Zurich has a multi faceted appeal with its cultural events, booming nightlife, extravagant shopping and glorious old town streets and sights on the banks of the Limmat River. All this in addition to its close proximity to the magical Swiss Alps make a trip to Zurich unforgettable.

Through the ages Zurich has seen many avant-garde writers and artists both frequent and live here. Zurich is ranked highly on the list of the worlds top art cities alongside New York, Paris, London and Berlin. A typical feature of Zürich is indeed its high density of art galleries which are minutes apart on foot. The Rämistrasse "art mile" is a must see for visitors to Zurich with gallery after gallery. Museums too are in abundance here with Zürich and the surrounding region is home to the biggest number of museums and exhibitions in the whole of Switzerland.

Art and culture aside, taking a stroll around Zurich's centre is a special experience. Zürich’s well-preserved Old Town is on the banks of the Limmat River. It is not only home to countless places of interest but is a simply a beautiful place to visit and gather your thoughts over a lazy beer or coffee.

Having sampled the culture you may be in need of sampling some of the local night sports. Luckily Zurich is home to around 700 bars and clubs, most of which stay open until the early hours. DJs from all over the world play everything from House, Techno and Latin to Acid Jazz. If you prefer things a little more mellow, drop into one of the numerous open-air bars (in summer).

Zurich's proximity to the Swiss Alps makes trips to these glorious mountains very easy. Car hire in Zurich is in abundance with all the main brands having a presence. The Alps however are not the only thing that can lure you away from Zurich. Zurich's surrounding region has so many attractions that if you are not the skiing type you will be spoilt for things to do and see.

The Rhine Falls are a must see as they are the largest falls in Europe and will take you breath away. In this glorious region you can also visit Alpamare, the largest water park in Europe or for something less active the Emma-Kunz-Zentrum in the former Roman Quarry is an oasis of wellness and relaxation. With parks, zoo's and museums there is too much to mention but visiting Zurich's surrounding region must be done and will give any visitor a memorable trip. For further information on Zurich and its surrounding area go to Zuerich.com.

About the author: Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local Edinburgh cricket club.