Zurich

Switzerland's largest city lies on the shores of a beautiful lake, with the majestic Alps looming in the background. The city grew from the Roman settlement of Turicum to a medieval commercial town governed by powerful craft guilds to a center of the Reformation. Today she is an ultramodern, international banking hub, but the historic city center has been lovingly preserved. Highlights of the old city (Altstadt), which clusters around the junction of the river Limmatt and the lake, include the Grossmünster cathedral with its twin domed towers, the Fraumünster with its Chagall stained glass windows, and the pedestrian-only ...

Switzerland's largest city lies on the shores of a beautiful lake, with the majestic Alps looming in the background. The city grew from the Roman settlement of Turicum to a medieval commercial town governed by powerful craft guilds to a center of the Reformation. Today she is an ultramodern, international banking hub, but the historic city center has been lovingly preserved. Highlights of the old city (Altstadt), which clusters around the junction of the river Limmatt and the lake, include the Grossmünster cathedral with its twin domed towers, the Fraumünster with its Chagall stained glass windows, and the pedestrian-only Niederdorfstrasse, lined with little shops and restaurants. Across the river, the Bahnhofstrasse, home to banks and department stores, is known as "the most expensive street in Europe." Experience Swiss history at the Landesmuseum, or Impressionist art at the Bührle Collection. The large, modern zoo includes a huge indoor rain forest. Dine at one of the historic Guild Halls, or feast on grilled meat and rösti at one of the beer halls. In summer, a cruise on one of the lake steamboats is a must, perhaps a day trip to nearby Rapperswil, "the City of Roses."

About the Expert

Charlie Morris is the author of the Open Road guidebooks Best of Honduras, Best of Costa Rica, Best of Belize, and Switzerland Guide.