Around the World in Reality: Zurich, Switzerland
Finally, our European Adventure brings us to the beautiful city of Zurich! With just a quick train ride away from Munich, Zurich stood out as a city we couldn’t pass up. With its captivating charm and picturesque surroundings, this city certainly surpassed all expectations.
Day 1 – Saturday, June 17
HIGHLIGHTS: Tidbits, FIFA Museum, House of Ren and Rompe Tour
On Saturday morning, we woke up early to catch the train to Zurich. The journey from Munich to Zurich took about three hours. We met a nice American couple from Florida, and it was great to chat with them during the ride.
Upon arrival, we checked directly into our hotel, the Boutique Hotel NI-MO, which was conveniently located in the city. Our room here was the largest of them all, and I really appreciated this space.
For lunch, we walked around the corner to Tidbits where we had a fantastic vegan buffet. The options seemed to be endless, and everything was delicious.
After lunch, we visited the FIFA museum, which was particularly exciting for Donnell. I was really glad to see this museum representing not only men’s but women’s soccer as well. This museum also had an interactive zone where you were able to do a few soccer drills. Though I believe it was for the kids, I enjoyed it, too!
After an hour at the FIFA museum, we headed to an early dinner at a nearby restaurant, House of Ren. For dinner, I had seabass with mango and coriander over onions. While the dish was delicious, I underestimated the heat on this one. I would still rate it an 8.5. Donnell had a shrimp dish with rice that he enjoyed. For dessert, I had fried ice cream, and it was just enough for my sweet tooth.
To cap off the night, we embarked on a Rompe tour. When I initially booked the tour, I anticipated a boat cruise featuring reggaeton, hip hop, and other Latin music, but it was a full-blown party. While clearly geared towards the 20-somethings, we still had a fantastic time. The weather continued to be in our favor throughout the trip, and this night was no exception. We vibed to the music, witnessed a beautiful sunset, and had an overall great evening.
Day 2 – Sunday, June 18
HIGHLIGHTS: Hürlimannbad & Spa Zürich, Zeughauskeller and Street Food Festival
We kicked off the day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel. The spread was amazing. After satisfying our hunger with muesli, we sought some well-deserved R&R at Hürlimannbad & Spa Zürich. I had deliberated between this spa and the equally popular QC Termemilano in Milan but ultimately settled on the former, a decision I don’t regret. The Sunday morning visit proved to be tranquil, allowing us to fully appreciate the space. Our spa journey commenced with the rooftop infinity pool, where we soaked in the fresh air and marveled at the city’s beautiful views. Following this, we indulged in the Roman-Irish spa ritual and concluded our visit with relaxation in a thermal bath. It was such a great experience.
After the spa, we headed to Zürich’s famous Zeughauskeller for lunch. The restaurant was packed with people, but we were able to sit quickly. Donnell had the Impossible burger, and I had the Älplermagronen, alpine macaroni, a Swiss specialty with potato cubes, onions and cream sauce with a side of applesauce. My meal was delicious but quite substantial. I would rate it an 8.5. For Donnell, he can never go wrong with an Impossible burger.
Following lunch, we opted to get some steps in and explore the city. My research led me to a street food festival, and we decided to make our way there. Upon arrival, we were met with a bustling crowd. The variety of food options was impressive, and we sampled different offerings ranging from dumplings to arepas. After about an hour, we were met with a light summer rain, though fortunately, it was short-lived. While at the festival, we also caught a performance, making it a great low-key way to end the day.
Day 3 – Monday, June 19
HIGHLIGHTS: Lindt Tour, Haus Hiltl and Racing Unleashed
On our final full day, we started with breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Our next tour was on the opposite side of Lake Zurich at Lindt, the Home of Chocolate. The tour not only offered insight into the history of Lindt chocolate but also delightful tastings of various chocolates. It was well organized, and the opportunity to fill our pockets with samples made the visit even more enjoyable. And, of course, we couldn’t resist purchasing more chocolate to take home.
For lunch, we visited Hiltl Haus, the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world. I was thrilled to try it out, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I opted for the Hiltl Cordon Bleu, and it was a delight. The dish was well-constructed, mirroring the original version’s texture. For vegetarian food, this isn’t always easy to do. I would rate it a solid 9, adding to the list of high ratings on this trip. Donnell tried the Strozzapreti with Hiltl Bolognese, and he absolutely loved it. Being both big fans of ginger, we ended the meal with two ginger shots.
After lunch, we headed to our next hotel near the airport, the Hyatt Place, as we had an early flight the next day. While walking to the hotel, we stumbled upon Racing Unleashed, a racing simulator. With Donnell also being a Formula 1 fan, we decided to check it out. This immersive experience was absolutely amazing! We both raced against each other and had a blast. We would highly recommend it!
For our last meal in Zurich, I made my way around the Circle, a mixed-use space around our hotel and the airport. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any open restaurants. Since the options were limited, we decided to order from the hotel restaurant. We split an order of fish and chips from the bar, which turned out to be surprisingly delicious.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved Zurich. It offered the complete package—a beautiful city with an impressive lake and the breathtaking Swiss Alps in the backdrop. Despite being prepared for the expense, Zurich proved to be quite costly, comparable to the likes of Iceland. Nevertheless, I would come back in a heartbeat and eagerly anticipate continuing to explore Switzerland in the future.
