This church boasts the largest clock face in Europe (8.7 meters in diameter, compared to Big Ben’s 6.9). The late Romanesque-Gothic tower contains five bells from the late-1800’s, the largest one weighing six tons. St. Peterskirche is the oldest church in Zürich, with origins back to the 900’s. The city’s first mayor, Rudolf Brun, acquired […]
Zürich’s Fountains
Is the secret to Swiss health in the water? In Zürich, over 1,000 medieval and modern fountains spew potable water from Zürichsee (Lake Zürich).
Zürich
Zürich is Switzerland’s largest city (population 380,000) and is home to the world’s most important gold and precious metal markets. River Limmat divides the city into the Niederdorf on the east bank and the old town on the west bank. It’s believed that Zürich was founded in the first century BC by two deserters who […]
The Grossmünster
In a city of churches, this one dominates the skyline. It’s fitting, since this church was the birthplace of the Swiss-German Reformation. In the 16th century, the Grossmünster’s minister, Huldrych Zwingli, transformed Zürich into an important religious center by spreading his humanist ideas. Zwingli based his philosophy on that of Erasmus, and eventually began rebelling […]
Swiss Driving Vignette
Leave it to the Swiss to be efficient even on the highways! In lieu of pesky tolls, motorists simply purchase a vignette that allows passage on all roadways. The vignettes are available at tourist offices, post offices, garages and customs posts at the border. If you buy at the border, you can pay the agent […]
Aire de Repos
If you plan on taking a month-long road-trip, there would be worse countries in which to do so than France. French rest areas are designed for those who are really covering some miles – they offer showers, laundry machines and comfortable lounge areas. Plus, the cafeteria-style eateries and convenience markets have comprehensive wine selections.
London Guards
I wasn’t sure if guards existed in a less-than-formal environment, and here they are. I came upon these men, who were casually chatting and walking together, while running past Wellington Barracks, which house the Guards Museum and five regiments of Foot Guards (the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards, and Welsh Guards). On […]
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece has adorned the British skyline sine 1710. It was constructed after the previous building was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. But this isn’t #2; over 1400 years, a total of five places of worship have stood on this site. The first service was held in this building in 1697. […]
Horse Guards Parade
If you’re thinking these grounds look ideal for, say, a beach volleyball competition, you won’t be surprised when the Olympic event takes place right here this summer. The Horse Guards Parade hosts various ceremonies throughout the year, including Trooping the Colour (monarch’s birthday) and Beating Retreat (a military ceremony). Back in Henry VIII’s day, it […]
Charles Dickens Museum
The Charles Dickens Museum is always a must-see for me. This four-story house is his only remaining London residence. Here, he wrote The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. The museum opened in 1925 and packed ten rooms with 100,000 memorabilia items including manuscripts, photos (Dickens was prolific in every part of his life, […]
