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World / Europe / Switzerland / Zurich

With its quaint old centre of narrow cobbled streets, stunning views across Lake Zurich to the Alps and bustling financial and gold trading centre, Zurich was recently ranked one of the top three cities for best quality of living in the world.

Currency

Swiss Franc (CHF)

Visa Requirements

No visa required for EU nationals, Canadians, Americans or Australians

Language

German

Timezone

German

Weather

Warm summers, cold winters

Dialling Code

00 41

Electricity

220V. European two-pin plugs are standard

Health and Safety

EU citizens should apply for a European Health Insurance Card before departure, which entitles them to free or reduced cost treatment in all EU countries. This only covers emergency treatment so comprehensive travel and medical insurance are strongly advised.

Useful Links

EU citizens should apply for a European Health Insurance Card before departure, which entitles them to free or reduced cost treatment in all EU countries. This only covers emergency treatment so comprehensive travel and medical insurance are strongly advised.

Flights to Zurich arrive at Zurich International Airport. Trains (CHF 6) run every ten minutes to and from the airport to the city centre and take 15 minutes. Taxis (CHF 50) are available outside the arrivals hall, and journey time to the centre is 20 minutes. Zurich has an excellent tram and bus system, and most sites in the centre are easily reached on foot.

Bahnhofstrasse

Bahnhofstrasse: This elegant boulevard is quite simply one of the most beautiful shopping streets in Europe. Its chic stores are filled with couture, jewellery, furs and, of course, those famous and expensive Swiss watches. Beyer (Bahnhofstrasse 31) is a family business, which has been selling watches and chronometers for more than seven generations.

Lake Zurich

Lake Zurich: With its spectacular setting on the banks of this vast lake backed by rugged mountains, Zurich is the perfect city for hikers and nature lovers. Take the train for a 20-minute ride from the central station to Uetliberg, where you can stroll and enjoy the best views over the city to the lake and the Alps. The hills here are criss-crossed with walking trails, which are used as sledging runs in winter.

Zurich Zoo

Zurich Zoo: Explore the zoo's latest attraction - the massive tropical ecosystem, which recreates the Masaola Rainforest of Madagascar, complete with its own population of Red Ruff Lemurs.

Quick Lunch - Haus Hiltl

The centrally located Haus Hiltl has housed a vegetarian restaurant for more than 100 years. It has a varied lunch menu and a relaxed friendly atmosphere.

Top Table - The Lake Side

Try to get a table by the water at The Lake Side, a stylish restaurant on the banks of Lake Zurich, which serves a mix of Mediterranean, Asian and traditional Swiss cuisine.

Cheap Eat - Adler's Swiss Chuchi

Adler's Swiss Chuchi serves good hearty Swiss lunches at affordable prices.

On Business - Zurich Park Hyatt hotel

The Zurich Park Hyatt hotel, located in the city's financial and commercial district and just steps away from the fashionable Bahnhofstrasse, combines ultra-modern architecture and technology. There are four meeting rooms and conference facilities.
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Lap Of Luxury - The Romantik Hotel

The Romantikhotel, situated in the older part of Zurich, exudes an old world charm. Built in the 1800s the rooms are furnished with discrete elegance and style.
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Cheap Sleep - The Hotel Etap

The Hotel Etap is a comfortable modern budget hotel within easy reach of the centre.
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Coffee And Chat - The Café/Bar Odeon

Situated close to the lake, The Café/Bar Odeon (Limmatquai 2, 00 41 44 251 16 50) is a quiet haven with a cosy atmosphere.

Formal Presentation - The Crown Plaza hotel

The Crown Plaza hotel (Badenerstrasse 420, 00 41 44 404 44 44) has state-of-the art facilities and large conference and meeting rooms in the heart of town.

Evening Drinks - Restaurant Zeughauskeller

Set in a former 17th century armoury with massive beamed ceilings, the Restaurant Zeughauskeller on Bahnhofstrasse (28a near Paradeplatz, 00 41 44 211 26 90) is the perfect place to chill out over a stein or two.

Art International Zurich

Open to buyers and enthusiasts alike, Art International Zurich provides a fresh take on the standard art fair format. Welcoming work from around the globe and featuring exhibits from the breadth of the contemporary spectrum, the fair will play host to both affordable pieces from young and up-and-coming artists, alongside work from more established creative names.

15 Oct 2010 - 17 Oct 2010
Kongresshaus Zurich Gotthardstrasse 5, 8002 Zürich

Hans Josephsohn

Featuring a range of bronze-cast sculptures and reliefs, this solo show from Swiss sculptor Hans Josephsohn - curated by close friend and collaborator, architect Peter Märkli – will include work from the 1950s spanning through to now. An exploration of Josephsohn’s unique approach - which references everything from ancient sculpture through to abstract expressionism - the show will examine Josephsohn’s lifelong search for a new means of expression through sculpture.

27 Mar 2010 - 29 May 2010
Hauser & Wirth Zürich, Limmatstrasse 270, CH-8005 Zürich

Global Design

A comprehensive exploration of the way in which globalization has impacted on the world of design over the past three decades, the Museum Gestaltung’s latest showing, ‘Global Design’, will straddle every creative field, ranging from fashion and architecture to graphics and media. An examination of how increasing capabilities in communication, mobility and production have impacted on the progress of design, the exhibition will include contributions from artists including Thomas Demand, Fischli/Weiss and Armin Linke.

12 Feb 2010 - 30 May 2010
Museum Gestaltung, Ausstellungsstr. 60 CH-8005 Zurich

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