I have to travel to Zurich in mid-May for 3 days of business. I can spend an extra 3-4 days exploring before heading home, what should I do? Should I bounce around Switzerland? Should I take the train down to Italy and hike the entire Cinque Terre trails? Should I take the train somewhere else? What do you recommend?

If you have the time, I recommend also visiting Lucerne and Mont Blanc (across the French border).
Lucerne: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157624795493634/
Mont Blanc: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157624810706724/

flashguy

Bounce around Switzerland.

Visit Gimmelwald.

Bounce around Switzerland and/or Southern Germany and Austria. Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich are worth a visit if you do this.

I will say my time in Zurich was not as interesting as the rest of Switzerland. It’s too cosmopolitan to get a true feel of the country. Lucerne (as flashguy noted) is a great town to see and get a better feel for the Swiss.

1 day Zürich
1 day Appenzellerland / Säntis mountain / St.Gallen
1 day Luzern / Rigi mountain
1 day Berner Oberland / Grinelwald / Interlaken / Eiger mountain / Pitz Gloria

I'd go to Lucerne and then see the Eiger! If you like stamps, zip over to Liechtenstein.

Climb the Matterhorn.

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Bounce around Switzerland and/or Southern Germany and Austria. Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich are worth a visit if you do this.

Munich, Salzburg, check out the Neuschwanstein Castle Link all excellent options.

Lauterbrunnen. Lauterbrunnen, and maybe Lauterbrunnen.

You've got Trumelbach falls and little villages up above Lauterbrunnen.

Um, Lauterbrunnen.

I would call up B&T and see if you can drop in and see what they are making/factory tour kind of thing.

Thun Switzerland

HK Ag

Switzerland eye-wateringly expensive, if you're there on teh company dime, take the opportunity to check out the rest of the country. If you have to pick one place or find an overnight, Gimmelwald in the Lauerbrunnen Valley.

This short clip should whet your appetite

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Should I take the train down to Italy

I took the train between Venice and Zurich. One of the most amazing trips I've ever been on. The views... no words. But I was going from S to N. Don't know about the other way.

If you have interest in watches, maybe look into any tours available for manufacturers in the area?

Check out a few museums and stores:

fortress museum Reuenthal

you also might want to check out the biggest gun auction house in europe (I think)

Kessler Auktionen

Rhine Falls is always cool as well.

Rhine Falls - Wiki

When you're into hiking: Säntis-region is my favorite, and it's not too far away from Zürich.

Do you have a car available? I'd stay away from the tourist traps (Lucerne, Interlaken)

Let me know if you need some more pointers, I live not far from Zürich.

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Originally posted by HK Ag:
I would call up B&T and see if you can drop in and see what they are making/factory tour kind of thing.

Thun Switzerland

HK Ag

Thun is a great place to visit, too.

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Originally posted by corsair:
Switzerland eye-wateringly expensive.....

I'm biased to the Lauterbrunnen area. When I was there in 2016, I ran the Jungfrau marathon (basically a hike the last 10 miles). Afterward, my wife and I got mediocre cheeseburgers at bar back in town....$42 for two burgers with fries. We had a good laugh.

In addition to the many little villages perched above Lauterbrunnen, in nearby Interlakken is the Ballenberg open-air museum.

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Originally posted by Russ59:

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Originally posted by corsair:
Switzerland eye-wateringly expensive.....

I'm biased to the Lauterbrunnen area. When I was there in 2016, I ran the Jungfrau marathon (basically a hike the last 10 miles). Afterward, my wife and I got mediocre cheeseburgers at bar back in town....$42 for two burgers with fries. We had a good laugh.

That's unfortunate in such a stunning location, other than cheese on everything and sausages, the food tends to be rather bland there. Get into the French speaking regions and the food quality & creatively improves.

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Originally posted by corsair:
Get into the French speaking regions and the food quality & creatively improves.

That's true. Wine's better as well. And I live in the german speaking part. But you have to understand that traditionally Switzerland was the poor house of Europe and that shows in the food section.

Also: try something else then burgers when in Switzerland, it's not going to be very pleant (and rather expensive)

There are some specialties that are quit nice, like Züricher Geschnetzeltes.

If you're trapped at the airport one of these tours may interest you. Book early as they fill up fast.

https://www.flughafen-zuerich....urs-and-guided-tours

We're changing planes at ZRH in a week, we have 4.5 hours and I might take one of them or at least visit Observation Deck E while Mrs Sigmund snoozes in the lounge.

Get a Swiss Rail Pass covers boats, rails, trams, and museums.
In Zurich hit Vorderer Sternan for a Brat or two and the roll, watch shops on Bahnhofstrasse, the old churches, museums, train station mall, chocolate shops.

Rhinefalls is a quick trip by rail and Swiss Arms is located there but you won’t see anything but a sign (if it’s still there).

Interlaken and surrounding area. Found a deal on a Fortis watch in the shops in Interlaken.

Definitely hit up any gun shops and B&T. See if there are any shooting festivals when you’re going to be there. The breakfast bars at decent hotels have a slightly different fare compared to your Holiday Inn free breakfast. Try the milk and muesli, best milk I’ve ever tasted!!! Be prepared for meats and cheeses, rolls, fruit, boiled eggs, etc. If you smoke cigars, you’ll find Cubans so have at it!

When we returned from our trip, my wife left some Swiss Army Knives in her carry on so when we landed at our destination in ATL they freaked. They didn’t care at the airport in Zurich. Enjoy! I proposed to my wife at the fireworks show New Year’s Eve on the lake in Zurich. It’s a magical land.