by Andre Sanchez

Zurich is said to be the banking capital of the world, but it is also a great place for a vacation if you enjoy the treasures that an old city can provide. It is a paradise for the artist and the historian, and this is the city in which James Joyce wrote his famous book, Ulysses.

No Zurich vacation can miss out the Bahnhofstrasse, the unromantic translation of which is Station Street. This is one of the most expensive shopping areas in the world. Station Street, Zurich! The street and shopping are elegant and exclusive and not to be missed, even if just for window shopping! The shopping throughout Zurich is excellent and generally not all that expensive, though hotel prices are ridiculous!

The Zurich, hotels are used to business travelers on expenses and their prices reflect that. One night in an ordinary airport hotel will cost you over $200 for an average room. At a busy time, when there are several conferences or meetings in the city, it can cost over $1000 for an ordinary room, so get your hotel pre-booked at a price you can accept before traveling.

As anywhere, the more exclusive stores are pricy, but generally the prices are on a par with New York and London. The youngsters can head of for Niederdorf which has a load of trendy clothes shops plus lots of bars and restaurants.

For art lovers, the Museum of Fine Arts, or Kuntshaus, is to them as a Santa’s grotto is to children. It holds works ranging from classical Renaissance masterpieces to the modern paintings of Picasso, Dali and Gaugin, and also holds the largest collection of Edward Munch paintings outside Scandinavia. It also possesses works by Monet, Rodin and Degas.

The Swiss national museum in Zurich displays exhibits ranging in time from the Neolithic to the present day. There is a selection of Swiss timepieces, and impressive weapons including swords and crossbows, and also fine silver and gold pieces created by expert craftsmen. It also contains furniture and fine paintings and sculptures. It is a treasure trove for anyone interested in history and fine arts, and you could easily spend a day wandering around here.

The artist Marc Chagall designed the five gorgeous stained glass windows of the Fraumunster Church that overlooks the Munsterhof square, a former pig market. This is indicative of the type of holiday that Zurich can offer. It is not for families with children, young or teenagers, unless they also are interested in history and art.

There are other attractions other than museums and beautiful buildings, of course. Zurich stands on the north end of Lake Zurich which extends for 25 kilometers. The water is very clear and clean and cruises are available for the full length. You can also have local cruises lasting up to two hours or so, and evening culinary and entertainment cruises with dancing to a live orchestra. Cruises on the river Limmat, that runs through Zurich, are also available.

Take my advice: these cruises are fabulous, and the dance cruises are truly wonderful. Even if you don’t like ballroom dancing, you don’t want to miss this. If you decide that it is not for you then try a cruise on the river through Zurich. You will not regret it.

Although the largest city in Switzerland, Zurich is not big, with a population of less than half a million though it extends to a million if you consider the population of the whole area around the city. It is an old city with many cobbled streets, and outdoor markets offering everything you can think of including the world famous Swiss chocolate, home made at ludicrously cheap prices.

Zurich has a diverse ethnicity and a vibrant nightlife. The bars and clubs are good, and full of life. In fact the night life tends to belie the regularity of the Swiss way of life, and equals anything you will find in any other part of the world. Zurich has more clubs per head of population than any other city in Europe. The city that gave birth to Dadaism is not all art and history.

Try the Langstrasse, or Long Street, the Red Light district of Zurich. It is unlike most such districts in that it is clean and safe, and you can walk alone, though a lone woman can expect a comment or two! Nothing serious though. Unlike such areas outside Europe, it is well regulated by the local authorities and police, and quite legal for you to make use of it if you so choose.

If you are a skier, use Zurich for a winter vacation. Get a ticket at the Hauptbahnhof and travel to Flumsberg. The runs are great for all types of skier from beginners to expert, and you get the train back in the evening. It’s very popular with Zurich residents and visitors. Once you return, you can relax on the Lake Promenade.

A Zurich vacation is for those who are fascinated by old cities and their history and provides a wealth of culture. However, the food is excellent and the bars as good as any in the world. If you enjoy wandering around art galleries and museums, but also like great shopping, good food and to let your hair down at night, then Zurich is the ideal vacation for you.

A Zurich Vacation is a Special Experience was originally published at http://www.globallifenow.com