Zurich

Dec 11-Dec 14
AC7952 YTZ-YUL, LX87 YUL-ZRH, LX86 ZRH-YUL, AC7971 YUL-YTZ

Since our early travel to Europe, Switzerland has always been a favourite; however, it had actually been over seven years since our last visit, and this was actually our first extended visit to Zurich. Switzerland is, of course, famous for its mountains, but is also very well known for its Christmas markets.

We had always planned an Aeroplan points ticket in December, firstly to Rio, but when I found a low-point-cost redemption on Swiss to Zurich, I decided it was an excellent opportunity to lean into Christmas in Switzerland and jumped on it.

Dec 12

After enjoying our Swiss Business class service, after customs we were able to take advantage of the Swiss Business Class Arrivals Lounge at Zurich. The lounge setup was very familiar to the same service in London, and afforded us a shower and breakfast. Unfortunately, taking away from the the experience, on this day it was also hosting a distracted mother with young children exploring and climbing all over the lounge. As we were actually staying at a hotel in a retail and office complex right next to the airport, we were able to leave there and check into our room and grab a nap before grabbing a train into the city.

Landesmuseum, the Swiss National Museum, built in 1898 in the style of a French Château

Greek-inspired statue outside the museum

One of a number of Nativity scenes in the museum

Interior museum courtyard

Large stairwell, part of the modern extension that blends in with and connects the original buildings

Remains of Neanderthal hand axe, some of the first human tools, approximately 100,000 years old

Remains of late Neolithic (3,200BC) wheels discovered on the shores of Lake Zurich; some of the oldest in Europe

Model shows how the modern addition connects the original museum

Decorated ceramic furnace

Fascinating 16th-century St. Gallen Globe shows how the world was perceived in 1576 by it’s creator Tilemann Stella

Another ornate ceramic tiled heater

Stained glass elements in a reconstructed medieval cloister; one of many religious artifacts gathered in the national museum

This 1959 American jukebox is a slightly more modern artifact

WWI-era rapid-fire cannon guarded Switzerland’s Gotthard Pass, part of the fortification that allowed Switzerland to maintain its independence

Virgin Mary and Child, returning to the religious artifacts

Colourful costume of mercenary leader Ulrigh VII von Sax

Sixteenth-century relief of William Tell’s apple shot. Tell was a Swiss folk hero who stood up to foreign rule and is considered a father of Swiss confederation

Collection of pikes and halbreds

Leaving the museum, the 11m L’ange protecteur (Guardian Angel), by Niki de Saint Phalle, has protected the Zurich train station since 1997

Christmas-themed trolly shares the common street car lines

Relief sculpture located on the exterior of the Amtshaus III public administration building

The impressive Giacometti Hall (also known as the hall of little flowers) is actually the entrance to Zurich Police Headquarters and can only be visited with a free guide

More of the colourful fresco and vaulted ceiling paintings created in 1923-1925 by Swiss artist Augusto Giacometti

One of many wall murals that decorate and bring charm to old Zurich

The Limmat river divides historic Zurich

The swans aren’t afraid of the cool December water

Part of the Cow Parade public art exhibit

1912 Hedwig Fountain, located on the Lindenhof hill park overlooking Zurich

Looking down on the river and park at dusk from Lendenhof park

Looking across the Limmat River to a tram traveling along the shore

Making our way back down from the hill into the old city and the largest (8.7m diameter) church clock face in Europe

St Peter’s Church is the old parish church in Zurich with the current structure including the large clock face completed around 1230

Winzerbrunnen (Winegrower's Fountain) aptly located in Weinplatz (Wine Square)

Old city dominated by the twin towers of the Romanesque-styled Grossmünster (1120) Protestant church

Approaching Lake Zurich, we look back on the historic city

Missing the floating beaches from our summer visits, the city still embraces the river

Christmas tree accents a small market at the The Circle complex, where our hotel was located

After dinner at the hotel, we headed back into the city to experience the Christmas spirit on Bahnhofstrasse

Werdmühleplatz features Zurich’s unique singing Christmas tree; a pine-lined scaffolding filled with carolers performing throughout the season

Between the markets, the old town still charms

Guests enjoying Market Dörfli in the Niederdorf

The Swiss love their Heidi and cow themes

The Fraumünster Church and its distinctive green spire dominates the skyline from across the Limmat River

The Wienachtsdorf village market on Sechseläutenplatz Square, famous for its large Christmas tree and extensive collection of stalls

The market sits in the shadows of Zurich Opera House (1891)

Everywhere you turn in the old town, there are market-themed stalls, including this Christmas pyramid hot drink stall, outside the railway station

Back at the Landesmuseum courtyard, there is Illuminarium with more of a club vibe

Very packed with guests enjoying the fancily-lit courtyard

Fire pits help keep people warm, if they choose not to drink the hot mulled wine

Having covered my full list of Christmas markets and most of the old town, we we headed back to the hotel for some well-deserved rest.

Dec 13

After breakfast, we headed back into the city to cover the few areas that we missed on our first day and to take full advantage of the Zurich Pass.

Riding the Polybahn funicular linking the Central square with the Polyterrace outside the university

Main building of ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich), a prominent science and technology university

Natural History Museum of the University of Zurich, further along the terrace

One of a number of statues adorning the museum

Stopping at Rechberg Park as we make our way down to the old city

Closeup of one of the statues in the park

We’re sure there is a story here, but looks like Santa out for a joy ride

Neumarkt square, featuring the medieval Grimmenturm clock tower

Model of the historic City of Zurich

Historic markings on the buildings communicated what business was inside

Relief panel on the bronze doors of the Grossmünster church depicts the work on the translation of the Bible

Looking towards a circus setup where the river meets Lake Zurich

Looking across the Münsterbrücke bridge to the Fraumünster Church

Zunfthaus zur Meisen (Guild House to the Meisen), a historic guild house courtyard in Münsterhof square

Modern fountain in historic Münsterhof square

Zürich Enge train station, known for its beautiful architecture, features stunning stone mosaic elevations

In reviewing what was included in our Zurich Pass, we learned that FIFA was headquartered in Zurich and houses an impressive museum

Welcoming entrance to the museum exhibits

FIFA World Cup trophy on display

A football mobile hangs over the museum

Next stop on our Zurich Pass tour was planespotting from the Zurich airport observation deck

Catching a 777-300 from one of the bank of flights heading to North America

Swiss A330-300 on take off

Thai Airways 777 heading to Bangkok

Air Canada 777 heads for Toronto

One of many cargo airplanes also serving Zurich

Catching Zurich Airport carving before leaving the observation deck

Swiss chocolate on display outside our hotel

Crossing the Rhine after our train journey to the medieval town of Stein en Rhein

Viewing St. George’s Abbey as we enter the old town

Entry to "Märlistadt" (Fairy-Tale Town) Christmas market with fairy tale scenes

Fountain in Rathausplatz central square

Exploring the extensive market

Medieval-themed performers on the main stage

Some of the many visitors taking on the medieval renaissance vibe

Interior courtyard at St. George’s Abbey

Christmas tree staged on the Rhine

Edge of the abbey leading into the Rhine

One of the many decorated stores in the town

Christmas tree surrounded by the medieval town

Walking along the main street as we make our way back to the train station

Our train ride back from Stein am Rhein got us back to Zurich Airport and our hotel in time for dinner in the hotel.

Dec 14

With our midday flight, we didn’t have enough time to head into the city, so instead just hung out in the park near our hotel. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Zurich and were glad that we finally got the full Christmas market experience. Our flights home on Swiss through Montreal got us home and ready to head back to work to finish out the year.