A debilitating -- but cost effective -- way to start your evening in Zurich is the annual Expovina. Starting Nov 1st, 2007, and going for 15 days, it is not only the world’s largest wine convention, it is the most important one for the Swiss wine producers, of which 1300 are presented for tasting. In all, over 4000 wines from 24 countries are available on 12 ships docked in the lake. Use any excuse to go to Zurich and make one hell of a night of it. You won’t have trouble finding food for anyone’s taste in the Neiderdorf (the old town), or you can take a slow, somewhat philosophical, pub-crawl if that's more to your taste.

If you're there on the morning of the 11th day of the 11th month, at 11 minutes past 11, it’s the beginning of Fasnacht (Carnival). Dozens of bands in carnival colors gather to play –simultaneously – in the squares and streets all over Neiderdorf for the punctual kickoff. A nice surprise, I’m sure, for those of you not drinking wine till 04:30 in the morning.

Place: Zurich, 12 Schiffe, Buerkliplatz.
http://www.expovina.ch/

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