Weekend Recap: Zurich, Switzerland

Good Sunday evening family and friends!  We made it safely back from our weekend trip to Zurich, Switzerland.

When we arrived, we were able to check-in early to our hotel, the Leoneck Hotel. 

The European hotels are of course different from the US...we booked a "Triple Room."  In this bed, the girls and I slept...

The "3rd" bed...where Matt slept:)

One of the views from our hotel room...showing you the MANY tram tracks.  Zurich is well-known for its public transportation.  We did not see a lot of cars; most people use the tram for getting around the city.

 It was fortunate we could check into our hotel early, for it allowed us to change clothes (cooler temperatures than we had anticipated) and eat our sac lunch in our hotel room.   The girls enjoyed the hotel, especially playing in the shrunk:) and hotel lobby.   

 

The hotel lobby...

One of the MANY painted cows around Zurich...this one was outside our hotel.

Then, we ventured out, starting with our Trolley tour; the tour allowed for us to get off and spend some time at the very touristy and famous areas of the city.

Elle got tuckered out with about 45-minutes left of our trolley ride...had to take a  quick nap on Mommy:)

Matt & the girls going into St. Peter's Church

The "Tourist" listening to the English commentary and looking at her photos

We "gave" Elle our old digital camera...needless to say, she took A LOT of pictures!

Lake Zurich is located at the southern part of the city.  The lake and all of its surroundings were breathtaking; the mountains and a small castle in view.  The tour guide stated that the Lake’s water is pure enough for drinking, but before it reaches the homes, it goes through a chemical, water filtration process (it was almost strange how far we could see down).  

The twin towers of Grossmunster (Great Cathedral) played a major part in Zurich’s Reformation (a 16^th century movement which aimed at reforming the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the establishment of Protestant churches).

The oldest church foundation in Zurich, St. Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church) stood in the heart of the Old Town.  The clock in the tower is Europe’s largest clock-face, measuring 28 ½ feet across.

We decided to spend the evening in what is considered Zurich’s “Old Town.”   The streets were lined with beautiful cafés and restaurants.  We decided to eat at a small Italian restaurant, where we were able to enjoy an array of street performers thus allowing us to listen to music while we ate.  We were tempted to eat at one of the many Fondue restaurants, the Swiss national dish, but choose for a taste we knew our entire family would enjoy!

So, Zurich is the 3rd largest fashion city in the world (after New York #1 and Paris #2) and Carhartt was a featured fashion store!!  I guess I know what will be on my Christmas list this year...family can shop for me at Farm and Fleet!

The girls being really interested in taking a picture with Mommy!

After we ate, we decided to end the evening with some good ole’ Gelato.  Though this time, 3 out of the 4 flavors we did not like…this was difficult for Matt to swallow (literally), considering four, one-scoop ice cream cones cost 20 Swiss franc (equivalent to $30.00 US dollars).  We found that money went very quick in Switzerland; the city was VERY, very expensive.

Once we got back to the hotel, the girls enjoyed playing outside in the hotel garden while we all enjoyed the beautiful summer evening.

Matt and all of "his" Gelato!!

Elle deciding to make a "Sand Angel"

Elle LOVED listening to the church bells located directly across from out hotel room; we heard them Saturday @ 1PM (for a wedding) & 6PM (church) and Sunday @ 9AM (church).  Britta and Elle would get so excited…the bells were lovely and very loud!

Sunday, we spent the entire morning and early afternoon at the Zurich Zoo.  I am not really a “zoo person” but this zoo was so beautiful it did not even feel like we were at the zoo.  It felt like we were on a nature walk, encountering a variety of different animals while on the trail.  We especially enjoyed looking at the elephants, zebras, bears, rhinoceros, and tigers.  Though, Elle was once again disappointed that so many of the animals appeared to be resting and not interacting with us:).  Also, Elle is hoping that Papa Donavon can now find some blue and yellow froggies too-LOL.

And yet......MORE photos:).  She LOVED having her own camera!  One time she told us, "I just got a great picture of the sidewalk!!"

And then once again, driving home, Britta was out before even leaving the zoo gates.  It appeared that both girls had a fun trip!  We hope that all of you had a very nice weekend too...and that you stayed cool:)!  

All my love and prayers...