ZURICH: Summer's the time to go

Click HERE for more pictures of Zurich and the surrounding area

MENTION European City Breaks and where do you think of travelling to? Barcelona, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Prague . . . Zurich.

Zurich? The home of bankers, pharmaceutical firms, insurance agents, and secret investment files?

Zurich? The home of chocolates, Gnomes and precision timing?

Boring, boring Zurich?

Well, think again, there is a lot more to this vibrant city on the banks of a lake and within clear sight of the Alps, than many a pre-conceived image.

On a recent introductory tour of Switzerland's largest city (pop: 360,000) tourism executive Thomas Pfyffer explained the cosmopolitan attitude to visitors.

He said: "I speak French, Spanish, English, of course (of, course!) and Swiss-German. But my German is not very good!"

Less than two hours flying time from Manchester, Zurich can offer a city break destination with a difference.

Zurich city and the surrounding area is ideal to explore.

Vastly pedestrianised, tickets for the excellent public transport network of trains, buses, trams and boats cost about £4 for 24 hours unlimited travel from the moment they are stamped.

Accommodation is easy to find, even if you arrive without a reservation. With more than 100 hotels and 12,000 beds it is unlikely you will be left to wander the streets.

A unique reservation system is in operation as you descend from the airport train link. Fixed on a wall facing the arrival platform is a board containing pictures, and prices, of hotels from one star to the luxurious.

Simply make your choice and note the corresponding number on the photograph. Pick up the free phone alongside and you are instantly connected to the reservation desk of the hotel of your choice.

Within minutes either walking, or by taxi, you will be in your room, and ready to roam the city.

Centred on the Limmat river on the northern end of Lake Zurich, the old town is a lively area of bars, restaurants, art galleries and antique shops, found among winding streets.

The modern city skyline is dominated by the striking towers and spires of three churches: the Grossmunster, St Peter's which boasts Europe's largest clock face and the Fraumunster, with precious stained windows by Marc Chagall.

The main shopping area - the Bahnoffstrasse - has enough shopping variety to please everybody from elegant boutiques to relatively cheap and friendly department stores.

And who says everything in Switzerland is expensive? There are more than 120 fountains dotted around the streets, all providing free drinkable water!

Travelfacts

FLIGHT TIMES: BA CitiExpress has Manchester take off 7.05am and 2.55pm with services arriving back at at 11.40am and 8pm. Saturday departures: 9.30am returning to Manchester at 2.10pm. Sunday: 2.55pm departure arriving back in Manchester at 8pm.

PHONE: BA: 0845 77 333 77

Zurich tourism: 41 1 215 40 00

WEBLINKS:

For British Airways click HERE

For Zurich tourism info click HERE

Zurich's pools and lidos

WHEN the sun goes down things really start to hot up in Zurich's pools and lidos with bars, DJs, readings and cinema. There are five outdoor pools, six lakeside lidos, five riverside lidos and seven indoor pools, some of which also have outdoor recreation areas.

General info: www.badi-info.ch HERE

Barfussbar at the women-only pool, Stadthausquai: www.barfussbar.ch HERE

Rimini Bar at the men-only pool, Am Schanzengraben www.tonttu.ch HERE

Oberer Letten, Lettensteg 10

(also has a cinema: www.filmfluss.ch HERE)

Steam train trips

THE Zurich Museum Railway (ZMB) is a historic railway right in the middle of Zurich. It runs on the rails used by the Sihltal Railway between Zurich Main Station or Wiedikon and Sihlbrugg.

www.museumsbahn.ch HERE

Paddle steamers on the lake

THE nostalgic paddle steamers operated by the Zurichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (Lake Zurich Boat Company), "Stadt Zurich" (built in 1909) and "Stadt Rapperswil" (built in 1914) are firm favourites with the public.

Steam info: www.zsg.ch HERE

Other steam trips in the Zurich region are operated by the Damptbahn-Verein Zurcher-Oberland (Zurich Oberland Steam Train Association) and on Lake Greifen:

Not far from the city, in the picturesque Zurich Oberland region, visitors will find the unique Zurich Oberland Steam Train Association Museum Railway (DVZO) and its historical steam trains which run on standard gauge track between Hinwil and Bauma in the Toss Valley.

Further info: www.dvzo.ch HERE and www.sgggreifensee.ch HERE

Open air cinemas

Orange Cinema Zurich in the Zurichhorn park: A giant 35O0m2 screen and 1,700 seats.

Every year, 30 fabulous films can be enjoyed on the giant 350m2 screen at the legendary Open-Air Cinema by Lake Zurich.

Further info: www.orangecinema-ch HERE

Flimfluss Cinema at the Unterer Letten lido: with the kind of views you only see in films

In July every year, the lido at Unterer Letten is transformed into a very special open-air cinema. The scenery in Zurich's oldest river lido is both romantic and urbane. The river Limmat murmurs and gurgles past the screen while on the other side, the old industrial district is silhouetted against the evening sky.

Further info: www.filmfluss.ch HERE

World class athletics

Once a year, the best athletes in the world at the starting blocks and a thrilling atmosphere on the stands put the Zurich Letzigrund Stadium at the centre of the athletics world.

Further information: www.weltklasse.ch/eng/index.html HERE

Theatre spectacle

The Zurich Theatre Spectacle is a festival for new and innovative theatre, dance theater and related genres.

Further information: www.theaterspektakel.ch HERE

Resort and Spa

With its new "Akari" spa zone, an oasis dedicated to wellness and fitness, the luxurious Panorama Resort & Spa located in Feusisberg high above Lake Zurich has set new standards in hospitality. The 2000m2 complex boasts every imaginable facility, including indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and five luxury beauty baths.

Further info: www.panoramaresort.ch HERE