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For many years Zurich was a somewhat boring city, filled with banks, investment houses, and other business interests. Over the last few decades, however, a resurgence of arts, culture, entertainment, and restaurants has helped Zurich become quite a popular tourist destination for visitors from Europe as well as from other parts of the world. The city itself is roughly divided into two parts by the Limmat River. On the west side you will find the newer and more modern parts of the city, while on the east side you will find an area rich with Zurich's history in the Old Town section.
A great place to start your vacation in Zurich is with a few hours spent in the Landesmuseum. This is the largest history museum in Switzerland and is a rich source of background and information about Zurich and other locations in Switzerland where you might spend some time. Next, visit Grossmunster, an authentic Romanesque style church dating back several centuries. It is not fancy or ornate, but it is beautiful and interesting to explore.
If shopping is your favourite activity then Zurich is definitely the right city for your travel plans. Bahnhofstrasse is the premier shopping district in the city, boasting a wonderful mix of high-end shops as well as locally owned shops where the service is especially warm and friendly. When your shopping day is finished head over to Zurich West where the most vibrant and exciting nightlife takes place. There are clubs for dancing, restaurants for eating, and plenty of opportunities to live it up for an evening.
Another popular activity for visitors of all ages is to stroll along the Lake Promenade. This is a boardwalk extending over three kilometres around the shores of Lake Zurich, a terrific location to enjoy a lovely evening and mingle with local residents and tourists alike. There is even a large park area with an expansive meadow where people love to stop for picnics and general enjoyment of the scenic beauty all around.
To go back a bit farther in Zurich and Swiss history, explore the hill area known as Lindenhof. This gem is located right in the very heart of the old section of town and is filled with shops and other unique offerings. When you get to the top of the hill be sure to pause and enjoy the scenery, as it offers a tremendous view of Zurich and the surrounding area. But wait a minute, what makes all of this historic? The Lindenhof was originally the location of an early Roman fort, built centuries ago. There are few remnants left visible, but as you walk around the area it's easy to see why the Romans chose this location as an excellent site for a protective fort.
Moving from place to place around Zurich is easiest when you use the terrific public transportation system established in the city. It is one of the cleanest and safest in the entire world, plus it is extraordinarily efficient. You can ride on buses, trams, small trains, and even some boats as you explore the city each day. Check with your hotel or a nearby tourist information centre for more details about all day passes, schedules, and finding your way around the network of routes.
Zurich Airport is located just outside of Zurich, and despite being one of the busiest of all international airports it operates with the famous efficiency that is the hallmark of Switzerland. Most major carriers offer flights into and out of this airport, but the vast majority of international flights are offered by the national air carrier SwissAir. Nearly every hotel offers some sort of shuttle or discounted transportation service from the airport into the city, so check with your accommodations in advance to get their recommendations.
Wiki:- Zurich
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