Zürich

I start my morning by enjoying a simple breakfast at the Hotel Hottingen, that is both cool and modern and is only a few blocks away from Central station. The breakfast is a typical European hotel morning buffet complete with a muesli yogurt bar, fresh fruits and the classic cold cuts and cheese platter combo.

As I step outside, I am instantly pleased with the weather; it is crisp, not chilly and there is no salt or snow to ruin my new suede black booties (they would not survive a minute in downtown Montreal during this time of year). I head to the Kunsthaus, which is a short walk from the hotel. As the museum of modern art arrives in my sight,  I am disappointed with its exterior. The architecture of most prominent modern art establishments is usually as impressive as the art it showcases. However, I am a huge fan of contemporary art from the 20th century. Thus, I am looking forward to the museum’s permanent collection which holds a few Picassos, Pollocks and even a Lichtenstein.

As the saying goes, one cannot judge a book by its cover, nor a museum by its outer appearance it seems. The collection is diverse and pleasant. The museum has a great combination of lesser known artists, Swiss artists and internationally recognized contemporary artists. My favorite pieces were by far the Baselitz paintings. They are an explosion of color and very powerful. The East-German artist uses different mediums and displays his artwork upside down. His painting Nachtessen in Dresden, shown below, exhibits a rich color scheme that reminded me of Klimt’s paintings, notably The Kiss. Although I do not agree with Georg Baselitz’s sexist views, I must admit that he is a brilliant painter and that I thoroughly enjoyed his work.

After spending a few hours exploring the modern art museum, my stomach starts to grumble. I head to Bellevue station in order to eat at the famous nearby Sternen Grill. They have the best bratwurst in the city topped with a superb homemade spicy Dijon mustard. After devouring the delicious meat, as well as the divine potato salad that accompanies it, I can safely say that the hype is well-merited. Since I’m already a bratwurst in, I decide to go all out and get a dessert to top it off. I head to Sprüngli to buy a few luxemburgerlis; a delicious Swiss treat that resembles a macaron but tastes completely different. It is less sweet and has a more rich and almost overwhelming taste that is not unlike the one of a liqueur-flavored truffle.

I stroll along the river, whilst savoring my Swiss confection, and eventually make my way to  the harbor. I decide to go on the very touristy but very beautiful boat cruise around Zurich lake. During the cruise you can order food, drinks and even a bottle of wine! After my very full meal, I opt for a safe choice and enjoy a nice warm cup of tea on board. With massive windows and an outdoor balcony, there is no shortage of scenic views. Even though the sky is bit gray, it does not deter from the view at all. In fact, it only makes the alps look more intimidating and the lake fierce. I find nature to be most beautiful when it emanates its power.

As it is nearing 6pm when the cruise comes to an end, I head to Brasserie Schiller to indulge in an apero with a good friend. The brasserie is in close proximity to the lovely Opera, which is right by the boat cruise dock. We enjoy our kirs and  the convivial atmosphere an apres-work crowd always ensures along with a few fresh radishes topped with sea salt, which is the brasserie’s trademark bar snack.

With the slight glow of our aperitifs, we head towards Hotel Adler‘s restaurant in the historic part of town which is a beautiful cobble-stoned area for pedestrians only. As we enter the restaurant to meet up for dinner with more friends, the smell of delicious cheese is strong in the air. After giving not one, not two, but three kisses to everyone, as tradition calls in Switzerland, we sit down and order a white bottle of Swiss wine and cheese fondue to share. Enjoying an authentic Swiss winter meal while catching up with old friends was a lovely way to end a most perfect day in Zürich.