Zurich, Switzerland

   You don't visit Zurich, you experience it.  With a magnificent view of the snowcapped Alps on the horizon, Zurich offers a unique mixture of attractions.  There are over 50 museums, more than 100 art galleries, international fashion labels, Zurich designs, and the most flamboyant and lively nightlife in Switzerland. Recreational activities range from a visit to the riverside and lakeside swimming areas in the very heart of the city, to a spectacular hike on the Uetliberg mountain.  The market at Zurich's Main Railway Station, every Wednesday, is not to be missed...be sure to take your camera.

   The city of Zurich lies in the heart of Europe and at the center of Switzerland, on the northern end of Lake Zurich. It's multicultural flair and the variety of leisure activities on offer attract guests from all over the world to this �region of short routes�. Zurich is quick and easy to reach, whether by train, plane or private vehicle. Its international airport has direct connections with over 150 destinations.

 Just a 10-minute train ride from the airport and situated right in the city center, Zurich�s Main Railway Station is regarded as a central European railroad hub.  370,000 people live in and experience this magnificent city.  Thanks to its top quality infrastructure set amidst natural surroundings, it is a popular place for study and research. For example, at Zurich University or the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH); built in 1855 by Gottfried Semper, the ETH Zurich is today associated with 21 Nobel prizewinners.

   Some 150 years ago, part of the city�s fortifications was transformed into what is now arguably the most famous shopping street in the world, the Bahnhofstrasse.  Zurich�s shopping mile has contributed largely to the city's reputation as the 'Holy Grail' for shoppers and is a top address for international fashion labels, jewelry and watches.  However, it is just one of the places where you can find urban Zurich labels  Whether in Zurich-West or in the Aussersihl quarter, you often come across local brands where you least expect them. They inspire the fashion conscious and cause a sensation far beyond Switzerland's borders as has, for example, the cult label Freitag, with its unique style of bags and accessories.

   Zurich boasts the highest density of night clubs in Switzerland.  Here, you can never turn up too late.  From a house music party in the legendary Kaufleuten to Greatest Hits from the Eighties at the oldest club in the city, the Mascotte, to a gay event at the Labor Bar.  Parties really get started before 11.00 pm and continue into the wee hours of the morning.  Here, there are no official closing times.  In summer, nightlife can be found not only in the clubs, but also outside in the open air; the venues where visitors swim and relax during the day are ideal places to flirt and dance at night.

   Also for art lovers, Zurich has much to offer. The city alone is home to over 50 museums, some 14 of which are devoted to art. The museum of fine arts, the Kunsthaus Zurich, boasts a significant collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs and videos. In addition, it has an extensive collection of works by Alberto Giacometti. Another highlight is the Rietberg Museum, one of the leading centers of non-European art in the world. Just a stone's throw from Zurich's main station, the Swiss National Museum, housed in an over 100 year old building reminiscent of a fairytale castle, contains the country's most comprehensive collection of exhibits relating to Swiss cultural history.