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FIVE Zurich

Yes, that FIVE. You can count on one hand the number of UAE residents that don’t know this luxury leisure icon (spoiler, it’ll likely be less than five). Yes the five-star, five-gun salute to the high life, FIVE now has a mega luxe pied-à-terre in Zurich. It’s home to 45 suites, 42 suite-sized lifestyle rooms, 62 ‘Amazing Rooms’, multiple international award-winning restaurants, a vibe tribe approved rooftop nightclub, outdoor social pool and lavish wellness spa with indoor pool and hot tub. Of course you can expect the same elite tier of service and attention to detail exemplified by the Dubai locations, but this first foray abroad comes with Zurich city views from the Uetliberg plateau and status as Swizerland’s only LEED Platinum hotel.

@fivezurich

La Réserve Eden au Lac

This century old grand dame of the Lake Zurich waterfront looks plucked from the run time of a Wes Anderson masterpiece. An artistic building, with tasteful modern rooms, design touches such as glass elevators and city famous restaurants, La Réserve Eden au Lac feels a million miles away from the frantic urban energy of the UAE.

@lareserve_edenaulac_zurich

Park Hyatt Zurich

Caught between the Old Town and Lake Zurich, this Swiss stunner provides easy access to the Bahnhofstrasse shopping district. It’s unashamedly modern and comes with a gym, steam room, sauna and other wellness facilities. F&B highlights involve the popular Onyx Bar and Parkhuus Restaurant.

@parkhyattzurich

Dining Out

What to expect:

Climate: Few places have quite the literal glow up as Switzerland in the summertime.

Sound of Music vistas meet continental summer highs of 23ºC to 25ºC. Note though, rains can be sudden, heavy and stormy.

Language: Switzerland has four official languages (Romansh, French, German and Italian). But as you might expect from multi-linguists, English is widely spoken.

Currency: Not the Euro. Five points to everyone who said Swiss Franc.

Maison Manesse

This trendy haunt holds one of the Michelin Guide’s coveted Green Stars (for sustainable practices). Dining takes places in an artfully rustic pub setting, with comprehensive vegan and vegetarian menu options served alongside the omnivorous versions. The kitchen craft is creative, without being obnoxious, making it a worthwhile stop for adventurous foodies.

@maisonmanesse

Swiss Chuchi

We’ve grown kind of fondue that European style of DIY hot pot dining experience that lets you cook in oil or cheese. And you’ll find few melting pots in the city that have quite the reputation of the Swiss Chuchi. It offers a huge range of cheese and meat fondue varieties as well as the traditional raclette serving ritual.

@swisschuchi

SKIN’S – THE RESTAURANT

Our recommendation for an extravagant splurge, Skin’s is contained within an old factory and is named after the skinmed clinic it sits slap bang next to. It’s a two Michellin Star restaurant with a young and (ahem) hungry kitchen team that proudly blends tradition with modern world influences and has some pretty gnarly ideas on the future of surf ‘n’ turf.

@skins_the_restaurant

Destination: Tuscany, Italy

This summer, I am heading to the Tuscan Hills as the one-year countdown to my wedding begins. We’ll be saying “I do” at Dievole Wine Resort, a charming hotel and vineyard in Chianti. I’ve got a particularly romantic attachment to this stunning slice of Italian countryside, as it’s where we also travelled to on our first vacation, and got engaged four years later.

– Alice Holtham, Group Editor

Destination: Athens, Greece

We’ve started slapping on stopovers on the way back from our summer trip home (to the UK). This year, our sights are set on that crucible of democracy, western society and salads with feta in them –Athens. I’m a history nerd, a huge fan of Greek food, and the idea of smashing plates without losing deposits appeals to the rest of the family – so it really is an ‘all-win’ scenario.

– Miles Buckeridge, Senior Online Reporter

Destination: Seoul, South Korea

Since I’m into Korean drama, I tend to adapt to their culture from food to fashion to music. So, every time I watch K-Drama I dream of travelling to Seoul, Korea and exploring some of the Mapo district, which is famous for its traditional Korean BBQ restaurants. I can’t wait to try their speciality dishes, such as charcoalgrilled pork and aged kimchi, then visit a traditional pub and go for a market tour with my family.

– Sheila Deocareza, Art Director

Destination: Cyprus

Nothing quite says ‘summer vaycay’ like lounging around on European island Cyprus. I’ll be checking out the stunning scenery, coupled with the country’s incredible history and, of course, gorgeous beaches to top up my tan before I return to the sauna that is Dubai. –

Shelby Gee,

Junior Reporter

Destination: Bali, Indonesia

After my 2020 Bali travel plans never came to fruition, I’m still desperate to go. This summer will finally be the time I get to visit the beautiful rice fields, incredible beaches, trendy beach clubs, and stay in a huge villa. My only concern is that I won’t want to come back!

– Elise Kerr, Deputy Editor

Destination: Florence, Italy

My love for renaissance art is one of the sole reasons I would visit Florence. From paintings and sculptures, the galleries and museums, the cathedrals (high on my list is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) and so much more, I plan to soak in as much as I can. And while I’m there, I will, of course, indulge in as much divine Italian food as possible from pasta to pizza and all the tiramisu. –

Aarti Saundalkar, Online Reporter

Destination: Dubai, UAE

Dare I say it, I rather enjoy summer in Dubai. There’s the discounted pool and hotel deals, plenty of indoor familyfun, quieter shopping malls, day trips to Fujairah (where the sea is always that bit cooler) and making the most of the early mornings and late evenings. Bliss! –

Tamara Wright, Online Reporter

Destination: Brazil

I have dreamt about going to South America for the last five years, and this summer, long after our pandemic stress, I will finally be going to Brazil. This luscious, exotic and vibrant country has always fascinated me, with its beautiful coastal towns and cities, tropical islands, Portuguese culture and bosa nova music. I’ll be travelling from the south, passing through Rio, and up to the north to the pristine beaches of Itacaré. I can’t wait.

– Romy Hunt, Junior Reporter