Out and about in Zürich

Yesterday, we took the half hour journey from Lucerne to Zürich, and, while on the train, I was surprised to find a children's slippery dip on the upper level!  I thought good on the Swiss for being so family oriented and kind to kids.

After we settled into our hotel, we went out and about, checked out the tram system, and bought a 72 hour pass.  The pass lets you travel all over the city through the various 'zones' on the trams, buses, the S-Bahn (above ground train), and on certain boat rides (voyages up to 90 minutes) on Lake Zürich.

In the last 24 hours, we've covered a lot of ground on foot as well as using public transport.  On foot, we've done a 'circle' from the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) through the streets close to the river Limmat, down to the edge of Lake Zürich, and back up to the Hauptbahnhof.  We've strolled through the various lanes of the Altstadt (old town), and plodded along Bahnhofstrasse (outside the Altstadt), which runs south to the lake.  This latter linden tree-lined street is home to expensive shops selling watches and other luxurious items.  We stopped to admire the famous Sprügli cafe, which boasts an assortment of tarts, cakes, macarons and chocolates.   

In the Altstadt, we found Lindenhof which has a lookout, offering views of the Limmat river.  In the Altstadt, we found the Fraumünster church, peeking inside at its famous five stained glass windows.  Near the Altstadt, we had cafe lattes in the Odeon.  It was at the Odeon that Vladimir Lenin spent considerable time swallowing coffee and plotting the Russian Revolution.  

While walking, we stumbled upon a film crew.  They were filming for FIFA 2014.  It involved a scene with 'rain', and featured a couple of old cars.

Apart from a couple of wasps that followed our boat, we had a nice, relaxing 90 minute cruise of the lake.  We could see snow-capped mountains on the horizon.

Some Swiss trains are very children-friendly.

Here they are filming for FIFA 2014.

Part of the film set for FIFA 2014

The Odeon cafe: where Vladimir Lenin plotted the Russian Revolution

A couple blowing their Alphorns, a Swiss icon.

On Lake Zürich: distant peaks are snow-capped

The Grossmünster church

Macarons at the Sprügli cafe: golden champagne flavour.....

.....and chocolate flavour

16 minutes' walk to the train station: a visitor-friendly sign

On Lake Zürich

Overlooking the Limmat river from Lindenhof

The Limmat river extends from Lake Zürich

Protection for shoes......in case of snow?

The Limmat river in Zürich