Zürich is a stunningly beautiful city that sits astride the River Limmat (the Zürichsee flows into the River Limmat). Its charming old town, comprising a substantial part of the city center, is full of beautifully restored historic buildings and narrow, hilly alleys. In the distance, snow-clad peaks overlook the waters of the lake, and the shores are dominated by turn-of-the-century mansions.