Archive for May, 2010

Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland is the capital of the canton of Zürich. It has 364,500 natives in the city proper and close to 1 million in the agglomeration area. Zurich is banked on Lake Zurich, where the lake meets the Limmat River, in the north of Switzerland. It was one of the eight host cities in the 2008 European Football Championships. Zurich is a global city and is among one of the worlds largest financial centers. It is surrounded by wooded hills including the Gubrist, the Hönggerberg, the Käferberg, the Zürichberg, the Adlisberg and the Oettlisberg on the eastern shore; and the Uetliberg (part of the Albis range) on the western shore.

Climate

Zürich has a humid continental climate. January tends to be the coldest month in Zurich, when daytime temperatures linger around 2°C / 36°F, dropping to some extent at night, when frosts are most likely.  Snowy weather can occur at this time of the year, as the climate begins to warm up and reaches highs of 8°C / 46°F or more by the time that March arrives.

Places to visit

Start with the sunrise at the Limmat River, rising from the Fraumünster church. You can plan a trip around Grossmünster, Zwingliplatz, Old Romanesque church, symbol of reformed Zurich, where reformer Huldrych Zwingli was appointed the people’s priest in 1519, Kämbelgasse 2, Old Gothic church, Landesmuseum, Museumstrasse, and Swiss history museum. You can also shop for, tiffany diamonds, Swiss chocolates, knives, clothes etc at Bahnhofstrasse, Jelmoli, Niederdorf, and Löwenstrasse. The Altstadt’s historic lanes attract a lively crowd with a mix of pubs, jazz bars and pavement cafés.

Airport

Zürich Airport/ Kloten Airport, is positioned in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland and operated by Flughafen Zürich AG. More than 180 companies operate at the Airport. Europe’s Leading Airport, best Airport for food and drink, Swiss Award for steel construction: Zurich Airport has received a variety of awards in different categories. With approximately 60 shops, a wide range of travel offers, restaurants and the impressive Airside Center make your SWISS flight an adventure. Car hire facilities are provided by Alamo/National, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt at the airport.

Transport

Public Transportation in Zurich consists of two systems: the Best Car Rental Zurich Airport Transportation Authority VBZ, and the Greater Zurich Transport System ZVV. Lake Steamer service on the Lake of Zurich connects most communities on both sides of the lake with the city. The modern tram, bus and S-Bahn network offers daily service from about 5.30 am until midnight with services every six minutes during rush hours. Switzerland has an elaborate mesh of trains, buses, trams, cable cars and lake steamers. It has one of the worlds most organized, fastest and punctual railway systems. The Swiss use their trains more than anyone else in Europe.