Between the Rhine knee and Lake Constance
The confederation does not show its usual charm in the North. Nevertheless, there is scenic beauty to be found. Don’t believe the common opinion that Switzerland starts with Zurich if you come into Switzerland from the North. There are lovely corners here as well, especially between the Lake Constance and Lake Zurich – the region of Appenzell stretches across charming, the rolling hills and the neighboring convent town of Saint Gallen are wonderful sights. Visitors who travel along the river Rhine see pretty little towns like Stein am Rhein or Schaffhausen and see the brawly river fall over rocks. The metropolis and secret capital of Zurich still dominates almost all of Northern Switzerland. There is only one exception: In Basel, on the so-called Rhine knee and in the border triangle between France, Germany, and Switzerland, people attach great importance to not being mentioned in the same breath with the “arrogant” people from Zurich. Therefore, Basel, the “gate to Switzerland”, is at the start of this chapter.
