In part 2 of the feature, the writer and her family explore the captivating wonders of Switzerland. They journey through enchanting destinations like Lucerne and Zermatt, marvel at the breathtaking Glacier Paradise in the Swiss Alps, discover the vibrant spirit of Zurich, and savor the rich flavors of local cuisine.
Contributed by Dana Angela Belo
Ruby’s Precious Moments 6th Anniversary Special Feature (Part 2)
The first few days in Switzerland ignited a deep sense of adventure, leaving us yearning for more of its breathtaking scenery and vibrant culture. Although we battled lingering feelings of sickness from the chilly, unpredictable weather, we refused to let that dampen our spirits. With determination in our hearts, we enthusiastically set about planning our next day’s journey, eager to explore all that this enchanting country had to offer.
Lost in Luzern
Our next destination was the city of Luzern or Lucerne in French. As usual, we left Zermatt early to maximize time exploring Luzern. Despite this, I was never groggy during our trip. The wind blew colder each day, it would surely wake you up each morning. Despite my enjoying the cold, I am not used to this kind of climate. I got sick and had a hard time recovering as I would at home since the air was dry and freezing. Nevertheless, I chose not to stay at the apartment for fear of missing out.
The train ride was always a time for me to start my day, as my eyes slowly started opening, the sun would slowly peek over the Alps and turn everything a glistening white. As we approach Luzern, things become more urban, there are more buildings, and houses are rarely made of wood now, like they were in Zermatt. But Luzern is not purely urbanized, instead, it offers you the best of both worlds. Just like in Bern, old buildings tower over you as you walk the streets of the beautiful city, and in some areas, you see modern structures like museums and offices.
Upon exiting the station, a beautiful welcome arc will welcome you to the city. To the right of the station, you would see a museum which was unfortunately closed when we visited. You can also ride a ferry to see the rest of the city, although we opted not to since it was hazy during winter.
Like other cities in Switzerland, Luzern is full of churches which are worth visiting. Luzern has a Franciscan church and a Jesuit church, which are just a few minutes from each other. The city is also famous for its Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrüke), which is considered the oldest wooden bridge in Europe, dating back to the 14th century. The bridge is filled with paintings and offers a great view of the River Reuss.
We also visited the famous lion monument, which commemorates the Swiss guardsmen who died in 1792 during the French Revolution. The monument is carved into the living rock of a cliff. Just beside the monument is the Glacier Garden, which you can visit after you take pictures of the lion monument.
Luzern is a pretty walkable city, which you can explore with the guide of a map, you can get to the tourist office at the train station near Migros. This map will help you explore the city more easily as it points out the location of each landmark, making it easier for you to navigate and plan your day accordingly. As pretty as Luzern may be, we had to leave and ride a train back to Zermatt.
Feeling on Top of the World at Zermatt
Our next agenda for this trip was the most awaited trip up to the Alps. We pre-booked our Glacier Paradise tickets online as it was the most in-demand activity in Zermatt. The experience comes with a cable car up the Swiss Alps, offering you a great view of the Matterhorn mountain. This is also a skier’s paradise, and you would most likely ride up the mountains with them. Despite being lightheaded from the sudden increase in altitude, I did not want to miss the spectacular view from the viewing deck, which gives you a glorious view of various mountains and countries like Italy. We were unable to visit the ice sculptures inside. It was too slippery and I was too lightheaded to walk straight. So we decided to go back down and spend the day resting back at the apartment.
Since the Glacier Paradise experience only takes about half the day, we decided to explore Zermatt more after resting a bit in the apartment. We also got to try the famous cheese fondue at the Zermatterstübli, which is a Swiss favorite during wintertime. The cheese fondue itself had a strong flavor and a strong aftertaste of wine, with pieces of bread dipped in the gooey cheese. You can also add some potatoes and even get cheese that has herbs in it for a nice hint of flavor. After a nice dinner, we headed back inside the warm apartment and called it a day.
Exploring Zurich
The last city we went to was the famous city of Zurich, the largest city in the country. The city is set by the lake, which adds to its magical flair. Just like in Luzern, there are tons of churches in Zurich, and its streets are a mix of modern and classic. We spent the day walking its stone streets and window shopping, which left us hungry and craving for rice since the majority of the food we ate on our trip was bread. Luckily, we found a shop near the local police station which served hot and delicious Mediterranean food. Since it was winter, most of the food we ate either turned cold quickly or was served cold, so it was a treat to be eating hot meals, especially those that included rice.
After eating lunch, we set off to find the colorful street of Augustinergasse, which is considered one of the most beautiful historical, narrow streets in the city. We took some pictures and headed for the Lindt museum. However, the Lindt Museum was too far and a lot of people were visiting as well, so we opted to explore more of the city instead. We found ourselves searching for the University of Zurich, which boasts brilliant alumni like Albert Einstein himself.
It was quite difficult to find without a map and every building looked like it could be the university. After quite a long walk around the city and a long walk up what felt like 500 steps of stairs, we finally made it to the University of Zurich. At first glance, the university felt a bit small, only having one large building for everything. But as we walked farther behind the large building, we noticed that the university area extended farther into a large compound. Imagine the University of the Philippines, but freezing cold. After a quick stop to rest at a bus stop, we went back to the train station and headed back to Zermatt.
Leaving Switzerland
Switzerland is too beautiful to miss. Its stunning views of the Swiss Alps, snow-covered streets, and the kindness of its people will surely make you want to stay.
However, all good things must come to an end. As we boarded our final train from Zermatt station, we took in the breathtaking sights of the surrounding mountains, hoping that this wouldn’t be our last glimpse of them.
Photos by Dana Angela Belo
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