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Zurich Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Zurich
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Zurich Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Zurich - While browsing in the elegant boutiques along
Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most beautiful shopping areas
in Europe, you'll notice that the streets may not be paved with
gold, but you can be certain that a couple of metres below,
unimaginable treasures are lying in underground vaults.
Zurich is the world's banking capital, but as well as
being a city of fat cats parading in pin-stripes, glued to their
mobile phones and swinging patent leather briefcases, you'll also
discover that this is the city that gave birth to the avant-garde
Dadaist movement, and where James Joyce wrote Ulysses. The city's
Museum of Fine Arts houses one of Europe's most extensive
collections from 15th century religious iconography to the modern
art works of Dali, Arp, Hockney, Cezanne, Monet, Gaugin, Munch and
Picasso. Visitors can spend days exploring
Zurich's cobbled streets, wandering through its museums, exploring
its flea markets or walking away with free gifts from its chocolate
factories. The quays, with their promenades, are made for walking,
especially along the shores of the lake. With an active café
culture, it's ideal for people-watching, and Zurich has a lively,
multi-ethnic population to rival any other major European city. The
exacting order of the Swiss, with their passion for neatness and
precision may create an impression of rather a prim and staid
society, but visitors will discover quite the opposite when
exploring Zurich's nightlife. With more bars, clubs and restaurants
than you can shake a stick at, as well as a calendar packed full of
street parades and festivals, Zurich can exhaust even the most
energetic party animal.
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Zurich
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Fraumünster Church
Am Münsterhofplatz
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What is it? Of the church spires that characterise
Zurich's skyline, the thin blue spire of Fraumünster is the most
graceful. Overlooking the historic old square of Münsterhof, the
former pig market, the church was founded in 853 and its convent
inhabited by German noblewomen until the 13th century. Important
architectural features include the Romanesque choir and the
enormous elaborate organ, but its chief attractions are the five
beautiful stained glass windows designed by the 83-year-old Marc
Chagall in 1970.
Hours of Operation: 9am to 6pm (May to September); 10am to 5pm (October);
10am to 4pm (November to March); 10am to 5pm (March to April). The
church is closed between noon and 2pm daily, on Sundays it is
closed until 2pm
Phone:(01) 211 4100 |
2. The Swiss National Museum
Museumstrausse 2
www.musee-suisse.com |
What is it? Housed in a castle-like building with a
distinctive tower, The Swiss National Museum provides a fascinating
look at Swiss culture and history and contains a comprehensive
collection of artefacts from the Stone Age to modern times. There
are works of art, everyday articles such as medieval drinking bowls
and costumes, toys, a section on book-inscribing in the Middle
Ages, carved altar pieces and stained glass windows from ancient
convents and churches, and the wheels found in Zurich that are
believed to be the first ever discovered. There is also an exhibit
on Swiss clock making, and a weapons and armour display providing
insight into methods of Swiss combat from 800 to 1800. Special
exhibitions are held annually on themes relevant to Swiss
society.
Hours of Operation: Daily except Mondays from 10.30am to
5pm
Phone:(0)44 218 6511 |
3. The Rhine Falls
8447 Dachsen
www.rheinfall.ch |
What is it? An excellent day trip from Zurich and close
to the town of Schaffhausen, the Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) is the
largest and most powerful waterfall in Europe, impressive not so
much for its height of 75ft (23m), but more for the mighty volume
of water thundering over its broad breadth. This magnificent
natural wonder is especially remarkable during late spring when the
snowmelt adds to its volume. On the hill above the falls is a
medieval castle, Schloss Laufen, housing a restaurant, shops and a
youth hostel. Rainbow-coloured mists rising from the forest and
encircling the castle create an enchanting atmosphere. In summer
one of the highlights of a visit to the falls is a boat trip across
the white-water of the cataracts to the Centre Rock, with a short
climb up some stairs to the top for an exhilarating view of the
rushing water. Breathtaking views can also be enjoyed from three
different lookout platforms along a path leading from the castle.
The Känzeli Lookout, with a protruding platform at the base of the
falls, is the most spectacular. The Rhine Falls is host to the
fantastic fireworks display held on Swiss National Day (August 1)
that attracts thousands of spectators every
year.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:(052) 672 7455 |
Zurich
holidays - Top Events
1. Zurich Festival
From 2007-06-01
To 2007-07-31
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What is it? Zurich's Festspiele is an annual celebration
of classical music, opera, dance, theatre, and art that presents
local and international artists of world renown. Special concerts
and performances are held throughout the
city.
Where is it? Various |
2. Zurich Theatre Spectacle
From 2006-08-17
To 2006-09-03
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What is it? One of the top cultural events in Zurich, the
Theatre Spectacle is a festival for new and cutting edge theatre
that presents an international collection of theatre companies and
the latest in performing arts productions. Every summer over 20
theatre groups stage performances around the city, including
open-air productions next to the lake.
Where is it? Various |
3. Street Parade
From
To
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What is it? Every August thousands of revellers flock to
what has become the biggest techno-music street party in the world,
modelled on the Berlin Love Parade. People from all over the world
join together in a 'demonstration for love, peace, freedom and
tolerance' to the beat of house and techno music. The city's
biggest party is a weekend of colourful floats, or Love Mobiles,
costumed dancers and loud music, as well as numerous parties and
festival events that take place before and after the
parade.
Where is it? |
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