It's the fairytale Swiss village that borders Germany along the High Rhine River near Lake…read moreConstance. I found the Old Town to be very pedestrian friendly since it's a car-free zone. It truly allows visitors to enjoy the beauty of the intricately painted half-timbered buildings in Rathaus Square along with a nice stroll along the river. It's especially a relaxing place to visit on a sunny day. You'll see a mix of tourists and locals enjoying the weather. The square is lined with cafés and shops. It's a great place for lunch or dinner before or after visiting the nearby Rhine Falls and/or Hohenklingen Castle. We enjoyed seeing some of the historical landmarks. The Witch Tower was built for defense, but then it became a prison. It was also used during the witch trials. The last execution of an accused witch here was in 1667. How creepy is that? It's like Switzerland's Salem. We just happened to see it after walking through the Untertor gate on our way to the river. But honestly, the main attraction here is the Rathaus Square. It was so cool just to experience a traditional local meal while looking up at the clock tower in the middle of Old Town. It was a beautiful day!

It's a beautiful cathedral! It's a fine example of Baroque architecture inside and outside. The…read morevaulted and arched ceilings are all encased with beautifully detailed frescoes featuring St. Gallus along with Biblical figures and cherubs. The color scheme of the ceiling and trim (aqua, coral, and gold) really highlights these paintings. The contrast with the white columns makes it look like a colorful tiered topping on a wedding cake. It may not be as ornate as the cathedrals in Italy, but it's most certainly elegant in style. The one common thing that I did notice in the cathedrals of Switzerland is that there is still a separation between the sacred part of the church (or chancel) and the rest of sanctuary. It's nice that they've kept that tradition, but it doesn't allow visitors to truly see everything. I would have loved to see the Bell of St. Gallen, but that whole area is gated by the tall screen. Maybe it's to protect all of these religious symbols. Can you tell that I'm not Catholic? The facade of the cathedral is just as beautiful with the clock towers and statues. It's the main focal point in St. Gallen as it should be. The city around it is very charming as well. Make sure you take a walk around the grounds and city while you're there. There's all kinds of medieval architecture to discover while you're there. Very enjoyable!

This church is a must if you are visting St.Gallen!!!read more

Paige did a great job of describing this amazing experience in the review before mine. I just want…read moreto add that this was the most amazing view I have ever seen on the planet. Great restaurant and gift shop await you at the top. Vital Statistic: Totally awesome and worth the spend, heart stopping experience.

I am writing this from the perspective of a person who is absolutely terrified of heights so let…read morethat sink in as you're reading through. The drive through the winter countryside in this region is enough of a reason to visit the mountain itself. When you finally arrive at its base, you can see the weather station at its peak, ready to greet you! You purchase your ticket (ouch, Switzerland) and wait to board a harrowing tram car, which is perfectly well-suited to well-behaved children and yet leaves me to tremble with a highly amused local by my side. 5 minutes roll by slowly, fear is overpowered by absolute marvel at the vast expanse of space between the tram car and the wide earth below. Then, you've arrived, comfortably indoors on solid ground, but unready for the view that lies ahead. So, when you push the doors open into the bustling wind, you're nearly breathless and you wonder how small you are, amongst such ancient peaks. You might enjoy a latte macchiato and fight for a table with a good view in the café, you might wander the small museum. You'll certainly dash out onto the platforms and slip on ice and take polaroid pictures. You'll embrace the people you're with, either out of need for warmth or a reality check that what you're seeing is really there. You'll be astounded at how meaningless film will seem, as compared to the colors and lines burning into your brain right now. Maybe you'll wait so long the sun begins to set and you're there to see it. Then, synchronously, you'll descend, as slowly and gently as you rose, feeling as light as the brave black birds with bright yellow beaks that glide on the icy wind around you. Switzerland has a wonderfully quiet and simple way of being beautiful. The Säntis is no exception, and I'm damned afraid of heights.