Cruising the Arctic Circle – Tromso, Norway
February 10, 2025
Les Deux Alps
February 10, 2025No plan, no agenda, not even a map, just me and my boots made for walking.
Zurich, Switzerland, a place that conjures images of streets lined with luxury boutiques, Michelin starred restaurants and well heeled tourists and business people laden with shopping bags or heading to work (possibly at a bank!). In reality, the city has so much more to offer.
In 2019, en route to a ski trip in beautiful St Moritz (read about it here) I spent a day walking around the city by the lake. No plan, no agenda, not even a map, just me and my boots made for walking.
After an overnight direct flight from Mumbai on SwissAir I checked in to my hotel pretty early in the morning. Getting from the airport to the hotel in the centre of town was very easy, I just hopped on a train from the airport train station, conveniently located inside the airport to the central station, the Hauptbanhoff on Zurich’s famed Banhoffstrasse (literally Station street). From there, the Flemings Hotel, which I booked through Expedia for one night was a short 10 minute walk away. I couldn’t have asked for a better location!
Although it was early in the day, the lovely team at the hotel had my room ready for me, and after a quick workout in the small, but well-equipped gym, a shower and a bucket of coffee, I set out to explore the city.
Walked through into the famous cafe to see a huge display case stocked full of a variety of pastries, desserts and all manner of delicious goodies.
My first stop, and really the only thing I knew I definitely didn’t want to leave Zurich without visiting was the Sprunglii cafe. A true one-of-a-kind place, the cafe is attached to the Lindt & Sprunglii chocolate store which, to anyone with a sweet tooth, the equivalent of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Every imaginable chocolate confection, and even some you couldn’t ever imagine, from truffles and bon bons to chocolate bars and beyond lined what seemed like every inch of the store’s interior. Novelties like Easter eggs and bunnies, teddy bears and more can be found as well, but the store is not why I was there!
I walked through into the famous cafe to see a huge display case stocked full of a variety of pastries, desserts and all manner of delicious goodies. The choice seemed impossible, but I was on a mission. I was there for Sprunglii’s renowned chocolate truffle pastry. Now, anyone who knows me knows that food is rarely a priority for me, and dessert even less so, but honestly, this cake is hard to pass up for anyone and while Lindt chocolates can be found all across the world, this delectable treat is much harder to come by outside of the city of it’s origin.
Predictably, the line in the cafe was long and all the tables full but I finally got my cappuccino and cake and made my way to one of the tables set up outside. Let’s just say it was every bit worth the wait! After savouring every last bite, I was perfectly fuelled for the day ahead.
For those with more time to spend in Zurich, Sprunglii also has a museum which is open to tour, and you can visit to watch the magic get made. With only a day on hand, this is an experience that will have to wait for next time!
I strolled down the street towards Lake Zurich and spent some time just taking in its serene beauty. There was a chill in the air, but the sky was clear blue with a few picture-perfect clouds, and I walked around looking at the happy families enjoying their day, the birds that lined the shores and the small boats that dotted the water.
I slowly made my way past the lake to the Zurich Opera House, a grand building that has been home to the Zurich Opera since 1891 and also houses the Ballett Zurich and the Bernhard-Theatre Zurich. Next, with no destination in mind, I found myself meandering through a series of side streets with quaint stores, and restaurants, bars and even residential buildings. Cheese lovers like me should definitely take the time to sample some of the city’s delectable fondue and raclette at any of the cafés that are known for the Swiss specialities.
As I walked just a little more, I found myself turning down a pedestrian street lined with hemp and cannabis stores and shops advertising all manner of exotic sex toys. Amongst the neon signs and colourful decor, I won’t ever forget the life-sized statue of a bull perched on a second story balcony of what I later discovered was a small hotel! Right there, in the very centre of the old town!
By this time, it was later in the afternoon, and I continued my walk through a small park with a children’s playground where I saw kids and their parents enjoying the sunshine. My path eventually took me uphill until I found myself gazing upon the iconic Grossmunster cathedral known for its gothic architecture and of course, breathtaking views across the city.
Grossmünster is one of Zurich’s four main Cathedrals, with the Fraumünster, famous for its stained-glass windows painted by Marc Chagall being another one I walked past that day.
I sat outside Grossmünster sipping a coffee and enjoying the view for a while and then started to find my way back towards Banhofstrasse and my hotel. On the way, I stopped to peer in the windows of the boutiques and admire the myriad watches, jewellery and more lining the shelves.
When I finally got back to my hotel, walking past a group of students offering free hugs to raise awareness about the environment, I took advantage of the cozy bar to grab a drink and spend some time reading a book before taking a hot bowl of ramen up to my room and retiring for the night. I had an early start the next morning with a train to catch that would take me to St.Moritz for a week of skiing. (Read more about skiing in St. Moritz here).
Twenty-four hours in a city may not seem like a lot of time, but if you’re just looking to enjoy the atmosphere and feel vibe, walking around and seeing where the road takes you is a great way to spend a day!
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Disha
Disha is a former corporate lawyer with a flair for writing. As an avid traveller, she is always seeking new adventures and loves telling stories about her globe trotting.
