Opera Holidays in Zürich, Switzerland

On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the city. Alternatively, you may wish to make your own way to the airport’s station for the quick 10 minute journey to Zürich HB in the centre of the city. Zurich has an excellent public transport network and the train is the most efficient way to reach the city. The remainder of your day is at leisure to get your bearings and begin your exploration of Zürich.

In the cost of your holiday we have included a Zürich Card which will be valid for 72 hours. The card, which represents excellent value for money, will be purchased in advance of your holiday and sent to you before you leave for Switzerland. The Zürich Card includes unlimited 2nd class travel on all forms of public transportation (tram, bus, train, boat, funicular and cable car) in the city of Zürich, including travel to and from the airport and the journey up to the Uetliberg. The Zürich Card also provides free admission to a multitude of museums and discounts in participating stores.

Today you are at leisure to explore Zürich under your own arrangements. Spend the morning exploring Zürich's Old Town which lines both sides of the beautiful Limmat River. With gabled homes, narrow cobbled streets, grand guild houses and charming tree-lined squares, cafes, restaurants, bierhallen and shops, this area is easily explored on foot. There are fabulous views from both the Lindenhof and University of Zürich and the three main churches, Grossmünster, Peterskirche with its large clock face and the Fraumünster, boasting stained glass windows by Marc Chagall, are well worth visiting. For art lovers there are a whole host of galleries to explore including the Kunsthaus Zürich, Kunsthalle, Helmhaus Zürich, Haus Konstruktiv and Museum Rietberg whilst the Swiss National Museum provides an insight into the country’s cultural history. This evening enjoy your chosen opera performance at the Zürich Opera House, opened in 1891 which seats around 1,000 people.

• Breakfast

Today you are again at leisure to explore Zürich, taking advantage of your Zürich Card to travel outside of the city. Switzerland is synonymous with chocolate with bespoke chocolatiers found throughout the city. Zürich is also the birthplace of Lindt and the museum of this famous brand, ‘Lindt Home of Chocolate’, is located south of the city beside Lake Zürich and can be reached by train. It is also possible to travel to the museum by public boat and your Zürich Card includes public transport on Lake Zürich which is a fabulous way to see the city and its surroundings. For spectacular views of the city and Swiss Alps, ascend Uetliberg, Zürich’s closest mountain. Take the train then walk the short distance to the summit or, for the more energetic, hike from the city to the top. If travelling over the winter period, Zurich buzzes with Christmas spirit, festooned in lights and colourful markets in city squares.

• Breakfast

Spend the morning in Zürich, maybe in the old town for some last-minute shopping or at one of the galleries or museums. Later you will be met and transferred back to Zürich Airport in good time for your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, should you prefer, return to the airport by train from Zürich HB.

• Breakfast