Portfolio - Special Edition Switzerland

28 Special Edition Switzerland Shopping and check out two of the biggest watch stores in Zurich: Bucherer and Beyer. No sooner did I enter the five-storey Bucherer building that I realised that this is what an amalgamation of history, heritage, and modernism would look like. In theory, this could be your one-stop- shop for all high-end Swiss watches and their in-house jewellery, but the process turns out to be far more customised and personal. Founded in 1888 in Lucerne, this family- owned store grew by leaps and bounds in the years to come with Rolex as one of their early partners. Back then, trust was especially crucial, as brand names were not established. Browsing through their other collection of certified pre-owned watches and hearing about their stories made me recognise that trust, history, and culture remain essential aspects for them. Hopping across the street to the Beyer store and watch museum, I get a similar sense of the longing to preserve history, the value of craftsmanship, and the appreciation for natural resources. With the Beyer museum celebrating 50 years in 2021, it is an even better time to visit their impressive collection of watches spanning several centuries. I’m delighted to stay at the newly opened Hotel Sorell St Peter, a stone’s throw away from Paradeplatz and the Beyer museum. The hotel’s location is perfect for hopping in and out of my room whenever I need to take a break during the city exploration. Come afternoon, I make my way to La Rotisserie at the Storchen Hotel, the Zurich restaurants to keep on your radar. HILTL — The oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world. hiltl.ch LA RÖTISSERIE AT STORCHEN — Fine dining at its best. Ask your concierge for help in reservations. storchen.ch TERRASSE — An artistic and elegant riverside restaurant and bar. terrasse-zuerich.ch ZUNFTHAUS ZUR WAAG — A historical guild house facing the Fraumunster church. zunfthaus-zur-waag.ch VIADUKT — A trendy restaurant in West Zurich, located near Freitag and the Viadukt Markthalle. restaurant-viadukt.ch SPRUNGLI — a Swiss luxury confectionery that claims to have the best macaroons. spruengli.ch DINE only riverside hotel in Zurich, for my scheduled fine-dining experience. Staying in that part of town has its other perks. For instance, I could indulge my sweet tooth into macaroons and desserts at the historical confectionary Sprungli, which is located barely five minutes away or walk to one of the Hiltl restaurants for an all- vegetarian buffet. When it comes to shopping for gifts, I discover that Marktlücke offers traditional and quirky hand-made gifts made of recycled materials. This quaint shop by the river plays a significant role in sustainable shopping while helping out women in need. Just a few metres ahead, I come across Vock, a vintage furniture store that houses remarkable pieces that are likely not available online. As is often customary for most tourists, I swing by a local handicrafts store and browse through some souvenirs and memorabilia to bring home. I take my time to go to Schweizer Heimatwerk, loving their collection of ceramic showpieces, cutlery, fondue cookware, Swiss cookbooks, Alpine cowbells,