This is the best place to escape the winter, the city and the stress. I oftern come here to draw, meditate and enjoy the steamy smell of tropical forests.

Outdoor garden with food stands and local stores.

The old botanical garden is my favorite green island in the city center. Thanks to a collection of moveable wooden chairs, it is an ideal spot for reading or having a chat with friends. The park is surrounded by office buildings and the Schanzengraben: a moat that serves as a hidden promenade from the city’s very center all the way to the lake.

Zürich seemed to have exceptional pancakes. Yum. One place we sampled more of these fluffy goodies was in Café Lang – a beautiful haven of dark wood and tiles. It was also one of the places open on a Sunday morning which was extremely helpful. For this reason (plus the fact that its lovely) meant that it was pretty busy on a Sunday morning. We waited at the coffee bar with more espressos while we waited for a table. It might be an idea to book if you decide to go. I loved it here. The staff were really friendly, the food was delicious and they had super-swank toilets – which is always a bonus in my book.

The Hardbrücke is a long, brutal concrete bridge that runs through a former industrial area. I like the view down to the rail tracks and the many construction sites. And, within spitting distance, you can find a few good places to spend a nice evening, such as Helsinki (for concerts), Rosso (for pizza), and Les Halles (for beer and tapas).