Zurich
Zurich is also one of the best family vacations in Europe that you shouldn't miss. The fairy-tale city of Zurich is set on the banks of both a river and a lake, with the snow-topped Swiss Alps rising in the background. Clean cobblestone streets hug a hilly terrain, and medieval church spires reach heavenward. Despite its reputation for being the center of old-school international banking and capital for top-notch chocolate confections, Zurich is also a very modern city that chooses to meander through life at an unhurried pace. Travelers desiring an authentic experience should strive to do the same.
Ulrich Zwingli came to proselytize. James Joyce came to write "Ulysses." Bankers came to make money. Dadaists met at Zurich's Cabaret Voltaire to change or ruin art, depending on your position. But you should come for the chocolate, grilled sausages, locally grown wines, amazing museums, medieval architecture, extravagant shopping, breathtaking vistas, and the clean, clear water of Lake Zurich. You can spend anywhere from one to three days in Zurich before hitting the surrounding ski slopes or traveling to Geneva.
- Country: Switzerland
- Best Hotels: Baur au Lac; The Dolder Grand; Widder Hotel
- Best Things to Do: Lake Zurich (Zurichsee); Uetliberg Mountain; Old Town (Altstadt)
- Best Months to Visit: June and August
