Portfolio - Special Edition Switzerland

27 Special Edition Switzerland From Zurich, with Love Natural beauty, old culture, and a modern vibe: Zurich has it all. In this guide to bringing back a piece of Switzerland with you, Menorca Chaturvedi prowls inside speciality stores and spots in this city T he sheer varieties of flowers amidst the fresh morning air enthrals me as I walk around the various stalls. “This reminds me so much of my grandmother’s house and my childhood,” my guide says, as we walk past a beautiful collection of kranz (wreaths). With very few people out and about on a Friday morning rush hour, it’s a luxury to be walking around in an open-air market at the end of one of the costliest shopping streets in the world. Savouring the sights of local cheese and produce while looking out into the beautiful lake Zurich and the snow-capped peaks on the horizon, I thought to myself: isn’t this truly a piece of paradise on earth? If only there were a way to take a piece of this beauty back home. Walking along the river Limmat through Zurich’s old town is like strolling through a history book that has come alive. On the one hand, one could admire art and beauty, such as the stained- glass windows by Marc Chagall in the Fraumunster church, the twin towers of the Grossmunster cathedral, and Zürich Opera House. Then there’s also the Water Church with Swiss painter’s Augusto Giacometti’s choral windows that contrast a modern man’s life with that of Jesus Christ’s. On the art front, I find myself walking into in-church performances or chancing upon Blüemlihalle, the most artistic police station foyer. I spot a unique vintage furniture store in a quaint little house further down and then sit for a traditional meal in a historical guild house facing the Chagall windows. Thanks to my marvellous guide from Zurich Tourism, I got the chance to discover some hidden spots amidst all the history and explore a few of the local stores that give a special touch to the city. In a way, I’ve got the chance to relish the essence of Switzerland in a matter of wonderful, fleeting days. A LUXURIOUS HISTORY Exiting the central station in Zurich, it’s easy to walk directly into the hub of the shopping area of the city. Bahnhofstrasse, known to be one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world, is lined up with a plethora of luxury and department stores. The Paradeplatz square could also be spotted there, where Zurich’s main financial centre and other important banks are headquartered. It’s not uncommon to see people queuing up in front of these stores even before they open for the day. I couldn’t help but step into the world of watches and jewellery