Zürich

During my study abroad stay in Italy, Switzerland was the first of my numerous weekend trips across Europe. I booked a last minute trip with a friend and left for Zurich the next day. It was a three-hour drive from Milano and cost less than 25 euros to get there. 

The drive through the mountains was absolutely breathtaking and was a great escape from the populated cities. The cultivated fields and farmlands reminded me of the outskirts of Addis Ababa where my Dad and I used to drive out to during the weekends when we lived in Ethiopia. 

When we got to the city, we signed up for one of the city tours and spent the weekend wondering through Old Town, taking a boat ride on Lake Zurich and finding every excuse to devour Swiss chocolate. 

Below are a few of my tips, 

• Get the Zürich card to easily get around using public transit, receive discounts at some restaurants as well as stores, and reduced entry to points of interest. 
• Take a boat tour on Lake Zurich (free round-trip cruise with Zürich card)
• Take a walking tour through Bahnhofstrasse, Lindenhof, Schipfe and Niederdorf in Old Town.