Experiences along the Grand Tour in Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein

Welcome to Heidi's world: In the Heidi Village in Maienfeld you will experience real country life as in Heidi's time. Meet goats, explore the original Heidi House and enjoy the fantastic view from the Heidialp.

Two gondola railways make their way up from Bad Ragaz or Wangs to the edge of the forest, from where you enjoy far-reaching views over the Rhine Valley to Lake Constance – and chairlifts carrying you to the Pizol ridge if you wish to venture further afield.

In St. Gallen you'll find history at every turn. The city's landmark is the Convent of St. Gall with its Baroque cathedral. The convent, including the library and monastery archives, was added to the Unesco World Heritage List in 1983.

This landscape park, designed along Romantic lines, consists of a combination of strictly laid-out avenues and Mediterranean flair. The park is picturesquely situated above the old town and is dominated by an avenue of lime trees that leads to a pulpit with beautiful views over the pristine landscape of the Rhine.

This is a nature trail for thinkers of all age groups: The Chnobelweg in Hemberg.

Drei Weieren (Three Ponds) are an oasis of peace in the middle of the city. The ponds, which were originally built by the monastery for their water needs with their art nouveau bath houses, are a popular destination for outings and as swimming spot.

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The Bänkliweg is a comfortable hiking trail along which you find a total ten benches inviting you to take a breather and seat, Bänkli being the equivalent of small bench. Spot on as far as relaxation and leisurely hikes go!

A wide selection of designer, sports, outdoor, and lifestyle brands offer their collections at attractive prices a Landquart Fashion Outlet. The outlet is designed in the style of a Graubünden chalet village, set against a stunning mountain landscape, and invites visitors to relax and linger with its shops, cafés, and restaurants. It is only an hour’s drive or train ride from Zurich, 50 minutes from St. Gallen, and ten minutes from Heidiland – located directly on the A13 between the Landquart motorway exit and Landquart train station.

Welcome to the Grisons, home of Heidi. Here, the author Johanna Spyri was inspired to write the world-famous children’s story of the same name. The wine region’s capital is Maienfeld. In Bad Ragaz, the neighbouring spa and health resort, thermal waters spring from the imposing Tamina Gorge. For hundreds of years, people have flocked to this destination seeking convalescence. The ‘Heidiland’ holiday region also delights visitors with its numerous offers for hikers, cyclists, and winter-sports enthusiasts.

Between Bad Ragaz and Wangs, at the beginning of the St Gall Rhine Valley, rises the Pizol summit which, in Romanesque, means ‘high peak’. With an altitude of 2,844 m (9,331 ft), this mountain massif offers a fascinating panoramic view of the Alps – from Eastern Switzerland to Vorarlberg and Lake Constance. The 200-metre-long Pizol glacier stretches along east of the summit. On the north side of Pizol, the hiking and skiing area of the same name invites travellers to enjoy diverse leisure activities all year round.

The boys’ bathing area in this park has existed since 1838. Fishermen used to dry their nets here along the shore. Hohenklingen Castle has been towering above the little town of Stein am Rhein since the 12th century. The castle affords extensive views over the Hegau region and far beyond to Lake Constance. The old town of Stein am Rhein is famous for its well-preserved centre with world-famous painted facades and half-timbered houses, receiving the very first Wakker Prize in 1972.

A cool rope park with fantastic views of the Rhine Falls. The Adventure Park is located just above Wörth Castle at car park number 3 (P3) in the Rhine Falls area.

The clearly laid-out Leisure Park is wellsuited for families, as 60 different attractions guarantee that everybody will find something interesting to do.

The mercenary foot soldier takes his guests on an exciting and eventful discovery tour through the old town of Schaffhausen.

Take the scheduled boat through eastern Switzerland and cross the border between Switzerland and Germany along the way. On 50 kilometres you glide from the Rhine over the Untersee to Kreuzlingen on Lake Constance.

The three artificial water basins ‘Drei Weieren’ were created in 1610 to secure the water supply for the textile bleaching industry as well as the fire brigades. Today they are a water park, an oasis of serenity and a wonderful recreation area. Located just a few minutes from the Grand Tour, the ponds invite visitors to swim, take a stroll or picnic in the summers, and ice-skate in cold winters. The fact that Drei Weieren are amongst Switzerland’s most beautiful natural swimming pools is also due to the magnificent view of Lake Constance, the city of St. Gallen and the Abbey Cathedral which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

The Treasure Chamber of the Principality of Liechtenstein is located in the heart of the Liechtenstein capital, Vaduz. The little museum exhibits unique treasures that are closely associated with Liechtenstein and that cannot be found anywhere else in this form and combination.

With a family ticket at just CHF 95, the Pizol is within reach of parents and children wishing to take to the heights and enjoy the view over the Rhine Valley to Lake Constance.

Explore the Tamina Gorge near Bad Ragaz in eastern Switzerland: Hike through the 750-meter-long and 70-meter-deep crevice to the spring water grotto, where thermal water bubbles out of the rock at 36.5 degrees.

Originally a private landscape garden, the City Park is today the largest contiguous green space in the St. Gallen inner city area. With its lawned areas under beautiful old trees, it is the epitome of a peaceful oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. It is surrounded by Theater St. Gallen, the Museum of Art, and the Historical and Folklore Museum.

On top of Hoher Kasten you can enjoy a 360°-panoramic view of six different countries. At Eastern Switzerland’s only rotating restaurant everything revolves around you. The European Circular Trail, which leads through a species-rich alpine garden around the mountain, is also truly rewarding. The prominent peak is the ideal location for Switzerland’s first geological trail as well as many beautiful hiking paths in the Alpstein. One can comfortably glide up to this destination from Brülisau by cable car in a mere eight minutes. How pleasant!

An exciting walk taking in several adventure stories, mythical legends and fantastic tales from Toggenburg lets you discover the region on an fascinating mountain trail via the magnificent Alpine Terrace skirting the Churfirsten Mountain.

High up on the «Stählibuck» mountain of Frauenfeld a steel giant of the same name is keeping watch: the Stählibuck Tower. With a height of 27 meters, it is a challenge for anybody who attempts to climb its 148 stairs.

Hohenklingen Castle has been towering above the charming town of Stein am Rhein since the year 1200. The renovated castle attracts visitors interested in history as well as connoisseurs.

The Apple Trail and a walking route through the village attest the longstanding importance of fruit-growing in Altnau's agriculture. 24 information panels with puzzles, jokes and questions about apple varieties impart valuable knowledge about the apple-growing region and the rosy-skinned fruit itself. Visitors will also meet Fredi, Lisi and Emma – three appealing apple mascots.

Ibex, chamois, lynx, wildcat, deer and wild boar are among the native Swiss animals at the Peter and Paul wildlife park on the scenic St. Gallen-Rotmonten hilltop.

Take the cable car from Wasserauen to Ebenalp in Appenzeller Alpstein. At the top, prehistoric caves, the world-famous Äscher mountain inn and hiking trails to the turquoise Seealpsee await you.

Welcome to the bat nature trail through the municipality of Fischingen. Along the circular route, you will discover fascinating information about our native bat species. The trail also takes you through various hunting grounds and habitats of the bats.

In the Fashion Outlet Landquart, one of the most popular outlet centres in Europe, the Lindt Boutique invites you to a special shopping experience. Enjoy exclusive prices and let yourself be pampered by incomparable chocolate creations.

Rosengarten, the rose garden, is situated next to the entrance of the Munot Fortress and covers an area of about 2,000 sq.m. In 1981 the town nursery together with the Swiss association of rose lovers designed it in the French Renaissance garden-style.