Bern and Zurich
Bern
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is often overlooked by travellers passing through Switzerland, but this is a mistake. Bern is not just a boring political capital; it is a quirky little city that offers a perfect stopover, short stay, or a good base to explore Switzerland.
I spent 2 nights in Bern staying in the centre of town, around the corner from the main train station. It doesn’t really matter too much where you stay in Bern though, as the entire centre can be crossed in 20 minutes. It might be a good idea to go on a walking tour of the city, as there is no better way to get to know how the city took shape, and because the city is quite small it is easy to cover the sights on foot. There are various markets that seem to sprout up everyday, and another benefit of shopping in Bern is the four miles of arcades which offer protection from the elements if needed.
Bern is set against the backdrop of the Alps, so unsurprisingly there are many places to go walking nearby that will offer some spectacular views.
There is lots of local food and wine to enjoy, as well as international cuisine. I was lucky enough to experience some great restaurants on my trip. For our first evening of traditional/typical Swiss style food we went to a restaurant called Lötschberg. It was a relaxed and casual style of dining. Here we shared some fondue and raclette, and had our first taste of Swiss wine. Our second night was a bit more upmarket, a fine dining experience at the Kornhauskeller. If you're not in the mood for a meal, it is even worth visiting the Kornhauskeller bar to have a look around and experience the atmosphere. Probably my highlight however was the lunch with a view of the historic city of Bern at the Rosengarten.
We all know Zurich, and there is a reason for this. Zurich Old Town is the perfect place to stroll around, look into the boutiques and enjoy a coffee in one of their many cafés. Zurich West is another area worth checking out. This former industrial area is now the up-and-coming area of Zurich, and was one of the highlights for me. Particularly worth visiting is the Viadukt Markthalle. This hall offers a space for farmers, butchers and bakers to sell local produce. It also features a restaurant where you can sit and enjoy a high quality meal.
Lake Zurich is also worth a trip for a relaxing afternoon of beautiful scenery. You can take a round trip on one of the boats here, sit outside or indoors for the next hour or so and watch as you go past Zurich’s picturesque outer suburbs. Further out you will also see the Alps in the distance, as you may have come to expect from Switzerland.
