Swiss chocolate … & why I love Zurich

swiss-chocolate

Laderach makes some of the finest Swiss chocolate you will ever taste. We enjoyed visiting them at the Merkur shop in Zurich and watching a live demonstration on how they make their delicious Swiss chocolate creations. We also visited Confiserie Sprungli, Teuscher, Chocomotion, Truffe Schokolade, Chocolate Frey (in Buchs), and Maestrani (in Flawil) during this Swiss Chocolatour. On my second Chocolatour of Switzerland in 2016, my chocolate travels took me deeper into the world of delicious Swiss-made chocolate and gave me the opportunity to learn about Swiss chocolate companies outside of Zurich.


 

I had a tremendous time discovering Belgium, France, and Switzerland on my first Chocolatour to Europe in 2009. I share some of my thoughts on France and Belgium in other posts. This post is all about Zurich, how I’ve come to know it during my three visits, why I an enamoured with this lovely Swiss city, and some exciting news! Read on …

Zurich is a tremendous place to discover Swiss chocolate

Zurich is one of the safest, cleanest and most efficient city I have visited. Safe, clean and efficient may not be sexy words and may instill the impression that Zurich is dull or boring. Not true! This lovely Swiss city is architecturally appealing, historically fascinating, has plenty of terrific shopping, great restaurants, and of course … some of the best chocolate in the world. What could be sexier than the sensuality of chocolate?
 
 I’ve always been a fan of dark chocolate, so I was afraid I might not like the offerings of the Swiss chocolatiers. They are primarily known for their milk chocolate. But I was wrong. Firstly, the Swiss are now producing more dark chocolate products, so it wasn’t difficult for me to like them. And secondly, the Swiss live and breathe chocolate, so if anyone knows how to make great chocolate, it is the Swiss. It is smooth, creamy and sensual. Even the milk chocolate of the best chocolatiers and confectionaries is appealing to the most dedicated lovers of dark chocolate.
 
 But Zurich is far more than a chocolate lover’s paradise. It is home to the Swiss National Museum, the Landesmuseum, a facility that combines a strikingly contemporary layout and design with the traditional styling of a world-class museum.
 
You won’t find more clocks, watches and other time pieces anywhere in the world than in Zurich. Perhaps that’s why their public transportation system is so efficient. Time really matters to the Swiss. Various forms of public transportation are at your disposal and almost always … on time.
 
We rode the local trams and trains religiously over a three-day period and found them to be clean and high-efficient, as well as an economical way to tour the city and surrounding area. Buy a Zurich card and you get cheap transportation and entry into local attractions all in one.
 
Restaurant meals are terrific but expensive by way of North American standards. But if you buy the Zurich card, you’ll find some deals on dining, too.
 
I also love the people of Zurich. They are friendly, helpful, attractive and cosmopolitan without the arrogance found in at least one neighbouring country.
swiss-travel
 
We stayed at the Hotel Zurichberg in 2009, which was situated on a hill overlooking the lake and mountains. It was a wonderful refuge to help regenerate us for each new day. That was my second visit to Zurich. The first was in 1996 and only a brief stop over. My 2009 visit–although primarily focused on chocolate–was fortunately much longer, and gave me a true insight into one of Europe’s most understated cities.
 
I was fortunate to return to Switzerland in 2016 for a Swiss chocolate travel tour of other Swiss cities such as Lucerne, Vevey, Montreux, Broc, and Gruyères and they were all fabulous. Use the search tool via my homepage to check out those posts. I just had a quick overnight stay on that visit at the Radisson Blü Zürich Airport Hotel and really loved their ultra modern lobby lounge and the chic ambiance of the hotel.
 

Zurich is the quintessential chocolate destination

Whether you stay in Zurich or venture out to the various other centres, Switzerland is a premiere chocolate destination, and in my opinion … The Quintessential Chocolate Destination. And as of September 13, 2020, there is a new and exciting reason for chocolate lovers to visit Zurich! The opening of the “Lindt Home of Chocolate” (also known as the LINDT & SPRÜNGLI CHOCOLATERIA) a 65,000 square foot multi-faceted, multi-media chocolate museum offering interactive exhibits depicting the world of chocolate and cacao, a history of chocolate section with chocolate memorabilia and comprehensive insight into the evolution of chocolate, a chocolate tasting gallery, innovation lab, corporate offices, the world’s largest Lindt chocolate shop, and the world’s largest chocolate fountain at nine metres (almost 30 feet) high! That gives me plenty of reasons to plan a return trip to Zurich for yet another incredible chocolate travel experience.

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Doreen Pendgracs

Known throughout the Web as the "Wizard of Words", I've been a freelance writer since 1993. I researched and wrote Volume I of Chocolatour that won a Readers' favourite Award in 2014. Always enjoy experiencing new destinations and flavours.

43 Responses

  1. That chocolate fountain is stunning! Lindt is one of my favorite chocolates (both the white chocolate and dark chocolate). It’s interesting to hear how Swiss chocolatiers are creating more dark chocolate. Zurich is a wonderful city, and I’m glad you were able to visit some of the smaller towns like Lucerne as well.
    Tiffany Pence recently posted…Howth: The Perfect Seaside Day Trip From DublinMy Profile

    • Hi Tiffany. Thanks so much for visiting my site. I’m sure if you take more time to peruse Chocolatour, (use the search function by country too start you off) you’ll find many more enticing posts to whet your chocolate appetite.

  2. Since we can’t do any travelling right now it’s fun to do this virtual tour of Zurich again. Thanks for re-posting this.

  3. I would love to visit Zurich again. I was there only one evening after spending some time in Cham and Lucerne. The Swiss chocolate was delicious and the Swiss people kind and friendly. Lovely place to stay! And the Lindt museum sounds like fun.

    • You always challenge me, Rosemary. I’d not previously heard off Cham, Switzerland–or Zug. What on earth brought you there? I’m sure it’s lovely, as I never met a Swiss then I didn’t love.

  4. Bola says:

    The chocolate fountain is so enticing. I would love to see Zurich and this amazing fountain.

  5. That chocolate fountain convinced me that I need to return to Zurich!

  6. Janet says:

    Another destination for the bucket list! Once we can pursue bucket lists!

    • I know! It’s tough for travellers like us, isn’t it? We’re so used to planning trips and going on them. Right now, all the focus is on happiness in the home/yard and that’s quite alright with me. For the time being …

  7. Beverly says:

    Your post has encouraged me to visit Zurich. I would like to try some Swiss chocolate as well.

    • Thanks, Bev. I’m glad my post has got you interested in Zurich. It truly is a lovely city that is clean, safe, and interesting. And, yes! there is plenty of fabulous Swiss-made chocolate to sample. ❤️ In the meantime, get yourself some Lindt chocolate right here in Manitoba. You’ll find it at Walmart, Shopper’s, NoFrills, and other places locally.

  8. So timely as we just last week cancelled our trip to Zurich to care for our ailing kitty and work on (lack of) water problems, so we have a year in which we can use our tickets. . .perhaps a trip there after the new chocolate museum opens would be just the thing for a fall getaway!

    • Hi Jackie. Sorry your trip to Zurich had to be cancelled. I hope your cat will be OK. ( I cancelled a trip to Boston many years ago due to my cat’s ill health and still haven’t gotten there!) If you make it to the Lindt Home of Chocolate, let me know!

  9. That is a pretty impressive chocolate fountain!
    Donna Janke recently posted…The Famous Salt Spring Island Saturday MarketMy Profile

  10. I’ve not been to Switzerland but imagine Zurich would be the top of the top when it comes to chocolate. Glad to hear they are also making dark chocolate as that’s my favorite, too! Maybe I’ll make it there one day…
    Debbra Dunning Brouillette recently posted…A look back at 2019 travels: Texas, Florida, New York, Washington and New MexicoMy Profile

    • Hi Debbie and thx for stopping by. Switzerland is so amazing. But I can understand how it might not have made it to the top of the list for the “Tropical Island Girl!” It is the quintessential chocolate destination for us chocolate lovers. ❤️

  11. Doreen you always make us a little jealous of your sweet excursions. You know we love chocolate, and having a chance to see the World’s Largest Chocolate Fountain would be amazing. Perhaps when all of the craziness dies down, we will have the opportunity. Stay safe!

    • Hi Jeff & thx for stopping by. Let’s hope we can beat this pandemic and that the world will once again open to travel. I’d love to return to Switzerland and visit the new Lindt chocolate museum. ❤️

  12. Oh yeah, Switzerland is the home for chocolates. And what great news…the huge Lindt Home of Chocolates opening on Sept. 13. Wish I can go. Always buy Lindt at airports.

    • Thanks so much for your comment, Carol! As a lover of Swiss-made chocolate, I can tell you must love the creamy smooth form of chocolates. The Swiss are certainly experts at that. I can’t wait to see that new Lindt Home of Chocolate. It must be amazing!!!

  13. Kit Hannigan says:

    I am really glad that you mentioned how the Swiss are now leaning more towards producing a lot of dark chocolate options. My wife is really fond of those treats, and she tells me there are some health benefits to a bar or two of this kind of chocolate. A tour to Switzerland for a chocolate hoarding sounds like a fun idea for our anniversary.

  14. I haven’t been to Zurich but the chocolate scene looks pretty fantastic. I did tour the Lintz factory and the Cologne Chocolate Museum though.

  15. I have only connected planes in Zurich but now I wish I had time to visit, and eat chocolate. I have been to Belgium though and had my delicious fill while there. Thanks for the intro to the city.

  16. Swiss chocolate has such a fabulous reputation! And I certainly love it.

  17. Thảo Nhi says:

    When I was 5 or 6 I read a comic book advertising Belgian chocolate and I’ve been desiring to explore Belgium since then. I’m so jealous of you for being able to have a tour around Zurich and have such amazing experiences! Looking forward to your future posts – and nice pictures by the way!

  18. So jealous of you, Doreen. You get to taste Swiss chocolates where they are made! I’m not a chocolate connoisseur, but I do love chocolate deeply. I always make my cup of hot chocolate from melted Belgian dark chocolate (85%). Part of my long-term travel plans is to visit Latin America to find suppliers for my planned cafe business with my sister. 🙂

  19. Oh, this really made me put Zurich on top of my bucket list! I was planning to visit, but it was not really on the top. When do you think it’s the best time of the year to visit?

  20. Loved reading this old post as it is about one of my favourite cities, Zurich. I too have visited the city twice and have had some very pleasant and memorable experiences. My best memories are of Swiss chocolates and Swiss trains. Absolutely love both of them.

  21. Kathe Lieber says:

    I love Zurich too, Doreen, and it was tremendous fun exploring it with you.

    Last night I was sharing some Belgian chocolate with a friend and heard myself discoursing on the origins and flavours of the chocolate (Jean Galler). We learned so much about this delicious subject.

    • WizardOfWords says:

      Indeed we did, Kathe! I’m presently writing my chapter (of Chocolatour) on Switzerland and referred to this post to remind me of some of my reflections. What a great trip and thanks for being part of it. 🙂

  22. wizardofwords says:

    Thanks, Christine. Stay tuned next week for a blog on Belgium.

  23. Christine Peets says:

    Thanks for taking me along on the trip, Doreen. You write in such a friendly style.

  1. October 7, 2012

    […] chocolatier. chocolates from Switzerland Our trip concluded with four days in magnificent Switzerland, a country whose thriving economy pays tribute to the chocolate industry. The Swiss take pride in […]

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