Hi greekness2004,

Do you mean that Zürich and Luzern are the greatest *urban* destinations the country offers?? I'm sure that many folks would disagree in any case, as "greatness" is surely in the eyes of the beholder.

I found Neuchatel to be pleasant -- I really only went there for the Latenium Museum and to see the waterfront.

I don't like cities, so I haven't ever been beyond the train station at Lausanne; I'm just not tempted to go wander its streets. I have been to Ouchy, though, to change ferry boats.

Haven't been to St. Gallen.

s

Hi again,

btw, some contenders for great urban spaces are --

Basel, with its beautiful and intriguing old town, its riverwalk, and the view from the Cathedral.

Thun, with its castle, its riverside cafes, the mountains in the distance, the covered walkways, and the lake.

Bern, with its river, its covered walkway, its history.

I've also heard that Fribourg is a beautiful city.

s

> However, urban Swiss destinations are also very comparable to one another, meaning there is little need to visit them all for tourism purposes.

I wonder what makes you state this as a fact.

Firstly, Switzerland has four different cultures/languages, and you only mentioned two urban destinations in the (Swiss-)German culture. So, the urban destinations in the other cultures are definitely NOT comparable to those.

Secondly, I find cities/towns in Switzerland to be very different; they have different settings (lake or river, flat/hilly or in the mountains), the size differs, the style of public buildings/churches e.g. is different, museums are different, food is different.

The three that you mentioned are not my favourites, btw. St. Gallen is pleasant, though, and a *must* for the Abbey church and library. I agree with swandav's picks - Basel is in size and style comparable to Zürich (but river instead of lake, and the museums are even better), Bern is a *must*, Fribourg is often overlooked but a gem, Thun is somewhat similar to Lucerne.

Other favourites of mine are these (smaller) towns: Solothurn, Chur, Schaffhausen, Locarno, Lugano. Although smaller they do have urban flair.

I think once you've actually BEEN to the abbey church and library in St. Gallen you'll revise your assertion about the non-necessity of visiting certain locations.

However, urban Swiss destinations are also very comparable to one another, meaning there is little need to visit them all for tourism purposes.

I wonder what makes you state this as a fact.

It's no fact. It's just that there are certain characteristics most Swiss destinations share, despite the hills vs lakes and differences in cuisine in language: picturesque setting, well preserved architecture and great organization As for me ranking Zurich and Lucerne so high, that's just my opinion. Equally, I am simply welcoming your opinions. Getting a consensus of who likes where helps people decide where to eventually go.

You *did* state it as a fact. Otherwise you would have said it's what you think/believe.

If picturesque setting, well preserved architecture and great organization makes destinations comparable then you might want to add many German and Austrian places to the list. Would you say they are comparable, too?

And, does that mean a city is worth to visit for tourism purposes if it is in ugly setting, has no old architecture and a chaotic organization? These are criterions that I consider a plus for visiting. What other differences do you want to make it a worthwhile destination for you?