We checked into our hotel and were happily greeted by a swan towel and chocolates on our bed!
Our swan towel and Toblerone candy greeted us in our hotel room |
The Swiss apparently love Oktoberfest as much as the Germans do...they even had a mini fest right in the train station, complete with rides, bratwurst and a beer tent!
A giant "Guardian Angel" hangs from the station's ceiling, protecting all travelers. It was placed here in 1997 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Swiss rail system.
Zurich's "Guardian Angel" |
Bahnhofstrasse is Zurich's famous mile-long shopping street. We were told that the least expensive stores were by the train station and increasingly became more expensive the closer they were to the lake.
We stumbled upon a quaint park with spectacular views of the river below us.
We then toured the Fraumunster, founded as an abbey church for a convent in 853. The current building was built in 1250. The church is famous for its windows by French artist Marc Chagall. We weren't able to take pictures inside, but I found a picture of the gorgeous stained-glass windows online.
The scenery around the river was beautiful. The colors of the Fall leaves just added to the ambiance.
Zurich has fountains throughout the city that provide free, fresh mountain water to its citizens.
Zurich Opera House |
Swiss Army knives were displayed in the windows of almost every tourist shop.
Official Swiss Army knives |
The other large church in Zurich is the Grossmunster, literally meaning the "big cathedral." We couldn't take pictures in this church either. We took the stairs down into the church's crypt to see a 15th-century statue of Charlemagne.
The Swiss couple next to us asked if it was our first time eating fondue. We said that we've eaten at the Melting Pot a few times in the U.S. They were very surprised and impressed that America had a chain fondue restaurant.
The raclette platter with pork, cheese and other assorted foods |
Then, once it has melted, you cover your potatoes, pork and other food in delicious cheese and dig in!
Zurich at dusk |
Entrance to the fortress |
Chris "aiming" the machine gun |
Chris operating one of the gun positions |
Mannequins portraying soldiers manning the machine gun |
The Swiss disguised their weapons by creating fake rock around where the machine gun was placed. Even up close it looked like real rock. Only knocking on it could you hear that it was hollow in certain places.
After the fortress, we traveled to the city of Lucerne, the tourism capital of Switzerland.
We ate lunch at Manora, a self-service eatery above the Manor department store. We heard there was a good view of the city from the rooftop terrace, and we happened to catch an airshow while we were up there.
The massive "cafeteria" above a department store |
Town Hall |
The Reuss River flows out of Lake Lucerne and eventually joins the Rhine River. Lucerne is responsible for controlling the flow of water and preventing the flooding of lakeside villages by maintaining the lake level (altered by snowmelt). In the mid-19th century, the city built an extendable dam to help manage the water level.
I couldn't go to Switzerland and not try their hot chocolate, especially on a cold, overcast day. It may have been the best hot chocolate I've ever had!
Then we toured the Jesuit Church. It was the first major Baroque church in Switzerland, built in 1677. Even though Lucerne was a small town when the church was built, the pope wanted to establish a strong Catholic presence in central Switzerland during the Protestant Reformation.
Below is the only Swiss saint, Brother Klaus, who lived in the nearby mountains in the 15th-century. He was a peacemaker and is considered the original Swiss isolationist.
Then we walked across the famous Chapel Bridge. It was unfortunately undergoing renovations, so we couldn't walk across the entire bridge.
A small fest was going on near the train station, so we wandered through to check out the rides and food stands.
Lake Lucerne |
Chris' meatloaf and potatoes |
My crispy pork shoulder and kraut salad |
Mark Twain described the Lion of Lucerne as "the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world".
The swans in Lucerne apparently were a gift from French King Louis XIV in appreciation for the protection he got from the Swiss Guards.
We strolled throughout the various plazas of Lucerne to appreciate the beautiful artwork on the sides of the buildings.
Weinmarkt with a painting of the Wedding Feast at Cana |
Sternenplatz with a Mardi Gras mural |
Our guidebook recommended Laderach for chocolate, a local favorite, so we happily obliged.
We stopped for a quick bite to eat before touring the falls. Not a bad view during lunch!
The viewing platform is right under the falls. We didn't get soaked, but it sure was misty!
We then drove back home after a great weekend in Switzerland. This country is very expensive compared to Germany (and probably most other countries) but has so much to offer! We loved visiting the cities and hope to have the opportunity to visit the Swiss countryside.
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