Zurich Excursions, P.O.B. 6029, Ch-8023 Switzerland 462-7739, has a variety of tours, or you can strike out on your own with a map from your hotel or the Tourist Office. Their guided tours begin at 2 hours for Old Town, Lindenhof Square, St. Peter’s Church, the Town Hall, the guild houses. Tour rates begin at Sfr 29 for a 2-hour tour; they offer 3-hour tours, half-day and full-day trips.

Zurich Tourimus, Bahnhofbruecke 1, CH-8023, Zurich, phone 211-1360, also covers Old Town, Lake Zurich, the Bahnhofstrasse and guild house tours. From Sfr 29 for a two-hour tour to all day tours. There are many boat trips available to scenic lakeside towns, including Rapperswil. Rhine Falls is at Schaffhausen, about 30 miles north of Zurich. The town is noted for picturesque architecture, a 12th-century monastery and a 400 year-old fort. Zurich Excursions has a 7-hour round trip, costing about Sf40.

The train will take you there, as well. The falls are the largest in Europe. A well maintained express train will also take you to Stein-am-Rhein, about 14 miles from Schafthausen, offering quaint old houses, a lively marketplace and an 800 year-old fort. The magnificent painted facades are impressive. The view here is magnificent. My favorite excursion is to Einsiedeln, about 25 miles southeast of Zurich. It is an easy drive to the home of the Benedictine Monastery of Einsiedeln. The abbey here is an excellent example of the baroque era of architecture. The site dates back about 1,000 years and the abbey houses the Black Madonna Shrine. The beautiful gold statue, in jeweled robes, is called The Black Madonna because over the centuries, smoke from candles has covered her face in black. Even today, pilgrimages are made to look upon the Madonna, said to cause miracle cures. A few saints are buried here and anyone is welcome to pray or join frequent services. Ladies should have head coverings. If you arrive at the right time, you can absorb the beauty of the monks chanting.

A good family outing is to Alpamare, at Pfaffikon, about 35 minutes by car on Autoroute N3, by train or excursion. Water activities here include thermal and whirlpool baths, wave pool, five canyon and bob slides; a sauna, solaria, cafe and snack bar are also available. Open year round 10am-10pm. Adults around Sfr 29 for four hours, kids 6-16 approximately Sfr 24 for four hours; costs more on weekends. Children under 3, however, not permitted in the water. Information (in French) at 055-415-1515.