Tripologist: How should I spend a 24-hour stopover in Zurich?

As a result of flight choices, I have two 24-hour stopovers in Zurich and I’m wondering how best to spend the time.
M. Halliburton, Kangaroo Point QLD

For one stopover you might take a stroll along Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s most famous street. This handsome boulevard is dedicated to all things Swiss – chocolates, watches, outdoor cafes and money. Bahnhofstrasse is also one of the world’s most expensive shopping streets, a wrap of famous and expensive brands. When you get to Poststrasse turn left to enter the Fraumunster, readily identified by its soaring, blue-green spire. The church has five stained-glass windows created by Marc Chagall, at their best in the morning sunlight.

Downtown Zurich.Credit: iStock

Take the bridge across the Limmat River and on the far side is the Grossmunster, a Romanesque-style church built on the orders of Charlemagne himself, so the legend has it. If you’re feeling energetic you can climb the 200 steps up one of the spires for a panoramic view over the city. Walk a little further from the river and you’re in Munstergasse, a narrow, cobblestoned corridor lined with cafes and funky designer shops. One of the standouts is Conditorei Schober, a high temple to the confectioner’s art set at the top of a postage-stamp square. Opposite Schober is H. Schwarzenbach, a coffee roaster which has been around since 1864, its oak shelves filled with honeys, preserves, nuts and dried fruit.

Beyond, Munstergasse takes a downward slant as it crosses Muhlegasse and becomes Niederdorfstrasse. From here it’s a succession of bars and restaurants all the way to the big Zurich Central tram stop. For your next stopover you might explore Zurich West, the city’s modish, industrial-chic district, and some of the city’s museums. Kunsthaus Zurich has an impressive collection of modern art while the city is also home to the FIFA World Football Museum. You could also tackle Uetliberg Mountain, reached by a short train ride from Zurich Bahnhof, which has sensational views from the summit.

Is it true that Trenitalia tickets, once booked, can only be validated on the day of travel through the confirming email or the Trenitalia app? D. Appsley, Croydon NSW

The most convenient way to travel on Italy’s trains is with the Trenitalia app, which allows you to check in on Frecce (high-speed), intercity and regional train services. You can also use the app to book and pay for tickets. Only regional train tickets must be validated before departure. You can validate your tickets from midnight on the day of departure, right up until departure time. To validate your ticket, use the check-in link provided in your confirmation email from Italiarail.com Your confirmation email will have a subject line of “Your ItaliaRail order number is …” Once the page loads with your ticket, click the “check-in” link. The page will reload with your passenger information, click “next” and a confirmation message should advise that the check-in process is complete. If you have an e-ticket that is not for a regional train, you can simply board the train, without printing or validating your ticket using the QR code provided in your confirmation email. You will need to show this to the ticket inspector on board the train.

From Mexico in May we want to do a side trip to Cuba. What’s the best, easiest and most economical way to get there? Should we pre-book internal flights in Mexico or is it okay to book there so we can be more flexible? A. Reynolds, Bawley Point NSW

You can fly to Havana from Mexico City, Cancun or Monterey. Cancun is the closest to Cuba but flights from Mexico City are less expensive. It costs about $410 for a return flight with VivaAerobus between Mexico City and Havana. May is one of the quietest months in Mexico and you should not have too much difficulty booking flights at short notice.

We’re travelling in southern Italy without a car, with three days to travel from Lecce to Messina. What’s the quickest route and where should we stop over? P. and T. Russo, Parkdale VIC

My stopover pick would be Tropea, a fortified town set on top of cliffs on the coast of Calabria. Overlooking one of the loveliest beaches on Italy’s southern coast, Tropea is a maze of cobbled alleyways shadowed by stone buildings with pretty balconies. A narrow isthmus connects the town with the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, the mainstay of Tropea’s postcard industry. Reputed to have been founded by Hercules, the town is a melange of Greek, Roman and Byzantine influences. The local seafood dishes are full of flavour and the sunsets are superb. Travel by public transport in southern Italy is anything but brisk. You can book a bus ticket from Lecce to Tropea with Omio but the journey takes more than 10 hours. The bus trip from Tropea to Messina takes just one hour and you can also book that through Omio.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances.