Sharing Some Science in Switzerland :)

[UpInTheAir:)]

This is my first trip report.. I've read the instructions and although I don't expect to reach the levels of some of our more experienced trip reporters I will have a few lonely hours in lounges and hotels this time round so I hope to give it a red hot try

I'm heading to Switzerland this week for a conference/ work but I have tacked a few days on at the end for site-seeing.

Itinerary will be:
EK in J from Melbourne to Zurich.. (EK so no upgrades for me but J is good )
A couple of nights at the Novotel at the airport (most of the accommodation is with Accor as I am a member and I booked when they had the 40% off + breakfast deal going on).
Heading to the Conference for a few nights where I will learn lots and meet some fantastic people!
Back to Zurich (another Accor hotel this time closer to the CBD) for a few nights where there will be a little bit of work.
Then I hope to enjoy the holiday part of the trip.. training to Bern (which will be my base) and spending a few days exploring Lake Geneva (Chateau de Chillon), The Matterhorn and Jungfrau (thanks to Bindibuys' trip report) before heading back to Zurich.
My last night in Zurich will be a reward booking at the Park Hyatt where I will toast farewell to Switzerland and head home.

Any advice/ suggestions are very welcome

 

[Bindibuys]

For a wonderfully relaxing break, take a train up the Üetliberg –
just 20 minutes from the city centre – and go for a walk, enjoying glorious views over the city, the lake and the Alps.
www.zuerich.com/nature
Will find instructions at home tonight.

 

[kevrosmith]

I visited friends in Zurich in early June. Lovely city. Public transport (trains, trams, electric trolley-buses and buses) made it very easy to get around. You can buy a day-pass which covers everything. https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/vbz/en/index.html

We visited Mount Pilatus, which has the world's steepest cog-wheel railway. Railway and cableways - Pilatus Bahnen As I was with friends, it was easy to drive there, but I think you can get there by train somehow. We visited Lucerne on the drive back as well, and it was a lovely city too.

Catch the public ferry and head out on Lake Zurich. Very cheap and a lovely way to see the lake and suburbs along the lake. We got on at Zürich Landesmuseum and went out to Zürich, Zürichhorn Casino. You could probably get off there and walk around the park for a bit, but we just stayed on the ferry and headed back to town.

You can catch the lift up to the top of this tower and it provides a view around the city: Home - Urania-Sternwarte (It seems a bit odd, but you walk into the restaurant, but turn to the lift at the right and then go up). There seemed to be a coffee-shop/bar up top too.

We had lunch at a nearby department store, similar to Myer, which might sound odd, but on the top floor there was a market-style restaurant where you could select meals from a wide variety of buffet/fresh-to-made style meals and it seemed rather well-priced, and you could sit outside on the balcony wiht a beer and appreciate the views across the roof-tops.

Very picturesque around Switzerland.

 

[dmitri]

I took the train to Lichtenstein for a day trip, the scenery was awesome on the train, Lichtenstein was bit on the slow side, but they have some good restaurants in the town centre, and you can get a passport stamp in the tourism office there also.

cheers, Dmitri

 

[TomVexille]

Sounds like fun. Looking forward to following along

As a reader, the more pictures the better.

 

[boomy]

Sounds like fun. Looking forward to following along

As a reader, the more pictures the better.

+1 to that

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Sounds like fun. Looking forward to following along

As a reader, the more pictures the better.

Yes I'll try (they are always my favourite bits also!) but that might be where I have problems.. wasn't thinking to take the big camera but maybe it will be the easiest solution.. don't want to have some scary data usage bill shock on my phone :shock:

 

[dmitri]

You can have a look at this for some ideas also. Nat geo generally have good info.

Switzerland's Grand Tour -- National Geographic

 

[Bindibuys]

Sorry, tried to send you this as a private message, but the system wont let me upload an image in a private message, only a URL.

So, if you decide to also include the Planetary Path, please do not have a minor heart attack when you get to a dis-used cable car shed and think Öh S@@@T !!! do I go back or keep heading on this path (or call your husband back in Oz and ask him to send out the Saint Bernard to find you ) like I did.

Just continue on, you will come to a very modern cable car to take you back down to catch a train back into town.

 

[amaroo]

Have settled in for the ride. Switzerland will be a new experience for me, if your TR is enticing - we might make a detour later this year.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Have settled in for the ride. Switzerland will be a new experience for me, if your TR is enticing - we might make a detour later this year.

Oh dear.. the pressure I really enjoyed your TR Amaroo.
Will certainly take the real camera

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Sorry, tried to send you this as a private message, but the system wont let me upload an image in a private message, only a URL.

So, if you decide to also include the Planetary Path, please do not have a minor heart attack when you get to a dis-used cable car shed and think Öh S@@@T !!! do I go back or keep heading on this path (or call your husband back in Oz and ask him to send out the Saint Bernard to find you ) like I did.

Just continue on, you will come to a very modern cable car to take you back down to catch a train back into town.

Thanks Bindibuys... this sounds perfect for the spare day I currently have in Zurich... I do like to have a good walk in the first 24 hours off the plane to remind my legs what they are there for.. Loved the advice... made me laugh...
Getting excited

 

[kevrosmith]

May I whet your appetite for what you can expect in Zurich...





View from the ferry...


Tee hee hee...

 

[kevrosmith]

Mount Pilatus

 

[kevrosmith]

Lucerne

 

[amaroo]

Will certainly take the real camera

You've already bettered me. Phone (camera) is the only one I can be bothered carrying

 

[Anna]

I'm hoping to go to Switzerland next northern summer, so will be interested in all tips Especially if they involve chocolate

 

[LadyC]

I'm hoping to go to Switzerland next northern summer, so will be interested in all tips Especially if they involve chocolate

There is no shortage of chocolate in Switzerland! I went to the Sprüngli (Lindt) cafe in Zurich and it was delicious.

Looking forward to reading more - I have only been to Zurich but would love to visit other parts of Switzerland too.

 

[dmitri]

There is no shortage of chocolate in Switzerland! I went to the Sprüngli (Lindt) cafe in Zurich and it was delicious.

Looking forward to reading more - I have only been to Zurich but would love to visit other parts of Switzerland too.

+1 for Sprungli, awesome cafe's in Zurich

 

[RB]

Any advice/ suggestions are very welcome

I am not sure of your interests but we found Montreux to be a nice spot for a few days. If you are a Queen fan you can find Freddie Mercury and also Charlie Chaplin is there