The climate of Zurich is continental, and temperatures are modified by winds off the Atlantic Ocean. Winters are cold, while summers tend to be hot and sunny. In January, temperatures can range between 14°F (-10°C) and 41°F (5°C) and in July, temperatures can range between 59°F (15°C) and 86°F (30°C). The wettest time of year is from June to August.

Zurich boasts a plethora of eateries catering to just about every nationality under the sun, including, of course, restaurants with strong French, German and Italian influences. Try the delicious traditional Christmas snack, Tirggel, which are hard, thin and very sweet biscuits made from flour and honey - popular in other countries too and bound to well up oodles of nostalgia in anyone who has ever tasted one. Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, a veal stew made with mushrooms, white wine and cream is a must while in Zurich, and visitors will notice potato Rösti is a popular local dish. Other famous exports not to be missed are, of course, the decadent and delicious Swiss chocolates as well as Swiss cheeses like Emmental, Gruyère, Vacherin, and Appenzeller. Other famous Swiss culinary inventions include fondue and muesli.

The left bank and right bank areas are where all the best restaurants can be found and it is customary to make reservations in advance. For special occasions, the restaurants at the top of the Uetliberg have fantastic views. A service charge of 15% is usually included in restaurant bills and further tipping is unnecessary but leftover change is always appreciated.

Zurich is easy to navigate, and a modern, user-friendly network of trams and buses covers the city daily from 5.30am to midnight. Transport works on a zone system, and tickets are valid for an hour. Tickets are transferable but must be bought before boarding and validated immediately; they are also valid on some boats and local city trains. The most useful travel pass is the Tageskarte(one day ticket) that allows travel on all buses and trams for 24 hours. Night buses depart from Bellevue hourly from 1am to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. Travelling by taxi is expensive even by Swiss standards, but they are safe and convenient and can be hailed on the street, found at taxi ranks or ordered by phone. Getting around by car is not recommended due to congestion and expensive or scarce parking. From May to October, bicycles can be hired free from various stations, though a deposit of one's ID and a small fee is required.

The three official languages are Swiss German, French and Italian. A few people speak Romansch, but this is confined to the southeastern corner of the country. Most people know at least three languages, including English.

The official currency is the Swiss franc (CHF) divided into 100 rappen (German) or centimes (French). Although not part of the EU many prices are nonetheless indicated in Euros and some merchants may accept Euros. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted and ATMs are widespread; many are equipped with the Cirrus or Maestro system. Banks offer the best exchange rates for travellers cheques and foreign currency, but it is also possible to exchange money at major hotels, main train stations and airports. Banks are open Monday to Friday.

Not the conservative city it used to be, the nightlife and entertainment scene in Zurich has come into its own, but don't expect it to be rip-roaring wild either. With most clubs closing relatively early, it's best to get a head start with a few early evening cocktails at your watering hole of choice. A good place to start is at one of the open-air bars for a relaxing drink before heading out to the trendy Zuri-West area where some of the city's hottest underground bars and nightclubs can be found. The Old Town is also worth checking out where Paradeplatz features a range of upmarket lounge and hotel bars. The former red-light district of Langstrasse is the place to go for an edgier night where biker bars can be found alongside strip clubs and just about anything goes. Being more culturally oriented, concerts, theatre, ballet and opera dominate the scene here. It's worth picking up a copy of Zurich Newsor the ZüriTipp, the weekly supplement to the Tages Anzeigernewspaper to see what's on when you're in the city.

Shopping in Zurich is a fantastic holiday experience. While traditional Swiss products may be watches, cuckoo-clocks and chocolate, there are also many upmarket boutiques and speciality stores (such as the one dedicated entirely to button sales). This city is charmingly devoid of shopping malls.

The main shopping street is Bahnhofstrasse, home to department stores Globus and Jelmoli, and jewellery shops like Bucherer and Beyer, as well as fashion shops such as H&M. Fine Swiss chocolates (including Frey and Lindt), Swiss Army knives, embroidery, linen, Swiss watches, and handmade clocks are available from shops like Schweizer Heimatwerk and Confiserie Sprüngli. At Zurich Hauptbahnhof, Shopville is a subway shopping centre offering Swiss souvenirs and fine wines. Also close by, there's a flea market at Helvetiaplatz on Saturday mornings.

The Niederdorf district has trendy boutiques, 'modern' antiques and a few bookshops. Nearby, Schipfe is a street where artisans and craftsman offer quality and custom-made products. Elegant boutiques, department stores and speciality shops are clustered in the Old Town. International visitors may reclaim VAT but some conditions do apply.

Brimming with attractions and sightseeing opportunities to suit every kind of traveller, Zurich has wonderful monuments, museums and churches to explore. Wander through the cobblestone streets of Niederhof and enjoy a light meal or cup of coffee while being entertained by the street performers and buskers. Culture vultures will love the Swiss National Museum, the Fine Arts Museum and the Museum of Design Zurich and children of all ages will love the Zurich Zoo, where endangered species such as snow leopards and red pandas can be seen. Visitors keen on doing a lot of sightseeing in Zurich should purchase the Zurich Tourist Card, which includes access to transport services of Zurich Public Transport and offers free admission to over 40 museums, reduced admission to the zoo, a complimentary welcome drink in over 20 restaurants and a number of other benefits. The card can be bought for 20CHF for 24 hours or 40CHF for 72 hours.

Local time in Switzerland is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between March and October).