We leave Zurich Airport station right on time. The conductor greets us in German and checks our tickets followed by the trolley-man, offering us tea, coffee and snacks. The journey is just less than two hours to Fribourg and it is one Swiss picture postcard view after another. The scenery is stunning. Snow covered mountains in the distance, lush green pastures dotted with typical Swiss chalets. The vivid green of Swiss fields is a green like no other. We pull into Fribourg station and the same conductor now farewells us in French! The conversations around us are now in French!! We had travelled from the German part of Switzerland to the western French part. We walk from the station to our hotel. It isn't far. It is lunchtime as we walk down the mall. The outdoor restaurants and cafes are busy in typical European fashion. The people watch us dragging our suitcases while they sip their wine or coffee. The shops are closed for lunch. We check on to our hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the narrow cobbled streets of the old town of Fribourg. We stayed: Hotel Hine Adon in a studio apartment, 3.1 Benjamin.  (All rooms were called after one of the tribes of Israel). While not a large studio, there is room for a table and two chairs as well as a queen bed, two bedside tables  and a kitchenette.  This had everything we needed. Two hotplates, a microwave, small frig and enough pots, pans, crockery and cutlery. There was a separate bathroom.  The reception staff were very helpful. We stayed for a week and our towels were changed halfway. There is a washing machine for guest's use for CHF5 per load. There is a small terrace on the top floor with chairs and tables. The wifi is free but it can be very patchy and cuts out frequently which is annoying.  There are NO lifts so we had to carry our luggage up three flights of stairs. The hotel is well located, about a ten minute walk from the station right near the Cathedral. The main shopping area, including a large Coop supermarket, is located between the hotel and the station, so very handy. www.hineadon.ch We travelled:  Swiss Rail Swiss Rail Swiss trains are clean, comfy, efficient and reliable but they are expensive. Because we are returning to have Christmas with our daughter, Fiona, who is a student here this year, we decide to buy a one year Swiss Half Fare card. This means that on all trains and most buses, cable cars, funiculars and ferries, we only pay half fare. Even with a Half Fare card, the cost of a ticket from Zurich to Fribourg, a journey of only an hour and three-quarters, costs CHF52 for first class or CHF30 second class!  However in Switzerland it is not necessary to pay for first class.  Second class is good although not always air-conditioned. Swiss Rail website    www.sbb.ch It is easy to purchase train tickets online.