Should symposium participants bring a companion with them, a partner, spouse, or a friend, we will be happy to welcome them too. You can register your companion for our guided Social Programme, and/or you can choose to purchase a Summer-Fest ticket for them. As of 1st June, you will be able to purchase a companion programme on our registrations page, with the following three options on offer:
Social Programme / CHF 125-
Social Programme + Summer-Fest Dinner / CHF 225
Just Summer-Fest Dinner / CHF 100-
Social Programme
The guided social programme is a four-day programme that takes place parallel to the symposium. It is aimed at those accompanying the symposium participants. The programme includes a guided tour of Zurich’s old town, a boat trip on Lake Zurich to the largest chocolate museum in Switzerland and a visit to the Kunsthaus. This is a daily guided programme with scheduled visits and tours. There is a fixed price (CHF 125- per person) for the whole week, including a Zurich public transportation card. Lunch and coffee are excluded.
Day 1
Monday: Italian Coffee at La Stanza and Schanzengraben
© Kevin Reichsteiner
After attending the IASS 2024 kick-off morning, take the ETH Link bus to the ETH Zentrum. From there, change to tram 6 or 7 and travel to Paradeplatz. Have a cup of coffee at La Stanza, a café with Italian charm. Walk along the Schanzengraben to the old botanical garden, a relaxing green oasis in the centre of the city. From there, take the tram to Central and board the Zurich Polybahn funicular railway. Reach the Polyterasse and enjoy a breathtaking view over the city and Lake Zurich before taking the ETH Link bus back to ETH Hönggerberg.
Day 2
Tuesday: Bürklimarket and Trip to Lindt, Home of Chocolate
© Zürich Tourismus
The Bürklimärt, as the locals call it, is a popular weekly market for vegetables and flowers. Before strolling through the market, have a coffee at the John Baker bakery nearby. Then board the boat to Kilchberg, a village at the lake of Zurich to visit the Lindt, Home of Chocolate, Switzerland’s largest chocolate museum. There visit the museum with an audio guide and taste some chocolate. After the visit, take the bus to Strandbad Mythenquai, to have lunch at Hiltl, the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world. Make sure you bring a swimsuit if you want to take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Zurich. After lunch, take a stroll along the lakeside promenade and visit the greenhouse garden with its collection of succulents. Very close to the Strandbad is also the theater spectacle, a yearly festival, right by the water with a very lively atmosphere, which can be visited free of charge.
Day 3
Wednesday: Zurich Old Town Walking Tour and Viadukt
© Zürich Tourismus
On a two-hour guided walk through the old town, search for clues to the city´s past in its hidden alleyways and picturesque squares. Uncover the secrets of Bahnhofstrasse, find out what a “procession axis” is, and visit a church with a minute-hand that jumps a record-breaking half meter every minute. In the afternoon, visit the Viaduktbögen in Zurich-West. Under the 36 viaduct arches find a colourful mix of delicatessens, studio galleries and fashion boutiques. Make a stop at the local gelateria ‘Eisvogel’ before resting and then heading to the summerfest at Lake Side.
Day 4
Thursday: Kunsthaus Zurich and Neumarkt
© Kunsthaus Zürich
Today’s programme includes a visit to the new Chipperfield building of the Kunsthaus Zürich. Followed by lunch outdoors on the cosy terrace of the restaurant Chiffon. Afterwards discover the historic Neumarkt, make a stop at the Never Stop Reading bookshop and take a look at the historic city model.
Full schedule details of our guided social programme will be shared with all registered companions a week ahead of the symposium.
We look forward to meeting everyone!