Selma Roth

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Spring, summer, fall, or winter — there is no single best season to visit the charming town of Zurich — the largest city often mistakenly referred to as the capital in Switzerland is located in the north-center of the country.



Using the word "city" to describe Zürich may be a slight overstatement, with around 380,000 inhabitants, Zürich is over 10 times smaller than Riyadh; however, it has the allure and importance of many major cosmopolitan hubs.



Zurich long stayed in the shadow of Geneva, a popular holiday destination among Saudis.



Its reputation of a dull bankers’ city with no place for amusement did not help either.



However, in the last decade, Zurich has experienced a tourism (re)naissance, and the truth is there are a gazillion reasons to visit this picturesque town against a backdrop of mountains, which is often appropriately called the “gateway to the Alps."



Zurich combines the liveliness of a thriving city with the serenity of an Alpine town surrounded by woods and water and with the comfort and luxury one can expect in any Swiss resort.



While living its reputation as a shopping paradise – inspiring both lovers of luxury items and trendy fashionistas, Zurich is also a vibrant cultural center with over 150 museums and art galleries in addition to various festivals; a haven for outdoor sports including hiking, swimming and ice skating; a prime destination for (medical) wellness and health care; and an excellent spot for all kinds of culinary temptations. Despite the city’s modest size, it is truly multicultural: Zurich is home to people from over 160 countries, and tourists are coming from all over the world too. As a result, all types of special facilities for the Gulf tourist can be found, including halal food, mosques, information in Arabic, and prayer rugs in most hotels.



Where to stay?



If you intend to enjoy your Zurich experience to the max and give yourself a treat, there is only one place to stay: The Dolder Grand Hotel. Located up the Zürich Berg (Zurich Mountain) overlooking downtown, Lake Zurich and the Alps, this fairytale palace built with Asian and European influences is the perfect place to spend a honeymoon-holiday or once-in-a-lifetime pamper vacation.



Guests can choose to stay in the main building, the historic part dating from 1899 with luxurious white marble bathrooms and traditional balconies, or in one of the modern wings with their floor-to-ceiling windows and bath tubs overlooking the lake, town and mountains.



All 173 rooms boast of modern, state-of-the-art facilities including a multifunctional remote system, flat screen TV, and a TV screen in the bathroom.



Surrounded by lush forest and originally built as a place of recreation for the city’s inhabitants, The Dolder Grand now focuses on people who seek exclusivity and recovery.



A complimentary shuttle bus ensures quick access to the downtown and taxis are easily arranged, but to experience the true Zurich spirit guests can use the antique Dolderbahn funicular that steeply descends to the town.



Equally steep are the rates at the hotel, but in return you will be served professionally by the welcoming staff, find personal notes in your room or suite, enjoy exquisite food at the restaurants, and receive excellent treatment at The Dolder Spa, which deserves special mention.



Covering an area of 4,000 square meters, the spa’s Alpine and Japanese influences ensure the guests’ inner balance and peace of mind.



Conveniently for Muslim travelers, it has a separate ladies’ and gentlemen’s spa that comprises a steam bath, sauna, cold pool, aroma pool, Kotatsu footbath, and solarium.



The mixed aqua zone boasts of a spacious pool with panoramic views, indoor and outdoor whirlpool, samarium, steam bath, Sunaburo (pebble loungers), snow room, and meditation room.



A large workout studio, 19 massage treatment rooms, Medical Wellness facility, hairstyling, library, shop, and café make for several days of pure relaxation.



A peculiar feature of The Dolder Grand is the art collection consisting of more than 100 pieces. The works, a private collection of the hotel owner, are mostly modern pieces that range from Andy Warhol to Joan Miró and from Sylvester Stallone to Salvador Dalí.



What to do?



Zurich is full of top brands, and a shopping spree should undoubtedly be on your to-do list. For jewelry and watches as well as international brands, head to the Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s major shopping street.



Bucherer, the country’s biggest retailer in watches and jewelry, is located on this street.



The store sells all major brand watches in addition to their own brand, and organizes guided tours upon request.



Also make sure to bring a visit to one or more chocolatiers and pastry shops, where you not only find a vast assortment of delicious Swiss chocolate and other sweets but can also see how these delicacies are made.



The old town of Zurich is an interesting area to wander around. In the predominantly pedestrian area you find most top attractions, including churches and museums. From the Lindenhof, the heart of the old town and the scene where major events took place, you have a fabulous view of the Grossmünster Church, City Hall, the Limmat River, university, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.



Don’t forget to spot the fountain, one of the 1230 in town, which all have fresh drinking water that is either pure source water or a combination of ground, lake and source water.



Besides this, Zurich offers all kinds of sports and leisure activities, such as swimming in the lake and river in summer, year-round mountain hiking and biking, or skiing and ice skating in winter. From any point in the city, you can get to the woods within just 10 minutes.



Alternatively, take a cruise on the lake or visit Zurich Zoo — the options are vast.



Where to eat?



Due to its cosmopolitan character, Zurich caters to all palates: Middle Eastern, French, Italian, Chinese and Japanese are just a few examples, but traditional Swiss eateries can easily be found as well.



Famed for their innovation, Zurich chefs blend traditional delicacies with modern cuisine. An eminent restaurant worth trying is Haus Hiltl, a completely vegetarian restaurant that also seduces meat lovers.



Set up in 1898 in an attempt to make the local population a tad healthier and listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant, Hiltl Restaurant continues to be a favorite place to meet friends or business partners, order food to enjoy at home, and even dance until dawn at the Club Hiltl.



Getting there and around



Zurich Airport is just a 12-minute train ride from the center. From Riyadh, there are direct flights to Zurich. From Jeddah and Dammam, you will have to change planes. Another option is to fly to Geneva (directly from Jeddah with Saudi Airlines) and take a train to Zurich from Geneva Airport, which takes approximately 2:45 hours.



Celebrated for its efficiency and safety, public transport is the best way to move within Zurich.



If you are planning to travel not only within the city but to cover the rest of the country by public transport as well, make use of the Swiss Pass, a ticket that can be purchased for four, eight, 15, or 22 consecutive days or an entire month and includes unlimited travel on all public transport throughout the country, a 50 percent reduction off most mountain railways and cableways as well as free admission to more than 470 museums.