- Week Twelve - Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is the center of banking and finance. A friend from my first study abroad in South Korea decided to visit Europe for vacation, in which we planned a short trip to Zurich for the weekend! Known for their cheese and chocolate, we had an amazing time tasting Swiss cuisine and strolling around the pre-medieval architectures. THE TRANSPORTATION We booked a flight with British Airways out of Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Airport is relatively more difficult to get to from Roehampton, as it requires you to take the metro (Piccadilly Line). Since British Airways is not a budget airline, I was able to comfortably check in my carry-on bag. Instead of walking everywhere, we decided to purchase a 24 hour transportation ticket which gave us access to the bus, metro and tram. Since Zurich runs on a loyalty-system, don't be surprised when you find that there are no areas to scan your tickets. Be aware, though, that conductors may walk through the trams and metros to check that you have a ticket. In summary, don't try to cheat the system by not purchasing a ticket! THE ACCOMMODATION Zurich is a very expensive city, so we decide to book a hotel called citizenM in Old Town. The location was convenient, since we were around a 10 minute walk away from Zurich Main Station (which has a direct train from the airport). citizenM is an affordable luxury hotel that focuses on providing a high-tech and cozy experience. The bed was super large and comfortable, while the bathroom had a rain-fall shower. One of our favorite features of the room was that everything could be controlled by an iPad console (even the color of the lights!). THE ITINERARY Zurich was definitely one of the most expensive cities I have visited so far (an average meal costs around $25USD). Although it was pricey, the city itself is extremely clean and spacious. We only had one full day in Zurich, but was able to see and do a ton of different things! 1. UETLIBERG The Uetliberg is a mountain located 30 minutes from Zurich. Although it isn't as high as the Swiss Alps, you can still get a great panoramic view of the city. 2. ALTSTADT (OLD TOWN) Located in District 1, Altstadt is surrounded by traditional Swiss restaurants, bars, shops and museums. With loads of things to do, it was fun to explore the cobblestone streets of Old Town. 3. BAHNHOFSTRASSE Located in downtown, Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world's most expensive shopping avenues. Being a short walk from Old Town, it is a great area to walk around and do some shopping. 4. CHRISTMAS MARKETS Since we visited Zurich in December, there were so many Christmas festivities happening during our stay. The Zurich Opera House and Wienachtsdorf Christmas market are some of the most popular markets during winter season. We had an amazing time eating street food, churros, hot chocolate and mulled wine at these Christmas villages! 5. CHOCOLATE & CHEESE FONDUE Chocolate and cheese fondue are must-eat items while visiting Zurich. Famous chocolatiers like Sprungli, Toblerone and Milka are all from Switzerland. As a result, chocolate is the perfect souvenir to buy when in Zurich! There are also a ton of restaurants that serve traditional cheese fondue, which includes pieces of bread and a melting pot of cheese. Zurich was a wonderful experience and it was especially fun to be able to catch up with a study abroad friend. I would definitely recommend visiting Switzerland for the flambeau lifestyle (and if you have the money to splurge a bit).
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AKI'm truly grateful for this opportunity to study abroad and would like to share my experiences with all of you! Ranging from pre-departure tips to recommended travel destinations, I hope this blog will serve as a inspiration and reminder to always explore. Archives
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