Traveler Lindsey Gene tells Travel Noire about her recent winter getaway to the beautiful city of Zürich, Switzerland.
Travel Noire: Why did you decide to go Zürich?
Lindsey: I decided to take a trip for my 30th birthday with my best travel partner, my mum. My mum travels to Zürich quite frequently for work and has always raved about how beautiful Zürich is during the holiday season with all the Christmas markets and decorations throughout the city.
RELATED: What It’s Like To Be Black In Venice, Italy
Travel Noire: Where did you stay?
Lindsey: I stayed at the Renaissance Zürich Tower Hotel and loved staying there! Our flight landed incredibly early and check-in wasn’t until the afternoon, but they accommodated us and gave us a room immediately. The room was spacious and perfect for two people. The best part for me was the bathroom. In my next house, I will design my bathroom very similar to theirs. The hotel gives visitors a free daily pass for the tram, the public transportation used to get around Zürich, which resulted in us saving quite a bit of money because daily tickets cost around $30 dollars.
Travel Noire: Where were your favorite places to eat?
Lindsey: Zürich is an expensive city. A small coffee and a pretzel can easily be $15 dollars. Usually, a person in the States can get the same for half the price. However, there are some great places to eat. There is a cute café Steiner Flughafebeck that is to the right of the hotel that serves an array of fresh pastries, sandwiches, and more. The Manor, a department store, is on the Bahnhofstrasse and has a large self-serve restaurant. This restaurant is great because it is easy on the wallet and has a delicious buffet to choose from. If you go shopping on the Bahnhofstrasse, this restaurant is probably the only place you can afford after spending an afternoon shopping and you can see many locals having lunch, afternoon coffee or dinner there.
Travel Noire: What is a must-do for travelers going to Zürich in the winter?
Lindsey: Going to all of the Christmas Markets around the city! It is a must do if you are visiting the city during the holidays. There is one located by the Opera House in Weinachtsdorf. This Christmas market literally has it all from a carousel to an ice-skating rink, and every food station one could imagine. To the left of the market is a gorgeous view of Lake Zürich and the snowy Alp mountaintops. The Christkindlimarkt is another popular market, which is full of food vendors, artisans, and the stunning Swarovski Christmas tree. Of course, you must purchase a cup of Gluhwein while you walk around and explore to keep you warm.
Travel Noire: What was the most impressive thing you saw?
Lindsey: I love exploring and looking at old architecture and Zurich’s Old Town or Altstadt in German is perfect to do just that with its cobblestone streets and tucked away coffee shops. The coolest things are the remarkably designed churches. Fraumünster, a church built by Louis the German for his daughter Hildegard, is on top of the remnants of a former abbey for aristocratic women. The real standout of the church is the stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. A short distance over is Grossmünster, an architectural beauty with a Romanesque-style design. I particularly loved the intricate carvings on the entryway doors.
Travel Noire: What was the highlight of your trip?
Lindsey: Call me sentimental, but exploring a new city with my mum was the highlight of my trip and I will most definitely come back to Zürich. I already have envisioned coming back for a long holiday trip and spending part of my time in the city before heading up to the mountains and finally learning how to ski!