Zurich
Had a nice flight on swiss SFO-ZRH and a quick train/tram combo to the Sheraton Zurich. The hotel is 10 min on a tram from the Hauptbahnhof (Hbf - central train station) but this provides better rates than other hotels in the city center, at least on this particular weekend. Was nice to buy a ZVV zone 110 pass that includes the Zurichsee boats nearby the city. If you have a 110 pass for a couple days, you can update for an hourly or daily basis, for example to add your trip to/from the airport to the city. Zone Map.
Very nice city in winter but a bit tricky as a solo traveler on Saturday night without dinner reservations. The weinstube at Frau Gerolds looked great but was fully booked by larger groups. I would image it would be easier on other nights, and much more room outside during warmer months.
On Sunday, had a nice sunny day to walk along the lake, from central Zurich to the Kilchberg train station (about 110 min total), then a quick train back to the Hbf. A note that many stores and restaurants in Zurich are closed on Sunday, but there are multiple grocery stores, pharmacies, wine stores, and other very useful places open in the mall under the street connected to the Hbf.
Had a good, if touristy, dinner at the Zeughauskeller. Solid beer, mains, and röstli.
Had a good, if touristy, dinner at the Zeughauskeller. Solid beer, mains, and röstli.
Zurich remains an expensive city, even at $1 = CHF 1.03.
Left Sunday late afternoon for Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Again on Swiss.
Short flight but pretty constant turbulence and a good headwind the whole way making things much longer. Tried to get a better photo out the window, but this one of greater Lyon with the last bit of sunset on the horizon.
Barcelona
A quick cab ride into the city as the one thing staffed very well at Barcelona was the taxi line. The ATM situation at the airport was not great with long lines and some machines running out of cash (MWC takes over the city). The airport has followed the trend of being turned in to a shopping mall with a forced 5 min walk through stores in order to get to/from the gate area. Tough to get a cab or uber in the morning from the city to the exhibition hall so if you go plan to arrange a car/bus or to take public transport.
A number of great food options
Buenos aires steak - ok, but not very local. Decent steak, decent wine.
Dos Cielos - very good. three hour tasting menu as promised. liked the wine pairing.
Dos Cielos - very good. three hour tasting menu as promised. liked the wine pairing.
Maitea Taberna - good tapas at lunch
Restaurante Gorria - very good. the bellota here was outstanding, as was the lamb and short rib
Restaurante Gorria - very good. the bellota here was outstanding, as was the lamb and short rib
Tandem Cocktail Bar - great bartenders and liquor selection including cuban rums. Good time.
La Boqueria - fantastic market on Rambla. The restaurant with seafood and oxtail soup just after walking in was fantastic
La Boqueria - fantastic market on Rambla. The restaurant with seafood and oxtail soup just after walking in was fantastic
Even though I find razor clams a bit tough, the flavor on these was very good, and their gambas al ajillo and oxtail stew were fantastic. Washed down with a bit of white wine. Very nice. Good timing to hit then headed to the airport for a weekend in Munich via Vueling, which was dramatically understaffed for the departing MWC crowds. No issues at any rate, just a few lines. Pleasant flight. On time. Bit of a wait for bags.
Generally in the 60's (F) for highs and pleasant if chilly at night.
Munich
Colder in Munich, with highs in the 33-38 (F) range with a bit of warming on the Sunday as we were leaving.
So much beer. So much pork. So very very good.
Augustiner Keller - so good we made it here twice. goulashsüppe
Café Am Beethovenplatz - Venison goulash and a weissbier is a healthy lunch!
Wirtshaus In Der Au - how can you go wrong with a mixed plate of meat and german things
Hirschgarten - make sure to look at the deer and goats on the side of the park
Giesinger Bräu - food looked awesome but we had dinner plans. solid, non-mainstream beers.
For future reference: 9 breweries to try and top 15 places for craft beer
For future reference: 9 breweries to try and top 15 places for craft beer
Nice stay at the Le Meridien near the Hbf, which is a great location. $1.11 = €1 for this trip
If you ever happen to be booked on Emirates in business class, please note that you can upgrade online, at at least as of Feb 2016, you can exchange Starpoints 1:1 for Emirate points. This can come in very very handy.
Dubai
Three days of meetings in Dubai. Many skyscrapers. Can only drink in bars/restaurants connected to the hotel. Rooftop bar at the Four Seasons was nice but a bit chilly. Strange that they serve a mai tai in a baby bottle with a straw in the nipple.
Sambar Iraqi - The Helw Aiwa fish roasted "hot fish" style, with hot sauce on the side, is fantastic. the tomato sauce on the side is very odd and not needed. So good. We went back for this again the night before we left. The hot, awesome bread never stops arriving either :)
Coya - very good Peruvian food at the Four Seasons. nice wine list.
at.mosphere at the Burj Khalifa - great views. The fixed menu and wine pairing were not great. Very expensive.
$1 = AED 3.76. Stayed at the St Regis, which was very nice, but kind of in the middle of nowhere. At least a 15 min taxi/uber ride to get anywhere. Only 25 min from the airport though. Great bar in the lobby and decent breakfast.
Dubai
Three days of meetings in Dubai. Many skyscrapers. Can only drink in bars/restaurants connected to the hotel. Rooftop bar at the Four Seasons was nice but a bit chilly. Strange that they serve a mai tai in a baby bottle with a straw in the nipple.
Sambar Iraqi - The Helw Aiwa fish roasted "hot fish" style, with hot sauce on the side, is fantastic. the tomato sauce on the side is very odd and not needed. So good. We went back for this again the night before we left. The hot, awesome bread never stops arriving either :)
Coya - very good Peruvian food at the Four Seasons. nice wine list.
at.mosphere at the Burj Khalifa - great views. The fixed menu and wine pairing were not great. Very expensive.
$1 = AED 3.76. Stayed at the St Regis, which was very nice, but kind of in the middle of nowhere. At least a 15 min taxi/uber ride to get anywhere. Only 25 min from the airport though. Great bar in the lobby and decent breakfast.
FRA-SFO LH A380 - Can I go home now please?
