At around 6 in the morning at Nyon train station, we took the inter-regional train. It was heading in the direction of Brig. After 15 minutes, we got off at Lausanne and took another that would send us to Zurich. After two hours, we finally arrived.

There we stood at one of the busiest railway stations in Switzerland. Zurich Hauptbahnhof is a major railway hub for Switzerland. It also serves neighboring European countries like Germany, Italy, Austria, and France. The train station is already located at Alstadt or central Zurich’s old town.

A few more steps from there we found ourselves in Zurich’s main downtown street, Bahnhofstrasse. Bahnhofstrasse is known as one of the most expensive avenues for shopping in the world. It is also where we started exploring this fancy Swiss city.

We found the first church we ought to see in Zurich, the Fraumunster. It used to be a monastery for female aristocrats. These women gained significant influence and political power in the city during the Middle Ages until the 15th century. By now it serves as a parish church, but still holds an important role. Apparently Fraumunster also houses the distinctive, masterful stained glass windows designed by the famous 20th century artist, Marc Chagall.

We turned further left. We passed by Munsterhof, a town square situated between Lindenhoff hill and Limmat river. We continued walking until we came across another church, St. Peter’s Church. This is used to be only the parish church in Zurich before the Reformation. The church steeple’s clock face is the largest in Europe while its bells dated from 1880.

We ascended further and reached the Lindenhof hill. This hill is the historical site of the Roman castle. It was later the Carolingan Kaiserpflaz (imperial palace). It has remained as a civil meeting place. Zurich citizens also pledged their allegiance here to the constitution of the Helvetic Republic. This constitution represented an early attempt to unite cantons in Switzerland during the coming of the 18th century.

We went down the hill and crossed a bridge to reach Limmatquai. It is a pleasant side of the city. You can find nice boutiques of bags, shoes, and clothes. You name it! Or you can also stop by for coffee and watch people passing by. Not so far from this area is where you can find Grossmunster.

This Romanesque-style Grossmunster played a crucial role in the Reformation in Zurich. Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger led this movement in the 15th century. It was constructed in the 10th century dedicated to the martyrs Felix, Regula and Exuperantius, patron saints of Zurich. According to legend, Charlemagne commissioned its construction. The site was believed to be the graves of the said martyr-saints.

Summer in Switzerland is definitely called for some Moevenpick ice cream, and some Sprungli to satisfy sweet cravings. For years of my stay in Switzerland, these heavenly divine delights stay my topmost choice. You can find Moevenpick almost everywhere in Switzerland; but Sprungli, you can only find it in Zurich.

I had a first taste of its signature macarons, Luxemburgerli. I fell instantly in love with them. I had already promised myself that I’m going to visit this luxurious confectionery when I get to Zurich. And boy surely I did make it! As I entered their store, a full roster of colorful Luxemburgerli macarons greeted me warmly. The intoxicatingly rich smell of Sprungli chocolates enveloped me. I finally gave in and bought boxes for my own delight. I really couldn’t get away without having one!

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