From Zurich To Lucerne To Engelberg—Here’s How I Spent My Winter In Switzerland
Leaning in closer to the window on my flight, I get a bird’s eye glimpse of the snow-clad Alps. The mesmerising sight fills me with excitement. After all, it was going to be my first time experiencing a legit winter season with snow. Everyone knows how beautiful Switzerland is in winters and the ideal place to experience what they call a Winter Wonderland. But it’s only when I landed and stepped out of the Zurich airport that I realised I’m on a winter vacation–‘cause that’s when the full force of the temperature of -4°C hit me.
Wrapped in four layers, I switch my winter burrito mode on and gear up for that much-anticipated winter getaway. As soon as I get my luggage, I head to Zurich airport train station (yup, it’s connected to the airport) and catch a train to Zurich HB, the city’s main station. The credit for my ease of travel is courtesy of the Swiss Travel Pass. It sorts your travel plans within cities and even while travelling intercity. Its perks? Unlimited access to public transportation including the train, bus, and boat in more than 90 cities and towns. And if you love museums, the STP will guarantee a free admission to more than 500 museums throughout Switzerland. From Zurich to Lucerne to Engelberg and back, the STP made my travel smooth and hassle-free!
Step down from this spot, and you reach Schipfe, which will give you a close up view of the river and its beautiful inhabitants–swans, ducks and seagulls. Ahead, you’ll come to Rathausbrücke–a bridge where a farmers market takes place on Saturday mornings. You can’t miss out on the main church Grossmünster (standing in an open terrace above the river dominating the city skyline with its twin towers) and Zürich’s Town Hall, the Rathaus (a Renaissance era building that boasts of rich design and baroque style architecture and exhibits historical objects and works of art that depict Zurich’s political life).
Love to shop? Then bookmark Bahnhofstrasse – it’s the main shopping street. And there’s also Niederdorf or as the locals fondly say Dörfli, which is on the other side of the river Limmat and comprises shops coffeehouses, bars and restaurants.
Switzerland is a great destination for travelers who want to get to know the culture. During the fall, there are many seasonal events, including fairs and festivals. One of the most popular events in the fall is the Zug Fair. This fall fair is located in Central Switzerland and is an exciting time for both locals and visitors. Travelers can watch local entertainment and try delicious foods at this fair, which is usually held at the beginning of November. Travelers may even be able tocatch the popular Basel Wine Festival at the beginning of the month if they plan accordingly.
Hiking is a very popular activity in Switzerland. If travelers visit the country to hike in the early parts of the month, they can enjoy the fall foliage. The fall colors are a wonderful addition to a nature walk. While the popular hiking season is over, travelers can hike at lower elevations. Many mountains are closed during this time of year, but the ones that are still open offer more private experiences. The Lucerne and Zermatt trails are usually open during November, so travelers can enjoy the views of the countryside.
A Picturesque Train Ride
A scenic train ride may be the perfect addition to a fall visit. Train rides are a great way for travelers to see more without the stress of arranging for their own transportation or the separate costs that come with that. Switzerland has natural beauty that cannot be compared and a train excursion is a refreshing journey through the mountains. The accessibility of trains allows differently-abled travelers to enjoy the dramatic views of Switzerland. A panorama train is a tranquil experience that some travelers exclusively use to travel from destination to destination.