Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

DREAMSCAPES FALL/ WINTER 2024 36 Z ürich, sure, is the Swiss financial capital, but long ago Switzerland's largest metropolis shook off that mono- reputation. Zürich is a lively city that entices visitors with endless offerings. While the city centre is compact and walk- able, the beloved sky-blue-and-white trams will deliver you anywhere on time and in style. Bike hire stations throughout the city and e-bikes make cycling another easy option. You can say Zürich is a winner (a reference you can also make after a visit to the fabulous FIFA museum in town). Life Along the Limmat Nothing is more Zürich than Limmat-schwimmen or Limmat Swimming in summer. Join locals for a quick dip or just a refreshing Gsprützte Wisse at a badi (public pool) that runs riverside. (Zürchers are natty dressers but they always carry swimsuits in their briefcases or Freitag backpacks.) In so many other ways, Zürich is a water city: the city's famously clean drinking water can be sourced from the gorgeous fountains around town. You can even take a city water-themed tour. Come fall, exchange the river swim for a riverside walk with snack stopping at stalls along the Limmat selling roasted chestnuts (marroni). Afterwards, people watch and enjoy pastries and spectacular views at local favourite Café Wuhre on Limmat's west bank. Lucy Light and Christmas Markets Zürich is perhaps at its most magical in winter. Set your Swiss watch to November 21 st at 6 p.m. That's when the municipality turns on its enchanting "Lucy" holiday lights that illuminate a 1,050-metre stretch of the main shopping street Bahnhofstrasse. It's simply breathtaking! Explore an endless array of gift ideas at one of Zürich's many Christmas markets. There's really a market for every taste, whether design- forward such as Wienachtsdorf selling unusual and hard-to-find trinkets, or traditional ones, like the Werdmühleplatz, which even has a Singing Christmas Tree. Gallery Hop and Shop Gallery hop at Zürich's first-rate museums, including the iconic Kunsthaus Zürich. At the bar of the new David-Chipperfield-designed wing have a glass of wine locally sourced from one of the nearby vineyards before heading across the street to take in the main collection. Think of Swiss architecture as being chalets with flower-bedecked wood-carved balconies? You might be surprised to learn that Zürich's architecture heyday was the mid-20 th century. Pavillon Le Corbusier, dedicated to the great Swiss modernist architect, is a gem for archi- tecture and design lovers. Explore Zürich's contemporary cool face while soaking in the energetic vibe of the Zürich-West neighbourhood (also called Kreis 5 after its district number). Im Viadukt, a repur- posed railway viaduct, is great for shopping local labels. Stay past sunset; the nightlife at Im Viadukt is electric. TRAVEL PLANNER For more travel information about Zürich, see zuerich.com DID YOU KNOW? The Zürich Card provides free public transit including discounts on guided city tours like the "Made in Zürich Tour," which showcases Swiss urban lifestyle. DS BY KAREN BURSHTEIN ZÜRICH The City Forever Innovating Urban Living PHOTOS: ZÜRICH TOURISM/CHRISTIAN MEIXNER | SWITZERLAND TOURISM/JAN GEERK | ZÜRICH TOURISM | SWITZERLAND TOURISM

• Cover