Appenzell for Indian Travellers: Quiet Swiss Alps and Ebenalp

Description

Painted houses, green hills, cable cars and the cliffside Aescher guesthouse: a calmer, more traditional Switzerland away from the Interlaken crowds.

Appenzell is a small, traditional village in north-east Switzerland, about an hour and a half from Zurich by train, and a lovely alternative for Indian travellers who have seen Interlaken and Lucerne. The village is known for its brightly painted houses, cheese and folk traditions, and for the Alpstein mountains just behind it.

The highlight is the Ebenalp cable car from Wasserauen, a short train ride from the village. From the top station a path leads down past a cave to the Aescher guesthouse, built into a cliff face, and on to the lake of Seealpsee for families who like walking. The Hoher Kasten cable car offers a viewing platform with a panorama over the Alps and Lake Constance. The hiking season runs from about June to October.

Switzerland is expensive, and Appenzell is no exception, but the region is calmer than the famous resorts. Vegetarians can enjoy the local Appenzeller cheese, cheese macaroni (Älplermagronen) and rösti; mountain guesthouses serve hearty vegetarian dishes. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the trains and gives discounts on some cable cars.

Activities

• Schäffler RidgeDramatic alpine ridgeline offering incredible hiking trails and sweeping views of the valleys below.
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• Appenzell Cable CarScenic cable car taking visitors high up into the Swiss Alps for around 31 Swiss francs.
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