Excursions - Zürich (Zurich (Region))

Gently rocking waves, peace and quiet, relaxation and fine food: the best way to discover the varied Lake Zurich area is by taking a boat trip. The “rose town” of Rapperswil and the sunny “golden coast” on the northern shore are particularly worth visiting, as is of course the dynamic metropolis of Zurich with its countless attractions.

The Botanical Garden of the University of Zürich is well worth a visit.

The asia spa with its Asian-style saunas and massages and the hot springs of its original Japanese Onsen Pool make for active preventive healthcare.

The E.G. Bührle Collection is one of the most prestigious of private art collections. It comprises medieval wood carvings and paintings by the old masters, but above all works by French artists of the 19th and 20th century.

Besides the permanent collection, the Kunsthaus presents changing exhibits which make the museum one of Switzerland's leading exhibition centers.

Zürich Zoo - with 320 species of animals from all over the word - is situated in a beautiful, natural parkland, where impressive encounters await the visitors.

The atmosphere at the Dolder Ice Complex is unique...

Enge lakeside swimming area
-Entrance fee
May-Sept. ladies’ and mixed swimming

Founded in 853 by King Louis the German, this church with ist convent was inhabited by the female members of the aristocracy of southern Germany.

According to legend, Charlemagne discovered the graves of the city's martyrs Felix and Regula and had a church build as a choristers' cloister on the spot. Construction work on the present building began around 1100.

The Polish Museum in Rapperswil Castle is the work of Polish emigrees and their Swiss friends.

Located in the heart of Zürich, the Swiss National Museum houses Switzerland’s largest collection on cultural history. The over 100-year-old building is reminiscent of a fairytale castle. On 1st August 2009, two new permanent exhibitions opened. Entitled “History of Switzerland” and “Collections Gallery,” they will offer a fascinating insight into Swiss history from its origins to the 20th century.

The themes of this museum are design, visual communication, shaping of the environment, art, architecture, everyday culture, photography and the media, as well as confronting people with modern tendencies and cataloguing new developments.

This museum shows contemporary art of international status that may not yet have reached a wide audience. The Kunsthalle is located in the Löwenbräu premises in the immediate vicinity of the Museum of Contemporary Art and a scattering of private galleries.

Zürich Zoo - with 320 species of animals from all over the word - is situated in a beautiful, natural parkland, where impressive encounters await the visitors.

The Rietberg Museum is in a choice location. The park and the historic mansions are precious sites worthy of protection that will put you in the right mood for a visit to the museum.

Counting annul growth rings, tree-trunk telephones, humming stones, how tall is that tree? Forest teepees and wooden animal toys. A circular walk across 2 km that takes in 13 stations: 2 hours - the badger leads to individual stations with observation tasks and instructions for things to be carried out, designed and experienced personally. One of the highlights is the stroll along the raised walkway through the bog forest near Langmoos. Start/end: at the Sihlwald Nature Centre.

Why do frogs croak? How do they breathe, drink and eat? Where do the threats to toads and salamanders lurk? In Switzerland, over two thirds of amphibian species are currently threatened. Using pictures, text and lifelike models, two amphibian trails will transport you into a fascinating world. The first trail starts off from the Sihlwald Nature Centre and leads towards Langnau, while the second heads off from the Langenberg Wildlife Park restaurant.

This installation on the site of the nature centre shows the different cycles of natural forests and commercial forest plantations. The subject is explained in a vivid and child-friendly manner with the help of timber elements, display boards, question & answer games, touch 'n' feel boxes and lots of examples from the fields of wood-working and recycling. Interesting documentation is additionally available as a hand-out in the centre.

So much for the idea that mixing drinks is for men only! Since there’s no reason why women should not be able to mix a perfect drink, Kay Prüfert, Chef de Bar at the Eden au Lac, invites ladies to take a look at his very own recipe books and to learn from him how some of the best loved drinks are mixed. After learning all about spirits and taking a crash course in cocktails, the new bar tenders come away with their own book of recipes and lots of great ideas for the bar at home.

A spine-chilling adventure! Those who love horror movies can get to know the creepier side of Zurich by going on a ghost walk with Dan Dent. Blood-curdling stories of the city’s violent past and tales of the many spooks and poltergeists that still haunt some of the gloomier streets are sure to generate a pleasantly titillating sense of horror, despite the seemingly picturesque backdrop.

So much for the idea that mixing drinks is for men only! Since there’s no reason why women should not be able to mix a perfect drink, Kay Prüfert, Chef de Bar at the Eden au Lac, invites ladies to take a look at his very own recipe books and to learn from him how some of the best loved drinks are mixed. After learning all about spirits and taking a crash course in cocktails, the new bar tenders come away with their own book of recipes and lots of great ideas for the bar at home.

A spine-chilling adventure! Those who love horror movies can get to know the creepier side of Zurich by going on a ghost walk with Dan Dent. Blood-curdling stories of the city’s violent past and tales of the many spooks and poltergeists that still haunt some of the gloomier streets are sure to generate a pleasantly titillating sense of horror, despite the seemingly picturesque backdrop.

They play instruments, wear wonderful costumes and let their imagination roam freely: In the "Opera Viva", the participatory theater of the musician and director Klaudia Kadlec, children from the ages of 7 to 14 have the opportunity to really enjoy grand opera and to help with the creative process. Not only that - they do so in the majestic old opera house itself. Just as with adults, there is a buffet during the break, to be heartily enjoyed, and where the kids can have heated discussions about the opera.

They draw, sketch and experiment with art, and are able to obtain explanations and narratives: the arthouse-workshop is a fascinating experience for children and teenagers who love a creative atmosphere or want to get to know the world of art. A free painting studio and workshops are offered on a regular basis. And, wherever possible, they take place at the same time as the public tours for adults, so that art can be a family affair.

How long can the flamingo stand on one leg without tipping over? How do penguins manage to turn their eggs without using their hands and without breaking the eggs? Which animal in the zoo is the fastest? And what do specialists such as the poison dart frog or the anteater do best? The Animal Olympics in Zurich Zoo is a venue where children 7 years and older playfully acquire knowledge during an entertaining hour.

Why this opera? What leads to the success of a production? Who is the target audience? Whoever wants to know more about the current opera playing at the Zurich Opera House is in precisely the right place when participating in the "Opera Workshop with Iso Camartin". The author, philosopher and TV moderator from Graubünden opens new worlds of music even for the beginner, and week after week he offers insight into the lavish productions of Switzerland's most important opera house.