Friday, April 30, 2010

Summer cities in Switzerland

WEEKEND TODAY, April 24 - 25, 2010, TRAVEL, PAGE T26
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100424/2404TRW026.pdf
By
Trixia Carungcong, trixia@mediacorp.com.sg



PHOTO: http://www.brightevent.ch/uploads/tx_brighteventevents/Zuerich.jpg

Two days in Zurich
Constantly cited for its high quality of living, the cultural and business capital of Switzerland offers an array of attractions for art connoisseurs, shoppers and nature lovers. Explore the city on foot or get a ZurichCARD 24-hour ticket that allows you to hop on to any local tram, train, bus or boat, as well as free admission to most of the city museums.

Wherever you want to go, you can be sure to get there on time, Swiss-style.



PHOTO: http://7bna.com/up/uploads/91583a7de6.jpg



Day 1

10am: Start out with a stroll through the Old Town, and be assured that the city is small enough for you to get from Point A to B quicker than you think. Saint Peter’s Church, which has the largest clock-face in Europe, is hard to miss. Close by is the Fraumunster Church, which has stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. Across the River Limmat stands Grossmunster Church with its twin towers. Pass through the old shopping areas to Schipfe, the artisans’ street in one of Zurich’s oldest districts.



PHOTO: Limmat River and Zurich City Centre.
http://www.edwud.com/photos/limmat_river_and_zurich_switzerland.jpg



PHOTO: Fotos de Zürich - SkyscraperCity
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2300/seefeld16fm6.jpg


11.30am: Make time for a cup of the city’s best hot chocolate at Schober Confiserie (www.conditorei-schober.ch) and indulge your sweet tooth with a slice of pie or apple strudel.



PHOTO: eine Filiale der Confiserie Teuscher. Wie alle Teuscherläden zauberhaft
(A branch of the Confiserie Teuscher. Magical Teuscher Shop)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3465721008_7b564eb3ce.jpg



PHOTO: http://www.wirheiraten.ch/data/homepage/4960/2480/zsg1.jpg


1pm: Take a two-hour boat trip from Zurich Burkliplatz to Rapperswil, the city of roses, and have lunch onboard while watching the lakeside villages pass by. At Rapperswil, stroll through the medieval town centre and the rose gardens.



PHOTO: St.Gallen Hotels | Wildhaus
http://www.schweiz-hotels.de/Rapperswil.jpeg



PHOTO: Bike trip to Rapperswil
http://joshandbeverly.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/rapperswil_roses.jpg



7pm: Dinner of rosti with veal and mushrooms in cream and white wine sauce at Oepfelchammer (www.oepfelchammer.ch).



PHOTO: http://www.ccstaefa.ch/oepfelchammerschild.jpg


Then move to its old tavern where artists, writers and students used to hang out in the late 1800s to debate politics and religion. If you’re up for a challenge, ask the staff if you could climb up the ceiling’s massive beams and hang upside down while drinking a glass of wine. If you manage to do that without spilling the drink, you can carve your name anywhere on the oak-panelled room.

9pm: For a taste of the city’s legendary nightlife, walk around Zurich-West, an ancient industrial quarter that has bars, restaurants and bistros (A small cafe, usually serving modest, down-to-earth food and wine. This word is also sometimes used to refer to a small nightclub. The French bistrot means "pub"). Try the local wines, most of the country’s wineries apparently produce just enough for local consumption.



PHOTO: http://galenfrysinger.name/eh61/zmuseum22.jpg

Day 2

10am: Get a history lesson at the Swiss National Museum (www.landesmuseum.ch), which houses the largest collection of the country’s cultural artefacts, just behind the main train station.

English translations of the display details are printed on boards at the entrance to each room.



PHOTO: Adler's! Swiss Chuchi!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/17/23092615_f79bbc193c.jpg


Noon: Lunch of raclette, melted cheese eaten with potatoes, pickles and meat, or fondue at Adler’s Swiss Chuchi (www.hotel-adler.ch). Choose a seat outside of you don’t want to smell of cheese for the rest of the day.



PHOTO: リマト川からほど近い Hotel Adler のレストラン Swiss Chuchi
(Limmat River near Hotel Adler Restaurant Swiss Chuchi)

http://www.kawa.net/photo/200710-europe/images/dsc_0849.jpg





PHOTO: The Diva: Zuerich. Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland
http://www.friendlyswiss.com/images/Zuerich/bahnhofstrasse_2.jpg


3pm: Walk around Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most famous shopping streets, which stretches more than a kilometre from the main train station.



PHOTO: Bahnhofstrasse Grieder.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Bahnhofstrasse_Grieder.jpg




PHOTO: Bahnhofstrasse: Banhofstrasse on a parade day
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/3c/4f/e2/banhofstrasse-on-a-parade.jpg



PHOTO: Bahnhofstraße
http://www.kendenton.org/ducati/2009-06-04%20alps/D31_2363.jpg



PHOTO: File:Dübendorf - Bahnhofstrasse IMG 0974 ShiftN.jpg - Wikipedia
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/D%C3%BCbendorf_-_Bahnhofstrasse_IMG_0974_ShiftN.jpg




PHOTO: Bahnhofstraße 5
http://www.nocterra.com/images/10053_a.jpg



PHOTO: In the blazing heat and humidity, I noticed quite a few women prancing along the bahnhofstrasse wearing miniskirts and sheepskin, furry winter boots.
http://www.englishforum.ch/attachments/daily-life/7917d1247852981-sweaty-feet-pink-furrywuga1_575x430.jpg





PHOTO: In line to order Confiserie Sprüngli's renowned Luxemburgerli macaroons.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa180/passionateeater/Sprungli.jpg


5.30pm: Step into Confiserie Sprungli (www.spruengli.ch), where you can get high just by smelling the sweets. There are whole slabs of chocolates, macarons, truffles and pralines which you should pick over the usual pre-packed candies.

By
Trixia Carungcong, trixia@mediacorp.com.sg



PHOTO: Mountain of Airy Chocolate Ganache-Filled Macaroons from Confiserie Sprüngli
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa180/passionateeater/Sprungli5.jpg



PHOTO: Confiserie Sprüngli. Luxemburgerli store display
http://thewanderingfoodie.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/luxemburgerli-display.jpg



PHOTO: Sprüngli's Luxemburgerli macaron
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w220/gurdyk/confiseries/macaron1.jpg



PHOTO: spruengli_bild_02.jpg



PHOTO: Zürcher Unternehmen verarbeitet die Confiserie Sprüngli
(Zurich company runs the Confiserie Sprüngli )
http://www.proudmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/confiserie_01.jpg



PHOTO: I have actually seen a few other confiseries and cafés I need to try.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVSoNM-EGOI8bLCJc0YqGo05tgdDEc6klcSMEqLEvpghkZClurWBDD0KAaq9H229Vqj4x2oj7EZrm3RtLz5VdZU04m77LWJgB4HKUDpVOmi2rBJaXplrYgHdx1yYUcYwhM5TGaOpcoV0F/s400/IMG_0066.JPG



PHOTO: One of the most eye-catching product in all of the Swiss bakeries
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9BSRPz3CdIt_z3sLvPJ4Huv-vOOGFglEQ3LgKDzS3TLlpiIsw9m54ZkiY7N64thaUwvhu92Xs_mcjie1xuBkHnaBKFrdz8zT1t2SD0lkAFPc7lZkrf81sH5ulrVXD88PBaYNTcY3vcE/s1600/Aspic.jpg



PHOTO:
Luxemburgerli, truffes et de nombreuses autres spécialités de confiserie et
(Luxemburgerli, truffles and many other specialty confectionery)
http://westside.ch/getattachment/f9306d09-8a00-4e81-ac4a-c55796aeb81c/get.aspx?width=600


The writer’s trip was made possible by Singapore Airlines, Munich Airport, Munich Tourism and Switzerland Tourism.



PHOTO: http://www.fotoart.org.ua/albums/userpics/Lake_Thun_Spiez_Switzerland.jpg



PHOTO: http://isvcs.org/Grindelwald.jpg



PHOTO: http://images.travelpod.com/users/yhuang82/2.1216974720.19-grimmelwald.jpg


Reference

Summer cities in Southern Germany, München

WEEKEND TODAY, April 24 - 25, 2010, TRAVEL, PAGE T26
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100424/2404TRW026.pdf
By
Trixia Carungcong, trixia@mediacorp.com.sg



PHOTO: Neuschwanstein. SIA and other airlines have resumed operations to Europe. That’s good news, because summer in Europe is too beautiful to pass up. Here’s a quick guide to a focussed experience in Munich and Zurich
WEEKEND TODAY, April 24 - 25, 2010, TRAVEL, PAGE T26



The Bavarian capital effortlessly blends its old-world charm with a modern vibe, attracting visitors to its numerous museums, theatres, parks and beer halls. Competitive and affluent, Munich is nevertheless known, and envied, for its laid-back lifestyle.



PHOTO: Image of Bavaria, Germany, Bavaria on Oct 2006
http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g187293-w3-Bavaria.html#1595543
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/18/58/97/bavaria.jpg



Two days is barely enough to get a feel of the city, but here’s what you can do:



PHOTO: Viktualienmarkt mit Blumenständen (Flower stands)
http://www.art-presents-munich.de/images/Gruppe1/marktBlumen026.jpg

Day 1
9am: Head to Viktualienmkt, the open-air market in the city centre, for a traditional breakfast of white sausage and brezel. Skin the sausages, which are made of veal and pork and flavoured with onions and parsley, before dipping the tasty bits in sweet mustard.



PHOTO: München - Viktualienmarkt by zen-foto
http://www.klassenfahrt-muenchen.org/images/viktualienmarkt.jpg




PHOTO: View over city hall and Marienplatz (the square)
http://fabularz.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/p1010060.jpg


At 11am, watch the famous Glockenspiel, or clockwork theatre, at the new town hall in Marienplatz. The building’s balcony is usually where soccer club Bayern Munich would greet the public after winning the Bundesliga championship or a major international title.



PHOTO: 2002-09-22a Marienplatz Gary2
http://kenag.net/pictures_arch/2002-09-21%20Oktoberfest%20in%20Germany/2002-09-22a%20Marienplatz%20Gary2.jpg




PHOTO: Olympic Tower - Munich, Germany
http://www.cityscouter.com/images/munich/munich-olympia-tower.jpg


11.30am: Take the underground to the Olympic Park, site of the 1972 Summer Games. Have a quick lunch at the revolving restaurant in the Olympic Tower (www.drehrestaurant.de), which offers a 360-degree view of the area.



PHOTO: Munich Olympic Park taken from the viewing decks of the Olympic Tower
http://www.hostcity.co.uk/features/venues/munich1.jpg








PHOTO: Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) LOGO
http://askmeany.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/bmwaskmeany.jpg


Then walk over to BMW Museum (www.bmwmuseum.de) to see the history of the car company from its beginnings as an aircraft engine producer.



PHOTO: The world BMW headquarters in the Bavarian homeland.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2088953435_7d3a94c51d.jpg


Because this is Germany, even four-year-olds come here to see the exhibit. Bavarian Motor Works’ headquarters is at the iconic four-cylinder building beside the “salad bowl” building housing the museum. If you’d like to check out new cars and motorcycles, head to BMW World across the road.



PHOTO: Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) headquarters, iconic four-cylinder building beside the “salad bowl” building housing the museum
http://image.motortrend.com/f/editorial/why-america-should-care-about-detroit/6387099+w600+cr1+re0+ar1/bmw-headquarters.jpg





PHOTO: Kaufinger Strasse, Munich
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RzoWa6WIaak/SoyVkY9Y2xI/AAAAAAAADfE/uvFq8KdoqQc/DSCF4659.jpg



PHOTO: Deutsches Museum von Meisterwerken der Naturwissenschaft und Technik München
(German Museum at Munich housed the Masterpieces of Science and Technology)

http://www.welt-atlas.de/datenbank/fotos/1-717/big/1-717-3.jpg


4pm: Depending on how you want to spend your afternoon in Munich, there’s the Deutsches Museum (www.deutschesmuseum.de), the world’s largest museum of technology and science. Or walk through Kaufinger Strasse, a main shopping district.



PHOTO: Kaufinger Strasse, Munich
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/Kaufinger_Strasse_Munich.jpg



PHOTO: Kaufinger Straße
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2710479807_1695a41205.jpg?v=0



PHOTO: Trees and bridges and the tower of the Deutsches Museum
http://www.tropicalisland.de/germany/bavaria/munich/images/MUC%20Munich%20-%20Isar%20river%20with%20with%20trees%20and%20bridges%20and%20the%20tower%20of%20the%20Deutsches%20Museum%203008x2000.jpg



PHOTO: Deutsches Museum. It's the biggest technology museum of the world.
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1463702-Deutsches_Museum-Munich.jpg







PHOTO: Allianz Arena Pahu
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Allianz_Arena_Pahu.jpg


If you’re a Bayern Munich fan, head down to Allianz Arena (www.allianz-arena.de) which also hosted the opening game of World Cup 2006.



PHOTO: Allianz Arena
http://www.moeller-horcher.de/de/pressezentrum/download/zaunz/allianz_arena1.jpg



PHOTO: Allianz Arena Bayern Munich
http://www.footballpictures.net/data/media/417/Allianz_Arena_Bayern_Munich.jpg



PHOTO: Allianz Arena - the new Munich Stadium
http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00225/allianz_arena__m_nc_225051g.jpg



PHOTO: Schema Allianz Arena
http://www.footiewallpapers.com/pic_upload/Allianz-Arena-wallpaper-14-828x628.jpg










PHOTO: Hofbrauhaus - Wikimedia Commons
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Hofbrauhaus.JPG


7pm: No visit is complete without a stop at Hofbrauhaus (www.hofbraeuhaus.de), dubbed the most famous beer hall in the world. There is live music on the ground floor and in the beer garden, or if you prefer some quiet, head upstairs to the first floor. You can also visit the other five main breweries in Munich that are allowed to serve beer during Oktoberfest, Augustiner, Lowenbrau, Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner and Spaten-Franziskaner.



PHOTO: hofbrauhaus beer stein
http://www.thirstyswagman.com/admin/Uploads/Images/OctoberfestBeerHallHofbrauhaus.jpg



PHOTO: http://girls.gunaxin.com/wp-content/gallery/oktoberfest_2009/oktoberfest_girls-001.jpg



PHOTO: http://www.agoraquest.com/personal_icon/file_1296463903hot_beer_girls.jpg



PHOTO: http://images.smh.com.au/2009/09/21/743100/Oktoberfest-118-600x400.jpg



PHOTO: http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,1315712,00.jpg



PHOTO: HOFBRAUHAUS
http://www.gunaxin.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/oktoberfest_girls-037.jpg



PHOTO: http://classicfun.ws/wp-content/uploads/sexy-bavarian-oktoberfest-girls-480x401.jpg



PHOTO: http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/893/oktoberfestgirls010.jpg



PHOTO: http://www.daretogamble.com/uploaded_images/oktoberfest_girls_01-772765.jpg



PHOTO: http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/images/thumbnails/kim-kardashian-mercedes-fashion-week-miami-711-1.jpg



PHOTO: http://cm1.theinsider.com/thumbnail/400/600/cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/436/71/mallika-bollyupdatescom-milkshake-1.jpg




PHOTO: http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/celebs/parishilton/paris_hilton_76.jpg







PHOTO: Schwangau on May 2008
Neuschwanstein Castle is a famous German castle in Schwangau, Bavaria, built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria
http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g198564-Schwangau_Bavaria.html
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/11/cd/34/neuschwanstein-castle.jpg


Day 2
8am: Venture beyond Munich to Schwangau region (www.schwangau.de), popular for the castles of King Ludwig II.



PHOTO: He gave it the new name “Hohenschwangau
http://www.luitpoldpark-hotel.de/se_data/_filebank/sehenswertes/hohenschwangau.jpg


You can take a train to Fussen, then a bus to the village. Walk up to Marien Bridge for postcard views of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles, before visiting Hohenschwangau, the royal family’s summer residence and once the seat of the knights of Schwangau in the Middle Ages.

Remember to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk up narrow, winding flights of stairs.



PHOTO: Hohenschwangau Castle, seen from Neuschwanstein
http://www.europeancastlestours.com/tours/bavaria/gallery/Hohenschwangau_from_Neu.jpg




PHOTO: View from the Hotel Alpenstuben
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/42/f4/d9/hohenschwangau.jpg


Noon: Ask for a traditional lunch at Hotel Alpenstuben (www.alpenstuben.de), which occupies a farmhouse that dates back to the 18th century, and pick up some souvenirs from the shops outside.



PHOTO: Hotel Alpenstuben
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/15/8c/4a/hotel-alpenstuben.jpg


2pm: Continue on to Neuschwanstein, the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle, by bus or horse-drawn carriage. Built in medieval style, its murals are a tribute to the works of composer Richard Wagner.



PHOTO: Neuschwanstein Castle.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Neuschwanstein_Castle.jpg



PHOTO: Neuschwanstein Castle Bavaria Germany - 2 Picture
http://www.citypictures.net/data/media/256/Neuschwanstein_Castle_Bavaria_Germany_-_2.jpg



PHOTO: http://www.oktoberfest.it/octoberfest/wp-content/uploads/neushwanstein23.jpg



PHOTO: http://image50.webshots.com/150/1/85/69/469018569XIwDep_ph.jpg



PHOTO: http://terre.sans.frontiere.free.fr/page_a_voir_a_faire/a_voir_a_faire_images/neuschwanstein_13_modifie.jpg


4pm: Head back to the city, and if you’re flying out from Munich Airport (www.munich-airport.de), wind up your trip at Airbrau (www.airbraeu.de). Munich is the first airport in the world to have its own brewery.

By Trixia Carungcong, trixia@mediacorp.com.sg
The writer’s trip was made possible by Singapore Airlines, Munich Airport, Munich Tourism and Switzerland Tourism



Reference