetliberg
Getting There by Train:
from Zürich Main Station 19 mins
Felsenegg Cable Car: leaves every 15 mins, takes 5 mins.
Webcam: from UTO KULM Lookout
Lindenberg
Getting There:
By Car – from Zürich 40 mins; from Zug 35 mins
By Train – from Zürich 1 hr 45 mins; or Zug 1 hour 20-40 mins. Both include 25 min. walk
Webcam:
Zugerberg
Getting There:
By Bus & funicular – From Zug No. 11 bus up to Schönegg (11 min) which connects with Funicular – total time to top is 32 mins.
By train – from Zürich to Zug 20 – 45 mins (depending on which train), no changes; from Lucerne to Zug 20 – 45 mins (depending on train).
By Car – from Zürich to Zugerberg 45 mins; from Lucerne to Zugerberg also 45 mins
Webcam:
Revolving webcam from ZBB – the Zug funicular website.
Fondue Experiences
La Gruyère —– Appenzell —– Bernese Oberland —– Basel
I have found these unique fondue experiences all over the country. These include excursions on vintage trains or city trams; while taking a river cruise or soaking in a hot tub.
The Moléson Fondue Train – La Gruyère
The Moléson Fondue Train is an excursion through the beautiful landscape of the La Gruyère region onboard a nostalgic train. This is a round trip, departing from Bulle towards Montbovon. The complete journey takes around 2 1/2 hours (evening) to 3 hours (midday).
This trip includes a traditional fondue called moitié-moitié and the regional meringue dessert with double cream which is a much-loved tradition.
The vintage train has coaches from the 1920s and 1930s. The salon coach “Molejon” is from 1926.
Booking & Price Information
On the day of the trip, the ticket covers all public transport within Fribourg canton.
The fare price includes the train journey, fondue and dessert as mentioned above, but not drinks. There are no fare reductions.
You must reserve up to 5 days before your trip either online or at the various train stations including Fribourg and Bulle.
Contact Info
For more information and to book online go to the La Gruyère website or:
Train Fondue Transports Publics Fribourgeois
Gare de Bulle
1630 Bulle
Appenzell Historic Train – Aperitif & Fondue
The Appenzell fondue experience includes a round trip from Gossau in the Buffet wagon of a beautifully restored Appenzeller historical train (Historische Appenzeller Bahnen).
This excursion starts with an aperitif of fine Appenzell delicacies during the journey in the buffet car through the Appenzellerland. When arriving in Appenzell, you have the opportunity to experience a factory tour with a tasting at Appenzeller Alpenbitter AG. The cheese fondue with various side dishes is then served in the stationary buffet trolley with a sweet dessert served on the journey back.
Excursion Includes:
- Round trip in the buffet car from Gossau to Appenzell
- Aperitif with various Appenzell specialties
- Factory tour and tasting of Appenzeller Alpenbitter AG
- Cheese fondue with bread and fruit
- Dessert plate
- Evening trips –
- Gossau to Appenzell with Aperitifs, (40 mins).
- Stay in Appenzell with tour, tasting and dinner in buffet wagon; then return to Gossau (40 mins).
- Midday trips –
- with similar time frames.
Other Information
Bookings from 2 people. Cost excludes drinks (cash or twint payment).
The buffet trolley does not have a toilet.
When Possible:
For the 2023/24 season, excursions take place in December, January, February and March but only on certain days. Check out the website for further excursions and to book.
Contact Info
For bookings go to – Fondue excursion & other experiences
For information on the trains and their routes, gift vouchers, rental of carriages etc. go here Historical Appenzeller Raiways Foundation.
For more information on the area see my page on canton Appenzell:
Fondue in a Hotpot surrounded by mountains – Brienz
Lakes Brienz and Thun and the surrounding mountains of the Bernese Oberland remind me of my holidays as a child in New Zealand. We would travel down to Queenstown and the long turquoise-coloured Lake Wakatipu with the mountain range called the Remarkables rising up in the background. When I travel to the Bernese Oberland, I always feel like I’m in familiar territory with its stunning mountains and turquoise lakes.
One other similarity is the adventure sports and holiday vibe that both places have. In Queenstown you can paraglide, go jetboating, bungy jumping and ski. The Bernese Oberland offers the same kind of adventurous leisure activities – with loads more skiing.
Of course, there are a lot of differences – the mountains are immense in Switzerland and go on forever and the chalets here are obviously a lot older – they are the original designs that New Zealand’s holiday resorts have copied. In Switzerland, they are dotted all over the landscape – whereas New Zealand has large swathes of rugged mountains with not a house in sight.
This jacuzzi fondue idea is not an adventurous activity, instead, it is unique and relaxing. I am sure Queenstown will also have a small restaurant with fondue hot tubs added to their lakeside resort at some point.
Hot Pot Brienz
is a winter activity that lasts from the end of November until February. During this time the cosy chalet fondue restaurant along with several wooden hot tubs are set up on their own little corner of the lakeside. Each hot tub is covered and has a large table in the centre, ready for the fondue and/or drinks – it really looks like fun!
What is Available
They offer 2, 4, 6 or 8 person hot tubs with the possibility of enjoying fondue and drinks before, during or after soaking in the tubs – in other words, using the restaurant to eat and the tub to soak or combine the two.
Further Information
- They have changing rooms, showers and toilets.
- Water is changed after every usage.
- They also offer Hotel Hotpot Brienz Packages.with various options that all include 1 night in hotel with breakfast for 2,4,6 & 8 people.
For prices, opening times and further info go to the Hotpot Brienz website (also in English).
For more information on the area see my page on canton Bern:
Basel – Rhein Culinary Cruise
Winter Cruises
Culinary Cruises with Fondue
The special Winterschiff (Winter Ship), with a large indoor space, offers a special winter menu that includes brunch and dinner using local produce. There are also some great fondue options.
Fondues Menu
There are different kinds of fondue which include – a variety of cheese recipes, meat Chinoise & vegetable Chinoise.
Round trips take place from Thursday – Sunday offering both regular evening cruises as well as hop on – hop off city and harbour cruises.
Cruises from April to October
The Basler Personenschiffahrt company offers regular cruises on the Rhein during the warmer months ( April – October). Examples are:-
- Trips through the locks on the way to the historical town of Rheinfelden (top cruise).
- lunch cruises
- evening dinner and sunset cruises
Further Information and Location:
Excursion types, timetables, prices & reservations
Go to the official Basel Tourism site/activities & excursions
For more information on the area see my Basel canton page:
Further Contact info:
Other fondue experiences include:
- Old-timer Tram in Zürich
- Fondue-Riesenpfannen or Hütte (fondue in large pots or huts), in Gstaad, canton Bern. Fondueland Gstaad is reached by walking, bike, sled or snowshoes.
- Evening Cruise on Lake Lucerne – Cheese or Chinoise Fondue
Interactive Museum
Swiss Science Centre Technorama – Winterthur
Technorama Swiss Science Center – Winterthur
Technorama Science Centre is full of interactive activities and experiment stations. It is spread over 4 levels with a large outdoor area. They recently upgraded the outdoor exhibits, which now include a huge platform and exhibits on water, mist, sound, and wind to name a few.
Because of the large number of exhibits and the reasonable space around them, it is possible to have a go at each station without getting in other peoples way – however, watch out during the school holidays – obviously at this time the rooms are full of excited kids wanting to push buttons, swing, twirl and jump and generally cause havoc where possible. But, as I said, there should be enough exhibits for everyone to have fun. Kids don’t tend to stay long on one thing – and they don’t always read the scientific information at each station – it is very interesting if you find the science side of things fun – (is my son’s favourite part).
The exhibits are all about natural phenomena and technology and include lightning demonstrations, an inventor’s workshop – where they have all sorts of bits and bobs for inventing(my daughter’s favourite) and adventure rooms.
There is also an option to take part in lab experiments.
Outdoor Area (for when the rain stops)
The outdoor area is open until the end of October, then partially open until the beginning of November.
One of my favourite stations is the wind machine. This is where you can experience varying wind strengths – from a breeze up to a force 9 storm gale – goggles are provided. Try not to wear loose clothing or it may fly off. My son was in danger of losing his trousers at one point … (he was about 7 years old at the time).
Also, a piece of advice, don’t stand too close to the falling water exhibit, you will get very wet – all that water has to go somewhere…
Cleanliness
During Covid times the staff are very conscious about keeping everything clean. Currently, the exhibits are disinfected a minimum of 4 times a day and disinfectant is provided outside every room. (Check the website for any restrictions).
Public Transport:
Train from Zürich Main Station – Winterthur Main Station, leaving every few minutes. Trip time: 20 – 30 mins; change to bus No. 5 which leaves every 15 minutes (Direction Winterthur, Technorama), takes about 20-25 minutes.
Technorama Links
Picture location and sources: The Abbey Library, St. Gallen by ©Roland Gerth; Landwasser Viadukt by chris-henry-Tu4XjvEDovI-unsplash; Bad Ragaz Thermal Baths by © Heidiland Tourism; Fondue by Train fondue @Fribourg Région
