I have a new client in Zurich which gave me an excuse a reason to plan a trip to Switzerland, where I also could visit a client near Lausanne. Thanks to airfare prices that plummeted if I stayed a full week, I had time for working and playing in Switzerland—and my husband got to come along.
View of Zurich from the top of the Uetliberg tower
Working And Playing In Switzerland
I was bummed that Catrina was not in Zurich when we were there, but she gave me much-appreciated tips on things to see and do.
The weather forecast for our time in Zurich was rainy, but the day we arrived was mostly dry. It was our best chance to visit Uetliberg mountain, which was Catrina’s top suggestion. It should have been an easy 20 min train ride from the city, but they just started repairs on the tracks so we had to take a train and two buses to get there. This being Switzerland, everything was well-marked and perfectly timed, so I’m glad that didn’t stop us.
After a 15 min walk uphill from the Uetliberg train station where the last bus dropped us off, we decided to pay 2 CHF to climb the tower for the greatest views.
I’d say it was worth it.
The next day was rainier, but we squeezed in a pre-breakfast walk through a park near our hotel without getting too wet.
When the rain let up again we enjoyed a leisurely walk around the old part of the city.
On Friday morning we headed to Lausanne—a 2.5 hour train ride from Zurich, where we finally saw blue skies and sunshine. After trudging up a hill to our hotel—Lausanne is all uphill—I was glad I’d splurged for a room with a “lake view”.
That’s France on the other side of the lake.
After my meeting on Friday, we packed in a lot of sightseeing in Lausanne over the weekend. We walked all the way down to the lake and soaked in the views.
We walked even further uphill from our hotel twice—first to visit the Cathedral and then to visit the adjacent historical museum.
Its rose window really is stunning!
This view gives you an idea of the crazy topography of Lausanne.
We walked almost all the way down to the lake to visit the Olympics Museum—I didn’t know Lausanne was the headquarters of the IOC. There are a few things to see outside, including the Olympic flame.
It was a fun museum with exhibits on the history of the olympics, outfits worn for various events over the years, etc.
Maybe the first flag using the 5 ring symbol
Still, my favorite part was the view from the grounds to the lake.
Sunday we visited some art museums, walked down to the lake again (it’s a 25 min trek), and then caught a 5 pm train back to Zurich.
My client gave us the good idea to sit in the dining car so we could enjoy some local wine with the views of the countryside.
Overall, it was a great week of working and playing in two very different cities in Switzerland—cosmopolitan, German-speaking Zurich and quaint, French-speaking Lausanne. I can’t wait to go back!
Weekly Wrap
What about my workouts? I did pack running gear, but I never used it. We walked a lot every day, and I did at least one Peloton class—a stretch or a walk—to keep up my streak.
I did one hotel gym workout in Zurich the morning before my client meeting. The gym was reasonably well-equipped, but very warm, so I only walked on the treadmill and did a strength workout.
Back home this week I took advantage of lingering jet lag and unseasonably cool weather and got in two weekday runs with Scooby (thanks to getting up at 4:30) and a longer run Saturday. I eased back into my usual Peloton routine with full body strength workouts and a few fun cycling classes.
A huge thank you to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up.
I’ll share more about my trip at Friday’s ultimate coffee date—I hope to see you there!
What’s your favorite type of sight-seeing?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
You made it up the Üetliberg!!! That makes me so happy to see that view! 😍
I’m so bummed we couldn’t meet up – but looking forward to your next client visit. I hope the new client “needs” to be visited often. 😅
Can’t wait to hear more about your trip.
And I can’t believe I’ve never been to the IOC museum yet – I really need to add that to my next visit to Lausanne!
Uetliberg was a great way to keep moving on our arrival day.
I hope I need to visit again too!
What a great trip, Coco! You guys certainly packed a lot in and enjoying local wines while traveling in the dining car on the train sounds amazing! The IOC museum sounds like something I’d really enjoy, too.
They really have a lot of interesting exhibits, with a reminder of the geopolitical events of the day too. Plus fun things, like the mascots, costumes from the ceremonies — and my husband took a lot of photos of the bikes from different events of yore!
Too bad about not running on your work trip. But the pictures look amazing.
I was there many years ago… while I was in college.
Honestly, I runfesss I didn’t miss the running. And I’m glad I had a reason not to run in Lausanne. 😉
OOOOOH! I absolutely love Zurich, but I’ve never been to Lausanne. It looks so, so beautiful. It looks like you had great weather in Lausanne- I love all those blue skies.
How fun to see the Olympic flame. I’ll bet that museum was really interesting.
I’m glad you got in several Scooby runs! He must have missed you.
I’m so jealous of your trip to Switzerland–it is on my want to visit list! It looks just beautiful. I can’t wait to see the next installment when you return again.
Have a great week!
Switzerland is such a beautiful country and a great place to visit. Glad you were able to extend your time there and do some fun site seeing with your husband. What was your favorite meal? Walking around new cities is the best way to exercise on vacay!
How cool that you got the opportunity to visit Switzerland! Looks like you were in a beautiful part of the country!
This looks amazing! It’s great the hubby was able to join you; what a fun way to see the city, and all the sights, with all that walking. Looking forward to hearing more about it!
How cool you’ve got a great reason to travel there! I’m jealous! It looks like a beautiful area. So fun that your husband got to go with you. How often do you think you’d be able to go there?
Oh, no! How awful to have to go all the way to Switzerland! For work! Just kidding… that’s amazing.
I visited Lucerne in high school, and I remember it being one of the most magical places I’ve ever been. The air was so clean, and the colors so bright. It was gorgeous.
Welcome home, and I hope you get to go back soon!