Ticking a few European cities off the list (Zurich, Vienna, Prague, Paris)

[Milboo]

I thought I would do a trip report for my recent trip that covered Zurich, Vienna and Prague as they are not destinations that I have seen in many reports here. Timing was mid/ late November.

Given this is a frequent flying website, I'd be remiss not to mention the flight! Flew Etihad J - and like the fact the upper deck is all J. There is just generally a sense of quiet up there. Flight load was relatively light in J - had no one in front, behind or across the aisle so even more private. I am a fan of sitting around row 12 as it's sufficiently far from the bar area and the bathrooms.

I am a fan of the EY A380 J product - comfortable seat and bed, dine on demand, suite style so quite private, quality food and good service (generally!). This flight was no exception, even though I did sleep for about 9 hours in total on the way to Abu Dhabi.

Started off in the EY lounge in Sydney airport - they seem to have pared back the menu there but offerings were nice, bubbles were poured and it was not too crowded.

Transit in AUH was easy, no big queues at clearance and knew to look for the J line. Did get a fairly friendly pat down in the cubicle.

Parked myself in the First Lounge for the layover - had a massage, shower and something to eat and the 2 odd hours passed quickly.

Next flight was to Zurich and was on the EY Dreamliner - my first time on one. Had row 7 (bulkhead) and it was a pretty full flight. Seat is not quite as good as the A380 one, not having the under window storage and less private generally. As it was a night flight the cabin quickly settled down and I managed a few hours sleep.

Zurich airport is a bit different! Did the usual hike through the terminal and hit a big crowd for passport control. It's useful to note that the lines for EU passport holders tends to block the access to the Other lines. Once cleared, further hike and then had to train to another terminal for luggage collection.

It was around 7.30am and I had arranged a car from Blacklane (thanks to a referral from here) - was luxury car, immaculate, friendly driver. Would highly recommend them as a transfer service.

Quick transfer into the Zurich Old Town and to Hotel Altstadt where I'd be staying.

 

[JohnM]

Settling into 1A.

 

[Milboo]

Despite it being 8amish a room was ready and they let me check in. Was a bit meh on the room (a single but double sized bed) but especially the bathroom as there was a panel radiator right behind the sink and the bathroom was so small, you'd bend over the sink and the bottom would touch the heater!

They happily let me change rooms (had to pay a little extra) and the new room was great - light, large and well appointed.

It is a cute little boutique hotel - cafe/ wine bar downstairs, only 4 floors, breakfast included (standard continental fare) and located in a lane in the Old Town just near Grossmunster and within metres of Limmat River. Some great places to eat nearby too.

Would highly recommend it.

Zurich is infinitely walkable - well the Old Town part on both sides of the river, albeit one side is certainly steep!

Had heard that Sprungli is worth checking out so headed there and had a cherry and pistachio Bircher muesli which was delicious - one must when in Switzerland!

By chance I came across a farmers market in my wanderings and spent ages drooling over all the amazing cheese, saucisson, fruit and vegetables etc.

There were not overly many tourists around which was pleasant.

(Sorry it uploaded the photos in the wrong order)

 

[Milboo]

From my morning walk

 

[Milboo]

 

[Milboo]

In the afternoon I had organised a walking tour that afternoon through Sweet Zurich.

Was a lovely walking tour with a great guide - we went to Sprungli, a cupcake place, an artisan chocolate shop called Max Chocolates which was divine and a Zurich institution called Honold. We had samples at each place - and hot chocolates too. We concluded by finishing at a candy store on the opposite river, which was requested by the other 2 in the tour. No issues from me as it meant we finished 5 mins from my hotel! Had also found Laderach too - and their amazing chocolate bark - based on a recommendation from a friend.

A truffled Brie sandwich, a mini tart and fresh raspberries from the market (all purchased in my morning travels) made for a perfect dinner.

 

[Milboo]

The next morning I found a Joe and The Juice near the hotel and paid an exorbitant amount for a flat white! But that is Switzerland for you - nothing is cheap!

I had no plans for this day either - just more wandering around. Managed to walk about 9km in total! It was the first day of Carnevale so in the Old Town there were all these bands throughout (mainly brass and drums) all in costume and a real party atmosphere. It was a lot of fun to just wander around.

Had lunch at a Zurich institution - Cafe Schober aka Cafe Peclard. It is the oldest cafe in town. And no English menu! But a lovely waitress talked me through it. Definitely worth checking out.

Zurich's tram system was very easy to use too.

Had dinner at The Butcher in the Old Town - a well known burger place. Was a quality burger so would recommend this too.

 

[Milboo]

 

[RooFlyer]

Can I politely ask how you accessed the first lounge at AUH? I've been trying to wangle that for ages (without flying F!)

 

[Milboo]

Next morning I was catching the train to Lausanne for a day trip.

Zurich train station is super easy to navigate despite its size. I inadvertently selected the accessible carriage and had it to myself the whole trip. Decent onboard menu and in First they come around to you. Had also grabbed a bretzel at the station - a very Swiss thing.

Trip is very scenic - I took the train that goes through Bern. They are good on the train and let you know when we are rounding the corner and the view over Lake Geneva opens up.

 

[Milboo]

That day was spent around the shore of Lake Geneva and going for a lovely walk along the lakefront, seeing the Fork (reason for the visit) etc but being Sunday it was very quiet in town as most things are shut.

Unfortunately for me, I had a conference to attend the next week so had to go on my merry way as my nice little weekend trip was over.

 

[Milboo]

Finishing on a sunset shot over Lake Geneva and pics from a fondue dinner!



Next up will be a weekend in Paris...which I forgot to pop in the title! Mods help!!!

 

[Milboo]

Can I politely ask how you accessed the first lounge at AUH? I've been trying to wangle that for ages (without flying F!)

Velocity Platinum.

I was super lucky flying home -my review date was mid trip and I dropped back to Gold but VA and EY clearly had not synced their reports yet so I was still showing Platinum on my boarding pass.

 

[RB]

A couple of years since I have been to Europe-great photos make me realise how much I need to get back there. Looking forward to the rest of your report

 

[VPS]

I'll be in 2A then

 

[Milboo]

Come the weekend I caught the TGV to Paris, meeting a friend there. As this was my second trip to Paris, there were not set plans which was nice.

We stayed right opposite the Notre Dame and had an amazing sunrise view over it and was able to check it out before the crowds turned up. Hotel was Hotel Notre Dame Saint Michel. Is a boutique hotel designed by Christian LaCroix and is filled with all manner of textures and designs on every surface! Was perfectly adequate for 2 nights and cannot fault the location, with many restaurants etc tucked in the lanes behind.

Paris was relatively quiet but for some very large Asian tour groups, especially Chinese, which showed generally poor manners.

(My pano photo is too large to upload - basically the view from the room was the last 2 photos and the first one stitched together!)

The pic of the patterns is the different furnishings just in our room!

 

[Milboo]

On a prior trip to Paris the queues to get into Notre Dame were stretched across the plaza one day and the next day was the day a man shot himself inside so it was closed. This time I was determined I would visit but sadly a dodgy knee prevented me getting up the Tower.

After a quintessential French breakfast of a croissant and coffee near the hotel, we headed there. It was worth noting there was a visible police presence around too.

We also visited the Treasury which is quite small but the pieces are amazing.

As we were finishing up it had started to get pretty busy. It is a Cathedral I have spent time studying and to see it inside in person was phenomenal. It blows my mind they had the ability to build such magnificent structures with such symmetry and precision, all before modern technology and equipment.

 

[Milboo]

 

[LadyC]

Enjoying your TR so far - looking forward to the next instalment.

 

[Milboo]

With no set plans after Notre Dame we wandered back through the Latin Quarter and down Boulevard St Germain, stopping for a nice lunch at Le Mabillon were I could indulge my love of Croque Monsieur and proper French fries!

Checked out Marché Saint Germain and whilst the quality of the produce was excellent, it was not as great a place as I had expected.

From here we headed on the Metro over towards Boulevard Haussmann. I have to say I loved how easy it was to use the Metro this time around - once you know it from a prior trip it is a breeze. Intention of heading this way was to head to the roof of Galleries LaFayette for the views. Bonus was the Xmas windows. The boards of Asian tourists in the store itself and around the luxury goods brands was phenomenal. I was at Chanel (make up) and had a young Chinese guy serving me. Despite this an older Chinese man was tugging on his arm and yelling at him as he wanted something.

Views from the roof were spectacular - especially seeing all the contra trails and as it was heading towards sunset it was quite busy up there. We then retreated to the Food Hall building to recharge - and shop! I picked up some amazing Maille Mustard - with chablis and black truffle. It is one of their fresh pumped, limited seasonal releases and is so good on fresh bread with ham!

By this time we were seriously walked out, the feet were throbbing so we hightailed back to the hotel (which has a metro stop within metres) and had dinner at one of the restaurants in the laneways behind.