Christmas in Zurich

I decided to stay in Switzerland for Christmas this year. Why not, it would be pretty special. After planning that, my mum said she'd come to visit! Great, so now I can have Christmas in beautiful Switzerland and not miss out on the family side of things.

Christmas decorations along Bahnhofstrasse

Having snowed heavily earlier this week, I was expecting a white Christmas. However by the time my mum arrived in Zurich, not only had all the snow melted, but the temperature had risen back to an unusual high again. At least it made for nice weather to show mum around the city in.

Zurich had momentarily transformed itself earlier this week into a winter wonderland. Although it didn't quite last until Christmas day...

Me, mum and some neighbours of mine celebrated Christmas together and we even managed to rustle up a pretty decent Christmas dinner! It was a novelty having so much meat in a meal, it was easy to forget I was still in Switzerland – the same place in which I had once considered the financial benefits of becoming a vegetarian!

Christmas in Zurich has a different atmosphere to back at home. Things are much more relaxed here and the festive period still has real tradition left that hasn't yet been ruined by over-commercialism. It's refreshing. On Christmas eve, I gave mum a tour of the city, including an obligatory stop by Sprüngli – the Swiss master chocolatiers – and we also went to the Jules Verne Panorama Bar which overlooks all of Zurich. The views were nothing short of spectacular.

The Jules Verne Panorama Bar offers the best views in Zurich. Despite their high prices, it's well worth a visit.

All in all, a very nice Christmas. Hope yours was too!