SPG.com
For nearly 500 years the Swiss have been known for their world famous watches and clocks, which are renowned for both their accuracy and beauty. And while it's great to have a Swiss watch on your wrist or a Swiss clock on your mantle, it's even better to travel to the source of these fabulous timepieces to see where they're made. Visitors to Zurich can do just that with a tour of the Clock and Watch Museum Beyer Zürich. This fascinating museum offers guests a look at more than 3,000 years of timekeeping devices, ranging from prehistoric sundials and shadow sticks to the cutting-edge quartz instruments in use today, such as a Patek Philippe watch that checks the time once every second through a wireless connection to an atomic clock in Neuchâtel and is accurate to within a millionth of a second. With a watch like that, there's no longer any excuse to be late to work. Housed in the Beyer Watch Store in the city's most prestigious shopping district, the museum is considered to have one of the most important horological collections anywhere in the world, with more than 500 pieces from all fields of chronology examined from both technical and artistic points of view. (And yes, I only just now learned that "horological" refers to timekeeping devices.) Guests at the Sheraton Neues Schloss Hotel - Zurich or the Four Points by Sheraton Sihlcity might enjoy a stroll through this temple of timekeeping.
Recently in Zurich Category
Zurich's Clock and Watch Museum
Wednesday November 19, 2008
MoreStarpick the Four Points by Sheraton Sihlcity - Zurich
Tuesday July 29, 2008
In the minds of many travelers, Switzerland is a wintertime destination, with snowy alpine peaks and cozy villages. But Switzerland sizzles in the summertime as well, with gorgeous weather and a lively outdoor arts scene that takes advantage of the long days and wild nights. If you've never seen Switzerland in the summer, now might be the time, because the Four Points by Sheraton Sihlcity - Zurich is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends. So pop on over to Zurich and take advantage of its many summertime delights, from charming sidewalk cafes serving up amazing pastries to surprisingly talented street musicians playing classical masterpieces. The hotel is located in central Zurich, a short walk from restaurants, shopping, cinema, and even a discotheque, so you can leave the car at home and get around the old fashioned way: on foot. But when those feet get tired, grab a seat at Urbano Bar and enjoy a well-deserved refreshment. It's a nice way to cool off during the Swiss summer. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so check the list often to find the latest deals.
Dancing in the Streets at Lucerne Fasnacht
Tuesday February 5, 2008The Swiss have a reputation as steady, even-tempered people, but there is one time a year where they go wild in the streets. Lucerne Fasnacht is Switzerland's biggest annual street party, kind of a Mardi Gras in the mountains, and it has enough energy and excitement to rival similar extravaganzas in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro. For the past week leading up to tomorrow's Shrove Tuesday (or Fat Tuesday, if you like), revelers don outlandish costumes and parade through the picturesque city of Lucerne, dancing to festive Guggemusig along the route. It began in the early morning hours of "Dirty Thursday," when the Fritschi Father and his troops waved from Town Hall and a gun sounded to signal the commencement of merriment. The following days have featured hours upon hours of music, parades, food, drink, dancing, and general mayhem, leading up to tomorrow's Monsterkorso (Monster Parade) on Tuesday, when the most outlandish creatures come out to play. The festival takes place in central Lucerne, an hour's drive from the Four Points by Sheraton Sihlcity - Zurich and the Sheraton Neues Schloss Hotel - Zurich so if you're in the area, don't miss it.
Zipping Around Zurich on the Polybahn
Friday December 7, 2007
Switzerland's largest metropolis is a traveler's delight. Though it's not the clubs (more per capita than any other European city), the fabulous art-filled museums (the Buehrle is wonderful), or even the shopping (Rolex anyone?), that has me in such a tizzy over Zurich. Call me dull, but hey, it's the public transportation! An excellent network of trams glide along Zurich's cobbled streets, providing a clean, comfy, scenic route around town. Launched in 1882, the system works so well that other European cities have been known to model their own after it. And talk about famous, last month, those trams, with their network of routes reaching out to most every neighborhood, serving hundreds of thousands of visitors and commuters each day, made Tyler Brule's "Top 50" list.
It's time we went for a ride. A basic 10-zone ZVV ticket allows travel on trams, buses, S-Bahn trains, boats, and even the Polybahn, a funicular that carries passengers up a hill to the Zurich Polytechnic Institute. Einstein went there! Purchase your ticket at station vending machines prior to your journey, validate it, and present it to the ticket checker who shows up at random. Valid for 1 hour, the basic ticket costs 3.90 Swiss Francs, (CHF). Shell out 7.80 and ride for 24-hours. Better yet, book the " Magic at Christmas in Zurich" deal at the Sheraton Neues Schloss Hotel, and get a ZurichCard free. It allows all-day travel on the entire ZVV transportation network, plus free museum admission, and welcome drinks at over 20 restaurants. Let's go!
The Bear Necessities in Berne
Monday August 13, 2007
Amid all the development going on in the world, it's nice to know that a few ancient places remain where you can walk down streets and peek into buildings that haven't changed in generations. Such is the case with Berne, every traveler's idea of the perfect Swiss town. The capital of Switzerland remains much as it was over 500 years ago, with winding cobblestone streets, a four-mile covered shopping arcade, and a 15th century Gothic cathedral known as the Münster of Berne.
With one of the most well preserved medieval old towns in Europe, Berne is a paradise for history buffs, who can wander for hours among the old houses, fountains, squares, and towers, stopping in the occasional cafe or pub for rest and refreshment. Founded in 1191, Berne is named after the German brown bear, and you'll see the bear symbol all over town. One of Berne's most popular landmarks is the Zeitglockenturm, a clock tower with revolving mechanical dancing bears that come out every hour, while real bears can be found in the city's famous stone Bärengraben (bear pits).
If you need to cool off, just head for the water. Berne is located on the Aare River (pictured), and swimming in its fresh water during the summer is a favorite pastime. Just a one-hour train ride from Zurich, Berne is an easy day trip from the ArabellaSheraton Neues Schloss.
[image via Magic Switzerland]
Vegging Out in Zurich
Thursday August 2, 2007
The Swiss city of Zurich is home to the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Europe: Hiltl, which was founded in 1898. But just because it's old doesn't mean it's hidebound and stuffy — it's in fact a freshly renovated center of activity with a casual atmosphere and a reservations recommended policy. The menu features a wide selection of options for all varieties of vegetarians, from ovo-lacto to vegan, and there's a huge salad bar that's priced by weight, as well as an excellent Indian buffet, so you can mix and match to your taste. Even omnivores will find plenty to enjoy on the big menu. After hours, there's an upstairs nightclub with DJs spinning house and electro until 4am. A sister restaurant, Tibits, offers a similar but smaller menu and a loungier atmosphere; both are a short cab ride from the ArabellaSheraton Neues Schloss.
What Are You in the Mood For?
Paris
Renowned worldwide as a capital of fashion, romance and gastronomy, Paris awaits you with magical moments and endless opportunities. Book your trip now!
Looking for advice about SPG? Ask questions to our SPG insiders and other SPG members or answer the questions submitted by others.
submit your question or answer
