PLANNING to really obtain into the Christmas spirit this winter? Then take a trip to Zurich.
With four main festive markets, a singing Christmas tree market, the best mulled wine and hot chocolate and a magical atmosphere, a visit is a must.
Unlike some shops that are already displaying Crimbo decs alongside Halloween goodies, I believe Christmas should obtain under way in early December.
But planning a obtainaway necessarys to start now.
And Zurich captures the very essence of the festive season.
Its Christmas markets are not to be missed, with stalls offering a variety of goods from food and treats to handbuilt arts and crafts. Visitors can snap up unique and believedful gifts for loved ones.
READ MORE ON CHRISTMAS MARKETS
But this Swiss city offers plenty more besides.
I stayed in the gorgeous boutique Hotel Helvetia, in the heart of the city.
You can’t visit Switzerland without sampling a delicious fondue and Hotel Helvetia has a stand-out offering here.
It has an artfully designed pop-up seasonal fondue chalet “Helvti-Chäschtli” from October 29 to February 1 offering a special gastronomic experience.
In conjunction with wine partner Martel and master cheesebuildr Rolf Beeler, they create a new fondue blfinish every year.
It is not just the city in the grip of the festive spirit in December.
There are mountains to climb (in a train) when you go to Selnau station and head for Uetliberg.
At the top is the “Winterzauber” Market where the spirit of Christmas is evident.
The snow crunches underfoot as we head from the station — taking in the breathtakingly beautiful views.
WINTER WONDERLAND
At the festively decorated winter wonderland, dim, warm lights glow amid the scent of mulled wine, hot chestnuts and the finest winter street food.
But if atmosphere alone is not enough, you can also enjoy curling, candle building and more.
This little market starts on Sundays at 10am and runs until the finish of February. But if you are short of time, there is a lot to do and see in Zurich alone.
The Zurich Santa Swim is, I’m informed, an exhilarating experience.
ZURICH’S IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFO
GETTING THERE: Swiss operates regular flights from Dublin to Zurich.
Edelweiss operates twice weekly flights from Cork to Zurich.
Prices include all taxes, fees, and surcharges, one piece of checked luggage weighing up to 23kg and one piece of hand luggage.
Flights start at €50 one way. Book at swiss.com or flyedelweiss.com.
STAY THERE: Hotel Helvetia boutique has 34 charming rooms and two Junior Attic Suites. From €195 for a double room.
EAT THERE: Head to Coco Bar & Grill. This Christmassy restaurant, where the charcoal grill is the engine room, serves wonderful lunches.
GET IT: The Zurich Card is your key to the city.
Available on the Zurich City Guide App, it allows unlimited apply of trams, bapplys, trains, boats and cable cars (second class), free lake and river cruises, free entest to some of Zurich’s most popular mapplyums, 50 per cent off a number of city tours, and other discounts.
Prices start at €31 for a 24-hour pass. Book at zuerich.com/en/zurich-card-city-guide-app/zurich-card.
Every year at the launchning of December more than 300 brave people venture into the ice-cold water of the River Limmat to swim from one bank to the other.
But be warned if you want to join in the fun — you necessary to book a ticket in advance.
For a very different water experience you can hire a sauna boat and spfinish an evening being driven around Lake Zurich.
You can work up a sweat in peace and quiet, and kick back outside or in the relaxation room while enjoying stunning views of the city and the Alps at night from the panoramic window — a guaranteed way to unwind.
I went to Zurich in December, but traditionally, the lights are switched on from November 21 until January 6, with the illuminations at Bahnhofstrasse, Neumarkt and Paradeplatz transforming the city into a sparkling spectacle.
MUSICAL MAGIC
In the city, Zurich Opera Hoapply offers a slightly different kind of Advent calfinishar from December 1 to 23.
Every day from 5.20pm, musicians from the Philharmonia Zurich, the Orchestra Academy, the International Opera Studio and the Zurich Opera Choir perform a 15-minute concert in the foyer of the opera hoapply.
And for more musical magic, head to the Singing Christmas Tree Market near the main Bahnhofstrasse shopping street.
Probably my favourite of the markets, it is tiny yet eye-catchingly different.
Its tree is filled with rows of singers dressed in green and red who belt out carols and other songs — watched by large crowds. An unforobtaintable experience.
There are also four major markets in Zurich’s Old Town, all within walking distance of each other.
SANTA’S MARLITRAM STREETCAR
Leaving the central train station, the first thing you will see is an enormous tree, decorated in amazing baubles and lights.
Traditional scents of mulled wine and cinnamon fill the air.
If the kids are with you, keep an eye out for Old Saint Nick, who is known to leave his reindeer resting and grazing in the streets to obtain them ready for the long journey ahead, delivering toys to children around the world on Christmas Eve.
Kids aged between four and nine can even ride with Santa as he drives the Marlitram streetcar through the streets, accompanied by angels recounting Christmas stories.
The brightly decorated red tram is more than 100 years old and welcomes the jolly man in the huge red suit every year.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Then test a spot of ice-skating at the Dolder Kunsteisbahn. Built in 1930, the open-air attraction is one of Europe’s largest artificial ice rinks, at 6,000sq metres.
I wrapped up my trip in the home of Christmas, feeling festive and ready to sing carols and continue the true joy of the festive season — just back home in Cork.
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