Trip Reports - Short Weekend trip EWR- ZRH

Thurs 3/22:
WIth an upgradable $500 ticket, and BF seats previously confirmed I headed out to EWR on a rainy, cold NY afternoon. Although my flight (#78) was leaving out of C74, I checked in at the new PC, figuring the one near C75 is usually pretty crowded. I didn't have much time to spend there as it is quite a hike to C74. At the gate I was told BF would be boarding last due to the configuration of the 767, so all the BF just stood around as the rest of the plane boarded. This was my first time on the 767, and I was not impressed with the space between seats in BF. I was in a window seat, and with my neighbor fully reclined, and the guy in front of him reclined it is nearly impossible to get out into the aisle!
Drinks were served my a FA who did not seem very pleased with her lot in life! As she went around giving out menu's & taking orders, she passed me by. When I called out to her, her abrupt response was "You won't get yours until the seat next to you is occupied!--That way I won't forget (??)". (It was currently empty). My seat mate arrived just prior to take off, and I was then able to order dinner & get a pre-flight drink.
We took off just slightly after 6 pm and I sat back and perused my in flight entertainment selections. I began to watch Billy Elliott (very good) and had the combo appitizer of smoked salmon and melon with prosciutto and a glass of champagne. After the salad, I went with the strip steak which was surprisingly good (for an arline steak), and followed up with the fruit & cheese plate (passing on the ice cream sundae). I then dozed awhile. As previously mentioned, it is quite a leap over my neighbors outstretched legs to get to the WC (my earlier ballet training came in to play). Morning brought cloudy skies, followed by what seemed heavy rain as we approached the airport. Breakfast was served (the usual fruit plate, muffins, jucie & coffee). We landed exactly on time (7:55am)--must have something to do with being in Switzerland). Immigration was a breeze (but no stamp http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif), and I went to look for the train into the city. The cost was Sfr 10.80 round trip, and the train left exactly on time!! No one collected tickets, and it was a short 7 minutes to the HautBahnhoff in central Zurich. The rain had stopped by this time and the sun was coming out. I had my trusty map of the city out, and figured I'd walk to my hotel the Arabellasheraton Neus Schloss on Stockerstrasse, near the lake. (about 20 min). The streets were crowded with people going to work (it was 8:30 am on a Friday), but I was able to window shop along the Banhofstrasse. I only had a small carry on, so I wasn't too encumbered with luggage, and it was a very pleasant stroll. I passed many of the places that Catman & Rudi have mentioned in some of their travel posts and made note as to which ones I wanted to return to (when open http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif). Zurich is really a beautiful city, with the trams/streetcars running down the center of the Avenues it had a very 'old world' feel. At the end of the Bahnhoffstrasse was Zurichzee (Lake Zurich) and you could see the snow capped Alps beyond. It was truely breathtaking!! I made a right and headed towards my hotel.
More later......

Check in was very civilized at the hotel, where a desk & chairs were set up. I was offered a mimosa or plain o.j., and the desk agent filled out the forms for me. Not surprisingly at that hour (9am) my room wasn't ready, but I had planned to catch a train to Luzern before 10am, so I just left my bags at the desk, and set off again. This time, I had the chance to stop by the Farmers market set up at the end of Bahnhoffstrasse, and some of the stores were opening, so I did stop in. At the station, I got a day return for Luzern (Sfr 38), bought a sesmebretzel (pretzel) and got on board for the 40 minute trip south. Not much to see on the trip down, rolling hills, some lakes & rivers, lots of farmland, a few small towns--and then Luzern. I had heard about a mountain trip up to Mt Pilatus just outside of the city that I wanted to take. The information desk was very very helpful in guideing me to it. The price was Sfr 52, and included a variety of transports. I took a city bus for 10 minutes to Kriens, then walked up to the gondola station for the 30 min ride up to Frakmuntegg where you change for a larger cable car up to the summit. (7,000ft). It was an unbeliveable trip up!--the countryside was beautiful and the weather clear & warm (at least at the bottom of the mountain--60-70 degrees). At the top the temp was about 30 degrees and the wind was very strong. It was very 'the hills are alive with the sound of music'-ish up there, with the beautiful alps in the background (at least I think they were the alps-- ). I attempted to climb even higher, but the wind was fierce, and so I desended back to the main house and chatted with some of the others--mainly Americans, from all over the US. The ride down was fine, except when it began to rain & get windy. The time for the entire trip was about 3 hours--and very well worth it.
At the base, I retraced my steps back into central Luzern and walked around in the sunshine, taking pictures of the historic wooden bridge, and meandering around the city. I caught the 3 pm train back to Zurich, and walked back, this time through the crowded streets back to my hotel. I did vere off the main street, atempting a short cut, but got lost for a while, and then it began to rain http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif. I stopped into a ABM store and bought some foodstuffs. (I have a thing about not using the minibar). So now, not only was it raining, I was carrying a variety of bottles, I was lost and tired. Also, not to be the 'ugly American', but I've found not that many people (young & old) speak english in Zurich--although American rock & rap music is all that is played. I finally got to my hotel and was able to check in. Starwood did great by me this time, I was given a large room on the top floor with a big terrace. There was a plate of fresh fruit & bottled water in the room awaiting me. I quickly washed up, changed & was off again!. Since it was a Friday, I was looking for something meatless (no, I'm not real religious, but I will occaisionally try to be observant--when I remember). I walked along the lake, across the bridge to the Old Town on the right bank.
I found a 'traditional' Swiss restaurant "Chuci" and had the raclette nature with a glass of swiss wine. It is melted cheese over potates, served with a variety of condiments, and was quite good. I had a nice conversation with a couple seated next to me who had flown in from Dallas that am. They were contemplating the trip to Luzern and Mt Pilatus, and I think I convienced them to go for it. After dinner, I wandered around the cobbled streets of the old town and headed back to my hotel. Needless to say, by the time I got back to my hotel room & my head hit the pillow--I was out!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
More to follow....

great detailed report - I am always interested how guests look at my 'daily' Zurich.

(and I share your mini-bar-ban!).

Before I continue, I want to say, Rudi, I loved your country and can't wait to go back. Sorry I missed you while you were at the Catman dinner in NYC http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif...
Friday 3/23:
Got up early to a sunny warm day, had a cup of coffee at the hotel (no coffeemaker http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif), and was off to the HautBahnhoff again. This time I was heading north to Stein Am Rhein--but I did have to change trains in Schauffhausen, so on my return I thought I'd get off and explore it as well. Stein Am Rhein is a beautifully preserved small medieval town on the border right on the Rhine river. It doesn't take very long to explore, so within an hour I was back on the train to the larger Shauffhausen, which is fameous for it's waterfalls on the Rhine. It too was a picturesque town with crooked cobblestone streets, but quite a bit larger than S am R. I bought a brat mit brot at a street vendor and climbed the many many many stairs up to the Minot- a circular fortress near the river--where the views of the surrounding valleys were stupendous! I caught the 1:07 train back to Zurich and was in the city before 2. This time, I thought I'd do a more 'structured' tour of Zurich, so I followed the guidelines in one of my tour books and was not disappointed. It kept me on the left bank, but close to the Limatt river, and focused on the historical spots and churches. About 4 pm I stopped at the Bierhalle Kropf for a plate of rosti & a swiss beer. Thus fortified, I continued on doing more exploring of the main city. Got back to my hotel about 6, changed & set off again. This time, I went across the bridge and did a further exploration of the old town. I had a beer at an outdoor beer hall, then walked down to the Grand cafe for a coffee and then wandered some more! I stopped for dinner at a restaurant specializing in the Vaud area of the country and chatted with some locals. I then stopped in a fairly elegant wine bar nearby for a night cap before heading back to my hotel. Just as I got to the door, it began to rain, and proceeded to pour all night.
The next day, though while the rain had stopped, it was cloudy & I left for the train to the airport (another quick 7 min trip). At the airport all was smooth sailing, the BF lounge was very small and crowded, but I didn't have much time to linger before my flight, so it wasn't much of an issue. We left on time, and I got an aisle seat this time. I watched Unbreakable (still don't understand the ending) and some short subjects. Had the chicken breast on rice with the ice cream sundae this time. The FA's were pretty scare for the most part and there was a rush at the end due to our earlier than expected arrival and the sandwich/snack had yet to be served. Upon arrival, our gate wasn't ready yet, so despite the early touch down, we didn't get off the plane until 2:05. No problems with customs or immigration and I was out and on my way home by 2:20.
All in all a great trip, and it just makes me want to go back and explore more Swiss regions. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Originally posted by mauld:
It doesn't take very long to explore, so within an hour I was back on the train to the larger Shauffhausen, which is fameous for it's waterfalls on the Rhine.

And, equally famous as the home of IWC (International Watch Company), one of the finest makers of mechanical watches!