Hello my friends! This time we fly to Switzerland! In recent years has been tradition spend the christmas and the new year near the Alps and the great lakes. What lead us to visit Switzerland is mainly our family, otherwise it would be very costly stay almost one month. This time not only the swiss homes are warm and cozy, the hugs from our family that are far the whole year also warm our souls. Together with the christmas lights, the colors and the snow, Switzerland become a nostalgic place that remember us our first christmas when we were children.
Following a warm welcome, quickly we´ve lost between the incontable talk subjects remmenbering the past, recounting the present and speculating about the future. Although the time of the stay this year had been shorter than the past year, we wanted to take full advantage. Wetzikon, who belongs to Zurich canton and is located in the Pfäffikersee lake, was our city for some days.
Sometimes we´ve walked along the trails near de city and the lake. It´s possible to go from one city to another by bicycle without great efford. In fact, all Swiss are connected with cycle paths and well mannered in the way they treats with the cyclists. The path around the Pfäffikersee lake it´s about 10km with typical landscapes. Summer or winter, day or nigth, the lake it´s a place highly attended by locals. Alps could be seen from any point. Help us to mantain orientation. It´s a stuning view for those who never see it before.
On bicycle, wherever you go for north, south, east or west, soon enter in dense forests that drive us to small villages where each house and each garden seems carefully handled. Every detail are precise and incredible! You can also buy a 24 hours ticket, although more expensive than bicycle, thats gives you access at every public transports in all canton. You only have to point at any direction on the map. Just pay attencion at the zone limits from your ticket. In case of doubt you have free wifi at any train station and maps with all information that you need.
Zurich, the biggest town of Switzerland, is full of public gardens and museums. The architecture with pleasant contrasts and modern trends make the Zurich center an enjoyable place to visit. Althought in this season, the streets are full of people it's possible to find some quietness along them. Sit down in a garden bench and watch the life surrounding us it's a good relaxing exercise. Everebody looks happy and relaxed strolling Bellevue Avenue along the great city garden in the lake's shore.
For the art lovers we recommend strongly the stained glass from Sigmar Polke of the Grossmünster Medieval Church situated in the Grossmünsterplatz. The Kunsthouse (Fine Arts Museum) where you could contemplate one of the reproductions cast in bronze from the mytical sculpture The Gates of Hell by Auguste Rodin. Inside, there is a large collection from the gothic era, Flemish and Swiss pieces and the larger collection of Alberto Giacometti, a characterized work by the thin sculptures that challenge gravity. The Museum für Gestaltung (Design Museum of Zurich) is targeted for graphic designers and design lovers.
On the subject about design, this year we've been graced with the premiere of the movie directed by the graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister - The Happy Film. A full-length experimental documentary where the own Sagmeister become the subject of study with the intention to measure the efectiveness of the popular psychologies could have significant impact in the pursuit of the self happiness. Until the begin we could relax in the RiffRaff bar, a delightful place with affordable prices.
Boat crossing the Zürisee Lake is fully recommended. We cross from Rapperswil until Zurich, a 2.30h journey with a magnificent landscape, durign the sunset. Alps seems to grow as we get further. At twilight the village lights across the lake edges set the scene like a illuminated Christmas crib.
In the return to Zurich, we´ve stopped at the Cabaret Voltaire in Spiegelgasse street right in the heart of historical downtown. An artistic theater and club were the dadaÃst movement was funded in 1915 by Hugo Ball, still expressing art and irreverence.
Despite the brief, we´ve could take the full benefit of the diversity that you could find in Swiss. The country nature and stunning landscapes, even so the urban environment full of story and culture. The wonderfull taste of cheese and the sweetness of chocolate. The huge green fields crowded by cattle grazing, contrasting with the deep and icy white from the peaks of the Alps. The long hikes across the woods or the bicycle rides arround the lake. The -10º degrees outside and the scorching heat getting home. For many times we can return, always remains the feeling there is still much more to see and to be done. The time just flew between walks, celebrating and the chance to relive great memories with family. Hope we could back and widen the tour to the others Swiss cantons, maybe earlier than you could imagine!
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