Wirtshaus Taube Lucerne

Previously:

Ibis Budget Zurich Airport, Switzerland

Another big perk of staying near the airport is how easy it is to pick up a rental car.  We chose Budget Rent a Car for our 7-day trip and the whole process was super straightforward.  The price was reasonable and we were on the road in no time.  

That day we drove from Zurich to Interlaken, where we planned to stay for three nights.  On the way, we made a quick stop in Lucerne for lunch and a little stroll around the city.  It was such a lovely break!  The drive took about an hour to Lucerne and then another hour to Interlaken.  Short, scenic and super enjoyable.

I have to say, I was genuinely excited about driving in Switzerland.  Everywhere I looked, there was something beautiful to admire.  Every turn revealed stunning mountain backdrops, charming little towns and rooftops dusted in snow.  Like something straight out of a postcard.  Honestly, the views alone made the drive unforgettable.

We stopped for lunch at Wirtshaus Taube, a cozy spot in Lucerne with great reviews on Google - and now we totally understand why!  They serve traditional Swiss cuisine and the whole place has that warm, welcoming vibe that instantly makes you feel comfortable.  The staff were incredibly friendly too.

Chapubrogg-Roschti - Authentic Lucerne rosti CHF29.50 (around AUD 54)

Some classic Swiss dish that you had to try is of course Rosti.  This was comfort food at its best.  The rosti or potato itself was beautifully crisp on the outside, with that golden, crunchy layer that makes every bite so satisfying.  Inside, it stayed soft and fluffy, exactly how a good rosti should be.

The combination of toppings made it even better.  The bacon added a smoky, slightly salty flavor that paired perfectly with the creamy melted cheese.  And when you cut into the egg and the yolk slowly flowed over the crispy potatoes.  Absolute perfection.  Tomato in addition tied everything together and added rich taste to each bite.

Chalbs Cordonbleu CHF 46.50 (around AUD 85)

The Cordon Bleu was generously portioned and beautifully cooked.  The meat was tender and when you cut into it, the melted cheese inside just oozed out everywhere.  But it made the meat extra indulgent.  This veal cordonbleu was not only filled with melted cheese but it got some turkey hams too and accompanied with fried and vegetables.

Swiss lamb stew CHF 34.50 (around AUD 63)

The lamb stew ended up being my personal favourite.  The meat was not gamey and incredibly tender and full of flavour.  It was simmered in a rich, savory sauce that felt hearty and comforting, especially nice in the cool Swiss weather.  

We also ordered a green salad dish to balance everything out.  It was fresh, crisp and lightly dressed.  It was simple but refreshing alongside the richer main dishes.

If you're planning to dine at Wirtshaus Taube, I'd definitely recommend parking at Kesselturm Parking.  It's super convenient, just about a 2-minute walk to the restaurant. 

Chapel Bridge

Green pistachio velvet latte

Wirtshaus Taube Lucerne

Burgerstrasse 3, 6003 Luzern 

Ph: +41 41 210 0747

Stay tuned for the next blog in Interlaken:

Ibis Budget Zurich Airport, Switzerland

Previously:

Flight from Bangkok to Zurich with Oman Air

As we arrived in Zurich late that night, we decided to book a room at Ibis budget Zurich Airport instead of heading straight to the city center.  It just made more sense - we could save some time, get a proper rest and recharge before another long day ahead.

Once you enter the public arrivals hall, look for the overhead signs for Airport Shopping/ Bus/ Tram.  You'll enter the indoor shopping and dining area known as Airport Shopping (also called Airport Center).  Continue following the blue public transport signs and look for "Tram" or 'Glattalbahn".  Take the escalator or lift up to street level.  The tram platforms are located outside at ground level, just in front of the airport complex.  The stop name is Zurich Flughafen.  The entire walk from Arrivals takes about 5-7 minutes.  So, it is pretty convenience.

The hotel is only three tram stops from the airport and the hotel is right on your left once getting off, which was super convenient.  You need to get off at Glattbrugg, Unterriet stop.  Trams run very regularly, so getting there was easy.  All we had to do was buying tickets from the machine.  The only challenge?  Everything was in German!  Or maybe we just couldn't figure out how to change the language - we kept looking and looking but no luck.  In the end, we just guessed and phew..... thankfully, we got it right.  A ticket costs CHF 4.70 for an adult and CHF 3.30 for a child.

The check in process was smooth and the staff were friendly and helpful.  It's perfect for a quick overnight stop, especially if you have an early flight or arrive late like we did.  

However, we did have a little hiccup with our CHF notes, though.  When we tried to use it for paying the room deposit, the staff rejected it.  Turns out, when I exchanged the money back in Sydney, the cashier had given me an older banknote that had been withdrawn from circulation a few years ago.  Just our luck, right?

Thankfully, the staff at Ibis were really kind and helpful about it.  They explained that I could still exchange the old note at the Swiss National Bank without losing any value.  The only downside is I'd have to make a little trip there, which meant spending some unnecessary extra time. 

One thing we really appreciated at Ibis was the little self-service area next to the reception desk.  There's a complimentary water station, which was such a nice touch.  They also have a coffee machine available, perfect for an early morning coffee fix before heading out.  If you're feeling snacky, there're vending machines stocked with sodas, beers and other drinks.  On top of that, they offer sandwiches and bakery items as well.  

The rooms are compact but clean, modern and comfortable enough for a short stay.  Don't expect luxury - it's a budget hotel after all - but everything was neat and functional.

However, we truly enjoyed our visit to the Swiss National Bank the next morning.  As we walked through the city center, admiring the beautiful European architecture, we were amazed when we stepped inside the national bank.  We had seen Swiss banks portrayed as top-class institutions in so many movies, but experiencing it in person was something else entirely.

The old greyish building looked both charming and luxurious.  The tellers were even wearing white gloves and they were incredibly polite and welcoming.  It was truly an unforgettable experience.

We picked up a simple sandwich bun filled with ham, cheese and pickles - Nothing fancy.  It was quick, simple yet satisfying.  The perfect grab-and-go breakfast before exploring Zurich.  Sandwiches and hot drinks cost around CHF 3-5 each, which is affordable. 

Hot chocolate

If you're travelling through Europe, don't be surprised if you encounter paid public toilets.  In some places, you need to buy a small ticket from a vending machine near the entrance, then scan or insert it to enter.  Or in other places, you can insert coins directly into a turnstile gate to unlock the entrance.  The fee is usually around CHF/EURO 1 to 1.50.  Many machines now also accept cards.  Sometimes in many resting stops, you receive a toilet voucher after any purchases you made in there. 

 

 

A vending machine selling toilet/WC voucher

Paid public toilet

Ibis Budget Zurich Airport

Flughofstrasse 45, 8152 Opfikon

Ph: +41 44 828 1050

Stay tuned for the blog in Lucerne:

Wirtshaus Taube Lucerne

Flight from Bangkok to Zurich wiith Oman Air

As a Priority Pass holder, every trip, every flight for us begins the same way - at the lounge.  It sets the tone for the whole experience.  One of the biggest benefits of having Priority Pass is to access to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide, regardless of which airline or class you're flying.  Even when travelling economy, you still get to enjoy comfortable seating, complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, charging stations and a quiet space away from the chaos of the main terminal.  It truly transforms the airport experience from stressful to relaxing.

When flying out from Bangkok, we often visit the Miracle Lounge and the food there is genuinely impressive.  One thing we love is their hot food section that includes made-to-order dishes.  On some days, they serve khao mun gai or Thai chicken rice and it is absolutely amazing.  

Miracle lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok

Warm pastries

We were also lucky enough to visit on a day they served miang kham, which felt like such a treat.  Miang kham is a traditional Thai bite-sized snack that's as fun to assemble as it is to eat.  Fresh betel leaves are wrapped around a colorful mixture of toasted coconut, roasted peanuts, tiny dried shrimp, diced lime, shallots, ginger and fresh chili.  Everything is topped with a drizzle of sweet, savory palm sugar sauce.  The best part was that you got to try to make it yourself.

Miang kham section

Miang kham

Khao mun gai or Thai chicken rice

Hot food section - made to order

Oman airline

Around the mid of January, we travelled to Switzerland, Austria and Germany, with our first stop being in Zurich.  The flight to Zurich, flying from Bangkok to Muscat and onward to Zurich.  The first leg from Bangkok to Muscat took approximately five hours, followed by a seven-hour flight from Muscat to Zurich.  Not bad at all.  We had a relatively short layover of about three hours in between.

The seats were comfortable, making both flights quite relaxing.  What really stood out, however, was the food.  It was unexpectedly delicious.  The dessert served on the Bangkok-Muscat leg was especially memorable. 

Transfer gate

The transit process in Muscat took a little bit longer than anticipated.  Even though we were in transit and remained within the airport, we still had to go through another round of security screening.  Normally, at many airports, transit passengers don't need to repeat this process - but that wasn't the case here.  The security queue was quite long, so it took some time to get through.

After clearing security scan, we planned to grab some coffee or light snacks.  Unfortunately, the airport was extremely crowded that afternoon.  Everywhere we looked - cafes, restaurants, even the lounge - was packed with people. 

Luckily, we found a restaurant tucked away at the far end of a corner where not many passengers seemed to pass by.  It was noticeably quieter and almost empty compared to the rest of the terminal.

We ordered pizza and an Indian curry. Both dishes tasted good, though the price were on the higher side.  The service was also rather slow.  I had also ordered knafeh for dessert, but after waiting about 30 minutes and still not receiving it, I decided to get it for takeaway instead.  By the time, I finally had it, the knafeh was already cold and the ice cream had melted - definitely not the ideal way to enjoy it. 

Iced coffee

Stay tuned for the next blog, arriving in Zurich:

Ibis Budget Zurich Airport, Switzerland