YOUR NEXT DESTINATION / January
Enjoy losing track of the
time during the Irish-Roman
spa ritual in a former
brewery.
Zurich Thermal Baths & Spa delights guests
with a delightful view of Zurich’s skyline
from its outdoor rooftop thermal pool.
airBaltic f lies to
Zurich
daily
starting from
109
€
round trip
The Hiltl restaurant has been serving
vegetarians since 1898.
Look for prices with
cherries on airbaltic.com
Surreally beautiful
on days when the snow is
falling slowly
Zurich Thermal Baths & Spa is
definitely one of the must-visit sites in
this city. Located in an old brewery,
the atmosphere is very relaxing and
pleasantly luxurious, especially in the
middle of the day, when there are fewer
visitors. Bathing under hundred-year-
old vaulted ceilings in giant wooden vats
modelled after the barrels in the former
brewery is worth every franc you’ll spend
here. And for those who need a plan and
goals even when resting, the Irish-Roman
spa ritual fits the bill. Drawing from
several ancient bathing cultures, the
unique and relaxing cleansing ritual takes
place in a changing sequence of rooms
and themes, each devoted to a specific
treatment. Through ten consecutive
stations, your body is gradually warmed,
cleansed, relaxed, and then cooled
once again. Day admission including
the Irish-Roman spa ritual is CHF 60
(approximately EUR 53).
A high point at Zurich Thermal Baths
& Spa is the delightful view of Zurich’s
skyline from its outdoor rooftop thermal
pool – surreally beautiful on days when
the snow is falling slowly and the crisp
mountain air contrasts pleasantly with
the pool’s warm water.
After several hours at the spa, I decide
to spend the rest of the day pampering
myself. With a late lunch in mind, I head
to the renowned vegetarian restaurant
Hiltl. While I’m not a vegetarian and
actually very much like to eat meat from
time to time, I cannot resist the legend
of this institution and the raving reviews
I’ve heard.
Founded in 1898, Hiltl is listed in
Guinness World Records as the world’s
oldest vegetarian restaurant. It is still run
by the founding family, now in its fourth
generation of restaurateurs. Legend tells
that founder Ambrosius Hiltl suffered
from rheumatism. His doctor predicted
an early death if he did not immediately
change his diet and completely give
up meat. Hiltl was impressed by the
vegetarian diet, but above all, it led him to
an amazingly rapid recovery.
My attention is drawn to the buffet with
a wide and creative range of excellent
vegetarian dishes. The idea is simple:
take a plate, fill it with whatever you like,
and then pay by the weight of the food
on your plate. After the delicious yet
substantial meals I’ve enjoyed over the
previous few days – what with cheese
fondue and Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, alias
slices of veal cooked with mushrooms,
cream, onions, and wine – this meal
seems divinely light. But don’t get
me wrong; with dozens of superbly
prepared foods to try, one can easily
overeat at Hiltl.
Seeing as this is my day of
pampering, it definitely also includes
chocolate. The Confiserie Sprüngli,
a Swiss luxury confectionery
manufacturer founded in 1836, is
internationally known for its signature
macarons called Luxemburgerli. A lazy
afternoon at the Sprüngli café is like
a journey in a time machine. It is said
that just a few years ago it still had a
grey-haired waiter who knew every
regular client and, without even having
to ask, brought each their preferred
cup of coffee and favourite chocolate
truffle. He has since passed away, but
I still find myself surrounded by elegant,
older women who slowly sip their
coffee, read the newspaper, and could
instantly tell you why life in Zurich is
so beautiful. bo