Sometimes vanilla tastes fine ... so long as it is what you expected.

Zürich seems to deserve its reputation as a highly livable city. It has an easily navigated tram system (reportedly among the world's most largest), a vibrant medieval center with multiple clanging clock towers, and a world-class shopping district. The lake is full of sailing boats, and on clear days, alpine peaks line the distant horizon. And the city's architecture is exactly as you would expect in a stereotypical Swiss city.

And yet nothing stands out as spectacular. The number of activities and adventures within the city appear limited, and the Protestant Reformation (much of which blossomed from here) stripped the churches of their gilt and finery. The most striking features are church towers pointing skyward that add some interest to the skyline.

So what is left about Zürich to leave an impression?

Well, the ways in which the Swiss can quickly empty your wallet certainly gains notice quickly.

Zürich has to be one of the most expensive places I have ever visited. Simple fare at hole-in-the-wall eateries can cost upwards of 30 Swiss francs, which is roughly US$33. Many American food chains can be found dotting the cityscape. For funsies, we stopped in to check out one of the local Subway franchises. We found footlong subs ranged between 13 and 19 francs ($15-21). Coffee costs 3-4 francs, and I'm not referring to a Grande Cinnamon Latte from Starbucks, but to a simple cup of joe from a diner. This stands in sharp contrast to Florence, no matter where you were, a coffee cost a euro (about $1.35).

It seems that the best way to calculate your food budget is to take typical American expectations and double them.

We got a chance to walk around fairly extensively, including finding our way to Zürich's Chinese Garden, a gift from the Chinese city of Kunming. So enjoy the photos, and I'll fill you in further later.