Futuristic Japanese bidets, hand-painted Easter eggs in Prague, and German castles with wobbly bridges. Maddie G., a high school senior from Massachusetts, has experienced quite a lot on her two EF tours. But when challenged to name her favorite day, she chose her stop in Zurich, Switzerland. Keep reading to learn her favorite things to do in Zurich, and see why this city takes the cake ice cream.
On their way to Zurich, Maddie’s group stopped in a small Swiss town to take in the local flavor. (And yes, by that we mean the chocolate and coffee.) Maddie fell in love with the town’s quaint cobblestone streets and charming cafes. “It was exactly what I thought Switzerland would look like,” Maddie says.
After reaching the city, Maddie and her friends spotted a Ferris wheel. This probably isn’t on most people’s bucket list of things to do in Zurich, but the group still decided to give it a spin. Unfortunately, they soon realized none of them actually liked heights. But hey, that’s travel. It inspires you to put your fears aside and soar high (like, really high) outside of your comfort zone.
With free time to explore, Maddie popped in and out of local shops. She picked up a few trinkets and gifts (read: more chocolate) but brushed past the postcards. After all, none came close to capturing the natural beauty right in front of her. And if you think it’s weird that Maddie spent half her time that day just staring at the Alps, then you haven’t been to Switzerland.
Feeling snacky, Maddie’s group set out for something novel to nosh on. Their inquisitiveness paid off when they stumbled upon spaghetti ice cream. Think: vanilla ice cream “noodles,” strawberry sauce, and coconut shaved to look like parmesan. It became Maddie’s new favorite dessert and our answer to anyone who preaches a low-carb diet.
When you have the opportunity to go paddleboating on Lake Zurich, you take it. After donning life jackets (and sending their teachers a photo to prove their precaution), Maddie and her friends took to the open waters. Nothing burns off Swiss chocolate like a little aquatic exercise.
Post-dinner, Maddie’s group met to play cards and Connect Four. “It’s our school travel club’s tradition,” Maddie explains. The game night gave everyone the chance to reflect on the day’s adventures, share stories with one another, and connect on an even deeper level. Think of it as the strawberry-spaghetti sauce on top of a perfect day. After all, travel is incredible no matter where you go—but what really makes it special is who you travel with.
Want to to discover your own favorite things to do in Zurich, Switzerland?
Check out our Central European Quartet tour.
Related articles
