I was recently thinking about the few days I spent in Zurich, Switzerland during my around the world adventure in 2010.
I distinctly recall how gentle the city felt with Lake Zurich and the Alps right next to it. From riding the bus, to walking through the downtown I quickly understood why its one of the greatest places to live on earth – not to mention one of the most expensive!
I stayed with my friend Pascal who I met on a random night in Siem Reap, Cambodia. He offered to let me stay with him and his mother and the two of them shared with me their beautiful city of Zurich.
We sun bathed on the docks, took a water taxi and enjoyed the views from some pretty spectacular and high up viewpoints. But my favourite moments were walking along the bridges and paths and just admiring the simple beauties that make this city so wonderful.
Cradled by mountains and water, downtown is flush with very old buildings and modern technologies. The sky and the water split only by the incredible architecture and nature. Not only were the people friendly (my friends included) but there was a certain calmness as I walked around that completely relaxed me.
On my next trip to Europe, I very well may swing by Zurich to take in this lovely city again and hopefully with more time. I’d also like to visit other parts of Switzerland to see how they compare.
As I was coming from Sweden, I arrived by train via Basel but you could also fly directly to Zurich. Tip: if the flight to Zurich is too pricey, check to see what a flight to Basel would cost and then take a train as it is not too far.
Have you been to Zurich? Would you agree that it is as lovely as I think it is?
Gorgeous! I would so love to visit one day!!!
Zurich is super high on our travel bucket list. We were hoping to visit this summer, but alas… it wasn’t meant to be.
Beautiful photo!
Great photo! That is you, right?
I haven’t been to Zurich yet, but it’s a place that I’ve always wanted to go to and I hope to have the opportunity sooner rather than later. Your write-up was really nice, Brock.
Ohhh everytime I see photos and hear stories of Switzerland, no matter WHAT city, I go a little ga-ga because it reminds me of my exchange there and how deeply I LOVE that country!!
I spent a day in Zurich and it was probably the most expensive day I have ever spent in Europe! I forgot to look up the exchange rate, mind you, so I spent 60 Euros and a pizza and a salad thinking it must be a decent price in the local currency…
Woops! Not Euros. It was definitely not Euros, haha
@Andi – I think you’d really love it there Andi!
@Christy – Next summer?!
@Carrie – Thanks Carrie! Yep, that’s me. I hope you get there as well!
@Chrystal – You must be an expert on the region ya?! It must have been so wonderful to live there for an extended period of time.
@Audrey – WHOA! That’s a spending oversight! I would have had a panic attack when I saw the bill!