Traditional 44th Anniversary: Cheese FondueThe big city of Zurich was a delightful place to spend our last day in Switzerland. Justin took us to his favorite Swiss bakery, John Baker, for bready pizzas and rolls stuffed with plums, cherries and figs. We walked through a vast amount of the city stopping at its two famous churches, the Grossmunster with its gorgeous 16th century towers and the Fraumunster with its moving stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. We stopped at Spruengli for delicious macaroons, strolled through Zurich's central park and capped off the evening celebrating Lex and Jill's 44th anniversary with the ultimate Swiss dinner: meat and cheese fondues and raclette.
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About ZurichLanguage: Swiss German Population: 402,800 Elevation: 1,339 feet Region: Canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland Nearest Mountain: Uetliberg, 2,850 feet Claim to Fame: Switzerland's largest city, home to Swiss banks |
For the FoodieLuxemburgerli (Macarons): Spruengli Bread, Pizza, and Pastries: John Baker Fondue & Raclette: Restaurant Swiss Chuchi |
Bread, Cheese and Other Swiss DelightsA big part of our final fun day in Switzerland was chowing down as we took a self-guided walking tour of the big city of Zurich. The Swiss have found innumerable ways to serve the foods they can produce readily in mountain terrain, like cheese and potatoes. In addition to the cheese fondue we're all familiar with, we developed a fondness for raclette, individual pieces of cheese that you heat in an itty, bitty skillet and then spread over potatoes and pickles. We also snacked on rosti, shredded potatoes served plain or topped with cheese, eggs or meat. Swiss bakeries were surprisingly delicious - and a great place to grab a portable snack - specializing in a wide array of breads, sandwiches, and sweets (like colorful macarons). |
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The Grossmunster and the View from the Bell TowerClimbing to the top of a church bell tower has its rewards and the trek to the top of the Grossmunster did not disappoint. Arriving at the summit of the narrow staircase, an unobstructed view of Old Town Zurich was revealed. Gazing out over the winding Limmat River, we were able to see the largest clock face in Europe perched in the tower of St. Peter’s church. Turning to our right; the Fraumunster, the Grossmunster’s medieval church rival, came into view with its aquamarine spire jutting heavenward. After descending the stairs, we proceeded to the bowels of the church and found ourselves staring into the face of Charlemagne who commissioned the church that originally stood on this site. A quick stop by the interior gardens with its carved columns and gargoyle-like adornments framing the finely manicured foliage were in order, then on to a reward for our courageous journey to the top and bottom of this Romanesque behemoth – the perfect macaron.
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