ONE DAY IN ZURICH

Day 3. To Zurich 

As we had our last breakfast in Lucerne on the patio overlooking the river, the church bells again gave us a serenade and the wrens again came to visit for breadcrumbs we left at our feet.   

Walking to the train station, we again caught an immediate train into Zurich.  Known for its watch making, this place sure seems to keep reliable schedules.  Another easy trip between cities.  

 We settled in at our hotel, Swissôtel, immediately across from the train station. This is much different than our Lucerne hotel.  A modern high rise with a Starbucks in the lobby…where we used the Internet.  We rode the train…one 24 hour ticket goes everywhere but no one ever seemed to check…for 5 minutes back into the main Zurich station to begin our walking tour of Old Town Zurich.

As we walked out of the station, the fountain was a great “Welcome to Zurich.”

Following the tour map we began walking down Bahnhofstrasse, through the main shopping district.  They had every upscale shop imaginable, from Cartier and Bally to Benetton and a million H+Ms. Cute restaurants with sidewalk tables everywhere. Cable cars ran the length of this area, so although it’s a no-car zone, you still need care when crossing…those babies move out!

We turned off Bahnhofstrasse,

We took a detoru through a small Swiss park.  Stopping at a modern, public WC, the stainless steel inside also included a needle disposal.  Reflective of the Swiss drug policy, they do not support distribution, but they don’t punish the user.  

Then we headed toward the Limmat River, that runs through town to Lake Zurich.    A beautiful area, even the chimneys had picturesque roofs.

After asking a few shopkeepers we finally found a nondescript (read alley) turn that led us down the side of the river, through beautiful, tiny shops with clothes and fantastic home items. How do trucks deliver here?  And do their customers really keep coming back?  It was a Great walk!  

Some shops on the river had frescos that were works of art.

We finally arrived at out first destination, St Peter’s Kirche (Church), and the site of the biggest clock face in Europe.

We continued walking along the river and next came to the large Fraumunster Kirche.  The building was beautiful and we saw a bride and groom leave serenaded by an Alpenhorn.  

The amazing part was inside the church with stained glass windows by Marc Chagall.   No photos allowed so we bought the official memory-postcard.

 A quick stroll took us to Lake Zurich complete with tour boats, many sail boats and ducks and swans galore.  

 This is the location of the Quaibruke bridge over the Limmet.  There has been a river crossing here since the 1300s.  

On the other side of the bridge we had a great view of the Zurich Opera House.

 Heading back toward th train station, we walked the river on the other side and stopped at Wasserkirche.  Now known for contemporary art exhibits, we found a beautiful statue standing watch outside.  

 A bit off the road, we saw a beautiful twin-steepled church looking out over the city.

 This was Grossmunster Church and the best view of the city…but you had to work for it.  This church also had beautiful stained glass windows.

We climbed a NARROW well-worn stone staircase up 88 steps then arrived at wooden stairs continuing up another 120.  

Well worth the climb, this led us to 4 open platforms to view the city in all directions.  Fantastic.

This also gave us a great view if the red spire at the back of the church.

Tired and hungry, we headed back to the train station, past brilliant flower stalls,

After q quick ride back to our hotel, we had dinner in a nearby outside cafe before calling it quits.

Tomorrow we start the main part of our adventure…INDIA and the BENGAL TIGERS.