The Star: February 15, 2018

The Star 27
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Thursday February 15 2018
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Take your camera to photogenic Zurich
• By Mike Yardley
AS TWILIGHT took hold in
Zurich, I was goggling at the
largest clock face in Europe, on
the edge of the Limmat River.
Dominating the skyline, the
historic tower of St Peter Church
is imbued with a trusty timepiece,
as are the atmospheric church
bells that reverberate across the
Old Town from the four historic
churches, including mighty
Grossmunster Cathedral. Zurich
has certainly emerged as a tale of
two cities. Creating quite a buzz,
Zurich-West, which has spectacularly
transformed.
This once scruffy industrial
district has emerged as a vibrant
cultural quarter of trendy eateries
and edgy art, where factories
have been repurposed as theatres
and shipyards reimagined as art
galleries. Viadukt is an exemplary
example of the makeover, with
a host of eateries, pop-up shops
and art spaces housed inside
the arches of the disused, 167m
railway viaduct.
You’ll also find Prime Tower
here, a 35-storey skyscraper
(Switzerland’s tallest), serving up
a panoramic treat across Zurich’s
rooftops, gleaming lake and
snow-coated peaks beyond. Take
in the sweeping scenery over a
drink or two at Clouds Bar.
Culture is writ large in Zurich
and back in the Old Town, the
narrow-cobbled streets gave rise
to the Dada art movement just
over a century ago. I popped into
Cabaret Voltaire, at Spiegelgasse
1, which was the birthplace of
Dada and the avant-garde artistic
movement, in 1916.
Absinthe is the drink of choice
here, among Dada’s ghosts. The
venue also has a shop selling souvenirs
and art-themed gifts.
Strolling along Bahnhofstrasse,
flanked by chic designer boutiques,
Café Sprungli deserves
a pit-stop. This prized Zurich
institution is rightly lauded for its
heavenly macaroons.
Further down the street, if
feeling a little decadent, make a
date with Teuscher for its famed
champagne truffles.
In a city of water and bridges,
another top vantage point, above
the twisting lanes of the Old Town
is the Lindenhof. This was the
site of a former Roman customs
house, perched above the water.
The vast assortment of guildhalls
are central to Zurich’s backstory,
and they’re great fun to explore.
Could there be a finer roost
than Hotel Storchen? For over
650 years, the Storchen’s classic
hospitality has been widelyacclaimed,
situated in Zurich’s
romantic heart, on the river’s
edge, in Weinplatz. A witness to
history, its name derives from the
MIGHTY: The Grossmunster
Cathedral is a focal point on
the Limmat River.
pair of black storks who used to
nest here.
You’ll want to make your bed
here too. A beautiful inlaid artwork
of stork eggs on the
floor of the main bar, speaks to
its past – and it’s still a widelypractised
tradition that rubbing
your heel on the artwork delivers
good luck.
My perfectly formed guestroom
afforded a dreamy view over the
River Limmat, backed by many
old town landmarks, spectacularly
illuminated at night.
For the very best deals and seasonal
specials, check out the iPrefer
app, which includes member
rates and rewards, or book direct
at www.preferredhotels.com
FAST FACTS:
•Travelling Switzerland by
train is an unforgettably
photogenic experience,
leaving you in awe of their
engineering prowess.
Purchase a pass to suit your
needs, in advance from Rail
Europe, the experts in great
rail travel. www.raileurope.
co.nz
Fly to Zurich with Cathay
Pacific who operate ultracontemporary
A350-900s,
the newest aircraft in the
world, from both Auckland
and Christchurch. The cabin
air quality is decidedly
better, I experienced minimal
jet-lag & the refreshed CX
Entertainment system kept
me suitably engaged. www.
cathaypacific.com