Zurich is probably best known as the banking powerhouse of Europe. That and fondue. But it wasn’t either of those that attracted me to the place. Like most modern, cosmopolitan European cities, it offers various dining options, cultural locations, gorgeous urban vistas, and welcome distractions. But, there is only one Lindt Home of Chocolate. You could say that this attraction was the absolute icing on the chocolate cake that is Zurich.
The city has a charm and relaxing ambience which belies its size and modernity, and there is an off-beat quality to the place that puts you in mind of the more avant-garde European cities, like Berlin or Barcelona. It is home to more than 50 museums and twice that number of art galleries, and is the perfect blend of cutting-edge modernity and rich history.
Zurich is a bicycle-friendly city; you will find them free to use and an easy way to get about. I never felt unsafe or out of my depth and cycling around the streets is the ideal way to get a great view of the place. Much more revealing than looking out of the window of a cab, and much more convenient than walking.
I also found that even without taking the option of two-wheel transport, Zurich is an easy place to get around thanks to their 72-hour Zurich card, a passport to cheap and convenient travel. Not only does it offer free, unlimited travel on all public transport, but it also allows free or reduced fares and admissions to a host of walking tours, cruises, museums and other attractions. It is a must for wherever you feel like going and for whatever you plan to do.
My base for the duration of my visit was the Ruby Mimi hotel. Ruby Mimi is situated just a stone’s throw from the River Limmat, Zurich’s old town and the city’s principal shopping streets and is also within easy reach of the city’s central railway station. The hotel building was once one of the city’s early cinemas, and today the Ruby Mimi revels in the look and feel of those early days of film industry. The hotel’s name is a tribute to a host of young starlets of that era, all called Mimi. The place is adorned with rich, velvet furnishings and art nouveau features, and the bar, particularly the 24-hour bar, blends the grit and glamour of early movie sets. You can still watch films in the hotel cinema room if you choose to.
Lindt is a brand renowned around the globe, perhaps the most famous chocolatiers of our age, and their museum offers a wonderfully interactive tour through their history. Everything you ever wanted to know about chocolate is revealed, from the humble cocoa bean to the luxurious finished product, from antiquity to the present.
Other features include the biggest chocolate shop in the world, a nine-meter-high chocolate fountain and the chance to get your hands sticky and learn the secrets of chocolate making. They are also very generous with the product, so best to visit on an empty stomach.
One of the great joys of travelling is the opportunity to search out great new places to eat. The fact that I chose to eat at Hiltl Restaurant three times during my stay should speak volumes about how much I loved it. Passing up the option of the adventure and excitement of trying something new must indicate that it is an exceptional place. Hiltl Restaurant is what happens when someone chooses to embrace vegetarian food and elevates it to the same high standards as other cuisines. It is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world and has been serving exquisite, environmentally friendly, healthy, yet hearty meals since 1898.
Zurich’s nightlife can be pictured as romantic, civilized, tidy, clean, and respectful, with not a glimpse of glitter on the dancefloor. This city also offers impressive outdoors with an open invitation to swim in the lakes or enjoy getting lost on land while weaving in and out of their cobbled streets. The LGBTQ+ community are given a warm welcome, and the city has a broad and varied bouquet of events, clubs, and parties. For travellers who want to be in the company of like-minded, the cute Cranberry Bar in the Old Town will make you feel as though you are the only important gay in the village. Zurich plays host to a well-attended annual pride as well as their famous Pink Apple Film Festival. Don’t expect to see grunge establishments like those from neighbouring France, Belgium, or German. Zurich gives the impression of wrapping you up in pink cotton wool and tickles you with its elegance and style. For something a little spicier, men should head over to Moustache – probably one of Europe’s cleanest and sensory-driven gay saunas.
Zurich is a fantastic city. At first glance, it may not have the glamour of Paris, the hedonistic party persona of Berlin, nor the streetwise credibility of London, but when you look a little deeper, it is every bit as fun and fabulous as those places. It is more than just finance and fondue…it’s chocolate too! And so much more.
