January 21st, 2010
A to Zurich
If you think that Zurich is wall-to-wall middle-aged bankers, think again. This lively city is a hotbed of students, artists and cool entrepreneurs.
stay
Chic, cool and comfortable, The Hotel Greulich is a boutique hotel steps from the city centre. There’s no shortage of fabulous eats in Zurich, but your hotel restaurant ranks among the best. If you visit in the summer make a point to have a cocktail in the charming garden. From $180., www.greulich.ch
shop
Forget cuckoo clocks and other kitsch Swiss handicrafts, the retail scene in Zurich is decidedly hip. We found fabulous felt slippers at Hausfink, a gorgeous coral ring at Beatrice Rossi and some sensational specs at Manu Propria.
eat
Coco Chanel, Igor Stravinsky, Plácido Domingo and Yves Saint-Laurent have all eaten at the Kronenhalle. Artwork by Klee, Chagall, Matisse, Miró, and Picasso (yes, original) hangs on the walls. And the food at this local mainstay is terrific. The veal (in a cream and mushroom sauce) with rösti is delicious as is bündnerfleisch – thinly sliced, smoked, dried beef. Tip: Be sure to reserve a table downstairs. www.kronenhalle.com
drink
The Widder’s floor to ceiling shelves house over 250 varieties of whiskey, and 500 varieties of spirits too. The jazz is good and the red leather banquettes are dangerously comfortable. www.widderhotel.ch
do
Don’t leave without a visit to the Kunsthaus gallery, home to the world's largest collection of work by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti. www.kunsthaus.ch/de
