I’m not much for cities usually when I’m traveling (Berlin being a rare exception). So the fact that moments after I stepped foot off the train in Zurich I wanted to move there says volumes.
I don’t know what it is precisely, but Zurich is intoxicating. It’s got all the best parts of Switzerand—the clean air, pristine streets, amazing food, kind people, German efficiency and panoramic views of the Alps, which encase it—wrapped up in a neat little cosmopolitan city package.
It had some funny art installations, like this random lady swinging high in the main train terminal.
And there were some really cool parts to it, too. Like the program where you can “rent” a bike—for free—on any given day. You simply have to leave behind 20 francs and your passport, both of which you’ll get back when you return the vehicle.
And that you can drink straight out of any of the 1,200 fountains around the city. In fact, it’s encouraged. And the whole city is just so…green. I wanted to make like a dog and roll in the grass everywhere we visited.
It’s also one of those cities when, if the sun is out, so are all of its 380,000 residents, particularly along the lake and the various waterways that snake their way through town.
And the houses were just downright darling. I could live in any one of them, with the sunlight streaming through their big ol’ bay windows every morning.
One day, SVV and I will have a flat in Berlin, a downtown city escape in Zurich and a summer home along the Algarve in Portugal—on top of our Bay-front Seacliff manor in San Francisco, of course—no doubt about it. (Hey, I think it’s healthy to dream big, don’t you?)
And I will have this gargoyle as my sentry, mark my words.
*All photos taken with a Canon XTi, 17-85mm lens or 10-20mm lenses, housed in a LowePro SlingShot.
**For more Photo Friday fun, head over to Delicious Baby.
Zurich looks lovely! Berlin is such an interesting city too!
Lord, Zurich looks incredible. Seriously, who knew? Probably many people, actually, but not me. Added to the to-go list.
Thanks for sharing these great photos of Zurich. I’ve never been but my sis visits regularly. Now I can better imagine her environment when she calls me from there!
p.s. Do you mean Algarve?
OMG, those houses are too cute! They look like they’re made out of yellow cake and buttercream frosting. Or maybe chocolate cake with a whipped cream topping? Oh wait, maybe I just want cake. Either way, still adorable!
-Sarah
Gorgeous pics! And I am with you…it’s good to dream big. My problem is narrowing down the list to just a few favorite spots. Zurich’s never been high on my list of travel destinations but after reading this post I am bumping it up the list!
It’s great to find a place you just *know* you should live in! For me it’s Buenos Aires and Cape Town! I hope with all of my heart your big dreams come true someday!!! Great pics.
Zurich is D’s favorite city as well. One day I hope to see for myself!
Switzerland is amazing. I completely understand your feeling! When I first visited I didn’t want to leave. It is the best of everything all in one sweet place.
Oh, it looks like one of my other favorite European towns, Salzburg — cute, clean, and charming!
I remember being in Zurich one summer and floating down the Limatt River toward the lake in crystal clear water and picking berries growing along the banks to snack. Such a clean and beautiful city. Though I heard they have some odd rules, like no vacuuming (or otherwise causing a ruckus) in your flat on Sundays.
Wonderful photos! I haven’t been to Zurich, and now you’ve made me want to go there.
Seriously. How DO you take such fantastic photos? I always feel like I was THERE when I look at your posts!
All of Switzerland is so well designed and calculated but seems to blend into the mountains at the same time. So efficient, I love it too.
I think the key to charming cities are those that manage to maintain and incorporate a sense of the beauty around them. And I will totally join you in the dream house fantasy- you will someday be welcome to couch surf my London cottage and beachfront bungalow in Sydney!
I love that architecture.
I’m not much for cities, either…but this looks like a great place!
Some of the many fountains in the city have water that is the same quality as bottled spring water. I have a Swiss friend in Zurich who used to go down to the fountain in front of his apartment to get his drinking water. Zurich is the cleanest city in possibly all of Europe. But then again, with a population under 400,000 it’s almost more like a big village. Living here is wonderful, although it’s not without its challenges.
I would like to hop a plane to Zurich Right. Now.
Please and thank you.
How lovely! It’s like what NYC wishes it could be.
Also? Adorable in the jeans. I know you don’t sport the jeans much, but you should do so more often. (Especially with that sweater. Heart!)
Our web people at work are in Zurich! I really hope this means BUSINESS TRIP. Also, I’m so glad you and SVV are planning so many homes. Rest assured, I mean to come visit you in all of them.
I have a couple of friends living in Zurich, and I should pay them a visit soon!! I adored Switzerland as a child. Thanks for reminding me about this often forgotten Alpine country!
The houses look so charming and the landscape is amazing! There is nothing wrong with dream big!!! I hope you will have all your houses soon. (can I visit you sometimes?
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