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Daytrips from Zurich: the lake cruise

 

along Lake Zurich
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Lake Zurich

Lake cruises are one of the most delightful ways of experiencing the area around Lake Zurich. A 1 1/2 hour trip is available but for the full experience take the 4 hour Long Round Trip.

Lakefront, Lake Zurich
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Bürkliplatz, on the lakefront, Lake Zurich

It makes stops along both sides of the lake as it runs between Zurich’s Bürkliplatz and the medieval town center of  Rapperswil.

Rapperswil, Switzerland
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Rapperswil, Switzerland

Rapperswil is  known as “Town of Roses” for its many gardens. Its 12th century castle, which now houses the Poland Museum, looms above a variety of attractions, including a vineyard, Capuchin monastery, and garden.

rose garden, Rapperswil, Switzerland
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one of the rose gardens in Rapperswil, Switzerland

pathway to Kapuzinerkloster (Capuchin's monastery), Rapperswil, Switzerland
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pathway to Kapuzinerkloster (Capuchin’s monastery), Rapperswil, Switzerland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Circus Knie, Switzerland’s largest circus, has a children’s zoo on the site of its winter quarters, a circus museum and circus-themed statuary throughout.

clown statue, Rapperswil, Switzerland
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clown statue in Rapperswil, Switzerland

Circus Museum, Rapperswil, Switzerland
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Circus Museum, Rapperswil, Switzerland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rapperswil also has a 2700’ long pedestrians bridge across the lake to the village of Hurden. It is the longest wooden bridge in Switzerland.

bridge to Hurden, Rapperswil, Switzerland
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bridge to Hurden, Rapperswil, Switzerland

The cruise brochure offered helpful information about sights along the way and noted stops that had lakeside restaurants, public beaches, children’s playgrounds, museums and campgrounds.

4 hour Lake Zurich round trip tour brochure
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4 hour Lake Zurich round trip tour brochure

We noted that we would be able to see the Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate factory in Kilchberg from the lake. We learned that there are restaurants and shops in the preserved historic village center of Richterswil. In the 19th century it had a textile mill, brewery, and a brick factory. At noon on Sundays, the highest gravity-powered fountain in the world, built by a mill owner, gushes to a height of 331’.

4 hour boat trip along Lake Zurich
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4 hour boat trip along Lake Zurich

A chapel and the Old Knight’s buildings are right by the pier in Uerikon. The knight’s house from 1531 is a national landmark.

Vineyards in Meilen date back to the 14th century.

vineyards along Lake Zurich
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vineyards along Lake Zurich

The well-to-do built lakefront country estates like the 17th and 18th century Schipfgut, in Herrliberg. It was the summer home of a family who made a fortune in the silk trade. Goethe and Winston Churchill stayed there.

We also passed the turreted Traubenberg, “Grape Hill,” built in Zollikon for Hans Caspar Escher. He was the 17th century mayor of the city and Republic of Zurich.

There are lakeside cafés to enjoy and villages to explore.

Mannedorf, a stop along the 4 hour tour on Lake Zurich
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Mannedorf, a stop along the 4 hour tour on Lake Zurich

As the afternoon progressed, there were more and more people outdoors, on boats, at the beaches, and paddle boarding.

boaters, Lake Zurich
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boaters, Lake Zurich

paddleboarders, Lake Zurich
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paddleboarders, Lake Zurich

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

along Lake Zurich
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along Lake Zurich

along Lake Zurich
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along Lake Zurich

 

 

2 Comments

  1. I have 1 full day in Zurich this summer (after a 2-week hiking trip) – this looks like a great way to spend it!

    • It is! Zurich is a walkable city and so much of it can be enjoyed in a day.

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