Discover Zurich, Switzerland’s Secret Gem

If you like living the dream, then Zurich is an excellent city to discover. Zurich is Switzerland’s secret Gem. Zurich is also Switzerland’s largest city. The city is located in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. Zürich has been a permanent settlement for over 2,000 years and was founded by the Romans in 15 BC, who called it Turicum. Early settlements, however, date back over 6,400 years (although these findings indicate human presence in the area and not the existence of a town that far back).

You can have an extraordinary travel experience on a smaller ship cruise and travel to one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, Zurich, Switzerland. The advantages of smaller ship cruising include luxurious staterooms, gourmet cuisine, and onboard entertainment and education. In addition, you can access private ports not accessible by larger ships. Thanks to fewer passengers on board, you have plenty of space to stretch out and maintain physical distancing requirements during the pandemic, sort of like your own travel bubble. A river cruise is also great for solo travelers. You get to travel alone but don’t feel alone as there is always the opportunity to connect with like-minded people.

Whether traveling with friends or solo, Zurich is the perfect place to start your transformational travel experience. Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. Its rich heritage offers tourists-decadent chocolates, grand banking centers, designer boutiques, a world-class art scene, and a fascinating history.

 

A Chocoholics’ Dream

Besides being known for its high-end shopping and banking, Zurich is also known for its fancy chocolates. Confectionery giants such as Läderach Chocolatier, Suisse Confiserie Sprüngli, Lindt and Teuscher offer some tastiest bites chocolate lovers can imagine. Freshly made chocolates on-site, Luxumburgerli Amaretti cookies, pralines, hot cocoa, Swiss champagne truffles, and original gifts showcase this Swiss art.

 

 Zurich is a City of Scenic Beauty

The city of Zurich has long captivated visitors and locals alike with its beautiful landscape. Situated amid the Swiss Alps, it is surrounded by lakes and rivers. A stroll along the magnificent promenades or along the water is a great way to experience this mountainous city. Enjoy leisurely summer walks on the promenades. Sip mulled wine or enjoy hot chocolate in one of the lovely cafés that line the avenues during the winter.

Founded before 900 AD, St. Peter’s Church is the oldest church in Zurich. Among its many features, it has the largest clock face in Europe. “Old Town Grossmünster Abbey” (in English, “Great Minister”) is a medieval church whose history dates back to when Charlemagne built it in a previous incarnation. This incarnation, built between 1100 and 1220, is the church we see today. As well as the impressive views found at this church, it was here that Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger launched the Swiss-German Reformation in the 16th century. Zurich’s Town Hall (called Rathaus) is still used to govern.

Strolling Through Zurich’s Historic District

You can discover some city’s most popular attractions and historical sites on a walking tour. The Old Town is a virtual melting pot of medieval houses, churches, and modern buildings. An 

estimated half a million people visit the Fraumünster Abbey annually to admire the stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall. The five windows, installed in 1970, depict Christian stories such as Prophets, Jacob, Christ, Zion and Law. In the North transept, Giacometti created a thirty-foot-high stained-glass window.

Founded before 900 AD, St. Peter’s Church is the oldest church in Zurich. Among its many features, it has the largest clock face in Europe. “Old Town Grossmünster Abbey” (in English, “Great Minister”) is a medieval church whose history dates back to when Charlemagne built it in a previous incarnation. This incarnation, built between 1100 and 1220, is the church we see today. As well as the impressive views found at this church, it was here that Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger launched the Swiss-German Reformation in the 16th century. Zurich’s Town Hall (called Rathaus) is still used to govern.

An Interesting Fact. Everyone Has Access to Clean Drinking Water!

Over 1200 drinking water fountains can be found throughout Zurich’s many piazzas, cobbled streets, and popular attractions. People often fill up bottles with water in the city’s fountains and carry around a water bottle, with them to stay hydrated. Many of the fountains have their own stories to tell, and almost all of them contain clean, pure spring water safe to drink (note: fountains whose water is not portable will be marked with Kein Trinkwasser/ Eau nonpotable/Nonpotable).

 

Take A Scenic River Cruise Starting in Switzerland

Discover Switzerland with an Enchanting Rhine itinerary. On this luxury river cruise, you cruise from Switzerland through France and Germany, ending in the Netherlands on this scenic river cruise. Start your adventure by spending two nights in Zurich and 2 nights in Lucerne. You get to experience these cities’ rich heritage and progressive future – all of which will be displayed during the city tour. On this Ama Waterways European river cruise, you will have a unique view of the Rhine River with its vineyards, castles, natural waterfalls, and old villages.

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Written by Priscilla Holmes, CEO and Travel Advisor, Cilla Travel LLC

Sources: [AmaWaterways, Wikipedia].