By Zackaria Abdul Rahim

WITH its billboards of banks and an army of private wealth managers, Zurich is a poster boy for Switzerland's pivotal position in the world of finance.

For myself, I had a taste of the rich man's world when I had to pay $7 for a 350ml bottle of water. But don't let the high Swiss standard of living frighten you.

I stayed at the Leoneck as it was close to the main train station, Old Town sights and the main shopping belt, and above all, it was well within my budget. From the main train station (Hauptbahnhof), Leoneck is an uphill walk of about five to ten minutes.

Walking up steep slopes is common because this is Switzerland, whose name is synonymous with mountains, which cover about one-third of the country's surface area. But it's not for me. I prefer the electric tram, which has a stop right on the Leoneck's doorstep.

The rooms in Leoneck are modern yet they have a Swiss charm. I checked in and found Toblerone chocolate and face towel twisted into the shape of a Swan on the bed.

The Jungfraujoch is the highest point you can reach by train in Europe.

Another reason for my choice of Leoneck is the Crazy Cow restaurant at the basement of the hotel and it is also open to non-hotel guests.

I'd recommend a meal in the Crazy Cow restaurant, where the food is served in troughs and pails, and the quirky d'cor will tickle your funny bone. Most of the sight-seeing in Zurich is done near the Old Town and along the Limmat River.

Some of the must-see spots are the Fraumunster Church, with window paintings by Chagal, and the Landesmuseum, the biggest Swiss history museum. Walking along the Limmat River is pleasant enough, but I would also recommend taking the river buses. For me, it's also a good way to have a cruise down the river and taking in the sights of Zurich.

The main shopping belt is the Bahnhofstrasse, with famous labels lining the promenade, eateries from fast-food centres to upscale restaurants, and cafés.

The road also connects the main train station to the other big tourist attraction - the Zurichsee or Lake Zurich. There are many boats to take. I went on a four-hour cruise which took me to parts of the city where tourists don't normally go to. It can get pretty chilly so don't forget to bring along a jacket.

From Zurich, if you prefer to stay in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, you can take a train to Lucerne. The Old Town of Lucerne is a concentrated patch of land and most of the tourist sites can be easily covered within 20 minutes by foot.

Going on a cruise on Lake Zurich, framed by the distant Alps, is exhilarating.

One of the highlights of Lucerne's historical centre is the Lowendenkmal or Lion Monument. It was built to commemorate the 42 Swiss Guard soldiers assigned to protect France's Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and their family, who died in the French Revolution in 1792.

It's a symbol of the 'bravery and fidelity of the Swiss' - says the Latin inscription on the statue. From there, take in the view of the iconic Chapel Bridge, which is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe.

From Lucerne, most tourists go to Interlaken, which is a popular base camp for outdoor sports and it has a breathtaking view of the Alpine scenery. One of the first things you should do is to take the train to the Jungfraujoch, which is located at more than 11,000 feet above sea level. It is said to be Europe's highest train station.

Take in the fresh air of the mountains as well as the refreshing sights of the small mountain villages and meadows that you pass along the way.

Lucerne's Chapel Bridge is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe.

Lucerne's Chapel Bridge is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe.

The Jungfrau region consists of three major mountain peaks - the Jungfrau, the Monch and the Eiger - stretching through two valleys. Being on the top of the world leaves you feeling high. I forgot very quickly about the $7 I paid for the bottle of water.

Swiss Tips

- Good walking shoes are a must. Even if you don't plan on hiking, most of Switzerland is on a slope.

- Toblerone and Lindt chocolates aren't cheaper than those sold in the duty-free shops.

- The Swiss have the four official languages - German, French, Italian and Romanish. Many also speak good English.

- For enquiries and to book a tour, visit titanium.ctc.com.sg or call CTC Holidays at 6216-3416 . For international medical assistance, call OCBC Concierge at 65- 6322-2588 . For insurance claim assistance, please call 6248-2638 or visit www. ocbc.com for more details.

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This article was first published in The Straits Times Special. It is produced by the Special Projects Unit, Marketing Division, SPH.