I suppose that in a city as old and as rich in cultural artifacts and traditions as Zurich, it’s unusual that one of the first places we headed for was the Zurich Zoo. Part of this was due to its proximity to where we staying. Just a few tram stops or a very nice (uphill) walk and we were at the gates. But there is a list of things we almost always go to first to get a flavor for the character of the places and people we are visiting. Zoos, botanical gardens, parks, and markets are all on that list. These almost always work better than museums, palaces, and churches at revealing the essential character of where we were at.
History and Information