It's Not a City Unless You Can Climb Up Something

Not many people know that Zurich is currently showing the "70 Unseen Works of Picasso"...... unseen by us anyway. What a wonderful exhibition this would have been ... if only the Zurich Kunsthaus had been open on a Monday! It might have been sensible to check this before leaving Bern. Luckily we had clear skies and beautiful views to consol us.

On our last full day in Europe and in our typical holiday fashion, we alighted the train, dumped our stuff at the hotel (Best Western "Montana" - go figure!) and set off to explore Zurich on foot. It is a much more picturesque city than either of us were expecting. Having chosen the worst part of Milan to stop in 5 days previously, we were extremely pleased to see that this big city immediately shows its prettiest side to those arriving by train.

Jen at the "Gates of Hell"
(Rodin)

We started our tour with lunch, once again swayed by the sign - a golden cow - which led us to a tasty and possibly typical Swiss lunch involving spaetzli (not even close to Hubertus') and a super-sugary dessert of deep-fried apple slices covered in sugar, cinamon and vanilla custard. It was divine at the time but Jo didn't even dare look and Jen regretted the sugar high that followed...

Our disappointing visit to the Kunsthaus followed. We did see a few great sculptures outside and circled the building looking sad but no-one would let us in, no matter how hard we scratched at the windows.

To substitute, we climbed the Grossmunster Tower. Once again we got a panoramic view of the city we had been wandering through (doesn't help my navigation though - Jen). The sugar high was of great assistance on the hundreds of steps to the top - lucky the steps were steep, really (didn't help me any - Jo).

We spent the rest of the afternoon investigating the gorgeous streets along the Limmat River and looking out at the Zurichsee. One of us has to confess to a pair of sandals and the other to a pair of shoes - at least Jo's can be worn straight away. We didn't want Zurich to feel left out of our shopping spree. (Is this like buying things just before the shop closes Mum? Actually, there's still 2 hours in the airport tomorrow...)

Coffee break in warm Conditerie

Apparently this is a macchiato in Zurich!?

We decided on an Italian dinner to end our holiday the way it started - pasta, San Pelligrino water and Vasari Italian wine. We stopped before the tiramisu you will be pleased to know. (I was cheated of my dessert spoonful - Jo)

Swan didn't pose, we promise

Flying home tomorrow or will it be the next day by then? Or possibly still today - hate those datelines... Looking forward to seeing everyone when the jetlag recedes.

   xxx J&j