Zurich: Where a Hostel Can Save You a Bundle

ZURICH was once an outpost of the Celtic Helvetii and Romans before falling under the influence of the Franks and Alemanni, and long before joining the Swiss Confederation, a group united in opposition to the Austrian Habsburgs.  Its location at the crossroads of trade routes put it at the center of political and economic events on the cutting-edge of history.  Soon it became a manufacturing powerhouse, and a bastion of Protestantism, democratic reform, AND finance.  Culture followed, and Zurich became the center of the Dada art movement.  But it was not all inspired.  Its banks’ role in laundering Hitler’s money became known in the 1990’s and it repaid millions to Jewish families plundered.

    Today it is the largest and wealthiest city in Switzerland.  It’s beautiful, too, but expensive.  It has major film, art, and music festivals, including the dance-and-techno-oriented “Street Parade,” which attracts a million people.  Raemistrasse, just east of the city centre, is known as the city’s “art mile.” Notable museums include the Swiss National Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.  Historic architecture is centered in the old town, including the 8^th C. Grossmunster, 13^th C. St. Peter’s Church, and the Fraumunster, with windows by Marc Chagall.  With its increasing ethnic diversity, it is one of Europe’s liveliest of modern cities.

There is at least one hostel here, with beds less than $50.  You don't want to know what a private room costs.  Full specs and contact info for Zurich and many other Swiss cities are in the book.