Zurich Bound

We arrived in Zurich via train from Interlaken, Switzerland’s largest city. Once again, we experienced a beautiful scenic train ride with the most spectacular views. The aqua-blue water against a mountain backdrop is breathtaking. It was our last stop before returning to Geneva and flying out the following day. In all honesty, it was nice to visit large cities and experience the Alps and outdoor activities.

Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, where you can experience rich history, stunning views of Lake Zurich, and the charm of Old Town. And, of course, chocolate!

Timeless Luxury at Baur au Lac Hotel

We stayed at the Baur Au Lac, a family-owned luxury hotel in the heart of Zurich. The hotel overlooks Lake Zurich and the Alps. Our junior suite was spacious, elegant, and charming. The luxury beds are so comfortable. They even provide a chocolate fondue setup and luxury bedding.

Additionally, they have a landscaped park behind Margarita. Before Art Basel Switzerland begins, they transform part of the park into a space showcasing world-renowned artists and emerging talent. This year, they featured five bronze sculptures by South African artist William Kentridge.

The hotel has several dining options.

Day One

After settling into our hotel, we walked the promenade along Lake Zurich. Luckily, the weather was mild and sunny, making our day through Zurich enjoyable. Next, we went to Old Town (Altstadt). You can wander through Zurich’s historic center’s narrow, winding streets filled with medieval buildings, charming shops, and cozy cafes.

Key Sights to Experience

Grossmünster dates back centuries.
Fraumünster —The church was built in the 9th century. Interestingly, Marc Chagall made the stained glass windows.
Niederdorfstrasse- This area in Old Town is one of those places where you can explore the side streets. You’ll find shops, cafes and restaurants. As a matter of fact, many countries have areas with backstreets. We love exploring and getting lost.
St. Peter’s Church – Zurich’s oldest church and Europe’s biggest clock face. It is free to visit.
The Limmatquai Riverfront – this scenic promenade along the Limmat River is next to Niederdorfstrasse.
Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets. It is lined with luxury boutiques, department stores, and cafes. It’s an excellent place for shopping or simply people-watching. Naturally, a mother-daughter trip is always filled with some shopping.

Day Two

After breakfast at the hotel, we found a Farmer’s Market across the street. We enjoyed walking around without looking to buy fruits, vegetables, or flowers. Although we did not have tickets, we decided to go to the Lindt Chocolate Factory. In fact, we had agreed when planning our trip that we would not get tickets. By the time we got to Switzerland, tickets were sold out. We thought we would see the 29-and-a-half-foot, floor-to-ceiling chocolate fondue and go to their store.

Upon going to reception, we asked if any tour tickets were available. The hostess said yes. That surprised us, as we read many blogs, and no one mentioned they hold back tickets for walk-ins. I’m not saying you should risk it, but it is still worth visiting if you want to take a chance.

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a big fan of chocolate. That may have been my hesitance in purchasing advance tickets. My opinion changed after this tour. We felt like we were in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. In addition to the interactive history of chocolate, we got to sample new flavors that dropped out of tubes when you held your hand under the tube. There were stations where you could try melted dark, milk, and white chocolate.

Last, you receive another sample. The chocolate is dispensed from a machine behind the chef’s video screen. The ball rolls behind the screen and then falls before a chocolate square drops out. At the end of the tour, there is a line of acrylic bins filled with the round chocolates we all know about Lindt. The bins are filled with different flavors; you receive one of each.

Of course, we spent over an hour in their store and bought so much chocolate for family and friends as souvenirs. You can take a boat back to the city on Lake Zurich. Again, this is included in the price of your Swiss Travel Pass.

The cost for the tour is 17 Swiss francs or approximately $20, depending on the dollar’s value. I would unquestionably recommend this tour. Furthermore, I would buy tickets in advance. If they are sold out, take the chance to get tickets. We arrived at noon and took the 12:30 self-guided tour.

Eating Our Way Through Zurich

After the tour, we took a tram to the Viaduct neighborhood to see the Market Hall. This hall is located under the arches of the railway viaduct at the west end of Zurich. If you’re a foodie, we recommend visiting. There are takeout stands, fresh produce, and cheese to eat or takeout.

Raclette Factory – Of course, we could not resist having our first taste of raclette. Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish with melted raclette cheese poured over potatoes, pickles, and other specialties. You will find Raclette Factory in Old Town. Although it’s an unassuming restaurant, don’t let that deter you.
Margarita is located at Baur au Lac, which made it very convenient. They recently opened their outdoor summer dining experience. The menu is Mediterranean-inspired. The decor is
Tritte Kase – If you’re a cheese lover, this is the place to stop. The owner was so kind and explained the different cheeses. We gave her carte blanche to pick out our lunch. I even brought some home as a gift for a cheese-lover family member with an authentic Swiss fondue pot.
Veltliner Keller. The concierge recommended this traditional Swiss restaurant, where the food is prepared in front of you. Thus, it was nice to end our trip with a traditional meal in a restaurant that has been around since 1870.

Final Thoughts: A Journey to Remember

Though an expensive city, we enjoyed the charm and character of Zurich.

Read more about our Geneva, Montreux, and Interlocken stay.

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