Tuesday, February 13, 2024

🇨🇭Switzerland's Finest Chocolate Museums, Wines and Timepiece Boutiques

Switzerland is renowned for its exquisite chocolate, delightful wines, and precision timepieces. Your visit to Switzerland would be incomplete without indulging in these quintessential experiences.

🇨🇭Switzerland's Finest Chocolate Museums, Wines and Timepiece Boutiques
🇨🇭Switzerland's Finest Chocolate Museums, Wines and Timepiece Boutiques

1. Wine IndulgenceFirstly, let us apologize for not taking photos of our wines. We were simply mesmerized by the affordability (compared to Singapore) and the irresistible taste of every sip! Absolutely delightful! We highly recommend purchasing Famille Naef Chasselas Château de Mont-sur-Rolle wine.

2. Tissot Timepieces: My husband's long-awaited quest for his first timepiece finally came to fruition. After months of searching, we discovered the perfect automatic watch for him (and maybe a little for me, too) – the Tissot Visodate. You might wonder, couldn't we find a similar model in Singapore? Well, the brown leather band option wasn't available online or in physical stores in Singapore, and we we

3. Chocolate Exploration: For us, understanding the craftsmanship behind the products enhances the experience. Thus, we embarked on a chocolate factory tour in Switzerland:

  • Lindt: This well-advertised chocolate factory and museum provided insights into chocolate production, and their chocolate squares were a must-buy.
  • Cailler: Nestle's Cailler museum offered a fascinating journey through the history of chocolate, and the taste exceeded our expectations.
  • Läderach: This was an instant favorite! Their chocolates were divine, and the factory prices were a steal. We couldn't resist buying a kilogram!

So there you have it! Switzerland offers an array of indulgences to enhance your vacation experience. Don't hesitate to treat yourself while exploring this beautiful country!



🇨🇭Switzerland's Finest Chocolate Museums: Läderach and Lindt




🇨🇭Switzerland's Finest Chocolate Museum: Cailler Maison



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Coop Supermarkt Luzern Bahnhof
(W) https://www.coop.ch/en/locations/coop-supermarkt-luzern-bahnhof/3705_POS
(H) 6AM to 10PM
(A) Bahnhof SBB 6003 Luzern Switzerland

Tissot Boutique Zermatt
(W) https://store.tissotwatches.com/
(H) 10AM to 6:30PM
(A) Bahnhofstrasse 2 3920 Zermatt

Lindt Home of Chocolate 
(W) https://www.lindt-home-of-chocolate.com/en/
(H) 10AM to 7PM
(A) Schokoladenplatz 1 8802 Kilchberg Switzerland

Cailler Maison
(W) https://cailler.ch/en/price#useful_information
(H) 10AM to 5PM
(A) Chocolaterie Suisse Rue Jules Bellet 7 1636 Broc

House of Läderach
(W) https://houseofladerach.com
(H) 9AM to 6PM
(A) Grabenstrasse 6, CH-8865 Bilten




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Accommodation Excellence

Expedia Booking.com, Hostelworld: Your one-stop-shop for hotel and hostel bookings. Find your perfect home away from home with Expedia's extensive listings.


KKDAY: Not Just for Attractions. KKDAY offers excellent options for accommodations. Explore and book with confidence.


Oh, and speaking of dreams, let's talk OOTD (Outfit of the Day) goals. Head over to Zalora for some jaw-dropping fashion finds. Click [here] to explore and snag those Instagram-worthy outfits for your trip. A fashionable adventure awaits!

Monday, February 12, 2024

🇨🇭Budget-Friendly Hotels in Switzerland: A Couple Traveler's Guide

ABBEY:
Kameha Grand 
This is the first hotel we stayed upon landing in Zurich. Only a couple of tram stations from the airport. We paid additional 60 euro for early check in. The room is huge and with a theme of luggages and vault and the bath and tub are separated.

Ibis Styles
Ibis Styles provided our accommodation on our stay at Lucern. A couple of minutes walk and you can reach Glacier Garden of Lucerne and the adjacent Lion Monument. Both are free as we have Swiss Travel Pass. The room has ample space and even has a veranda. Make sure to get your toiletries at the reception. 

Jungfrau
Jungfrau Hotel is at Wilderswil. It gives the countryside feel. We have a view of snow-peaked rocky mountains from our balcony. Some personal hygiene stuffs are chargeable. This is the smallest room we had but they don’t fall short with the service. They do have options to have your breakfast to go if you will be leaving before the buffet time. This ensured that we have fuel for the activities of the day. They also have a restaurant where we got our first taste of fondue in Switzerland. However we were not able to finish it as we were full with veal croquet. 
 

Ibis Chur
This is the last hotel before going to Italy. The building is of the shape of a pyramid. And I can remember a Las Vegas-outskirt vibe in the vicinity. Since this is a budget hotel, less amenities are provided. But they are just a couple of minutes away from the grocery as well as fast food restaurants like Mc Donald’s or KFC.


Budget-Friendly Hotels in Switzerland: A Couple Traveler's Guide
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Switzerland: A Couple Traveler's Guide


Video for Kameha Grand Zurich Hotel and ibis Styles Luzerne City 

Video for Jungfrau Hotel Restaurant

Video for ibis Chur

WILL: Switzerland may not be the most budget-friendly destination, but its enchanting winter landscapes make it an irresistible choice for travelers. With its majestic snowy mountains, crisp air, pristine blue lakes, and breathtaking sunsets, Switzerland promises a magical experience.


When it comes to accommodations, we understand the importance of finding affordable options without sacrificing cleanliness and customer service. Here's a rundown of the hotels we've booked for our Switzerland trip:


Kameha Grand Zurich (CHF 254 City Tax Included / 1-night)

  1. Ideal for those with business engagements nearby.
  2. The room is stunning, featuring a unique luggage cabinet stocked with coffee/tea supplies, utensils, and a fridge. However, the tub could use better cleaning.
  3. Keep in mind there may be an extra charge for early check-in.


Ibis Styles Luzerne City (SGD 382.85 / 2-nights)

  1. We've been impressed with Ibis hotels before, and this one didn't disappoint.
  2. The location is perfect, with attractions like the Lion Monument within walking distance.
  3. While they don't provide toothbrushes upfront (you need to go to the reception to get it), the room and bathroom are spotless.


Jungfrau Hotel Restaurant (SGD1,153.69 / 4-nights)

  1. Strategically located a short walk from Wilderswil station, offering a serene countryside experience near Interlaken, and great view of snowy mountain peaks. 
  2. Reasonably priced with breakfast included. They even offer free packed lunches if you can't make it to breakfast.
  3. Note that dental and facial kits are available for purchase, and the restaurant requires reservations due to high demand.


Ibis Chur (SGD183.51 / 1-night)

  1. As part of the budget line of Accor Hotels, Ibis Chur delivers clean accommodations without the frills.
  2. Enjoy a balcony with views of the mountains and Chur's bustling streets. McDonalnds and KFC is just a few steps from the hotel.
  3. Keep in mind that amenities like kits, slippers, and bottled water aren't provided due to the budget nature of the hotel.


I'm delighted with the hotels we've chosen! They were both budget-friendly and provided us with comfortable rest throughout our vacation.

When booking affordable accommodations, always remember these three factors:

  1. Location
  2. Your Allotted Budget 
  3. Comfort it will bring


We hope our reviews help you make the perfect choice for your Switzerland trip!



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Kameha Grand Zurich

(W) https://www.kamehagrandzuerich.com/en/

(A)Dufaux-Strasse 1, 8152 Zürich, Switzerland


Ibis Styles Luzerne City

(W)https://all.accor.com/hotel/8549/index.en.shtml

(A) Friedenstrasse 8, 6004 Luzern, Switzerland


Jungfrau Hotel Restaurant 

(W) https://www.jungfrau-hotel.ch/en/

(A) Schulgässli 51, 3812 Wilderswil, Switzerland


Ibis Chur

(W) https://all.accor.com/hotel/1720/index.en.shtml

(A) Richtstrasse 19, 7000 Chur, Switzerland





CHECK THIS OUT! 
Accommodation Excellence

Expedia Booking.com, Hostelworld: Your one-stop-shop for hotel and hostel bookings. Find your perfect home away from home with Expedia's extensive listings.


KKDAY: Not Just for Attractions. KKDAY offers excellent options for accommodations. Explore and book with confidence.


Oh, and speaking of dreams, let's talk OOTD (Outfit of the Day) goals. Head over to Zalora for some jaw-dropping fashion finds. Click [here] to explore and snag those Instagram-worthy outfits for your trip. A fashionable adventure awaits!


Sunday, February 11, 2024

SIN-ZUR-FCO-SIN: Qatar Airways Economy Class - Unveiling the Good and the Bad

ABBEY: Our airline of choice for our Switzerland-Italy trips is Qatar Airlines. We converted our miles to Avios and purchased our tickets. To our surprise, we were given additional Avios points.

As it is Economy the amenities are the basic ones but they did good with the wide array of contents on their entertainment.
However the staff service can be improved. My drinks were either incomplete or were not served at all. Food is the usual. The tray tables have drink stains.

We had our shopping s”free” in Duty Free with Avios points. We were able to bring home with us the fragrances we like. I hope they can integrate the points to all the stores at the airport. 

SIN-ZUR-FCO-SIN: Qatar Airways Economy Class - Unveiling the Good and the (more on) Bad
SIN-ZUR-FCO-SIN: Qatar Airways Economy Class
Unveiling the Good and the (more on) Bad

WILL: So, we decided to use our CitiBank miles to get Avios and book a flight with Qatar Airlines. Despite stumbling upon some negative reviews beforehand, we figured, "Hey, how bad can it be with a reputable carrier?" So, we went ahead with our plans.


1. Crew Misinterpretation

As we boarded, Abbey, had this sweet tradition of giving chocolates to the crew, and seeing their smiles always made our flights feel special. But this time, on the SIN-DOH route, it seemed like the greeting crew mistook the chocolates as exclusively meant for her!


2. Comfort and Discomfort

In terms of seating comfort, we found the seats adequate. The entertainment options, however, left much to be desired compared to what we're accustomed to with SQ. Additionally, we noticed a slight issue with the table being lopsided, the crew noticed it but didn't even gave a nudge. Huh? Really? The meal you put on my table is sliding! And it happened twice, SIN to DOH and FCO to SIN. 


3. Food Frustrations and Crew Attitude

When it came to dining, our expectations for airplane food were not exceptionally high. However, we encountered some disappointing moments. But things got a bit awkward when one crew member, clearly not having the best day, dismissively told me there was no veggie option, only to miraculously find one when Abbey inquired about it. Similarly, during another leg of our journey from Fiumicino to Doha, our request for both cola and juice resulted in only receiving the latter.


Though, the cleanliness of the lavatories were commendable.


While we made a conscious effort not to dwell on these minor inconveniences during our vacation, it's worth noting that such details can leave a lasting impression on passengers and become focal points of discussion when recounting our travel experiences to friends. Hope other's won't encounter what we experienced. 



***

Qatar Airways

(W) https://www.qatarairways.com/

Click here for cheaper flight

Ticket Cost 2-Way for 2pax: 150,000 Miles (Approximate of SGD3000+)




CHECK THIS OUT! 
Accommodation Excellence

Expedia Booking.com, Hostelworld: Your one-stop-shop for hotel and hostel bookings. Find your perfect home away from home with Expedia's extensive listings.


KKDAY: Not Just for Attractions. KKDAY offers excellent options for accommodations. Explore and book with confidence.


Oh, and speaking of dreams, let's talk OOTD (Outfit of the Day) goals. Head over to Zalora for some jaw-dropping fashion finds. Click [here] to explore and snag those Instagram-worthy outfits for your trip. A fashionable adventure awaits!