New Year in Switzerland

For something different, we decided to watch the New Years Eve fireworks in Zurich. On the way, we stayed the first night in Bregenz in Austria just this side of the border, as hotels cost a half of those in Switzerland. Wandering down from the old town to the shores of Lake Contance, we came across an amazing stage set for the opera Andre Chenier installed in and over the lake.

We were warned that the only reason to go to Lichtenstein was to be able to say that you had been there. I am afraid that this is probably true. Just for good measure, we had to drive through a sudden, very heavy snowfall. I love the special snow tyres we are obliged to fit in the winter.

Zurich was hopping on New Years Eve with street fairs, live bands and best of all, Prosecco bars. Hearing all of the city and church bells at midnight was pretty impressive, but there were no fireworks. This was a little disappointing, as it was the excuse for us being there. As no one seemed to be moving on after midnight, we stayed around too. For some unknown reason, the fireworks started at a quarter past midnight. They were worth it.

 Our favourite part of Switzerland was Lucerne, a very pretty small city sitting beside an idyllic lake. All of this surrounded by grandiose alps, which are as breathtaking now as they were 35 years ago when I first saw them. We had a pleasant wander along the Reuss River and then through the old town.

Ingrid’s favourite part was the dying lion carved in the face of an old sandstone quarry near the middle of town. It is to commemorate the Swiss Guards massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution. Mark Twain described it as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world”. At 10 m by 6 m, it is certainly imposing.

Our last day was spent in Schaffhausen with its waterfalls on the Rhine, the Munot, a circular fortress on the hill and its Renaissance architectural patrimony of delightful oriole windows and frescoed facades in the old town.

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