SWITZERLAND is having a moment, after hosting this year’s Eurovision Song Contest and the women’s football Euros, which saw England’s Lionesses take the trophy.
Zurich is the country’s largest city and has more than enough to explore for a weekend break.
Zurich is the perfect city for a weekend break[/caption]
WHY SHOULD I GO?
THE city frequently ranks among the prettiest cities in Switzerland.
Home to picturesque lakes and rivers, where locals bathe in the summer, and a rapidly growing cafe culture, it makes for a great city break at any time of year.
Football fans, looking to bask in the Lionesses glory, can head to the FIFA Museum, with specialist exhibitions and public tours.
STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?
ZURICH’S nickname is the Little Big City — big in its influence around the world but small as cities go.
It is home to fewer than 1.4 million people, meaning you can easily explore most of it on foot.
It does have an amazing public transport system of buses, trams and trains if you need them.
Or you can hop on the UBS Polybahn — a tiny funicular connecting the old town to the university in just 100 seconds.
BUCKET LIST ATTRACTIONS?
TAKE your pick of attractions.
There is the Lindt World of Chocolate, home to the largest free-standing chocolate fountain in the world as well as fun classes and tours.
The Lindt World of Chocolate is home to the largest free-standing chocolate fountain in the word[/caption]
It’s also home to the world’s biggest chocolate shop, which sells famous Dubai chocolate bars.
Or there is the Kunsthaus, Switzerland’s largest art museum with 4,000 paintings including Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh.
The Kunsthaus art museum home to works by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh[/caption]
Visit on Wednesdays for free or grab free entry with a Zurich City Card.
If the weather is warm, make sure to head to one of the 18 lidos across the city to cool off.
I love Frauenbad Stadthausquai, a women-only lido that costs around £7 for the day.
Or join the locals by hopping in the very clean lake for a free swim.
If the weather is warm head to one of the 18 lidos across the city to cool off[/caption]
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
ZURICH isn’t all about Swiss cheese and sausages.
One of the must-visit restaurants is House Hiltl, which claims to be the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant.
It’s a buffet with Italian, Indian and Middle Eastern offerings and the quality is extremely high.
But think before loading up your plate as you pay by the gram.
For a beautiful brunch spot, head to the trendy Langstrasse district to Bank.
Built in the former Swiss Bank, it has beautiful interiors and great food.
Arrive early to grab a seat outside and I recommend the green shakshuka.
If you are still getting that bratwurst craving, the best place in town is Sternen Grill.
Grab it to takeaway, with the juicy, salty sausage accompanied by a large crusty bread roll.
I FANCY A DRINK!
FOR the best views over the city, I’d suggest the aptly-named Rooftop.
Not only does it have skyline views but it boasts huge cocktail options, with my favourite the chilli- elderflower Spicy Bloom Garden.
If you’re peckish, it has amazing Asian fusion small plates too.
Otherwise, below is the very laidback Kasheme, with vinyl sounds and live music — where people spill out onto the streets with their beers.
It’s the kind of bar where you end up staying out way later than planned. Pop into Cafe Bar Odeon too — it’s where Einstein was said to have drank.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
ONE of the city’s coolest hotels is the 25hours Hotel Zurich Langstrasse, by the main train station.
You can rent everything from power banks and umbrellas to bikes and electric scooters, depending on availability.
My room comes with a UE boom speaker, which I was allowed to take with me for the day, as well as bags made from recycled plastic.
It even has an onsite pawn shop, rooftop sauna and central bar, where they host a mix of events.
The rooms are gorgeous, with queen size beds, massive glass showers and free chocolates and drinks.
You don’t even need to leave for dinner, thanks to the delicious on-site Neni restaurant, which serves a mix of Persian, Arab and Moroccan sharing plates.
I’d go back for lamb tacos and popcorn falafel.
GO: ZURICH
GETTING THERE: One night at 25hours Zurich Langstrasse is from £241.70 on a room-only basis. See 25hours-hotels.com.
STAYING THERE: EasyJet flies from Luton to Zurich from £26.99 return. See easyjet.com.
OUT AND ABOUT: 24 hour Zurich City Cards with discounts, free public transport and free attraction entry start from £26.85. See zuerich.com.
