With Euro 2008 only one day away, it seems appropriate to begin my ramblings on the world in Switzerland. Hmm, where to start? Milano Centrale. This is where my Swiss adventure began. The early morning train journey from Milan to Zurich provided the perfect introduction to this small, but perfectly formed country.
The scenery was breathtaking, cabins dotted all over the lush green mountainous landscape. Mountain tops had yet to emerge from the morning mist but perfect reflections were displayed in the great lakes below.
Swiss train stations are really impressive, especially when compared to their Italian counterparts. They are clean, well organized and always on time (Trenitalia could take note). And fittingly, i found the most striking feature of these stations were the stylish, perfectly crafted station clocks. I don’t usually get excited over clocks but they really seem to sum up my Swiss experience. So organized, the second hand that effortlessly guides round the stylishly simple clock face.
We travelled out of Zurich to find our hostel, which again was incomparable to it’s Italian counterparts. Easy to find, efficient service and great facilities. We made our way back into the city centre to have a look around. After the glitzy hustle and bustle of Milan, Zurich created a really vibrant and exciting atmosphere. I think this will make Zurich a great host city in the Euros, and i hope everyone is able to embrace the Swiss way of life! It is the Romanians, Italians and French that have the pleasure of playing their first couple of games in Zurich.
Zurich is impressive, built around lake Zurich, a real green city with a hub of activity. So many cycle lanes and open spaces, almost living city life in the country. The Swiss seem to live life at a different pace, something that i am very envious of. The parks and cafes were full, but no-one was rushing, just relaxing. This created a very welcoming and homely environment.
We came across a music and literacy festival, which provided many entertaining act. It was extremely easy to stroll through the city and there was entertainment lurking in every corner, from the landscaped parks and bustling cafes, to the kids that were diving off a high diving platform into Lake Zurich. There are so many attractions but the biggest is experiencing Zurich itself.
For a more structured day i would recommend taking a tram to see Zoo Zurich, with an extensive variety of wildlife, from penguins to elephants . The zoo has also created a 11,000 square meter ‘artificial’ rainforest, which is definately worth exploring. Alternatively, the Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfalls, are a short trip away.
I can’t think of a better venue/host for Euro 2008, so enjoy and experience Zurich!!!
