Switzerland- Three Distinct Cultures in a one country vacation

 

We land in Zurich. After a long flight over the Atlantic, we are looking forward to refreshing at our hotel before exploring the city. As soon as we arrive in the airport, you cannot miss the chocolate and that German feel. Many

We head through the airport and out to the mall. There we find the ticket booth and the train station. A great ticket agent informs us that we have an 8-day train pass but we really need a 9. She suggested that we buy a one day that is just for Zurich known as the ZurichCard. We find out that this was the smart thing to do. In addition, it got us into museums and other attractions as well.

We exit the train, which by the way arrived and departed exactly on time to the minute. Swiss time keeping at its best. We decide to walk to our hotel, baggage and all. The walk followed along the river and immediately immersed us into the Swiss “German” culture. After a quick power nap, we head out to explore. First stop is the Schweizerisches , the Swiss National Museum. Access is included in our rail pass. We walk through the diverse history of the country and the its many regions. The mountains created natural borders for areas of Switzerland to develop their own unique cultural much of influenced by the country in borders, German, Austria, France and Italy.

Zurich is Switzerland’s trend setting city. Its 5^th Avenue known as Bahnhofstrasse. Very crowded with lots of window shoppers and Saturday shoppers. We continue our walk through the city encountering many churches built throughout various centuries and reflecting many architectural styles. We pick up a quick street lunch and continue on our way. We eventually make our way down to Lake Zurich and decide to take a boat ride that takes locals to various locations around the lake. Basically, a ferry. Timing on the transportation continues to precise to the minute. We get on the ferry and find some seats outside. Switzerland is having a warm fall so the weather is just perfect for a ride around the lake. The lake is very come but the rocking of the boat is just right. Yes, I feel asleep! But I only missed a couple of the stops. Off the ferry we are done for our touring for today. We search for the river ferry which will get us `back to our hotel.  We head out for dinner.

The concierge in the hotel made us reservations at Swiss Chicki. This was a suggestion from a colleague who lived in Switzerland for a while. We head over to the restaurant. We order a Swiss Pinot Noir. We were not familiar with Swiss wines but this turned out to be a good choice. It’s our first night so of course we go for raclette and cheese fondue. A little cooker is brought to the table. The waiter asks me to move back from the table so he can plug it in! The meat cooks on the grill and then you dip into the fondue pot. It was a fun experience and just like that we are immersed into the Swiss culture.

The next day we head over to Winterthur. A small town near Zurich. It’s a 25-minute train ride and we arrive at the main station. It’s very quiet as we head out into the village. As we soon come to realize, its Sunday. Only a few stores in the rail station are open. The up side is that we have the town to ourselves. We walk down the quaint streets and back alleys, enjoying the quiet and beauty.

Back to Zurich. More walking and decide to see the Seurat exposition at the Art Museum. Mostly studies for his paintings but interesting to see how he developed his technique. Tonight, we head over for some Swiss German food at Zeughausekeller and then stroll back to the hotel.

The next day, we are changing locations to continue our German Swiss experience.  We are headed to Luzerne which will be our headquarters for the next few days.  The transportation system Is impeccable. They arrive on time to the minute, clean, comfortable and efficient. 45 minutes later we arrive in Luzern. We are staying at a boutique hotel, Romantic Wilder Mann.  Looking at the map, it’s seems to be a short walk from the train station. We must have looked lost as we dragged our bags along the cobblestone streets, a local stopped us and asked if we needed directions. They happily gave us the shortest route to the hotel.  We arrive at this very interesting building that houses the hotel. It has great charm and lots of history. After checking into the room, we are heading out to explore.

Luzern is known as Switzerland’s City of Lights. There is even more of a German village feel here. Walking in the old town, we see lots of cuckoo clocks being sold next to high end Swiss timepieces. Swiss army knives are everywhere yet somehow this town manages to keep its small-town charm. We look at the Chapel Bridge but save its crossing for later.  We head over to the remains of the ancient city walls, where we climb up for the view. At the top, there is a spectacular view of the town, the lake, the river and the magnificent Alps in the background. We cross the Chapel bridge over the lake. The bridge is the great symbol of the town. Its survived floods, fires, protests and many restorations. It holds court over the town!

We dine on some local dishes including venison and veal. Back to the room, we realize that it is a bit warm for October. They are having a bit of a heat wave. There isn’t AC in the room, so the windows need to be open. It starts to rain a bit, then there are people walking by, people having hearty conversations all making it difficult to sleep. However, the most troublesome was the church bells. Every hour they rang. Unlike at home, there was no cut off point so every hour on the hour they rang. All night long!!!

The next day, we interrupt our German Swiss experience for an Italian Swiss experience.  We are taking the high-speed train today threw the Alps to Lugano. Lugano is Switzerland’s City of Sunshine. Sitting on a lake that creates the border between Switzerland and Italy. After one change of trains, we are on our way. This is the longest of our train rides during our tour.

As we head south, we pass through field of flowers, cow pastures, rolling hills, and small hamlets. We see waterfalls, vineyards and chalets. The Alps grow ever closer. As we come to the foothills of the Alps, we begin to go through small tunnels. Eventually, we enter the long tunnel that goes directly through the Alps. We exit the other side and enter into Lugano. The train station is perched up on the hill but the town edges the lake.  

As we head down to the town, we feel like we are journeying into Italy. The sites, the language and aromas are all Italian. Walking the lakefront that is lined with trees and flowers, its Italy with a swiss accent. Across the blue lake we see the mountains of Northern Italy.  Its time for lunch. We select a restaurant facing the Piazza, order a pizza and watch the world go by.  During our afternoon walk, we come upon the church of Santa Maria D’Angeli. It is an ancient church, in much disrepair. There is a special fresco in the church painted by one of Leonardo DaVinci’s pupils.

After a stop for a gelato, we head back up the hill, through quaint street of little shops. We catch the funicular up to the train station and grab the high-speed train back to Luzern.

 

Back in Luzern, we are back to the German feel. Today, we are heading up to Mount Pilatus. We purchase our tickets for the ride up the mountain. On the gondola, we meet and converse with a couple from Austria. The ascend is steep, gliding over meadows, swiss cows, horses, trees, rocks. Half way up the mountain, there is a transition. Off the gondola and onto a cable car the holds about 20 people. The views are breathtaking. Each direction offering a different perspective.  At the top, we make our way out to the mountain.  

Luzern can be seen in the distance, mountain peaks with snow, valleys green with foliage. As we make our way around the platform, they begin to play the Alpenhorn or the swiss long horns. On one side of the viewing platform are some caves. Carved out of the wall of the caves, are “windows” into the landscape. The wind howls through.  After a quick lunch, we get on the cog wheel train to head back down the mountain. We are on the other side of the mountain so the views have changed again.  At the base of the mountain, we grab the train back to Luzern.

Our next stop is the Swiss Transportation Museum. A really fun and educational museum.  The museum covers every form of transportation used in Switzerland. Trains, Planes, Autos, Boats, Gondolas, Cable Cars, Funiculars, Sleds, Snowmobiles, Skis, Snow Shoes, Mountain Bikes, Hot Air Balloons, you name it!

After another great day in Luzern, we spend our last evening in the “German” part of Switzerland.  Tomorrow, we are headed to Lausanne, Switzerland’s Gourmet City. In the morning, we catch the 10:00 am train, which leaves, exactly on time.  Again, the landscape changes. We are heading to the “French” Switzerland. We pass through fields of flowers, vineyards, and the French Alps in the distance.

After our arrival at the station, we make a metro connection to get to our Hotel Chateau D’Ouchy.  A retooled castle made into a very modern hotel.  After settling in, we head out for a walking tour of the city.  We head up to the top of the hill and enjoy the beautiful views. The cathedral, appropriately named Notre Dame evokes Paris.  We are told that a town crier calls out the hour.  Back to our hotel, we eat local very local and head to a small crepe restaurant.

The next day, we are headed to Chateau de Chillon. A fairytale castle on the lakes edge. We grab a local train and pass through small vineyards that are planted on the hillside. We arrive at the castle train station.

The castle’s successive owners were the Savoys, Bernese, and Vaudois. Its fame grew out of the romantic age and credits its fame due to Lord Byron. Sitting on a small island in the lake, close to the shore, the castle transports you in to the world of nobility. Beautifully decorated architecture, vaulted ceilings and massive fireplaces let you leave the modern world behind if just for a few hours. The raiy and fog of the morning adds to the feel.

Once back in town, the day turns into a sunshine filled afternoon. We head over to the Olympic Museum. We explore the history of the Olympics from ancient times to the modern games. We see memorabilia from many athletes and locations.

We walk back along the lakeside and enjoy the afternoon sun. We don’t want our fabulous tour of Switzerland to end but we head back to pack up for our early morning flight.  Switzerland is an incredible mix of cultures that blends into a wonderful Swiss experience.