A pulsing metropolis and idyllic landscapes, a regional character with an international radiance. Zurich is an important economic, cultural and social center of Switzerland. Its unique situation on the shores of the lake of the same name, a superb view on the Alps, numerous excursion destinations close by and its urban variety creates a very attractive ensemble. A little outside the city lie the botanical garden and on the mount Züriberg, an extraordinary zoo.
It takes only a few steps from the shopping street Bahnhofstrasse to the lake or to the river Limmat or into the old town and its tangle of alleyways. The grand symbol is the cathedral Grossmünster with its two towers. Near the church Wasserkirche, a monument remembers the Reformer Huldrich Zwingli. In the choir of the Fraumünster, the stain glass paintings of Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti arouse admiration. Still today, the magnificent houses of the corporations on the bank of the Limmat witness the power and richness, which dominated over the destiny of the city during the Middle Ages. Here, in 1523, Huldrich Zwingli prepared the ground for the Swiss Reformation.
With more than 50 museums, Zurich is the cultural heavy weight of Switzerland. The most important museum of the country on its culture and history is the Landesmuseum, the national museum. The Kunsthaus, house of arts, of Zurich possesses one of the most important collections of paintings and sculptures in all of Europe. Another museum, the Rietberg, also presents works of world importance from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania.
The ideal way to learn about the history of Zurich is to follow one of the commented and historical promenades with a qualified guide.
One often forgets that the canton of Zurich is not only made of urban zones, but also of magnificent landscapes. Lakes and rivers invite one to stroll around and take a rest. Attractive hiking trails take you through the pre-alps and their imposing vineyards. Excursion destinations of all kinds wait to be discovered. One of the nearby excursion destinations is the Uetliberg, the local mountain of Zurich. Some 25 km east is the city of Winterthur, the second city of the canton. Ancient industrial city, it holds today 3 art museums of world class.
The little city of Rapperswil on the other end of the lake of Zurich and its zoo of the national circus offers also a gratifying excursion.
Small but nice! The little canton of Zug shines with its polyvalence. It is not only an economically attractive site, but offers also magnificent landscapes and cultural sites.
The city of Zug, with its attractive situation on the shore of the lake with the same name, the picturesque old town and its offer of culinary specialties is a very appreciated excursion destination. Business men and women appreciate Zug also for its favorable tax level.
The magnificent train station with its light installations of the internationally famous American light artist James Turell transforms itself at nightfall into a luminous soaring object. Zug is also the town of cherries. Admire the cherry trees covered with flowers and taste the juicy raw cherries, cherries on cakes, in the form of Kirsch liqueur full of aroma and the famous Kirsch tart, which has become a symbol of Zug. Discover the grottos of unique stalactites in the Lorzenertobel near Baar! With its magical petrified forms, these grottos charm young and old.
