Traveling Boy: Bev Cohn: Christmas in Zurich

Bev Cohn: Christmas in Zurich

Escape Holiday Madness
Christmas In Zurich

By Beverly Cohn

t’s that time of year again when the pressure begins to build. It’s buying gifts, it’s sending out greeting cards, it’s entertaining out-of town relatives, it’s making the party circuit with unending cocktail chatter, it’s just exhausting.

Perhaps it’s time to have a different kind of holiday experience, one that will take you abroad to Zurich - one of the most charming cities in Europe. Because of its quality of life, it was named for seven consecutive years the number one city in the world in which to live.

Once you’ve settled into one of the 250-plus hotels in the region, get ready to experience the wonder of a vast array of unique Christmas markets, including Europe’s biggest indoor market which is housed in Zurich’s main Railway Station. With more than 160 decorated wooden chalets bursting with both contemporary and traditional gifts, the centerpiece of this bustling, indoor extravaganza, is a 50-foot tall Christmas tree glittering with more than 5,000 Swarovski crystal ornaments, an unbelievably dazzling sight. The environment is cheerful, spirited, and friendly.

Zurich Main Railway Station during Christmas season
Zurich Main Railway Station. Photo courtesy Zurich Tourism

Another Christmas market can be found in picturesque Old Town decorated with twinkling lights. Perfect for strolling through its hidden alleys and winding narrow streets, the scent of cinnamon and mulled wine fills the air as shoppers warm themselves with this traditional Yuletide drink.

Right: Picturesque Old Town decorated with twinkling lights.
Photo courtesy Zurich Tourism

If you need more shopping choices, check out the Bahnhofstrassse, Zurich's famous shopping mecca.

train at the Bahnhofstrasse
Bahnhofstrasse - a shopper's paradise. Photo credit: Beverly Cohn

An attraction not to be missed is its famous Singing Christmas Tree. A platform built in the shape of a tree, houses children from all over Switzerland who sing traditional carols, captivating the audience assembled in the chilly street. With over 1,200 singers performing every day, music is everywhere. Don’t miss New Year’s Eve when over 200,000 people from all over Europe will gather in the Zurich lake basin to watch the spectacular fire works ring in 2010.

children singing carols at Zurich's Singing Christmas Tree
Zurich's famous Singing Christmas Tree. Courtesy Zurich Tourism

Your children can join in with Swiss kids in making hand-dipped candles. Vendors set up stands at various locations in the city where kids dip string into hot wax, building enough layers to form a candle. The melted beeswax has a delicious aroma and lots of fun to shape. Children surprise their parents with their wax masterpieces on Christmas Eve. New Year’s Eve is pretty spectacular as 200,000 people from all over Europe will gather in the Zurich lake basin to watch the spectacular fire works ring in 2010.

If you want to warm up a bit, head over to the Zurich Zoo. Considered a cultural institution dedicated to protecting the environment, it is home to the Masoala Hall Rainforest that has tried to replicate the unique flora and fauna of Madagascar. In this temperature-controlled haven, paths wind around streams, brooks, and lakes, and a beautiful waterfall. More than 50 vertebrates live in the Rainforest, including lemurs, giant tortoises, flying foxes, tomato frogs, and coral fish.

a pool at the Masoala Hall Rainforest, Zurich Zoo
Masoala Hall Rainforest - Madagascar comes to the Zurich Zoo.
Photo credit: Beverly Cohn

Zurich is a walking city filled with wondrous attractions. It boasts 50 museums and 100 art galleries, as well as trendy restaurants, and the most night clubs in Switzerland. Nightlife rocks! Culture is at your fingertips while a short train ride takes you to picturesque outlying areas such Rapperswil, where you can see the longest wooden bridge in Switzerland or Mount Uetilberg, which towers over Zurich offering a breathtaking view of the city, lake, and snow-covered Alps.

View from Mount Uetilberg. Photo credit: Beverly Cohn

So, whether you love chocolate or mulled wine or fabulous food or the arts or outdoor activities, Zurich is your one-stop shop for a most joyful Holiday Season.

Right: You never know who you'll meet on one of the many charming side streets and alleys.
Photo credit: Beverly Cohn

Santa Claus with reindeer and sled figures, alley in Zurich

For further information visit www.zurich.com. Check with your travel agent for airfare and hotel bargains.

Let Bev know what you think about her traveling adventure.

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Thanks so much for those lovely tourism photos, especially of Ireland. I certainly enjoyed all the places you suggested, and am working towards my next vacation. Don’t forget Cuba. That’s an exciting place.

Rosalie, Los Angeles

Enjoyed your article on Mira Sorvino. Such an interesting background – family, education, career and now human rights activist. I'm not a gossip mag fan so getting more meaty news about movie celebrities from you gives me hope that there are some inteligent life forms in Hollywood.

Peter Paul, Pasadena, CA

Thank you, Bev. This reminded me to go see the movie, "An Education," which I had already almost forgotten about, having seen the preview a few weeks ago. I enjoy this actress quite a bit--she has a uniqueness about her and she pulls me in. I enjoyed this.

Sandeee, Seattle, WA

Thank you Beverly,I really enjoyed reading about your intimate conversation with Forest, of whom I am a great admirer. I look forward to seeing the film "Our Family Wedding."

Yoka, Westlake Village, CA

Thank you for the sending me the beautiful article you wrote about Ireland. We will use your recomendations for hotels in the Southern part. We plan to also go to Dublin and some other Northern cities so I will get some recommendations for these from others. After reading your article, I am getting more excited about going. I think we will be in Ireland for 8 days altogether.

Leah Mendelsohn, Santa Monica, CA

Very much enjoyed Ms. Cohn's article about Munich, especially the visuals. Though it has been 25 years since my last visit, the piece brought back countless pleasant memories of the city and the people!! Many thanks.

Lawrence, Los Angeles

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Marianplatz and that general area is truly one of the best Christmas celebrations in the world. Between that and Oktoberfest (which I can only imagine) Munich is one of the greatest cities in the world for major annual events.

Christopher Dale, New York, NY

Hi Bev, you have done some wonderful pieces on some great celebs...Great work. The travel articles are just wonderful too.

Scott Mueller, Huntington Beach, CA

Your great Zurich article makes me want to go there for the holidays! I love the photos, too, especially the ones of you in the sleigh, the view over the houses and the zoo!

Anna Marie, Santa Monica, CA

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Lovely article! As a European, and having been to Zurich (albeit in summer) I can vouch for this lovely city. Great pictures, too!

Helene Robins, Santa Monica, CA

Hi Bev,

Nice review, nice seeing you, nice website interface "...Talk to Bev" - Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Richard D. Kaye, Marina del Rey, CA

Hi Bev,

Your interview with John Cusack is very interesting. I always wondered why these actors/actresses always get top billing when really, if you think about it, the real work come from the animators, writers and tech whizzes who spend far more hours on the movie than those actors. I know, I know, it's the all about marketing. The names of these actors are what bring in the big bucks. Still, I think these actors are way overpaid for the "little" that they do.

I remember that once upon a time, the early animation classics never mentioned the voices behind the characters. I think it was only later when Walt Disney tapped into the voices of known celebrities like Walter Matthau in the Jungle Book or Zsa Zsa Gabor in The Rescuers that the voices became a marketing magnet.

Keep up the good work. I enjoy your interviews as you peer into the lives of the Hollywood celebrities.

Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA