Please enjoy a Glimpse of this gorgeous European city by Nicki Rose, designer, artist, co-founder of Collier Rose Ink, and mom to two…
Food Favorites…
Upscale restaurant? Kronenhalle or Baur-au-Lac. Kronenhalle has a fascinating history esp with it’s modern art collection including pieces by Matisse, Chagall and Miro. Traditional food like veal and rosti and don’t miss the chocolate mousse for dessert: it is beyond! Naur-Au-Lacis also a fabulous hotel and could definitely fit under the ‘romantic’ or ‘inlaws/parents’ category, though not for kids. Sitting in the garden for lunch or afternoon tea is delightful if you don’t want to make the commitment to staying there or have dinner there. Always a seriously chic crowd with the ‘who’s who’ of Zurich – fun people watching.
Casual restaurant? Sausage stand in central Zurich: Sternen Grill. We never leave Zurich without a stop there, and it is central – on Bellevue.
Restaurant with kids? Charming spot in Erlanbach: Restaurant sum Pflugstein. They are lovely with children and there is a little garden kids can run around but it is also romantic in an old world, countryside sort of way for a couple’s dinner.
Bakery/desserts? Spruengli. Best chocolates and sweets, also delightful cafe upstairs for lunch, coffee, ice cream. Old world Swiss style – sort of an Eloise/tea and ice cream experience if you have a little girl. Go to the Paradeplatz location.
Shopping Favorites…
Clothing boutique for yourself? Check out https://www.im-viadukt.ch/en/home/ for a number of chic boutiques….very hip area, young – up and coming. Also some great restaurants and food hall, and check the website for music, plays etc.
Best flowers –Marsano
Activity Favorites…
With kids? My experience is mainly in summer: we love swimming in the lake of Zurich; there are fantastic playgrounds throughout the city that are not only full of exciting climbing and swimming opportunities but also engage kids in engineering activities (makes American playgrounds look unimaginative); The Zurich Zoo; private sailing outings but also the regular city ferries that go all over.
With your husband? nearby hikes- the proximity of mountain and countryside to city center is one of the things that makes this city so fantastic, compelling and livable. The opera.
Hotel Favorites…
Dolder Grande – This is modern and quite amazing – very expensive. Could be great for the romantic weekend – but it is also big – so not petite charming romantic – more like big, fancy romantic. Spa is also supposed to be incredible, but I do not have first hand experience. Sunday brunch is amazing (and you can take kids). Food in general is amazing, fabulous contemporary art throughout, no shortage of ‘wow’ factors.
Atlantis by Giardino – chic, new – great pool and poolside bar, fab spa, indoor pool as well. Works well for couples but also for families.
Atlantis
Hotel Sonne – more traditional, small, right on the lake, old school swiss. Not fancy but charming and beds are so comfy. Not in the city center – in a suburb about 10 minutes outside the city center by car or train, or 30 minutes by ferry in ‘Kusnacht’. There is a delicious breakfast where you can sit outside and admire the lake, and private swimming access. There is also a restaurant just in front of the hotel and there is a ferry stop right there, along with a short lakeside walk to a playground and beach on both directions.
Hotel Sonne
Best…
Museum? Kunsthaus – Modern Museum. Love the way they have melded the old and new architecture and I adore the collection. It’s worth calling in advance for a special kids tour.
Chagall windows in the Fraumunster church – breath taking for adults and colorful and relatable for kids.
Spa? Atlantis
A fun day trip from Zurich with the kids is to Santis – a mountain relatively close, by car or train. There is a large gondola that takes you up and even in August you are in the snow…..with restaurant, views etc.
Santis
General travel favorites…
Destination with kids? So many!! We took them skiing out west for the first time this year and LOVED it! www.deervalley.com
Destination with spouse? I truly love any travel adventure with my husband. Two favorites of recent: Paris, France (https://hotelducdesaintsimon.com/en/) and Tromso, Norway (https://www.lyngenlodge.com/) For a little more sunshine, St. Barths. We only had a quick few days and many of the famous spots were closed post hurricane but Hotel Le Village was a gem.
Stroller? No longer….6 and 8 year olds…
Kids travel bag? Their own LL Bean backpacks now!
Your handbag? T Anthony weekender duffle in purple as my carry on with 3 separate sections. But I am eagerly awaiting the Glimpse Guides original. 🙂
When traveling on my own the new Away carry on suitcases are fantastic.
Airplane activity for kids? Books, coloring books, iPads, in flight entertainment.
Airplane activity for yourself? Much needed nap!
Must-have for your child’s carry on? Headphones and SNACKS!
Must-have for your carry-on? Warm scarf as i am always cold on planes; lip balm (love Avene), water, headphones, laptop.
Tips? Have fun, and set the expectations for your kids especially with long haul travel…..just because you land, doesn’t mean you are there….customs etc takes a lot of time and little kids often don’t have a ton of patience.
Originally published on www.glimpseguides.com, a collection of city guides for jet setting families.
