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European Vacations -
Switzerland Vacation Packages &
Travel Information |
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Overview |
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Zürich is a stunningly beautiful
city that circles around the
northern end of Zürichsee (Lake
Zurich), from which the Limmat River
flows, bisecting the city. In the
distance, magnificent snow-clad
peaks overlook the waters of the
lake, and the shores are dotted with
stately 19th century mansions.
Its charming Old Town, comprising a
substantial part of the city center,
is filled with beautifully restored
historic buildings and narrow, hilly
alleys.
The city is crisscrossed by lovely,
low bridges. On the left bank are
the Altstadt (Old Town); the
Hauptbahnhof (the main train
station); and Bahnhofplatz, a major
urban crossroads and the beginning
of the Bahnhofstrasse. The right
bank constitutes the livelier older
section, divided into the Oberdorf
(Upper Village) and the Niederdorf
(Lower Village).
Zurich is said to have begun at the
Lindenhof, which is where many begin
their orientation to the city. This
square is the architectural center
of historic Zurich. From there, you
can look out over the city as it
rises on both banks of the Limmat
from Bahnhofbrücke (Brücke means
bridge) to Quailbrücke
Below this square runs
Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most
elegant and expensive shopping
streets in the world Old Town, or
Altstadt, was developed during the
early medieval period . It expanded
to Weinplatz, the oldest market
square, and Strehlgasse. By the 11th
century, the city continued its
development on the right bank with
such centers as Kirchgasse and
Neumarkt.
State-operated "Heimatwerk" shops
present a high-quality selection of
'cottage industry' goods including
wooden, hand carved objects and lace
.
Zürich has a free bicycle rental
program. For a small, refundable
deposit and your passport, you can
borrow a bike. More than 300 bikes
are available. The most central
pickup points are at Platform 18 of
the Hauptbahnhof, the Globus
department store on the
Bahnhofstrasse, and at Theaterplatz/Stadelhofen.
Bikes are available from the train
station year-round; the other
locations distribute bikes May
through October. A great place to
bike is the path along the river
starting at the Hauptbahnhof and
running along the left bank of the
Limmat, downriver.
Zürich's tram service,
VBZ-Züri-Linie, is rapid and on
time. It runs from 5:30 AM to
midnight, every six minutes at peak
hours, every 12 minutes at other
times. All-day passes can be
purchased at the stops that post
maps and sell one-ride tickets. Free
route plans are available from VBZ
offices, located at major
crossroads.
Switzerland is rich in natural
attractions, which seems to make it
a 'natural' for families with
children. Exploring the mountains
and lakes provides endless hours of
enjoyment.
Getting around is likely to be as
much an attraction as the
destination. The train, bus, boat
and mountain transport
infrastructure are usually very
attractive to children. They'll find
steam trains and steam ships, and
mountain lifts of all sorts: large
cable cars, four person cable cars
as in Disneyland, chairlifts, and
many ancient funiculars.
Zürich is a central point allowing
one-day excursions almost anywhere
in the country. Luzern and Bern are
only 75 minutes away. The Rhein, the
medieval village of Stein, and the
Rhein Falls are also close.
Swiss cooking deserves its
reputation of being delicious, clean
and wholesome. The Swiss National
Dish is Rösti: a sort of Swiss-style
hash browned potatoes, which cannot
be imagined until they have been
tasted. There are many regional
variations on Rösti (with eggs,
cheese, bacon, onion, etc.),
especially in the mountains.
One of the most popular excursions
out of Zürich starts with a train
ride to Uetliberg. From there, there
is a panoramic two-hour Planetary
Path (Planetenweg) running along the
mountain ridge overlooking the lake
to Felsenegg. En route you pass
models of some of the planets in the
solar system: These and the
distances between them are on a
scale of one to 1000 million.
Along the shores of Lake Zürich,
concrete walkways give way to trees
and lawns in the Arboretum on the
west bank, making the area perfect
for strolling. Designated areas for
outdoor swimming and sunbathing are
open May to September. Well-known
spots are Utoquai on the east shore
of the lake and Mythenquai on the
west shore. There are also various
free swimming spots, such as the one
just north of the confluence of the
Sihl and Limmat Rivers.
A day in the Jungfrau region is
easily arranged through tour
services in Zurich. It is an
incredible experience. Travelers are
given a range of choices as to stops
and activities. One option is to buy
a Jungfrau pass and plane to spread
the experience over several days.
That allows time to stop for an
afternoon in the alpine village of
Grindalwald and just relax and revel
in the beauty of the mountains and
the quiet beauty of the village.
A second day can be spent taking the
tour of the glacier farther up the
mountain. Both are experiences to be
savored and enjoyed at a relaxed
pace.
Switzerland's largest city is surely
among the most beautiful in all of
Europe. Even today, Zurich retains
much of its 19th-century charm.
Zurich is also considered to be one
of the best shopping destinations in
the world. The city is both large
enough to offer all amenities to its
visitors and small enough to make
the visitor feel at home. |
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Facts |
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Population: 380,000.
960,000 inhabitants in the Zürich
city and suburbs
1.2 million inhabitants in the
entire canton of Zürich (city plus
100 surrounding localities)
Time Zone: GMT/UTC plus one hour.
When it is noon in Zurich, it is 6am
in New York City.
Language: Most speak a form of
German called Schwyzerdütsch (Schweizerdeutsch,
in standard German). In Zurich,
people in the tourist industry
usually speak English.
Geographical position
The city of Zürich is situated at
the northern end of the lake of
Zürich on Switzerland's central
plain, in the heart of Europe. The
city is clustered around the banks
of the Limmat River. The city covers
a total area of approx. 92 km, its
highest point is 871 m above
sea-level (Üetliberg/Uto Kulm).
Climate
Zürich has a temperate climate, but
frequently finds itself in the path
of warm, moisture-laden winds
blowing from the Atlantic ocean.
This results in a milder climate
than its northern latitude of 47°
might otherwise suggest. If you will
be in the mountains the weather is
unpredictable and often changes
suddenly. Most first-time visitors
will be surprised by the 20-40F
difference in temperature between
where they began the day and the
mountain peaks that they visit.
(Dress in “layers”)
Be prepared, even on overcast or
cloudy days, for a faster suntan (or
burn) at high altitude. The thin air
in the beautiful higher elevations
not only makes breathing and staying
warm harder, it blocks less of the
suns rays. Sunscreen or sunblock is
a must!
When to Go
In July and August, Zurich’s best
weather coincides with the heaviest
crowds. Summers in Zurich are not as
warm as on the French Riviera, but
the lake is usually warm enough to
swim in during July and August
(70-72F). June and September are
still pleasant, and hotel prices can
be slightly lower, especially in
resorts. Winter is cold throughout,
and in low-lying areas it is
frequently overcast and damp. Many
days are chilly, and spring and fall
can be quite cold. In winter,
however, the temperature rarely goes
below zero.
Holidays
Jan. 1 New Year’s Day
Mar/Apr (varies) Good Friday
Mar/Apr (varies) Easter Monday
May 1 Labor Day
May (late May) Ascension Day
May/June (varies) Pentecost Monday
Aug. 1 Swiss National Holiday
Dec. 25 Christmas Day
Dec. 26 St. Stephen’s Day
Business Hours
Banks & Offices
Some businesses still close for
lunch in Switzerland, from 12:30 to
2, but this is changing, especially
in larger cities such as Zurich. All
remain closed on Sunday, and a few
stay closed through Monday morning.
Banks are open weekdays from 8:30 to
4:30.
Museums & Sights
Museums are usually closed on
Monday. Increasingly, they open late
one night a week, usually on
Thursday or Friday evening.
Shops
Shops are open every day but Sunday,
though a few stay closed through
Monday morning. Smaller stores close
for an hour or two for lunch. Stores
in train stations often stay open
until 9 PM; in the Zürich airport,
shops are open on Sunday.
Emergency Contacts
Ambulance: 144
Police: 117
Fire: 118
Electricity
the current is AC, 230V, 50 Hz. The
standard plug is three-prong, but
you may, in older buildings, run
across some others. The Swiss plug
is used nowhere else in Europe.
While a general purpose
"European-style" conversion plug may
work, we'd hold off buying more than
one of those (no kits, etc.) until
you get to your ho The hotel or a
nearby hardware or variety store
will be able to help you if you
don't have with you what you need.
Most laptops operate on 110 and 220
volts and so require only an
adapter.
Telephones
The country code for Switzerland is
41. When dialing a Swiss number from
abroad, drop the initial 0 from the
local area code.
Zurich Area Code: 01
Directory & Operator Information
Dial 111 for information within
Switzerland All telephone operators
speak English and instructions are
printed in English in all telephone
booths. Precede the area-code number
with 0 when dialing long-distance
within Switzerland.
Anglo-Phone ( 1575014) is an
English-language information service
that gives details on hotels,
restaurants, museums, nightlife,
skiing, what to do in an emergency,
and more. Lines are open weekdays
9-7 and 9-1 on Saturday.
Medical Emergency
Doctors and dentists can be referred
in case of emergency by the
English-speaking operators at
Notfalldienst (Emergency Service)
phones (01/2616100).
Hospital (Zürich Universitätsspital,
Schmelzbergstr. 8, 01/2551111).
Health
Switzerland's reputation for
cleanliness is well-earned. Even at
the foot of an icy-pure glacier
you're likely to find locals
drinking bottled mineral water.
If you're traveling with a child
under two years old, you may be
advised by locals not to take him or
her on excursions above 6,560 ft.
Check with your pediatrician before
leaving home. Adults should limit
strenuous excursions on the first
day at extra-high-altitude resorts,
(those at 5,248 ft and above).
Adults with heart problems may want
to avoid all excursions at high
altitudes.
Mail
Postal codes precede the names of
cities and towns in Swiss addresses.
Currency
The unit of currency in Switzerland
is the Swiss franc (SF), available
in notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200,
and 1,000. Francs are divided into
centimes (in Suisse Romande) or
rappen (in German Switzerland).
There are coins for 5, 10, and 20
centimes. Larger coins are the
half-, 1-, 2-, and 5-franc pieces.
Switzerland has not joined the
European Union.
Exchanging Money
For the most favorable rates, change
money through banks. Although ATM
transaction fees may be higher
abroad than at home, ATM rates are
excellent because they are based on
wholesale rates offered only by
major banks. You won't do as well at
exchange booths in airports or rail
and bus stations, in hotels, in
restaurants, or in stores.
Internet Access: Internet Café,
Uraniastrasse 3 01/210-33-11), in
the Urania Parkhaus. Open Monday
10am to 6pm, Tuesday and Thursday
10am to midnight, Friday and
Saturday 10am to 2am, and Sunday
10am to 11pm.
Passport Offices
The best time to apply for a
passport or to renew is during the
fall and winter. Before any trip,
check your passport's expiration
date, and, if necessary, renew it as
soon as possible.
U.S. Citizens
Taxes
Restaurant checks and hotel bills
include all taxes.
Value-Added Tax
Switzerland's value-added tax is
7.6%.However, on any one purchase of
550 francs or more from one store,
refunds are available to
nonresidents for clothes, watches,
and souvenirs, but not for meals or
hotel rooms.
To get a VAT refund, pay by credit
card; at the time of purchase, the
store clerk should fill out and give
you a red form and keep a record of
your credit card number. When
leaving Switzerland, you must
hand-deliver the red form to an
officer at the customs office at the
airport or, if leaving by car or
train, at the border. Customs will
process the form and return it to
the store, which will refund the tax
by crediting your card.
Tipping
Tipping is expected at the same rate
as in the US.
CH
is the two-letter country
abbreviation for Switzerland and is
displayed on currency and cars.
Switzerland has four official
languages, French, Italian, German
and Romantsch
Hence, the choice of a Latin
construct, Confoederatio Helvetica.
(The Helvetii were one of the native
tribes in the area of Switzerland in
Roman times, and Helvetica a Roman
province.)
Arriving & Departing
By Air
Zürich-Kloten (ZRH) 7 mi north of
Zürich, 1571060, is Switzerland's
busiest airport and the 10th busiest
in the world.
Flying time is just under two hours
from London, seven hours from New
York, 10 hours from Chicago, and 14
hours from Los Angeles.
Airport Transportation
Fares to downtown Zurich: Taxi $35;
Train $5; Bus: $4. From Kloten
Airport our preferred (and fastest)
method of travel is by train. The
airport station is below ground and
adjacent to terminal 5; trains
depart for the 12-minute trip to
Zurich several times an hour,
dropping passengers at Central Train
Station. The considerably slower
City Bus #768 departs every 10
minutes during peak hours - by bus
the trip into Zurich takes 1 hour.
By Boat
The
Zurichsee-Schiffahrtsgesellschaft,
Mythenquai 333 01/482-10-33), offers
regularly scheduled service on
modern passenger ships as well as
old steamers plying both sides of
Lake Zurich. The service is operated
from Easter to October, going from
Zurich as far as Rapperswil.
By Car
From Basel, take N3 east, and from
Geneva, take N1 northeast, going via
Bern, where you'll connect with E4
and E17 heading east into Zurich.
By Train
Several trains bound for Switzerland
leave from the Gare de l'Est in
Paris. Without a stop, a train
departs Paris at 10:43pm daily,
arriving in Zurich at 6:45am. Other
connections are via Basel. One train
leaves Paris daily at 2:43pm,
arriving 9:22pm in Zurich; yet
another leaves Paris at 5:19pm, also
going via Basel, arriving in Zurich
at 12:06pm. From Munich, the
Gottfried Keller Express departs
daily at 6:15pm with a 10:23pm
arrival in Zurich. The Bavaria
leaves Munich daily at 8:15am,
arriving in Zurich at 12:26pm. All
trains arrive at the Zurich
Hauptbahnhof 01/157-22-22).
By Bus
Zurich's bus routes function only as
feeder lines from outlying suburbs,
which lie off the train lines, into
the vicinity of the town's railroad
station.
slopes of the Z|richberg and
Kdferberg hills into the Glatt River
valley.
Finding an Address
In a system that developed during
the Middle Ages, all Swiss cities,
including Zurich, begin their
street-numbering system with the
lowest numbers closest to the center
of town. In Zurich, the center is
the Hauptbahnhof. All even numbers
lie on one side of the street, and
all odd numbers are on the other.
Getting Around Zurich
By Bicycle
Biking is a good way to get around
Zurich, especially in the outlying
areas. Bicycles can be rented at the
baggage counter of the railway
station, the Hauptbahnhof
0512/22-29-04). Hours are daily from
6:45am to 7:45pm.
By Car
the city is too congested for
automobile use, and parking is
scarce and expensive. If you have a
car with you, plan to drive only
when exploring the environs.
On Foot Zurich and its quays are
ideal for walking, and many of the
places of interest, such as the
sights of Altstadt on both sides of
the Limmat, are conveniently grouped
together.
Bus & Tram
Zurich's combination of buses and
streetcars, operated as the Swiss
VBZ system, is terrific: efficient
and inexpensive. Buy your single
tickets, valid for 5 stops - at the
vending machines situated at each
stop. At Central Station you can
purchase a 24-hour pass, which
allows unlimited travel on the buses
and trams.
Taxi
Taxis are not easily found in Zurich
and are among the most expensive in
Europe.
Public transport in Zürich
S-Bahn commuter railway, bus, trams,
ships and local excursion trains
make up the extensive transportation
network, known for its high level of
comfort and unique tariff system
based on fare zones. While your
ticket is valid you are entitled to
an unlimited number of rides in all
directions on all public transport
within the designated zones.
By Train
The Swiss Federal Railways, (
0900/300300), has an extensive
network; trains and stations are
clean and service is prompt. There
are straightforward connections and
several express routes leading
directly into Zürich from Basel,
Geneva, Bern, and Lugano.
All roads lead to the Hauptbahnhof (
0900/300300) in the city center.
Trains described as Inter-City or
Express are the fastest, stopping
only in principal towns.
Regionalzug/Train Régional means a
local train. If you're planning to
use the trains extensively, get the
official timetable ("Kursbuch" or
"Horaire
By Tram
VBZ-Züri-Linie, the tram service in
Zürich, is swift and on time. It
runs from 5:30 AM to midnight, every
six minutes at peak hours and every
12 minutes during non-peak times.
All-day passes can be purchased from
the same vending machines at the
stops that sell post maps and
one-ride tickets; tickets must be
purchased before you board.
There is a comprehensive and unified
bus, tram and S-Bahn service in the
city, which includes boats on the
Limmat River. Tickets allow you to
switch between modes of transport as
you like. A 24-hour city pass is
available, and a 24-hour pass valid
for unlimited travel within the
whole canton of Zürich saves
additional money.
Biking and Swimming on the Lake. In
July and August, one can bike from
Seebach station through the forest
to Katzenruti where there are
several places ideal for a picnic.
After lunch, cycle to the Katzensee
with its sandy beach, returning
later via Affoltern. It takes about
1 1/2 hours to go the full 8 miles.
Road Conditions
Swiss roads are well surfaced but
intricate and curving, especially in
the mountains. There is a
well-developed highway network.
A combination of steep or winding
routes and hazardous weather means
some roads will be closed in winter.
Signs are posted at the beginning of
the climb.
Drive on the right in Switzerland,
except when merging into traffic
circles, when priority is given to
the drivers coming from the left.
Children under age seven are not
permitted to sit in the front seat. |
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Attractions |
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Zurich is divided by the Limmat
River into the following two general
areas:
West or Left Bank--This district is
dominated by Bahnhofplatz, center of
rail connections, and Bahnhofstrasse,
which is the main commercial and
banking thoroughfare.
East or Right Bank
Opposite Fraumünster, on the other
side of the river, rises
Grossmünster, on Grossmünsterplatz;
its two Gothic towers are an
east-bank landmark. The historic
guildhalls of Zurich, such as the
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, rise on the
east bank of the river. So, too,
does the Rathaus, the city's town
hall, completed in 1698. On the east
bank you can explore the eastern
part of Altstadt (the old town), and
stroll along Neumarkt, one of the
best preserved of the old streets.
Altstadt (Old Town)
Tram 4,6,7,15
Both sides of the Limmat River.
Zurich's Old Town is one of Europe's
great old quarters. Houses and
squares here date back to the 13th
Century. Delightful shops &
restaurants abound.
Bahnhofstrasse
Called the "most beautiful shopping
street in the world". Begins
opposite Zurich's Central Station
and continues to the Lake.
Stiftung Sammlung E. G. Bührle
(Foundation E. G. Bührle Collection)
Zollikerstrasse 172
01/4220086
Admission charged.
Take Tram 11 from Bellevueplatz,
then Bus 77 from Hegibachplatz.
Tues., Fri., and Sun. 2-5, Wed. 5-8.
One of Switzerland's best private
art collections is owned by the E.
G. Bührle Foundation. Though it's
known especially for its
Impressionist and post-Impressionist
works, the collection also includes
Spanish and Italian paintings from
the 16th to 18th centuries. There is
a limited but very special section
of 24 religious sculptures from the
Middle Ages.
Friedhof Fluntern (Fluntern
Cemetery)
Zurichberg district
James Joyce, the author of Ulysses,
lived in Zurich from 1915 to 1919,
at Universitatsstrasse 38. In 1941
he returned to Zurich from Paris,
only a month before his death. Near
his tomb is a statue depicting the
great Irish writer sitting
cross-legged with a book in his
hand. Elias Canetti, winner of the
Nobel Prize for literat ure in 1981,
died in August 1994; his grave lies
to the left of Joyce's. The grave of
Johanna Spiri (1827-1901), who wrote
the famous story Heidi, is in the
Central Cemetery.
Fraumünster (Church of Our Lady)
Stadthausquai.
May-Sept., Mon.-Sat. 9-6; Oct.,
Mon.-Sat. 10-5; Nov.-Feb., Mon.-Sat.
10-4; Mar.-Apr., Mon.-Sat. 10-5.
The delicate Fraumünster church
spires are Zürich's signature. Its
Romanesque choir is a peaceful spot
for meditation beneath the ocher,
sapphire, and ruby glow of stained
glass windows designed by the
Russian-born Marc Chagall, who loved
Zürich. Augusto Giacometti, executed
the fine painted window in the north
transept.
Grossmünster
Grossmünsterplatz
01/252-59-49
This Romanesque and Gothic cathedral
was, according to legend, founded by
Charlemagne, whose horse bowed down
on the spot marking the graves of
three early Christian martyrs.
Despite the legend, construction
actually began in 1090 and additions
were made until the early 14th
century. The choir contains stained
glass windows completed in 1932 by
Augusto Giacometti. In the crypt is
a weather-beaten, 15th-century
statue of Charlemagne, a copy of
which crowns the south tower.
The cathedral was once the parish
church of Huldrych Zwingli, one of
the great leaders of the
Reformation. He urged priests to
take wives (he himself had married)
and attacked the "worship of images"
and the Roman sacrament of Mass. In
1531, Zwingli was killed in a
religious war at Kappel. The site of
his execution is marked with an
inscription: "They may kill the body
but not the soul." In accordance
with Zwingli's beliefs, Zurich's
Grossmunster is austere, stripped of
the heavy ornamentation found in the
cathedrals of Italy. The view from
the towers is impressive.
Kunsthaus Zurich (Fine Arts Museum)
Heimplatz 1
01 251 67 65
Tue-Thu 10-21 Fri-Sun 10-17
Mon closed
Paintings, sculpture and drawings,
predominantly 19th and 20th
centuries.One of the most important
art museums in Europe, the Zurich
Kunsthaus is devoted mainly to the
19th and 20th centuries, although
the range of paintings and sculpture
dates back to antiquity. The museum
was founded in Victorian times and
was renovated in 1976. It is one of
the most modern and sophisticated
museums in the world, both in its
lighting and its display of art.
Schweizerisches Landesmuseum (Swiss
National Museum)
Museumsstrasse 2
01 218 65 11
Tue-Sun 10.30-17 Mon closed
Museum of Swiss culture, art and
history. This museum offers an epic
survey of the culture and history of
the Swiss people. Its collection,
housed in a 19th-century building
behind the Zurich Hauptbahnhof,
contains works of religious art,
including 16th-century stained glass
from Tanikon Convent and frescoes
from the church of Mustair. Some of
the Carolingian art dates back to
the 9th century. The altarpieces are
carved, painted, and gilded.
The prehistoric section is also
exceptional. Some of the artifacts
are from the 4th millennium B.C.. A
display of weapons and armor shows
the methods of Swiss warfare from
800 to 1800. There's also an exhibit
tracing Swiss clockmaking from the
16th to the 18th centuries.
Mühlerama
Seefeldstrasse 231
01 422 76 60
Tue-Sat 14-17 Sun 13.30-18
Working mill from 1913; exhibition
of mills and the miller's craft,
grain and bread, slide-show with
commentary.
Museum Rietberg Zürich
Gablerstrasse 15
01 202 45 28
From the city center follow
Seestrasse south about 13⁄4 km (1
mi) until you see signs for the
museum; or take Tram 7 to the
Rietberg Museum stop.
Tues.-Sun. 10-5. Mon closed
Many fine works of non-European art
from India, China, Africa, Japan,
and Southeast Asia are displayed in
the neoclassical Villa Wesendonck,
once home to Richard Wagner.
Gathered from the South Sea islands,
the Near East, Asia, Africa, and
pre-Columbian America, the rich
collection ranges from Cambodian
Khmer sculptures and jade Chinese
tomb art to Japanese Nô masks and
Tibetan bronzes. It was was
assembled by Baron Eduard von der
Heydt and donated to the city of
Zurich in 1952.
Paläontologisches Museum
Karl Schmid-Strasse 4
01 634 38 38
Tue-Fri 9-17 Sat and Sun 10-16
Free admission
Aquatic dinosaurs and fishes from
Monte San Giorgio, and other Swiss
fossil finds
Rathaus (Town Hall)
Limmatquai 55
no phone.
Free. Tues., Thurs., and
Fri.10-11:30.
Zürich's striking baroque town hall
dates from 1694-98, and its interior
remains as well preserved as its
façade. There is a richly decorated
stucco ceiling in the Banquet Hall
and a fine ceramic stove in the
government council room.
St. Peterskirche (St. Peter's
Church)
St. Peterhofstatt
no phone.
Weekdays 8-6, Sat. 8-4.
Dating from the early 13th century,
Zürich's oldest parish church has
the largest clock face in Europe. A
church has been on this site since
the 9th century. The existing
building has been considerably
expanded over the years. The tower,
for example, was extended in 1534,
when the clock was added; the nave
was rebuilt in 1705. Keep an eye out
for inexpensive or even free
classical concerts.
Schauhäuser der Stadtgärtnerei
Sackzelg 25-27
01 492 14 23
Daily 9-11.30, 13.30-16.30
Free admission
Tropical and sub-tropical plants
Sukkulenten-Sammlung
Mythenquai 88
01 201 45 54
Daily 9-11.20,
13.30-16.30
Free admission
Cacti and other succulents from all
over the world
Urania Observatory
Uraniastrasse 9
01/211-65-23
The observatory is halfway between
Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmat River
on Uraniastrasse. Call in advance
for hours (based on weather). The
observatory has been at this site
since 1907. Because of its central
location, it offers a panoramic view
not only of Zurich but of the lake
and the distant Alps. You can see
the stars, planets, and galaxy
through a 20 ton Zeiss telescope.
Winterthur
Haldenstr. 95, Winterthur
052/2692740
Admission charged.
Tues.-Sun. 10-5.
Winterthur is a half hour from
Zürich by train, on the main rail
route to St. Gallen; fast trains
depart daily from the main train
station, about every half hour. From
the train station, take Bus 10 to
Haldengut or Bus 3 to Spital and
follow the Römerholz sign up the
hill. By car, follow the autobahn
signs for Winterthur-St. Gallen.
Take the Winterthur-Ohringen exit
onto Schaffhauserstrasse into town,
then left on Rychenbergstrasse to
Haldenstrasse.
A wealth of fine art was donated to
the textile town Winterthur by
prosperous local merchants. One of
these was Oskar Reinhart, whose
splendid home on the hill
overlooking the town now contains
the huge Am Römerholz collection of
paintings from five centuries,
including works by Rembrandt, Manet,
Renoir, and Cézanne.
Zoologisches Museum
Karl Schmid-strasse 4
01 634 38 38
Tue-Fri 9-17 Sat and Sun 10-16
Free admission
Swiss fauna from the ice age to the
present day
Zoologischer Garten (Zoological
Garden)
Zurichbergstrasse 221
01/254-25-00
Mar-Oct daily 8am-6pm; Nov-Feb daily
8am-5pm
Tram 6 from the Hauptbahnhof;
Admission charged
One of the best-known zoos in
Europe, Zurich's Zoological Garden
contains some 2,200 animals of about
260 species. It also has an aquarium
and an open-air aviary. You can
visit the Africa house, the ape
house, and the terrariums, along
with the elephant house and the
giant tortoise house. There are
special enclosures for red pandas,
otters, and snow leopards, and a
house for clouded leopards, tigers,
Amur leopards, and Indian lions. |
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