World Travel

Zurich, Switzerland Travel Pictures

Zurich, the Little Big City, is the only place I'd consider large enough to be called a city in Switzerland. Large numbers of immigrants make for interesting restaurants, street scenes and entertainment. Younger people like going out, spawning numerous trendy bars and restaurants.

People are usually reserved, so don't expect bouts of exceptional friendliness here. Political forces have made Zurich open up since the mid eighties and during the summer months Zurich's festivals flow from one to the other week by week. The Street Parade, by now the largest techno festival in Europe (the world?) somehow mostly gets good weather year after year. Unfortunately exactly the opposite occurs for freestyle.ch, an amazing weekend of great inline, BMX and skateboard tricks and stunts in September. There are dozen of other events, ranging from the traditional, the ethnic, the gigantic and the trendy. The Züri-Fäscht, held every three years, and more so, the yearly Langstrassenfest qualify for gigantic eatery status, with food stall jostling food stall for customers.

The delights of Zurich, of which there are numerous, are found in the details, rather than in the large or spectacular. That said, Zurich does offer some world-class attractions, such as the art museum Kunsthaus, the Streetparade and perhaps the Opera. Zurich is small enough to explore on foot, from the nice lakeside, to the old town, the museums and the shopping area (your wallet won't like it). A walking tour through Zurich will take you a day or two to complete, depending how thorough you are, and some of the other sights might take another few days to visit.

Fountain head along Lake Zürich (opposite the Converium building)

Fountain head along Lake Zürich (opposite the Converium building)

The beginning of year has been celebrated by magnificent fireworks over lake Zurich in recent years

The beginning of year has been celebrated by magnificent fireworks over lake Zurich in recent years

Zurich waking up to a wintry, snowy morning

Zurich waking up to a wintry, snowy morning

Christmas blows whiffs of dazzling wonderland onto Bahnhofstrasse

Christmas blows whiffs of dazzling wonderland onto Bahnhofstrasse

Frog basks in the sun on a water-lily in the botanical gardens

Frog basks in the sun on a water-lily in the botanical gardens

Sunset over the church of Enge and the Üetliberg with it's tower and hotel-restaurant in the distance

Sunset over the church of Enge and the Üetliberg with it's tower and hotel-restaurant in the distance

Idyllic scene in in small vineyard in Enge

Idyllic scene in in small vineyard in Enge

Wintry Lake Zurich, Mythenquai

Wintry Lake Zurich, Mythenquai

Dusk Jet Streams over the Üetliberg

Dusk Jet Streams over the Üetliberg
View from my bedroom balcony: Brrrrrrr...
View from my bedroom balcony: Brrrrrrr...
That's PILES of snow..
That's PILES of snow..
Small part of Marc Chagall's stained glass windows in the Fraumunster Church
Small part of Marc Chagall's stained glass windows in the Fraumunster Church
View of the Grossmünster Church
View of the Grossmünster Church
One of the towers of the Grossmünster
One of the towers of the Grossmünster
View out of the Grossmünster tower
View out of the Grossmünster tower
View down to the Limmat river
View down to the Limmat river
The Fraumüster and the Limmat
The Fraumüster and the Limmat
Lenin lived in this house during his stay in Zurich
Lenin lived in this house during his stay in Zurich
Facade figure
Facade figure
Towers of the Grossmünster
Towers of the Grossmünster
Entrance to the Rathaus
Entrance to the Rathaus
Boat idling
Limmatschiff
Autumn leaves on tarred road
Log piles
Swan looking for food
Swan looking for food
Baby sparrows
Baby sparrows
Hungry sparrow
Mama Duck
Kiddie Ducks
Kiddie Ducks
Preparing a large portion of food at "Züri Füscht"
Preparing a large portion of food at "Züri Fäscht"

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