10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Zurich Region
When it comes to visiting Switzerland, Zurich is often the starting and ending point. While it’s a major highlight on any visit to the country, many travellers don’t often consider exploring its vicinity.
Switzerland Tourism says Zurich offers a lot more than meets the eye. The wider Zurich region, for example, is often overlooked, yet it bursts with a multitude of engaging cultural experiences and activities in the form of 1000-year old castles, art displays and parks, architecture and picturesque medieval towns.
For the discerned traveller, here are 10 insider tips for Switzerland.
Located in the trendy Zurich West, this industrial building was where ships were once built. Today, it’s a venue for culture, cuisine, theatrical performances and live music.
The birthplace of the Dada Mythos, the Cabaret Voltaire is celebrating its centenary this year. Here, visitors will learn about the history of Dadaism, which was born in 1916.
A place perfect for some R&R, Sechseläutenplatz is located between Bellevue and Zurich’s Opera House. As one of the largest city squares in Switzerland visitors can come here to appreciate the architecture and greenery, while taking a break in between tours.
An artistic dream world and a garden full of mythical creatures and characters, visitors can come here to enjoy the sculptor, Bruno Weber’s fantasies brought to life. The park, only a 14min train ride from Zurich, encourages full interaction with the sculptors, making it fun for visitors of all ages.
This trail presents a delightful interplay between art and nature, where walkers will experience contemporary Swiss art up close. 26 pieces of art by prominent Swiss artists decorate the Limmat riverbanks on both sides. The circular trail goes from below Wettingen Abbey to the Historic Museum Baden.
A 1000-year-old medieval castle set on a rocky spur above the thundering Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. Most visitors stroll directly through the inner courtyard of the castle to the viewing platform for the best views of Falls. Laufen Castle is less than an hour’s train ride north from Zurich.
Home to one of the most beautiful modern art collections in Switzerland, the museum’s old building houses an overwhelming number of French Impressionist masterpieces as well as works from other modern art movements. Here visitors can enjoy works of art by countless famous names including Monet, Van Gogh, Kandinsky and Picasso.
Featuring 50+ trees from more than 25 species, the Enea Tree Museum is located in an impressive park close in Upper Lake Zurich in Rapperswil-Jona, about a 40min train and bus ride from Zurich. It combines landscape, botany, architecture, art and design for the enjoyment of nature and tree lovers.
Ufenau Island (also called Ufnau) is the Monastery Island and a nature reserve on Lake Zurich. The island makes for a great day excursion where visitors can learn about the settlement that dates back to the 2nd and 3rd century. The nearest train station to Ufenau, Pfäffikon, is a 27mins from Zurich.
Zug’s Old Town on Lake Zug is exceptionally pretty with its beautifully renovated buildings, narrow winding streets and colorfully decorated façades of former stately homes and well preserved traditional guesthouses. Zug is a 24min train ride from Zurich.
Exploring Zurich and the wider Zurich region can be done easily and conveniently with a Swiss Travel Pass. Agents should advise their clients that these Passes provide them with unlimited access to the country’s public transportation network of boats, trains and buses, up to 50% off mountain railways and free entry to more than 490 museums around the country. Families should be advised that children under 16 years of age travel for free when accompanied by a guardian using the Pass.
For more information on Zurich and Switzerland, visit www.zuerich.ch and www.myswitzerland.com.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
switzerland switzerland tourism ZurichLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.