< PreviousLuxury Travel Group - Lake Zurich Guide Zurich is situated in the very heart of Europe and at the foot of the Swiss Alps. The city is the ideal base from which to explore Switzer-land. Zurich Airport which has connections to over 170 destinations all over the world, is just a 10-minute train ride from the centrally located Zurich Main Station. The Swiss Alps are within easy traveling distance of Zurich - for example, on a day trip to Mount Titlis in Central Switzerland or to the famous Jungfraujoch in the Bernese Overland. The imposing Rhine Falls, where visitors experience at close quarters the power of the wáter as it cascades down the rocks at a rate of 600.000 liters per second, is also not far away. In the Zurich región, a dense public transportation network of trams, buses, boats and trains enable visitors to get around in comfort, as reliably and punctally as a Swiss watch. Lake Zurich in the heart of the city and River Limmat, which winds its way past Old Town buildings and through rapidly growing urban quarters, give Zurich a fresh Mediterranean ambiance. Bathing in the lakeor the river is a particularly popular pastime; measured in terms of the population, scarcely any other city in Europe has such a high concentration of bathing facilities as Zurich. After dusk, a number of Riverside and likeside bathing áreas are transformed into so-called “Badi - bars” offering refreshing drinks and entertainment until late into the night. Those who prefer to be on rather than by or in the wáter can best enjoy the luxuriant nature along the shoreline by boat. Besides the regular boat services, special theme cruises - such as the Party Cruise, Sunset Cruise or Fondue Cruise, provide plenty of variation. Boats also provide access to the abundant nature along the southern part of Lake Zurich. The tiny, idyllic island of Ufenau is a nature reserve and offers tranquility, fresh air and a restaurant with a view. Another pearl in Lake Zurich is the island of Luetzelau that can be comfortably reached from nearby Rapperswil by wáter taxi. One-third of the city of Zurich is made up of lush verdant spaces. In this city abounding in parks and forest the nearest recreation área or hiking path is never very far away. Beautiful natural surroundings can be found on Zurich’s own mountain the Uetliberg. The Summit of this car-free, hilly mountain is swiftly reached by train or aerial cableway, offering visitors a fantastic panorama of the city of Zurich, the lake and the snow-covered Alps in the horizon. Lush forest such as the Sihlwald, provide plenty of fresh air and space to enjoy leisurely walks or more energetic sport activities. Luxury Travel Group - Lake Zurich Guide Zurich, the gateway to Switzerland Luxury Travel Group - Lake Zurich Guide Lively Art Scene. Zurich, countless artists and cultural sites are concentrated within the smallest of areas. Around 14 of the city's 50 museums and more than 100 galleries play an active role in Zurich's lively art scene. Thanks to the Kunsthalle Zurich, the Migros Museum of Contemporary Art and the host of artists who create and present their works of art in the former brewery, the Lowenbrau-Areal in Zurich-West has become a very special place of pilgrimage for art lovers. The Cabaret Voltaire- regarded as the birthplace of Dadaism -is still a competence center for the Dadaist movement to this day. The Cabaret Voltaire was founded in 1916 by Hugo Ball and Em my Hennings. The Kunsthaus Zurich, meanwhile,houses a vast collection of significant paintings, sculptures, and photographic and video material, aswell as the most comprehensive collec-tion of works by Alberta Giacometti. Giacometti is one of Switzerland's most important artists and his portrait currently adorns the 100 Swiss franc note. Further highlights include the Museum Rietberg, one of the world's leading centers for non-European art, and the Haus Konstruktiv, which is devoted to constructive and conceptual art. The Kunst(Zeug)Haus in Rapperswii-Jona is a vibrant center for Swiss contemporary art, with a collection comprising some 5,000 works. The adjacent library is home to over 4,000 books in all variations, as well as drawings, films, and portfolios relating to the adventure story, "Robinson Crusoe". The Alte Fabrik cultural center presents a highly varied program of dance, theater, music, visual arts and literature, as well as activities that appeal to children. With the Vogele Kultur Zentrum, Rapperswil has a third fascinating cultural institution, which is devoted to interdisciplinary themed exhibitions addressing modern-day issues and conflicts. The exhibition building is characterized by its unusual architecture, which was designed in the 1970s by a New York firm of architects. The performing arts play a major role in Zurich. The Zurich Opera House enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide and year after year stages an ambitious program comprising operas, operettas, concerts, and ballet performances. The fact that the people of Zurich are particularly keen theatergoers is reflected by the high number of theaters of varying sizes. Probably the most famous of them all is the Schauspielhaus Zurich, which presents classical plays in modern stage settings and produces experimental interpretations in its Schiffbau theater. The modern performances at the Theater Gessnerallee are characterized by the fresh, new ideas of young theater students. Once a year, the Zuercher Theater Spektakel transforms the left bank of Lake Zurich into an exciting theatre venue, when artists from the contemporary performing arts scene come together to present a firstclass program and spontaneous open-air performances of theater and dance. Movie enthusiasts can choose from some 17 movie theaters with over 70 screens spread all over the city, from large multiplexes to small movie theaters specializing in independent films. In the fall, the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) features world premieres, insider tips, movie screenings for children, and the award of the coveted "Golden Eye" prize. Every June, Rapperswil is taken over by concert stages and food stands, when internationally renowned musicians and Swiss artists from the musical worlds of blues, jazz, and pop convene here to take part in the blues'n'jazz Festival. The hand-picked line-up, coupled with the spectacular location on the shores of Lake Zurich, give rise to a relaxed ambiance with plenty of great music. The National Museum Zurich is situated just behind Zurich Main Station and houses the country's largest cultural-historical collection. The castle-style building, which was extended in 2016, is part of the Swiss National Museum. The interdisciplinary educational museum, Kulturama- the Museum of Mankind, gives visitors an insight into evolutionary history. The Aathal Dinosaur Museum goes back in time to the dinosaur era, while the Archaeological Collection of the University of Zurich bears witness to the life and art of ancient cultures. The Rapperswil-Jona Municipal Museum, opened in 2012, presents 800 years of history and culture relating to the so-called "Town of Roses" on Lake Zurich. Also located beside the water, Zurich's Museum Bellerive is devoted to the applied arts. The Fotomuseum Winterthur is the Swiss mecca for photography and for over 20 years has focused on themes relating to artistic photography. Zurich's Succulent Plant Collection houses one of the largest and most important special collections of its kind in the world. Around 6,500 different species - that is, half of all the succulents in the world- can be found growing in the greenhouses, including agaves and cacti. Since 2010, plant lovers have been in for a treat in Rapperswil, too. The Enea Tree Museum, created by Enzo Enea, lies within 75,000 m2 (810,000 sq. ft) of parkland and combines magnificent trees with impressive landscape architecture. Science enthusiasts will feel at home at the Swiss science center, the Technorama, in Winterthur or at Kindercity in Volketswil, which is specifically geared towards children. In both places, visitors can delve into natural and technological phenomena and discover some of their secrets. Meanwhile, all the exhibits at the Swiss Children's Museum in Baden and the Toy Museum in Zurich revolve around themes relating to childhood and children's games. Luxury Travel Group - Lake Zurich Guide Museums Abounding in Cuture and Science. SHOPPING IN ZURICH From luxury to international brands, and from tradition-steeped businesses to urban Zurich labels – shopping in Zurich inspires both aficionados of exclusive items and lovers of fashion. “Lädele” is what Zurich residents call enjoying a leisurely shopping spree through the multi-faceted districts of the city ‒ whether along the would-famous, bustling Bahnhofstrasse, in the picturesque Old Town with its over 2,000-year-old history, extending along the banks of the River Limmat, or in the trendy urban quarters of Zurich-West and Aussersihl. INNOVATIVE GASTRONOMY AND TRADITIONAL FARE The Zurich's restaurant scene is just as diverse as the city itself. lnnovative ideas are instantly put into practice. The Haus Hiltl- according to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world- was founded here, as was also the world's first and often imitated "restaurant in the dark", the Blinde Kuh, where blind and visually impaired staff serve culinary delights in complete darkness. In the former industrial quarter of Zurich-West, you can dine in factory halls or high above the clouds. All around Lake Zurich, mouthwatering menus featuring fresh fish from the lake are served up together with a spectacular view and a refreshing lake breeze. Those who prefer to sample Zurich's traditional cuisine will be suitably impressed by the various guild houses of the trade guilds that governed Zurich between the 14th and 18th century. These buildings are now high-class restaurants and particularly renowned for their Zurich specialties prepared in a classic way. Where better a place to enjoy a plate of traditional Zurcher Geschnetzeltes (sliced veal) than in a magnificent guild hall and former center of power in Zurich's Old Town? Zurich's top chefs regularly figure in the prestigious Gault-Millau restaurant guide, confirming their status as among the best in the country. Also outstanding is the sweet side of Zurich's cuisine. In the time-honored stores and tradition-steeped confectioneries, maitres chocolatier and expert confection-ers work untiringly to produce new creations, while traditional specialties, such as Luxemburgerli macaroons or Huppen truffles, have been known and loved by sweet-toothed connoisseurs all over the world for many years. In addition, FOOD ZURICH provides an opportunity to indulge: once a year, the festival celebrates food in all its many facets over a period of 11 days. Featuring a large street food festival, countless workshops, food tastings, dinners and courses, it enriches Zurich's gastronomic scene. NIGHTLIFE FROM ALTERNATIVE TO CHIC Nowhere else in Switzerland is there such a large and diverse nightlife as in Zurich. Particularly colourful places to go are the electro entertainment temples in the former industrial district or the converted strip joints or hip clubs on or around Langstrasse. On the other side of the River Limmat, the Niederdorf district between Central and Stadelhofen train station have plenty of bars to enjoy a prolonged drinking tour in picturesque surroundings. Those who want to spend the night dancing should make for the oldest nightclub in Zurich, the Mascotte, at the end of the Niederdorf, the Plaza Club, not far from Langstrasse, which opened in 2010, or the Aura, which opened in 2013 in the heart of the banking district by Paradeplatz and whose chic interior design perfectly matches the lifestyle of the surrounding area. Diverse special events bring added variety to Zurich's party scene. Every year, the Street Parade draws hundreds of thousands of dance enthusiasts to the upper end of Lake Zurich, where they are rewarded with music presented by the electronic-music DJ elite. The ZOri Fascht, Seenachtsfest Rapperswil and Seenachtsfest Lac hen are held alternately every three years and are real public festivals, also promising plenty of fun, music and the opportunity to make new acquaintances outside in the open air. Visitors looking for an adrenaline kick will find it at Switzerland's largest casino: at the Swiss Casinos Zurich, guests can try their luck at the gaming machines and tables or relax in the lounge to live music 365 days a year. There is also an exclusive high-limit area for discerning gaming enthusiasts who like to play for high stakes. Luxury Travel Group - lake Zurich Guide Next >