BOSTON, U.S.A.
The Zodiac Connection opens in one of the many diverse neighborhoods of Boston, the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Evan Rodgers is atop his riding lawnmower, and still grieving from the tragic accident that claimed the life of his loving wife Vicki.
Boston, or Bawstin, is one of the oldest municipalities in the United States, and the scene of many key moments in American history. Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and the American Revolution are all significant events that shaped how the country was born and developed. The “city of new and old” welcomes visitors with the eclectic guise of cobble-stoned streets meeting glass-enclosed office towers and shopping centers.
Experiences not to be missed include The Freedom Trail. The 2.5 mile red-brick path tracing through Boston’s neighborhoods reliving the story of the American Revolution, and runs from Old North Church to Faneuil Hall. While wandering this path, be sure to ask the locals what they like most about their city. I guarantee that they’ll all give you a different answer.
Whether their love is focused on the sights, music, food, sports or “wicked smart” historical colleges and universities, be prepared to be educated by passion. Sightseeing and food go hand-in-hand together perfectly. The sidewalk cafés and breweries stand alone, but who doesn’t visit Boston for the world famous ice cream, and then hop on a waterfront cruise or pedal powered adventure.
Music can be heard everywhere you go in this historic city. From local nightclub bands and talented street performers, all the way to the legendary Boston Symphony Orchestra, they can all play. Did somebody mention sports? Don’t worry, Bostonians will gladly remind you that they are proudly The City of Champions. From the Celtics, Patriots, Bruins, and Evan Rodgers’s beloved Boston Red Sox, the moniker certainly has been earned.
Evan meets with his boss and mentor Adam Watters at a pub just outside Fenway Park near Kenmore Square which is close to the center of the city’s thriving nightlife. From here, it’s just a quick tram ride to Faneuil Hall Marketplace. The U.S. National Landmark is renowned for festival and retail shopping between North Market, South Market and Quincy Market, but also for Faneuil Hall. The fabled meeting manor was grounds to great speeches from Samuel Adams and others when debates towards independence from Great Britain were garnered. It is also an important stop on The Freedom Trail.
Short day trips can bring discovering this city to a whole new level. Evan meets Stanley Dawson at Derby Wharf in Salem, less than an hour northeast, and a three hour trip south will land you at Martha’s Vineyard. Whether it’s the beaconing lighthouse and mystical tales of witchcraft in Salem, or the beckoning beaches, elegant boutiques and relaxed wine atmosphere of the Cape Cod island, neither will disappoint.
Sights abound Boston including the Old State House, the Fine Arts Museum and the beautiful boutiques of Newberry Street, but also take time to plan your trip around the festivals and parades. The Boston Marathon in April and St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March are legendary, and first time visitors may choose the enticing summer months, but don’t let the turning of the season scare you away as the bright colors of the New England foliage in the Fall makes for a stunning local exploration.
SEATTLE, U.S.A.
Evan then heads to Seattle, Washington, “The Emerald City”, in his search for the truth about his wife’s accident. Vicki’s home town is where they get to spend some of their final moments together. Enjoying the city as tourists, the happy couple find time to visit one of the fastest growing metropolis in the United States.
Take a stroll through downtown Seattle and find yourself at the waterfront where you might not want to leave. Ferry boats routinely run in and out of the harbors, but the first eye-catching sight will be the Seattle Great Wheel. Located on the famed Pier 57, it is one of the largest Ferris wheels in America. Relax and have a great visual experience.
Running along the harbor front of Eliot Bay is Alaskan Way which can take you from Olympic Sculpture Park right down to CenturyLink Field and T-Mobile Park if you need to catch a game.
Just five minutes north of the piers is the Seattle Aquarium and the start of your journey through Pike Place Market. Fresh seafood lovers rejoice. The open public farmer’s market rests on a fairly steep hill with layers of shopping options underneath for those who aren’t hungry…yet. From collectibles and antiques, to modern retail and restaurants, make sure you’re wearing a watch, time will fly. Take some chewing gum with or buy some locally because The Gum Wall is a must visit.
Hop on the fast and ecofriendly Seattle Center Monorail to take you from Westlake Center to Seattle Center because no visit to the Pacific Northwest could ever be complete without seeing the Space Needle. If you ask people what comes to mind when you say, Seattle, almost every single one of them will certainly say the iconic 605-foot-tall attraction. The picturesque landscapes and awe-inspiring vantage points will make you want to book two visits. Once during the day when you can across the horizon, and then a second time as dusk settles into night and the lights of the surging city spring to life.
Museums, science and flight centers abound in Seattle, but don’t forget about the noteworthy art and pop culture references throughout the city. Historical greats like Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Pearl Jam and Nirvana are connected everywhere you go, as is the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix and the Grunge musical movement.
Certainly the Woodland Park Zoo is family friendly, but for those who are searching for something a little bit different, the Seattle Underground is the ticket for you. A subterranean tour of the city below the city. This is a guided tour where you delve into the catacombs of Seattle to catch a glimpse of it before the Great Fire of 1889.
When Evan returns to Seattle he heads to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Sea-Tac, to search for answers, but only finds more questions. Officially hunted now, Rodgers receives his first introduction to the notorious assassin Strombald Lasak.
PARIS, FRANCE
Finally finding some help in his mission, Evan learns that there may be more to his story than his personal vendetta. Teaming up with GATAO, Rodgers and his new partner, Augustine St. Croix, head across the Atlantic Ocean to France’s most populous destination. Paris. Will it truly be the city of love or is death waiting in the many shadows of the capital city.
Visiting Paris is, or at least should be, on every traveler’s to do list, but it can be challenging if you are unprepared. A bustling balance of modern day technology built around the old world characteristics and charms that it is famous for is only the first step in your undertaking.
Choosing a good place to stay is essential to increasing the enjoyment of the “city of lights”. Find yourself something that is central to your desired destinations and bring a comfortable pair of shoes, or two. Transportation in Paris isn’t fluid, but the metro system is the way to go if the distance you need to travel is too far. Although, the best form of getting around is to walking. Experience the intricacies and have no fear, Paris is easy to navigate. If you do need to take a break, be sure to venture down the Seine River on a boat cruise, it could truly be the cheapest way to see the city at a relaxing pace.
Start your day with a petit déjeuner, a small breakfast, and trek out while enjoying the scent of fresh pastries in the morning, and be sure to have a couple extra Euros handy for the markets and bakeries that pop up daily. Street art is a cultural thing in France so keep an eye out for all the hidden niches of local talent.
Two of the most anticipated sights are also the busiest, so be prepared to wait, pay a little more and enjoy them. The Eiffel Tower is an image that everyone knows and is as stunning as any photographs taken. Lines to get in will be long, as will they be to then ascend up to the panoramic views across the city. A secondary option would be the observation deck at Tour Montparnasse, where you can see the whole city including the Eiffel Tower. This is a Photobug’s dream come true, especially at night.
The second of our congested stops is the Arc de Triomphe. A historical landmark to be seen, but maybe not from the back of a battered taxi like Augustine experiences as she was chased down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. You should have no fears though, as even at the busiest of hours, you can avoid the traffic with an underground tunnel that connects visitors to the celebrated grounds.
Becoming the second most visited destination in the world doesn’t come easy, but is possible when you have the grand hotels, elegant theatres, galleries for art and sculpture, and of course museums and churches. Notre Dame Cathedral and Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris), are both famously recognized globally, but there are many more intimate ones that will not disappoint. Search your maps and phone apps, but always remember your manners when entering these most holy of ends. The same could be said for the numerous museums across Paris. The Louvre is the pinnacle with amazing heritage with Musée d’Orsay closely featured, but don’t forget about visiting some of the lesser known museums. Paris is full of history everywhere.
Experiencing the local food is a must with cafés and terraces as optimal choices. We did see Evan and Augustine take the opportunity before chaos took over. Repeatedly chased through the French city by enemies they can’t see, Rodgers is led to an old acquaintance, but can that man even be trusted.
BERLIN, GERMANY
While Evan desperately searches for those responsible for his wife’s tragic accident, on the other side of the world we learn of a much sinister plot forming in the heart of Germany. Dating all the way back to the end of the Second World War, an unknown puppet master looks to rewrite history in favor of the Fourth Reich.
Berlin, the largest and capital city cannot be missed and will take you more than a week to take in the entirety of the history. Everywhere you turn, you are met with an diverse array of architecture and buildings of culture and breathtaking antiquity. From inside the hallowed halls of Berlin Cathedral to the world-class museums of old and new, the cultural institutions are inspiring. Museum Island is a World Heritage Site consisting of Pergamon, Bode, Neues museums, and a few more, plus across the river is the famed DDR Museum, where one can see what living in East Germany might have been like.
Visiting the Berlin Wall is always high on tourist’s checklist, and over the years, it has been turned into an outdoor gallery, the East Side Gallery, and introduces the trendsetting atmosphere of innovative music, dance and an art scene that encompasses the city.
A chilling reminder of a time never to be forgotten stands in the Friedrichstadt District, centrally located, and is not solely for history buffs. The Holocaust Memorial was created to make visitors feel uneasy and uncomfortable, but is also an intensely moving site for a reflection into the past.
Sticking around this part of the city, you can also find many foreign embassies, but also the Brandenburg Gate and The Reichstag. Sure, the latter might host an active government, but it also happens to be home to possibly the most impressive glass dome in the world. Brandenburg Gate is the principally visited historic landmark in all of Berlin. Be sure to take your time wandering around, and then come back at night! Much like most stops, you have to see them both in the light of day, but also once they have been lit up to showcase a different beauty.
Every city we visit has a zoo to see, and they are great for families and a relaxing day trip, but Berlin Zoo has even more hidden under the surface. It is one of the leading zoos collaborating in breeding and the reintroduction of the most endangered species back into the natural world.
A visit wouldn’t be complete without seeing it from above. Climbing to the top of Berliner Fernsehturm, the Berlin TV Tower will earn you amazing panoramic views as a reward, and maybe a little lunch or dinner at the revolving restaurant situated high above the city as well.
HAMBURG, GERMANY
Hamburg, Germany, probably one of the coolest cities in the world. Be prepared when you travel to this utopian city is tangibly the best advice one can receive. The Free City is located at the head of the Elbe River.
Hamburg’s layout can be confusing and worrisome with its centralization disenchanting, but do not fret. The public transportation system is exceptionable, and you have plenty of choices between the bus, metro and even the ferries. Definitely a good thing too since its design is spacious, but that also allows you discover the different districts and neighborhoods. Most cities you might want to stay localized, but not Hamburg, you want to, and need to explore.
There are no towering skyscrapers dominating the horizon as we stay closer to the ground while biking through the streets. The city is full of rivers, canals, and bridges. Boy are there bridges, over 2500 in fact, making it the European capital in that department.
The first place you’ll want to spend some time in is Speicherstadt, the Warehouse District. Red-brick buildings and canals are everywhere for the eyes to see, are combined with patterned brickwork and bay window designs. Your casual stroll along the endless warehouses will be an everlasting experience.
Passing into the corresponding neighborhood, you will find yourself in HafenCity. A great place to stop for a drink or meal while taking in the ultra-modern architecture. Here you can also find the Spice Museum, Miniatur Wunderland, and the jaw dropping Elbphilharmonie concert hall.
Journey inwards to the heart of Hamburg to discover Rathausmarkt. In the Alstadt quarter you will discover shopping and culture entwined as one. The majestic neo-Renaissance looking Hamburger Rathaus, City Hall, with towering spire is situated in the same central plaza as the heightened shopping district of Mönckebergstraße. Summer festivals and the winter Christmas displays here are simply a magical sight in the square.
In all its urban sprawl, Hamburg is actually considered a “green city” with all of its nature reserves, parks and green spaces. One is just around the corner from Rathausmarkt. Domplatz, a peaceful park across from St. Peter’s Church offers a tranquil place to rest, have a local beer and enjoy the sun. Looking for the perfect evening picture, stop by here at night when all the square pews are fully lit like stars against the night’s backdrop.
WENGEN, SWITZERLAND
Escaping from Paris, Evan and Augustine are directed to Switzerland, the cobblestoned city of Zurich and specifically the resort region of Wengen. Located in central Switzerland, the mountain village settles at the base of Jungfrau peak of the Bernese Alps.
Postcard picturesque timber houses, hotels and holiday chalets backdrop the scene to the carefree resort community where the shadowed orchestrator that Rodgers is hunting, calls his home. Only accessible by train, the town is carless and remote. Tourists and newcomers frequently come and go, but a fresh face always stands out to be welcomed by the locals.
Switzerland is country of amazing cultural diversity, delicious foods and bountiful festivals. Authoritatively deemed as neutral in the world, it is home to four official languages, and some of the most beautiful scenes nature has ever created. Chocolate, cheese and skiing are internationally recognized as features of the mountainous region, but the cities are hidden gems within themselves.
Zurich, the largest city is full of adventure through galleries, cafés and shopping strands. The Swiss National Museum highlights the cultural history, but consumers alike will revel in the elegant boutiques in the Bahnofstraße.
The city of Geneva rests in the canton of Lake Geneva straddling the Swiss/France border. A tourist delight with the famous Jet d’Eau, the 150-foot-tall shooting water fountain, and of course the Geneva Opera House, Grand Théâtre, which is home to many international acts.
Bern, the capital city is certainly a must visit experience. The medieval clock tower, Zytglogge is jaw dropping, and the Rose Garden a wonderful opportunity for a romantic stroll, lunch or dinner. Families will enjoy Bern Bear Park, a 6,000 square meter “pit” where the animals get to enjoy their lives, custom bear bath included.
Traveling away from the major cities, the chic alpine resort town of St. Moritz is a skier’s delight as it was twice host to the Winter Olympics. The medieval town of Lucerne brings us to another car-free stop, the famous Lion Monument and covered wooden Chapel Bridge. Certainly the charming village of Zermatt nestled at the base of the most iconic peak of the Alps, The Matterhorn, will allow you a peaceful stay to recoup from the day’s adventures.
Ensuring your ease and comfort on these journeys, purchasing a Rail Pass is highly recommended as it will make your life worry-free. Sit back and enjoy the beautiful countryside across all of Switzerland, and be sure to make your way to the top of Europe. The Jungfraujoch could be the most scenic train journey anywhere the world has to offer.