There is so much to do and see in and around Appenzell-a hiking paradise. The mountains and hills around the village are magnificent. This is a very traditional part of Switzerland and well worth a week’s time if you can manage it. Even the town walks are full of history and beauty.

Appensell area call most attention for its iconic picture of the Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli restaurant sitting on the edge of a mountain cliff. But, it has way more to offer! Be aware, if you don't want to do the trail down, you should take the funicular (32 euros both ways trip per person) way before 6pm which is the time for the last trip down. A four hours window would suffice. The short trail goes all the way down the top of the mountain to the middle of it where on a edge sits this place (hard to eat there, so busy it is). Going down to this place means walking all the way back up hill on a very steep trail requiring several stops on the way. Also the valley offers amazing views of emerald plains with majestic mountains around, cows and sheep all over and farming houses placed like for a postcard.

Hotel Appenzell was our stay for 5 nights. The hotel stay ranks one of the best I have ever stayed in. The single room was nicely furnished. The window opened up to the main square, but with the windows closed you could not hear voices or traffic. The bed was very comfortable and the upholstered barrel chair was nice to sit in while watching the TV. The staff was very friendly and the ladies at the desk were very helpful to all our questions and needs. The breakfast room is elegant. The inside restaurant is also just as pretty. You have an option to eat outside on the patio, and the tables in front of the hotel are available for drinking/eating. Both the breakfast and the evening dining experience were excellent. We visited the Rheinfalls and Stein am Rhein (only an hour away by car), various museums nearby, a cheese factory and a chocolate factory. Appenzell is a small, quiet, picturesque town...easily walkable with many shops/cafes/restaurants.

Appenzell is the perfect, tranquil and small Swiss village to visit - there are many things to do and many things to see but it is not crowded by tourists. The view/nature enhances the quiet and relaxing nature of the village. If you want to get out and explore, it's easy to do so with the extensive Swiss transportation system and the variety of activities that will fit everyone's travel bucketlist (hiking, shopping, relaxing, sightseeing, etc.). The entire town is small ebough that everything can be reached on foot.

LOVED THE HIKING, using the travel card which allowed us to take any train, bus, and most trams, up and/or down. Trails are well marked and if you climb to the top, and sometimes mid-mountain too, you are rewarded with not only spectacular beautiful views, but restaurants where you can enjoy drinks or a nice meal while enjoying the scenery. The Appenzell area was unique as hikes often began through farmers' green fields where cows grazed or they were cutting and bailing hay, then led you through forests and finally above tree line, often with switchbacks and challenging accents. We also enjoyed a ride on the bobsleds and saw the Appenzell museum. Wished we could have stayed longer!

The mountains are beautiful and there are hiking trails for every ability. The town has numerous restaurants and shops. St Maurice Cathedral is magnificent. The people are very friendly. It was easy to get to other places, such as cable cars. We took one that brought us, after a 20 minute walk, to a restaurant built into the side of a mountain. Breathtaking!