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Fraumünster Church
Of the church spires that characterize Zurich's skyline, the thin blue spire of Fraumünster is the most graceful. Overlooking the historic old square of Münsterhof, the former pig market, the church was founded in 853 and its convent inhabited by German noblewomen until the 13th century. Important architectural features include the Romanesque choir and the enormous elaborate organ, but its chief attractions are the five beautiful stained glass windows designed by the 83-year-old Marc Chagall in 1970.
Address: Am Münsterhofplatz
Phone Number: 044 211 4100
Transport: Tram 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 to Paradeplatz
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 11.15am to 6pm (April to October); Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 11.15am to 4pm (November to March). The church is closed for some services on Sundays
Admission: Free

Swiss National Museum
A fascinating exploration of Swiss national history, the Swiss National Museum has an impressive and varied collection of ancient artifacts, providing visitors with a richer understanding of Swiss life and consciousness through the centuries. Housed in an exquisite castle-like building, with a distinctive tower, the permanent collection contains a comprehensive anthology of artifacts from the Stone Age to modern times. First stop is the archaeology exhibit where tools and articles dating back to before 800BC are on display. Highlights at the museum include the Celestial globe of Jost Bürg (1594), a groundbreaking symbol of European thought, religious reliquaries from the 13th to 16th centuries and ancient wheels, considered to be among the earliest ever found. Another major drawcard is the Armoury, where historic Swiss weaponry used in combat between 800 and 1800BC can be found. Expect to see crossbows, swords and suits of armour.
Address: Museumstrausse 2
Phone Number: 044 218 6511
Website: www.nationalmuseum.ch
Transport: Train to Zurich main station. Museum located across from main station (follow signs)
Hours: Daily except Mondays 10am to 5pm (until 8pm on Thursdays)
Admission: Sfr10 (adults), Sfr8 (concessions). Children under 16 free

Rhine Falls
An excellent day trip from Zurich and close to the town of Schaffhausen, the Rhine Falls (Rheinfall) is the largest and most powerful waterfall in Europe, impressive not so much for its height of 75ft (23m), but more for the mighty volume of water thundering over its broad breadth. This magnificent natural wonder is especially remarkable during late spring when the snowmelt adds to its volume. On the hill above the falls is a medieval castle, Schloss Laufen, housing a restaurant, shops and a youth hostel. Rainbow-colored mists rising from the forest and encircling the castle create an enchanting atmosphere. In summer one of the highlights of a visit to the falls is a boat trip across the white-water of the cataracts to the Center Rock, with a short climb up some stairs to the top for an exhilarating view of the rushing water. Breathtaking views can also be enjoyed from three different lookout platforms along a path leading from the castle. The Känzeli Lookout, with a protruding platform at the base of the falls, is the most spectacular. The Rhine Falls is host to the fantastic fireworks display held on Swiss National Day (1 August) that attracts thousands of spectators every year.
Address: Schaffhausen
Phone Number: 052 672 7455
Transport: Train from Zurich's Hauptbahnhof to Neuhausen, alighting at the Rheinfall stop, and then a short walk to the falls. From Schaffhausen buses 1 and 6

Kunsthaus Zurich (Fine Arts Museum)
Devoted for the most part to 19th and 20th century artwork, the Kunsthaus Zurich (Zurich Fine Arts Museum) is a cultural drawcard for any art lover. Holding one of the largest collections of works by Edvard Munch outside Norway, as well as works by renowned modern artists such as Chagall, Picasso, Monet, Rothko and the Expressionists, Kokoschka, Beckmann and Corinth to name a few, there is a whole host of quality artwork for the visitor to marvel at. Visitors can also view the creative talents of cutting edge Swiss artists such as the sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti, and well-known Swiss duo Fischli/Weiss. Situated in a sophisticated building with contemporary exhibitions, a trip to the Kunsthaus Zurich makes for a very rewarding cultural day out.
Address: Heimplatz 1
Phone Number: 044 253 84 84
Website: www.kunsthaus.ch
Transport: Tram 3 or bus 31 from Hauptbahnhof (Zurich main station) to Kunsthaus
Hours: Wednesday to Friday 10am to 8pm. Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday 10am to 6pm
Admission: Collection: Sfr12 (adults), Sfr8 (concessions), children 16 and under free. Combined tickets for collection and temporary exhibitions: Sfr22.50 (adults), Sfr14.50 (concessions)

Polybahn and Rigiblick Funiculars
Trains, buses, trams and bikes are common ways of getting around Zurich. To get above the bustling streets and cobbled walkways, hop onto either the Polybahn or Rigiblick Funicular for panoramic views of the city and Lake Zurich. The traditional Polybahn was first opened in 1889 to solve the transport problem of students traveling from central Zurich to the University of Technology, which is situated on the towering Zürichberg hill. Recently renovated, the Polybahn has maintained its classic Swiss appearance and continues to haul students and tourists to the Polyterasse viewpoint. Serving an attractive neighborhood north of Zurich, the Rigiblick Funicular rewards travelers with a sweeping panoramic view of the city and the unmistakable Mount Rigi (1797m).
Address: Polybahn: Central station (Hauptbahnhof). Rigiblick: Seilbahn
Transport: Polybahn: Tram 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 15 to Central tram stop on other side of the Limmat river from the main station. Rigiblick: Tram 9 or 10 to Seilbahn Rigiblick
Hours: Polybahn: Monday to Friday 6:45am to 7:15pm. Rigiblick: Daily 5.20am to 12.40pm

Museum of Design Zurich
Known for sophisticated designs such as the internationally recognized symbol of the Red Cross, it is no wonder that Switzerland has a museum dedicated solely to design. With three separate collections, visitors can indulge in the modish designs of the Poster Collection, Design Collection and Graphic Collection, spanning the past century or visit one of the temporary exhibits where works of acclaimed industrial designers, photographers, graphic artists and architects are regularly shown. Designed by the progressive Swiss architects Adolf Steger and Karl Egender as a Functionalist manifesto, the Museum of Design Zurich is a great example of modern architecture in Switzerland and is a gallery not to be missed.
Address: Ausstellungsstrasse 60
Phone Number: 043 446 6767
Website: www.museum-gestaltung.ch
Transport: Tram 4 or 13 to tram stop Museum Gestaltung or five minute walk from Zurich main station
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 8pm, Friday to Sunday 10am to 5pm
Admission: Sfr12 (adults), Sfr8 (concessions)

Niederdorf
Situated in the old town, across from central station, the narrow lanes of Niederdorf wind through towering 14th century buildings revealing small plazas where restaurants spill onto cobbled streets and buskers entertain diners and passers-by with miscellaneous music. This charming district has an interesting array of fashion stores, bookshops and antique dealers as well as superb independent cheese, wine and pastry shops. In the evening the area transforms into one of Zurich's buzzing nightlife venues with a wide selection of bars, restaurants and clubs to be explored.
Address: Niederdorfstrasse
Transport: Tram number 3, 4, 6, 7 or 10 to Central tram stop or five minute walk from Zurich main station across Limmat River

Zurich Zoo
Unlike the dubious reputation of zoos worldwide, the Zurich Zoo is refreshingly dedicated to nature conservation, maintaining ecosystems and protecting animal species, with many projects of reintroduction into the wild. Offering guided tours and in depth information tools, the Zurich Zoo does its best to educate the public. With over 260 different species and 2200 animals, visitors will get the unique chance to view endangered animal species such as snow leopards and red pandas. Recreating ecosystems from exotic Madagascar to the rugged Ethiopian Highlands and housing the various animals in spacious enclosures, a visit to the diverse Zurich Zoo is a pleasurable and invigorating excursion. Visit the website to see feeding times and which new pups have been born.
Address: Zurichbergstrasse 221
Phone Number: 044 254 2505
Website: www.zoo.ch
Transport: Tram 6 from Zurich main station
Hours: Daily from 9am to 6pm (March to October) and 9am to 5pm (November to February)
Admission: Sfr22 (adults), Sfr16 (children). Concessions available

Center Le Corbusier
The final work of the renowned Swiss architect who pioneered modernism and laid the foundation for Bauhaus, the Center Le Corbusier in Zurichhorn Park is the epitome of modern design. A conglomeration of his life's work, the Center Le Corbusier and Heidi Weber Museum unify Le Corbusier's architecture, paintings, furniture, sculpture and writings, all in one space. Created in the 1960s, the contemporary building strong references to Mondrian and is a jumble of cubic structures made of colored panels, glass and steel, protected by a detached angular roof. Initially designed as a private house, the many spaces of the Center Le Corbusier have fared well as an exhibition and learning center. On your way to this illuminating masterpiece, take a stroll alongside the Limmat River in picturesque Zurichhorn Park and keep a look out for the sculptures of Jean Tinguely and Henry Moore.
Address: Hoeschgasse 8
Email Address: info@centerlecorbusier.com
Website: www.centerlecorbusier.com
Transport: Tram 2 along Seefeldstrasse to Hoeschgasse or boat to Zurichhorn Casino. Within walking distance from there
Hours: Open July to September, Saturday and Sunday 2pm to 5pm. Exterior viewable all year round

Swiss Alps
The Alps contain some of Switzerland's most dramatic landscapes, in a country already well endowed with spectacular scenery and fabulous alpine vistas. Situated at the heart of the Alps, Switzerland shares the mountain range with France, Italy and Austria and provides winter and summer time enjoyment for skiers, snowboarders, walkers and climbers. Switzerland boasts the first ever ski resort, and since then over 200 first class resorts have attracted thousands of Swiss and international downhill and cross-country skiers as well as snowboarders. The tradition of skiing goes back two centuries. Today, with more than 1,700 mountain railways and ski lifts, renowned ski schools and instructors, the best ski equipment in the world, and outstanding slopes and facilities catering for all levels of ability, it deserves to be called 'Europe's winter playground'. The ideal resort for beginners or families is Grindelwald in the Jungfrau region, while intermediates and snowboarders head for the twin resorts of Davos and Klosters, with miles of excellent ski terrain and acclaimed to be one of the top snowboarding destinations worldwide. Expert skiers can enjoy the challenge of 7,200 ft (2,700m) vertical drops on the Klein Matterhorn at Zermatt, and the ski valley of Verbier is ideal for shoulder-season skiing as its location provides early snow that lingers late into the spring. The stylish resort of St Moritz offers the most energetic and varied nightlife out of all the Swiss resorts. The ideal ski season runs from January to late March, but is most crowded during the Christmas holidays and the month of February. Climbers and walkers head to the Alps between June and September when the weather is warmer and more settled. There are more than 40,390 miles (65,000km) of well-marked and maintained hiking trails as well as longer treks across the country that will reveal miles and miles of unspoiled beauty. Grindelwald has long been the capital of summer hiking in the Bernese Alps, and more recently added a network of groomed trails for winter hikers. Climbers have long been lured by the challenges of the Matterhorn and there are some memorable hikes up to the cliffs below the summit. The Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) is the best source of information on mountaineering. The most accessible and visited alpine area is the magnificent Bernese Oberland region in the center of the country with classic Swiss scenery - picturesque peaks, quaint wooden chalets and charming mountain villages, green pastures, lakes and the tinkle of cow bells. This is a fabulous area for walking and provides exceptional winter sports.

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