DESTINATION IDEAS
   England
   Germany
   Italy
   France
   Austria
   Belgium
   Croatia
   Ireland
   Wales
   Switzerland
   Castles
   Museums
   Cathedrals
   War History
   Family Travel
   Wine & Food
   Motorsports
   Romantic Hotels

Switzerland Image

ZURICH
HOTEL DEALS

BARGAIN SEARCH
HOTELS
AIRFARES
AUTO & RAIL

 

SWISS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bargain Travel Europe guide to Europe on a budget for unusual destinations,
holiday travel tips and secret spots missed by travel tours.


A Single Stop for European Rail Travel



ZURICH FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Christmas and New Years - Switzerland’s Biggest Parties

Zurich Ralway Station Christkindl Market photoZurich is the biggest city in Switzerland, so it’s only fitting they throw the biggest holiday fairs in the country. The season starts off on the last days of November when the Zurich Christmas Fair (Christkindli-Market) at the main rail station, called Shopville Rail City opens. With over 160 wooden chalets like its own miniature alpine Swiss Village, the Christmas Fair in Zurich is Europe’s largest indoor Christmas Market. But that’s only the beginning. Just steps outside the rail station begins Zurich’s Bahnhof Strasse, Zurich Bahnhofstrasse shopping street photoone of Europe’s best known shopping streets, tending toward exclusive luxury for the international crowd, the glittering land of Rolex and diamonds between the banking headquarters, but you’ll also find a whole varied range of unique and elegant fashion stores, department stores and boutiques, brimming with shoes, furs, accessories, porcelain, jewelry and, of course watches (see Beyer Watch Museum). Enjoy tasty Christmas sweet treats at Confiserie Sprüngli. Through December the shops of Bahnhofstrasse will stay open on Sundays.

Singing Christmas Tree Zurich photoAt Werdmühleplatz, between Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmat River where the Rudolf-Brun Bridge crosses toward the iconic twin towers of the Grossmünster Cathedral, encounter the Singing Christmas Tree, a children’s chorus in decked stalls forming a living tree, caroling through the season. A few tram stops away, across the river in old town Zurich you’ll find the Zurich Old Town Christmas Market at Hirschenplatz and Niederdorfstrasse, smaller, and surrounded by more unique one-of-a-kind shops. Schwarzenbach Zurich photoArtisans from around the world come to Zurich to offer their holiday wares at this most traditional and oldest Christmas Markets. Explore the back streets in what Zurich locals call ‘Lädele’, a shopping stroll. Sample the variety of Schnapps at the Distillerie zur Scnappsboutique, discover a new favorite secret blend of whisky at the Scots & Scotch Shop, or teas, coffee, dried fruits and pasta at hundred year old Schwarzenbach Kolonialwaren, and stop for a cake at the famous Cafe Odeon, where Lenin once sipped coffee, thinking of "revolutsia" (see Lenin in Manchester).

Zurich Shopping Schnapps Boutique photoAfter shopping, take yourself ice skating in the heart of Zurich at the National Museum (Landesmuseum) across from the rail station, where the back courtyard lined with canons is formed into a giant winter wonderland every year. Entrance is free. If you haven't packed your skates, they can be rented. Take in the view of Lake Zurich at night and dip into cheese fondue on the roof terrace of the Hotel Ambassador behind the opera house (74 Swiss Francs per person) make reservations in advance or before 9 am (see Ambassador Hotel).

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Lake Zurich New Years Fireworks Party photoOn New Years Eve the shores and plazas around of Lake Zürich light up with the legendary New Year's Eve fireworks display put on but the hotel owners of Zurich, making for Switzerland's biggest free New Year's Eve Party. The celebrations start at 8 pm with bars around the lake packed with parties, and culinary delights from around the world on offer (not free unfortunately), with the incredible fireworks display going of at the end of the New Year’s countdown with the regularity of a Swiss watch. Forget that boring old ball of Tiffany glass in New York, this spectacle of pyrotechnics attracts 200,000 party people from Switzerland and neighboring countries to start the New Year in truly European celebration style. © Bargain Travel Europe

Compare best hotel and travel deals in Zurich on TripAdvisor

Web Info
Zurich Tourism

These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission. Photos courtesy Wagner Museum.

SEE ALSO:

SWITZERLAND SANTA CLAUS

ZURICH VIP CLUB PASS OFFER

GROSSMUNSTER ZURICH'S SYMBOLIC CATHEDRAL

RAPPERSWIL ON LAKE ZURICH

TRAFALGAR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TOURS 2010

AUSTRIA’S TEN BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS