Introduction
This time, I traveled to Switzerland and visited Zurich and Bern.
Unfortunately, however, the weather was poor for almost the entire trip. Switzerland is famous for its breathtaking scenery, but this time, things didn’t quite go as planned.
Even so, I was still able to experience plenty of the charm of these cities, so I’d like to share what the trip was like.
🚆 From Graz to Zurich by ÖBB
First, I took Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) from Graz to Zurich.
There is one direct train per day on this route, so being able to travel without changing trains is quite convenient.
The downside, however, is the travel time.
About 9.5 hours.
The train passes through the mountainous Tyrol region in western Austria, so it winds its way through the mountains at what sometimes feels like a speed of only around 60 km/h.
Honestly, you need to be prepared for something almost equivalent to taking a flight from Japan in terms of the time commitment.
Still, Train Travel Is Comfortable
That said, traveling by train has plenty of advantages:
- Much more legroom than on a plane
- You can move around freely
- Almost no luggage restrictions
If you bring some food, drinks, and things to keep yourself entertained, the long journey is actually quite manageable.
The Scenery Along the Way Is Amazing
The scenery along the route was truly spectacular. Some of the highlights included:
- Zell am See
- Lake Walen
- Innsbruck
These places were especially impressive. As the train passed by, I found myself thinking, “I definitely want to get off here next time.”
🏙 Exploring Zurich
In Zurich, I mainly explored the Old Town.
The places I visited included:
- Grossmünster
- Fraumünster
- St. Peter’s Church
- Lindenhof Hill
- Lake Zurich
Since many of the main attractions are concentrated in the Old Town, Zurich is a very easy city to explore on foot.
Two Churches I Couldn’t Enter…
Unfortunately, I couldn’t enter Grossmünster or Fraumünster because there was some kind of event taking place that day. That was definitely disappointing.
Lindenhof Hill Is Worth Visiting
Lindenhof Hill is a scenic viewpoint overlooking Zurich’s Old Town.
Even with the bad weather, it still had a certain atmosphere and is definitely one of the places I would recommend visiting in Zurich.
🏰 Exploring Bern
Bern’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When I visited, I was impressed by the city’s remarkable sense of unity and historic character. The architecture and streetscape have a very distinctive atmosphere.
Compact and Easy to Explore
Along the main street in the center of the Old Town, you’ll find attractions such as:
- Zytglogge (Clock Tower)
- Bern Minster
Just like Zurich, Bern is a very walkable city, with many of its major sights located close together.
What About the Clock Tower’s Mechanical Show?
I happened to visit right at noon, so I was able to see the famous mechanical display.
However…
The figure at the top basically just pretends to strike the bell.
To be honest, it was a little underwhelming compared with what I had expected.
Personally, I found the mechanical clock in Graz much more impressive.
Bear Park and Rose Garden
At the eastern end of the Old Town, you’ll find:
- Bear Park
- Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is located on a hill and offers a fantastic panoramic view of Bern’s Old Town.
A Surprise: Cherry Blossoms
There are cherry trees here that were planted from trees donated by Japan, and they were in full bloom during Easter.
You can take photos that almost make you feel like you’re back in Japan. Seeing the cherry blossoms made me feel a little nostalgic for home.
Unfortunately, though, none of the roses were blooming yet.
🏡 Heididorf
Finally, I also visited Heididorf, the village associated with the story of Heidi. To be honest, I don’t know much about Heidi, Girl of the Alps, but the site consists of several traditional-style buildings that visitors can enter and explore.
However, the admission fee was fairly expensive, so I decided not to go inside.
Conclusion
The weather didn’t cooperate during this trip, so I couldn’t exactly say that I experienced “the breathtaking scenery of Switzerland at its best.” Even so, I really enjoyed:
- Zurich’s sophisticated cityscape
- Bern’s historic Old Town
- The Alpine scenery visible from the train
There was still plenty to enjoy throughout the trip. Next time, I’d definitely like to come back and experience Switzerland on a sunny day!
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