Zürich’s Summer Festivals are Packed with Cultural Events

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Zürich is a city that prides itself on its diverse cultural life as well as its position on issues of the day. It projects a sense of tolerance and diversity and opens its doors to ideas. Limmat River runs along the city and you can see boats, canoes and kayakers moving along calm waters to Zürichsee. The mountains seem to sit at the edge of Zürichsee where you have the feeling that you can reach out and touch them. The language spoken is Swiss-German, but many people speak at least two languages. It is a beautiful city with high standards and bursting with activities that make it one of the best cities in the world to live.

Summer events are numerous with EuroPride Gay and Lesbian Parade 2009 between June 5-7th. Zürich Festival from June19th – July12th, is a unique combination of opera, concert, dance, theater and art. The Opernhaus will perform “CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA” and ”COSÌ FAN TUTTE”. The Kunsthaus (Museum of Fine Art) shows works by Katharina Fritsch and the Schauspiehous will present “Der Zerbrochene Krug” (The Broken Jug) and “The Sound of Silence”.  Zürich Festival will begin with an Opening Ceremony and a summer’s Night Ball. Festival-goers will enjoy the open-air broadcasts of festival productions on the big screen in Münsterhof as well as a revue by the International Opera Studio in Centralhof.  Open-air cinema is in the picturesque Zurichhorn Park from July 6 - August 16th. The Techno party, held in August is a street parade demonstration for love, joy, freedom, generosity and tolerance. The Theatre Spectacular festival will present 20 theater groups from around the world between August 13th - 30th. Tens of thousands of people will fill the city and streets to participate in the events, to dance, enjoy the food and celebrate life. See web links below for more information.

Swimming pools and beaches with bars for late night goers all along the Zürichsee offer the fun-seeking locals and tourist plenty of sun bathing and lively continuous parties late into the evening as there are no closing hours. The kids will also enjoy the beaches as well as the Zürich Zoo, Circus and Zürcher Spielzeugmuseum (Zürich Toy Museum).

Outdoor restaurants, cafés and beer gardens located around the city are numerous. They offer the dinner a selection of eateries where you enjoy a meal from ethnic to gourmet. There are many bars where you can pick up something light and where young sharply dressed business people are found during lunch.

The Swiss National Holiday is August 1st with firework displays in almost every village including huge bonfire displays in mountain villages. A number of farms offer farm breakfasts with alpine entertainment easily reached by train.

Ships cruise day and night to locations along the lake. Rent a boat for private parties or join an evening dancing cruise. Take a long day trip up the lake while enjoying a nice lunch or a glass of wine viewing the flower-studded shoreline along the way.

If you can’t come during the summer, plan a trip in the fall. During November there is the Expovina Zurich, a wine fair for several days where 12 ships moor near Bürkliplatz at the main harbor. Wine vendor’s present wines and wine tasting. Six restaurants help to keep everyone sober and it is advised that you eat while visiting this event because Switzerland has very strict drinking laws. We always take the train rather then drive. 

Most days of the week you can find farmers markets in different parts the city offering fruits and vegetables, cheeses and flowers. Bürkliplatz market is on Tuesday and Fridays with a flea market on Sunday’s.

Zurich’s famous Bahnhofstrasse is known as a world financial center as well as it exclusive jewelry shops. If luxury shopping is what you are looking for, you will find famous name designers shops and the most exciting jewelry and of course you might want to buy a watch. International clients are seen visiting these exclusive shops as well as art galleries. But many like to window shop.

The Niederdorf district (Old Town) on the right/east bank of the Limmat River also has many jewelers and boutiques and is very well known for its clubs and restaurants. This is one of my favorite parts of the city as you can find ethnic restaurants and a selection of antique, book, crafts and arts shops. There are many galleries if you’re looking to buy a work by an up and coming artist. It is very quite during the morning when you can walk among buildings over 400 years old. But later in the afternoon and evening it is really jumping and the center of nightlife in Zürich.

One cannot talk about Switzerland without mentioning chocolate. If you are a chocoholic or not, a visit to Confiserie Sprügli on the Paradeplatz, to sample the macaroon cookies called Luxemburgerl, truffles or the large variety of freshly made chocolates is a sweet experience. Teuscher’s is also world known and the whimsically decorated shop located on the Bahnhofstrasse can’t be missed. Or sit in one of the Sprügli café or in any the many café’s and enjoy an espresso with a piece of pastry along with the locals. This is part of Zürich life and on my first trip to Switzerland, now many years ago, Sprügli was the first place I went and still go to every time I’m in the city.

Getting around in Switzerland is a dream. It is a great starting point for a European trip. The SBB offers trips by train all over the country and Europe. A Swiss Pass gives you unrestricted travel on the entire network of the Swiss Travel System; city trams, buses, boats and trains included. I hardly used a car while living in Zurich as I could take a ship into the city from many of the harbor pick-up points along the lake or the train - always within easy reach. Once in the city the trams and buses are inexpensive and always on time.

The main train station is not only a major connecting point to other European cities, but also has a large modern shopping mall located within the walls of the original renovated station. Located at the beginning of the Bahnhoffstrasse, it is the starting point for many tourists entering Zürich.

The Glacier Express is world famous with panoramic trips through the Alps - a relaxing and unforgettable way to continue your trip after your visit to Zurich.

Zürich is a fascinating and action filled city and at the same time it maintains it’s civil reputation. Yet it is a place that is passionate about its sports, culture and outdoor way of life. The city is more like a big neighborhood always planning a neighborhood party.

http://www.zuercher-festspiele.ch/

http://travel.sbb.ch/swissrailpass

www.expovina.ch/_index.php

http://www.orangecinema.ch/

www.street-parade.ch