Zürich Tourism News– Autumn 2004

Monet’s Garden – exhibition in the Museum of Fine Arts
From his earliest days as an artist, Claude Monet (1840 – 1926) responded with an unusual intensity to civilized nature. A great many of his works were inspired by the gardens which played a role in his life: In the 1860s it was the garden of his house in Sèvres; in the 1870s there were the gardens of two houses in Argenteuil, followed by an estate in Vétheuil. Monet’s best known garden was his extensive parkland – a good two and a half acres – in Giverny. For over three decades this renowned garden provided ideas and motifs for hundreds of works and series, including his famous Water-Lilies.

Special offer
- Health check-up in Zürich
The check-up center of private hospital group Hirslanden offers guests from Switzerland and from overseas a tailored health check-up by highly qualified staff.

For more information
Zürich Tourism Tel. +41 44 215 40 00
Bahnhofbrücke 1 Fax +41 44 215 40 99
CH-8023 Zürich
Website: www.zuerich.com

Events / Outlook

freestyle.ch – window to freestyle culture
100,000 spectators are looking forward to freestyle.ch, which like no other event unites sport and lifestyle. There is no classic definition of freestyle, because the idea of free style cannot be placed within strict parameters. Freedom of movement and expression is the motto of all freestylers. In the disciplines Snowboard Big Air, Freeski Big Air, FMX Ramp and Skateboard Streetstyle, the titans of freestyle sport battle for the title of internationally renowned “freestyle.champ”. The Crossover Air Session, the only one of its kind in the world, will be held for the third time. The snowboarders, freeskiers and FMX racers compete against each other at the same time in order to decide who rules the air, who deserves to be called “crossover.champ”.

Over three days spectators at the tenth Freestyle Event on the Landiwiese can marvel at and discover trends and the latest products from the Freestyle sport industry. Landiwiese, as the competition venue is known locally, is situated between Bürkliplatz and train station Wollishofen, admission is free.

Further Information www.freestyle.ch
Dates 24 – 26 September 2004

Swisscom Challenge – women’s tennis event at Schluefweg
First staged in 1984, the 21th Swisscom Challenge takes place in 2004. Since 1993, the Swisscom Challenge has been one of the elite Tier 1 tournaments on the women’s circuit, the second-highest category of event after the four Grand Slam tournaments. It will be the last time the Schluefweg Arena in Kloten plays host to 28 of the world’s best female tennis players. Next year the tournament moves to the newly renovated Zürich Hallenstadion. 1.3 million dollars in prize winnings await this year’s winner.

This year Martina Hingis of Switzerland, former world Number 1, celebrates her comeback in a new role: The Swisscom Challenge winner of 2000 uses her expertise to assist players and partners.

Tickets to the Swisscom Challenge include the trip to and from the arena by public transport within the canton of Zürich.

Further Information www.swisscom-challenge.com
Dates 17 – 24 October 2004

Expovina – wine exhibition on board 12 ships
The twelve ships of the Zürich wine exhibition will be casting their anchors at Zürich’s
Bürkliplatz for the 51th time. Upwards of 160 stands aboard the ships docked in Lake Zürich will invite visitors to sample a selection of more than 4,000 wines from 24 countries and five continents. In excess of 80,000 visitors are expected. The Zürich wine exhibition remains the world’s biggest wine-tasting show for non-professionals. With over 1,300 native Swiss vines to choose from, Expovina is also the most important show for Swiss wine. In the
“WeinForum”, interesting seminars and lectures on all subjects relating to wine will take place. Famous winegrowers and oenologists from various countries will be presenting their wines at a wide range of events. The right dish to go with every wine – various restaurants will be serving all kinds of culinary delights. “Join in and, with a bit of luck, win fine wine” is the name of the tombola game.

Further Information www.expovina.ch (opens on 2 October 2004)
Dates 29 October – 10 November 2004

Whiskyship – the biggest whisky and cigar festival in Switzerland
In keeping with the philosophy of “Music, pleasure and company”, the biggest whisky and cigar festival in Switzerland will be held for the sixth time at the Landesteg. 40 exhibitors, renowned in the business, including, for example, Scot & Scotch from Zürich, initiate lovers of whisky and cigars to the high art of tasting. Over four days experts will be offering the unique opportunity to “nose & taste”, as the sampling of the finest single malts and other specialties at cost price is known in the insider jargon. Not only are there over 800 of the best malt whiskies and some 300 select cigars from all over the world available for direct sale, but specialist literature and gift items, too. Besides five large lake cruising ships, the casino ship also calls “All Aboard!”, where you can be initiated by professionals in the world of gambling. 100 great prizes await the winners on Switzerland’s first floating casino. The Swiss whisky distillery Edi Bieri is offering an experience of a special kind on the Bürkliplatz: a live demon-stration of how whisky is distilled. Also mooching around the Bürkliplatz during this world-first lifestyle event will be the much-loved, shaggy Scottish Highlander cows. Rounding off the program will be high-level seminars with speakers of renown, such as Michael Jackson, the literature guru of the Whisky Guild. The 7,000 visitors expected to attend will not be disap-pointed by the catering arrangements, either: Spoilt for choice between the sumptuous Loch Fyne smoked salmon and grill specialties with risotto – there’s bound to be something to please every palate!

Watching over the precious amber drops from a height of seven meters will be the huge Loch Ness Monster, which is making the trip all the way from Scotland specially – in the form of a mascot.

Further Information www.whiskyship.ch
Dates 25 – 28 November 2004

This exhibition explores the aesthetic role played by this natural, impressionist scenario in the development and unfolding of Monet’s oeuvre as a whole; at the same time it also examines the organizational and economic implications of this garden. Seventy-five paintings, ranging from early Impressionist pieces painted in the 1870s to the monumental ’Grandes Décorations’ – the lateWater-Lily paintings – will be on show in the main exhibition room of the Museum of Fine Arts. Among them major works from European and American art museums as well as rarely seen masterpieces from private collections in Switzerland.

Further Information www.kunsthaus.ch
Dates 29 October 2004 – 27 February 2005

Zürich Christmas Village and New Year’s Eve fireworks 2004/2005

Zürich hoteliers offer their guests one night free
Christmas special 2004/2005: With this special offer, tourists get double enjoyment of the Christmas and New Year season 2004/2005 in Zürich. Various Zürich hotels, from simple pensions to luxury hotels, are offering guests a second night free. This offer is valid from 18 November 2004 – 10 January 2005 and you can make a reservation from 14 October 2004.

Unforgettable Christmas events
Live on Ice, an enchanted Christmas fairytale world in the castle-like inner courtyard of the Swiss National Museum, is a popular attraction with its illuminated backdrop and the ice arena. “Himmel auf Erden” (“Heaven on Earth”), one of three Christmas shows, sweetens the Advent season for spectators with its program for this year entitled “Concours”. 30 artists from all over the world entertain and inspire, enchant and amaze with a top acrobatic per-formance. In the run-up to Christmas, concerts and carol singing events are held in the vari-ous taverns.

Christmas Shopping paradise
The decorated downtown area with extended shop opening hours and various Christmas markets is perfect for strolling around and hanging out. The largest covered Christmas
market “Zürich Christmas Fair at Zürich Mainstation & ShopVille” is a central attraction area for young and old. The Christmas market in the old town is the oldest and most traditional in the city of Zürich. You are bound to enjoy many a romantic hour in this setting.

New Year’s Magic worked by Zürich Hoteliers
On New Year’s Eve, Lake Zürich and the upper Limmat become the loveliest party grounds in Switzerland. The highpoint of the occasion is the fantastic fireworks display to set off the New Year, staged over the lake. This attraction is put on by a group of Zürich hoteliers.

Christmas Stroll
If you want to discover the city on the banks of the Limmat with its yuletide traditions and markets by taking a guided tour, you can do no better than join a Zürich Tourism “Christmas Stroll”.

Further Information www.zuerich.com

Further Information www.zuerich.com

August 31, 2004   Posted in: Switzerland