High in the Swiss Alps there is a winter wonderland for skiers and a nearby gay après-ski nightlife just waiting to be discovered. As the largest city in Switzerland, Zurich is probably home to one of the liveliest gay scenes in that country. In addition to the action on the nearby slopes, Zurich boasts a vibrant gay nightlife scene with its clubs and bars, and hosts a number of GLBT cultural events such as the “Warmer Mai” (Gay May) festival, which features the Swiss gay and lesbian community. film festival, pink apple.
Situated at the northern end of Lake Zurich and surrounding the Limmat River, Zurich is still a small city by international standards. Yet this lively city in Switzerland offers all the advantages of a vibrant international metropolis and skilfully blends a cultural milieu, historic city, shopping mile and economic banking center for urban diversity. There are numerous ski resorts within about an hour’s drive from the city, making it possible to enjoy a day of skiing high in the Alps with memorable views followed by a night on the town filled with great restaurants and parties.
Famous for bankers, cheese, razors, watches, chocolate and fondues, you’ll be surprised to discover just how gay-friendly Zurich has become, and for a city of 400,000, the options for gay entertainment are vast. . Most gay or gay-friendly accommodation, bars and restaurants can be found in the Old Town, but there are several other gay businesses within walking distance of each other.
Starting with some daytime skiing or outdoor activities, there are numerous options to choose from located just a short drive or train ride from downtown Zurich. Frequent train service from Zurich is available to the most popular ski resorts and several destinations have trains leaving from Zurich Airport. You can spend a few days in the mountains followed by a stay in the city or you can plan several day trips to different ski resorts near the city.
The alpine resort of Saas Fee is at an altitude of 6,000′ and is a small ski village with narrow lanes lined with chalets and is surrounded by thirteen separate mountain peaks reaching 13,000′ above sea level. The nearby Zermatt ski region is dominated by Switzerland’s most famous landmark, the Matterhorn, and is known as the best all-round ski resort in the country. With twenty-nine peaks over 13,000 feet high, these are the highest mountains in Europe and some of the best snow sports in the world are available to outdoor enthusiasts. In these two centers you can practice cross-country or alpine skiing, snowboarding and sledding all year round. Both towns are car-free and offer a snow-covered paradise to enjoy.
Several other ski regions are also within easy reach of Zurich, including the neighboring ski communities of Arosa and Lenzerheide or Crans-Montana, Adelboden, and Lenk. All of these alpine resorts provide a European ski experience that is recognized around the world for its excellent conditions and breathtaking scenery. Of course, if you have time for a few days in the sky, don’t overlook St. Moritz, Switzerland’s premier ski resort for a century or more, the premier winter retreat for international high society, who throughout The years have created a Vuitton and Armani mini-Manhattan in this incredibly romantic setting that encompasses forests, lakes and mountains.
Winter in Switzerland will be full of memories for the avid skier or anyone who enjoys winter outdoors and spectacular scenery, but the gay-friendly Swiss Alps offer a vacation paradise any time of year.
Amid cobbled streets, plus numerous historic clock towers and bell towers, Zurich’s Old Town is a veritable feast for down-to-earth gay apres-ski after time high up on Alpine peaks . Approximately thirty businesses make up the gay community’s bars, clubs, restaurants, spas, shops and accommodations that offer a diverse entertainment experience for the gay vacationer. Just remember that there is less oxygen at that altitude and you may need a few naps to carry you through the day and into the night.
Whether you’re looking for lively pop music at venues like the multi-level Dynasty Club or sipping sophisticated cocktails at the trendy and comfortable Cranberry Bar, whether you’re kicking off a night out or closing out an exciting day, Zürich’s gay and lesbian bars They are not lacking in entertainment options. Within a twenty block radius within the old town there are nearly twenty bars, clubs and pubs to choose from, plus a multitude of dining options. Friends Gaymap is an excellent source of information on all things gay this city has to offer and is available almost everywhere in the Niederdorf district of Old Town.
Staying gay in Zurich offers only one option, the Hotel Goldenes Schwert, but most hotels are gay friendly and the boutique hotels Adler and Scheuble are extremely welcoming to the gay tourist and located in the heart of the gay scene. All three offer reasonably priced rooms, but the Hotel Scheuble offers unique room sizes and shapes with designer décor and style, plus exceptional friendly staff. The Scheuble also has a wonderful Tagliatelle restaurant in the hotel lobby with a cozy and intimate setting for fine dining with exceptional Italian cuisine, specialty pasta dishes and local wild game. It is also the location of the daily complimentary breakfast buffet for hotel guests. The Hotel Scheuble is directly across from the three-level Dynasty Club, one of the neighborhood’s most popular gay bars. The Adler offers Heidi-style dining at its Chuchi Swiss family restaurant specializing in fondues, local dishes and raclette, an orgasmic experience for cheese lovers. The gay Goldenes Schwert Hotel occupies the same building as T&M, one of the best gay bars/cabarets/nightclubs in the city, dark, campy and cruising. Impeccable Swiss lodging style and guest service ensure your stay is a memorable one, no matter which accommodation you select.
Whether you are a skier or not, a day walking through the Old Town is a must and will reveal the true history of Zurich. From the 16th-century silk industry buildings in Schipfe, to the oldest Romanesque parish church boasting Europe’s largest clock on its tower, views of the city and the river Limmat from Lindenhof Hill among the remains. of a Roman fort, or stroll down the picturesque Augustinergasse of old world, Swiss culture and Zurich’s rich past. There are a multitude of merchants, artisans and vendors hidden in every nook or cranny of the ancient streets and you might come across delights like an Argentinian vineyard with its own retail store to sample their vintages accompanied by pate, meats or cheeses. Bahnhofstrasse is said to have the most expensive real estate prices in the world and is home to renowned Swiss banks, exclusive boutiques, watch emporiums and sidewalk cafes. Zurich’s full history and contemporary buildings make it a fascinating city to explore.
Other attractions abound in the Zurich region and short journeys by train or cable car offer some picturesque mountain getaways. The medieval castle of Rapperswil, the abbey church of Einsiedeln, the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen, a trip on the terrace of the Forch railway above Lake Zurich or a visit to the small town of Baden are short excursions from the city that offer a unique experience. perspective of life in the Swiss Alps. But an absolute must is the twenty-minute train ride up Zurich’s Uetliber, the mountain that overlooks Lake Zurich and the city, with spectacular views and mountain vistas in every direction. Hotel Uto Kulm is located on top of this peak and offers great snacks, appetizers or main courses while you sit back and enjoy the show. Pick up a copy of the Zurich Leisure Guide Map at any tourist office to find information on all that the region has to offer an inquisitive visitor.
Whether you are looking for year-round skiing, hiking in the mountains, discovering history, or just having fun in the gay nightlife, the Zurich region offers it all with a very gay-friendly resident population happy to welcome the traveler. gay.
The altitude can leave you breathless and a bit dizzy, but the scenery will absolutely take your breath away.
