A Weekend of Wandering in Lucerne and Zurich
I saw the Alps for the first time today.
Switzerland is a special place for my family. I have ancestors from the country, and my father lived in Switzerland when he was younger. I have heard countless stories about the country growing up, and was excited to get to write some of my own. After taking an early morning train from Metz to Strasbourg, I caught another train south to Basel. Just three hours after departing Metz, I crossed the border into Switzerland, my second country of the semester, and I couldn’t help but feel a wave of excitement wash over me.
Welcome to Switzerland!
Passing through Basel
After arriving at the station, I went straight to the grocery store Migros to make my most important purchase of the weekend, beginning my adventure with the sweetest start possible and buying some delicious (and extremely affordable) Swiss chocolate – smooth, rich, and destined to be gone before the end of the weekend. Geared with the fuel needed for the weekend, I hopped on a train to Lucerne.
Arriving in Lucerne
About an hour and a half later, I walked out of the train station in Lucerne and was immediately struck by the beauty surrounding me. Just outside the station was a large archway reading “Willkommen in Luzern,” welcoming me into the city with a sense of grandeur. Beyond it, the sparkling waters of Lake Lucerne stretched out ahead, framed by the distant silhouette of the Alps. It felt like stepping into a postcard – crisp mountain air, swans drifting on the lake, with just the right amount of surrounding hustle and bustle.
Lucerne’s Iconic Chapel Bridge
After soaking in the lakeside view, I made my way over to the famous Chapel Bridge. Strolling across the picturesque wooden structure, known as the Kapellbrücke, I admired the historic paintings that lined its interior, each one telling a part of the city’s long and storied past. Below, the Reuss River flowed gently beneath the bridge, its waters reflecting the colorful buildings that lined the riverbanks.
Medieval Lucerne
After crossing the bridge, I made my way to the Museggmauer, the well-preserved medieval city wall that offers a glimpse into Lucerne’s past. Walking along its ramparts, I marveled at the impressive towers and enjoyed panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains, feeling completely immersed in the charm and history of this beautiful destination.
The Alps from Lake Lucerne
Afterwards, I headed east to continue my exciting exploration in Lucerne. As I made my way along the shoreline, the clouds suddenly opened up – and there they were. The Alps. Towering in the distance, their snowy peaks rising above the lake and rooftops of Lucerne. It was an incredible sight, and I knew someday I’d need to get even closer to Europe’s largest mountain range.
Swiss Museum of Transport
I continued exploring Lucerne by walking east along the shoreline until I came to a highlight of the weekend – the Swiss Museum of Transport. The museum’s exhibits showcased trains, automobiles, boats, and airplanes from around the country, and I even took a turn behind the wheel in a thrilling flight simulator! There were even full-sized vehicles you could walk through, interactive displays, and historical films looping in various corners of the museum.
Strolling along Lake Lucerne
After exploring every area of the museum, I strolled back along the lakeside pathway, treating myself to refreshing ice cream along the way – the perfect treat on a sunny day. After crossing the Chapel Bridge again back across the mouth of the Reuss River, I went back into the train station and caught a train to Zurich.
From Lake Lucerne to Uetliberg Mountain
After arriving in Zurich about an hour later, I transferred to a local train heading west toward Uetliberg, a mountain perched on the edge of the city. The Uetlibergbahn took me nearly to the summit, winding through forested hills before arriving at a small station just below the peak.
Uetliberg Views
From there, it was a short walk to an observation tower and a nearby restaurant, both offering spectacular panoramic views of Lake Zurich and the city spread out below. The scenery was breathtaking – layers of rooftops, shimmering water, and distant mountains all visible at once. I lingered at the top for a while, soaking in the view, before deciding to explore more of the area on foot.
Uetliberg Hiking
The hike started off smoothly, but after some time the trail began to disappear and I realized I had gotten lost. Instead of attempting to continue in unmarked territory, I decided to turn back around and ascend the hundreds of steps I had just gone down, hoping to retrace my steps back to the Uetilberg train station. I found my way back, only to miss the train down the mountain by the smallest of margins.
Undeterred, however, I decided to make a dash down the mountain along a path called the Hohensteinsweg. I ran most of the way down, through luscious forests, past a few other hikers, all with a full backpack bouncing behind me, invigorated by the thrill of adventure. Eventually I made it to Triemli station and waited for a train back into the city.
Night in Zurich
After such a whirlwind of travel, it was hard to believe that the same morning I had begun the day in Metz. Ready for some rest, I took a tram south to the Zurich Youth Hostel, and checked in for a restful night.
Rieter and Belvoir Park
The next morning, I ate a quick breakfast and ventured out again, catching first a bus and then a tram to go explore the grounds at Rieter and Belvoir Park. As I wandered through these lush green spaces and along the lakefront in the crisp morning air, I felt a deep sense of peace and admiration for this beautiful country. The still water reflected the early light, and sailboats bobbed gently in the harbor as the city began to stir.
The FIFA Museum
As a lifelong soccer fan, no trip to Zurich would be complete without a visit to the FIFA Museum, so I caught the metro for a short trip a bit further north to arrive right when it opened and see this iconic attraction for myself. I marveled at the history of the beautiful game and the excitement it brings to fans worldwide. They even had an interactive area to put your skills to the test, which was a lot of fun.
Lindt Home of Chocolate Tour
Later, I caught another train, this time south along Lake Zurich to the Lindt Home of Chocolate, and took a self-guided tour to learn more about the history of chocolate and the Lindt brand itself. The museum was sleek and modern, complete with a giant chocolate fountain that looked like it belonged in a dream. I walked through exhibits on cocoa harvesting, watched demonstrations of how their signature truffles are made, and sampled as much chocolate as they’d allow. It was decadent, delicious, and absolutely worth the trip.
Final Stops in Zurich
After eating as many free samples as possible, I took a train back towards the city center and made two quick stops, first at the FC Zurich Fan Shop, then a nearby global jersey store. With a bag full of chocolate and a new jersey tucked into my backpack, I made one last stop to peek at the Swiss National Museum, a beautiful building that felt like a quiet goodbye to a city I’d only just begun to know.
Heading Back to France
As the day drew to a close, I reflected on the wonderful weekend I had just experienced – the hikes, the chocolate, the trains, and the quiet moments on the lakefront. Seeing the Alps for the first time, walking through cities my dad once knew, and creating my own memories in a place that has long been part of my family’s story – it all came together into two packed but unforgettable days. With the last leg of the journey ahead, I caught a train from Zurich to Basel, then Strasbourg, and finally back to Metz, feeling completely fulfilled and already mentally planning my next adventure.
Next up: Three Days of Fußball, Fortresses, and Forest Trails in Frankfurt, Mainz, and Kronberg!