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Thursday, 20 March 2025

Switzerland Travel Vlog: Exploring Zurich 🇨🇭 Everything I ate in a day in Switzerland + Prices

Holiday Mode --- Activated! Turn on cc subtitles!

What is your next destination?
Switzerland

Episodes
E02

Day 2

It’s just a quick 3-minute walk from Citizen M to Haus Hiltl is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world according to Guinness World Records.

📍 Haus Hiltl - Founded in 1898 by Ambrosius Hiltl, Haus Hiltl is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world according to Guinness World Records

In the morning, they had a vegetarian breakfast buffet, but honestly, it didn’t really match our breakfast vibe, so we decided to chill out at a nearby café for coffee and pastries instead.

We stroll by this bakery with the most incredible smell, and it's only a minute walk from our hotel. The bread and cake appear to be freshly baked, and the aroma of the coffee is delightful.

📍 Moser's Backparadies AG
Talacker 50, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

2 Cappuccino CHF 11.20
Kokos- Schoggischnitte CHF 3.90
Vanillekreuz CHF 3.60
Total - CHF 18.70 (£17) (RM95.00)

The server were super friendly, helping us with a quick video and flashing big smiles.

Indulge in the delightful sweetness and creamy buttery notes of the Vanille Kreuz pastry. This elegant delicacy complements a cappuccino beautifully.

"Schoko-Kokos-Schnitten" is translated into English as "chocolate coconut slice." This dessert resembles a moist chocolate cake infused with shredded coconut. After enjoying it, I can envision preparing a homemade version and creating a new recipe right away.

We only spent 18.70 Swiss francs, 17 British pounds, and 95 Malaysia ringgit for breakfast at the café in Zurich. It's definitely the most affordable option compared to dining at a restaurant for lunch or dinner.

After I walked out of the café, I totally didn’t realize I had left my favourite Louis Vuitton bag with my iPhone inside, packed with a bunch of travel videos. I was really lucky that it didn’t cause me any issues because she is the one of the friendly staff member who took us video and quickly stepped in. I feel grateful to have met such honest and kind people at Moser's café. Her actions were genuinely impressive! :)

I enjoy switching hotels when I travel to a new country, as it allows me to experience the unique atmosphere of each place and keeps my journey exciting :)

Uber: CHF 9.
📍 Ruby Mimi Hotel & Bar, Beatenpl. 4, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
(Check-in at 3 PM, Check-out at 11 AM).

It's only an 11-minute walk from Citizen M to Ruby Mimi, but with our luggages, it's not the easiest trek. So, we opt for an Uber, which only costs us CHF 9 for a quick 6-minute ride to the hotel.

We’re looking for a room that really impresses us, complete with a balcony, so we picked a wow room. It’s priced at CHF282 (£250) (RM1420) for one night, but keep in mind that prices can change depending on the date and season, as shown on the website.

It's a nice 4-star hotel in Zurich city, good location, but the room is it really a wow room. What do you guys think?

Do you know guys the name of this plant?

📍 Tsuru tsuru noodlebar, Schützengasse 5, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

We can't book a spot on the website since it's already fully booked. So, we're heading over to see if we can get in straight by any chance—it's only a minute's walk from Ruby Mimi. This place is a Michelin-starred Japanese noodle bar, and the service is top-notch. Once we sit down, they bring us hot, fragrant towels, which really makes us feel refreshed.

温 きつね kitsune (without Tenkasu: V) - 26
Japanese mushrooms, fried tofu, leek, tenkasu

The noodles are amazing—super chewy, smooth, and taste like freshly made. The soup is really comforting. The flavour is spot on; not overly salty. It reminds me of happiness home of taste, and I absolutely loved it!

温 スイス swiss - 25
Eggs (raw&onsen), cream, Gruyère AOC, bacon, nori, roast onions, spring onions

When you're in Switzerland, you definitely to try the cheese. we went for a Swiss cheese bowl of noodles, it was a super rich and creamy.

For those who appreciate a robust flavour in their cheese bowl, this dish is well-suited to your palate. The addition of bacon provides a delightful enhancement, complementing the noodles exceptionally well. After enjoying the bowl, consider sipping sencha green tea followed by matcha mochi; this combination serves as the perfect way to achieve a harmonious balance.

The flavour of Japanese green tea its authentic grassy fresh teas, just like I have at home. We drink tea every day, and there’s nothing quite like relaxing with a cup in hand.

The Japanese mochi has a delightful chewy texture, wrapping around matcha ice cream that strikes a great balance. The matcha flavor is just right, and I really like that it’s a firm ice cream rather than the softer varieties.

1 pot for 2 - sencha tea - 13
1 pc flavour of choice - 5
Thin mochi layer with matcha ice cream filling.

Tsuru tsuru noodlebar spot in Zurich is amazing; it really captures the authentic flavour of Japan. I've been a fan of Japanese snacks and foods and teas, since I was a kid. I have a deep appreciation for Japanese cuisine, especially the authentic dishes found around the world, not just in Japan.

We relied on our UK debit card for all our Swiss Franc transactions in Switzeland, which is a completely cashless city of Zurich. It made traveling around Europe so much easier for us! The total for our lunch comes to 69 Swiss Francs. (£62) (RM350).

The team at Tsuru Tsuru Noodlebar is highly skilled and maintains professionalism, even during peak hours. When I visit Zurich again, I’m definitely hitting this spot up. The noodles are amazing, the Japanese teas are excellent, plus, the service, atmosphere is great.

📍 Coop Supermarkt Zürich Bahnhofbrücke

We really enjoy stopping by the nearby grocery store to grab some fresh fruits, juice, and local beer to chill at our hotel. The tap water there is super fresh and totally safe to drink, especially in Switzerland. Staying hydrated is super important!

Easter is just around the corner, which means you'll be seeing plenty of Lindt GOLD BUNNY chocolates!

I got this knife just for slicing mangoes, and it does the job perfectly. It's super sharp and works really well, making it a fantastic deal for the price.

This bunch of fresh blooms is intended for a flower basket. ItalyPaul loves to buy these locally in the UK. They look stunning!

Following the purchase of groceries totalling - 29 Swiss francs, we made a brief three-minute walk back to the hotel. We took a moment to relax, washed the fruits we intended to enjoy as snacks, and then prepared to go out for an early dinner to avoid wait in line, especially during peak times.

📍 Love Locks Bridge - Mühlesteg

📍 Swiss Chuchi Restaurant
Rosengasse 10, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

This restaurant has gained immense popularity on TripAdvisor. Everyone are excited to try the Cheese Fondue in Switzerland.

Walking into that spot, where the incredible smell of cheese hits you, felt like a dream for a cheese lover like me.

The beer was just as fantastic, with a taste that really satisfied. I'm a huge fan of Swiss beer, it has this wonderful wheat aroma and a hint of sweetness at the end, kind of like the homemade rice wine I make at home.

It looks like the fondue was cooked at high a temperature and ended up too thick. I wanted to suggest to the staff that they add a bit more wine or lemon juice to balance it out, but nobody seemed to see me.

They were busy checking on other tables, and I never got asked how my meal was. I can sense that the waiters is aware of, I asked her to take it away, and they saw it was loaded with bread and cheese fondue, but they didn’t say anything].

Cheese fondue waadlander - CHF 33.50, I have to say, it was way too salty. the bread with cheese fondue, but I could only manage to eat only 2 pieces. My husband tried 1 piece in one bite and immediately stopped because it was just too salty!!!

Lachs mit Weissweinsauce, Salzkartoffel in Spinat (Salmon with white wine sauce, boiled potatoes, and spinach) - 36.50

The first bite was fine, but by the second bite, I could taste that the fish was cooked at the wrong temperature, giving it a greasy flavour. I don't have much else to say about it. I gave the dishes back to my husband, and he said they were fine to eat. It wasn't overly salty, and the salmon at least tasted fresh.

This restaurant experienced in Zurich was a total let-down, but hey, it might not be the same for everyone! It costs us in total 86 Swiss Franc (£75) (RM432).


After dinner, I figured a quick 9-minute stroll from Swiss Chuchi Restaurant to tsuru tsuru noodlebar would be a great idea for a tea break and to grab a bite since I didn’t eat much at Swiss Chuchi.

When we arrived at the noodle bar, the staff informed us that it was completely booked and full with customers, so we’d have to wait at least 1 hour for a seat. we decided to head back to the hotel, just 1-minute walk. Keep safely and enjoyably play with sparklers on a balcony.

📍 Tsuru tsuru noodlebar, Schützengasse 5, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

Upon my arrival at Tsuru Tsuru Noodlebar, the charming staff complimented my outfit, saying it suited me beautifully. Together, we want to send a warm hello to all of you.

In a Japanese restaurant, you'll likely be presented with an "oshibori" (a wet towel, either hot or cold depending on the season) to clean your hands before your meal, a gesture of hospitality and hygiene.

I definitely enjoy taking a tea break and having a bowl of soup noodles with prawn tempura. It makes me feel cosy and really happy with my dinner. 100% recommended and a perfect score of 10 out of 10.

Ebi tempura 29 and a pot of sencha green tea for two persons 13 in total 42.

On day 2, our total expenses came to CHF 533.70 (£470) (RM2700). This includes CHF 280 for the hotel, CHF 18.70 for breakfast, CHF 9 for an Uber ride, CHF 69 for lunch, CHF 29 for some fresh fruits and juice, CHF 86 for dinner, and CHF 42 for my late-night dinner.


I hope you like my travel video! If you could give me a thumbs up or drop a comment, that would be awesome! I truly value your support, and thanks for watching! See you in Episode 3. Good bye!

Copyright © Josephine's Recipes. All rights reserved.
No part of this video (including thumbnail images or written recipe) may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright holder.

Friday, 7 March 2025

How much I spent in a day 1 in Switzerland - Europe’s Most Expensive City🇨🇭 Zurich - 4-day, 3-night trip to Zurich

KLM flights to Zurich, Switzerland - Checked baggage/ hand luggage's.
Total price GBP 604.60


Episodes
E01


Any ideas on where we're headed? I'm now focusing on spending quality time with ItalyPaul, taking care of myself, and finding joy in travel. It's all about keeping my emotions and physical well-being.  I’m not really into staying cooped up at home right now. I’d much rather spend my holidays exploring new spots, wandering around to take in the views, and savouring the local food and drinks.


📍 Amsterdam Airport
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the largest international airport in the Netherlands. It's also one of the biggest airports in Europe. 


You get to be your own boss when you plan your trip which means you can pick your own timetable and what you want to do. You have the freedom to enjoy any food you desire, explore any place that catches your interest, and relax at the hotel for as long as you wish. Travel agents can save you money sometimes, but it comes at a cost that might not fit into your budget.
 
📍 Zurich Airport
Upon arriving at Zurich airport in late February this year of 2025, it felt much quieter compared to Paris. We visited Paris twice last year and at least 7 days for each trip. but this time we're excited to explore City of Zurich for a short getaway of 4 days and 3 nights.
We passed by the Lindt chocolate counter, and the smell of chocolate was super tempting. But honestly, a lot of these Lindt chocolates can be found in UK grocery stores like Sainsbury's, plus you can grab them on Amazon too. So, we’re thinking we probably won’t buy any at the airport.


This was our first trip to Zurich, Switzerland. We got the O2 big bundle, which worked great in Europe last time we were in Amsterdam, Paris and Sweden, but it didn’t do so well in Zurich. 
I also tried the travel bolt-on, but at Zurich airport, it was hit or miss— sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. 

So, we decided to take the airport coach to our hotel in the city. The transport cost from UK CHF 35, Zurich to Hotel CHF 55 = CHF 90.  If I go back to Zurich, I think I’ll sign up for TravelWifi and get a smart SIM instead.

Hotels, cafes, and restaurants in Zurich typically offer free Wi-Fi, but we were looking for internet access while exploring the city, as we depended on Google Maps to find our way from the hotel to various spots. Despite that, we did well with our walking tours this time around!

 📍 CitizenM Zürich hotel (4-star hotel)
(Check in after 2pm, check out 11am)

This 4-star CitizenM hotel is conveniently located in the centre of Zürich. You can do a self check-in, but the staff is around to help. We got to check in early since our room was already cleaned, which was awesome. Again, the location is fantastic!

The cost for one night is CHF180. Pricing may vary based on the date and season as indicated on the website. The room is on the smaller side, but super clean and modern. The mattress and pillows are incredibly comfy, and the shower is just amazing—easy to adjust the temperature and way better than what you find in most hotels. There are UK and Switzerland plug adapters ready for you on the table.

There’s an iPad in the room that lets you control the lights, blinds, colors, curtains, and even the TV.  The décor had a playful touch, featuring a bookshelf and a stuffed animal, which added a charming, youthful vibe. The best part? It’s really clean, the shower is top-notch, and the room is quiet, so you can sleep well.

Although the room was quite small, it reminded me of a university hall of resident student room. However, it was much fresher and impeccably clean, almost like it was just renovated.

Just a quick 2-minute walk from the Citizen M Zurich hotel leads you to a local famous Babu bakery & coffee house, perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea break, open from 7 AM to 6 PM.

📍Babu's, Löwenstrasse 1, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
This café is a local favourite for its delicious baked goods. The Swiss couples we met in the café, they were incredibly friendly, even capturing a short video of us without asking!

In Europe, it's common to pay the bill when the food and beverages that have been served at your table. The croissants are light and flaky, not greasy at all, with a lovely buttery flavour and a fluffy on the inside, reminiscent of those in Paris. I particularly enjoy the "Brioche Veneziana," which is wonderfully soft and chewy, with a delightful vanilla custard that makes it a real treat. 

The coffee is decent, though not the best I've had! A more attentive and friendly service would really elevate the overall experience. Still, if you are in Zurich, it's definitely worth stopping by for afternoon tea at least once. A bread and coffee for one person will set you back just 10 Swiss francs, about 9 british pound. total CHF 20.

📍 Coop City
Nearby - The Coop is one of the largest supermarket in Switzerland.
Yes, tap water in Switzerland is among the cleanest and safest in the world, and it's perfectly fine to refill your bottle with it. Just ensure that you're refilling from a safe and clean source, and you can enjoy the fresh, pure taste of Swiss water without any worries! only cost 1 Swiss franc of 1 small bottle of Evian water.

A short walk of just a few minutes. We return to the hotel to take a break and subsequently make a reservation for our early dinner at 5:30 PM to avoid large crowds.

📍Zeughauskeller
Bahnhofstrasse 28A, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

It's just a 7-minute walk from our hotel to the Zeughauskeller, which is conveniently located near Paradeplatz. Restauramt Zeughauskeller has been a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike since establishment in 1926.

Switzerland is generally considered the most expensive country in the world. but when you compare dining out Zurich to Paris, you'll find that restaurant, café, and hotel prices are pretty much the same.

These are Wurst Spiess + Rosti, it cost 34.50 Swiss franc, it's a handmade Swiss sausages, not fatty at all, less fat, less salty, healthy and incredibly tasty! 

This type of Swiss beer called Bier Flambe, it cost 15.80 Swiss franc. It is a blast to watch the server showcase their skills. The beer flavours are truly unique.

Oh wow, I'm still in awe of how amazing our first dinner in Switzerland was. It totally exceeded my expectations! It really made us so happy! I'll definitely be coming back on my next visit to Zurich.

Haxe (Schwein) it cost 33 Swiss franc, it's melt-in-your-mouth tender and bursting with flavour - I couldn't stop eating it.  

The barbeque grill sausage skewers are fantastic, with a variety of shapes and tastes, and they're so good, not greasy at all. I can't find anything like this, back in the UK. The food is absolutely delicious. It's a very high-quality selection of local Swiss cuisine, and importantly, not greasy. I'm always worried about the oily taste at other restaurants, but this place has an exceptional standard.

ItalyPaul asked the server to bring me a surprise and wanted to make me happy. The caramel pudding was amazingly good - super smooth in every bite and not too sweet, with a balanced taste. The real vanilla flavour was so good. It's definitely worth trying this dessert over the Europe. Even my signature dessert at home is caramel pudding, which I eat every dinner and never get bored of. My caramel pudding recipe is a favourite among my subscribers and I loved it so much. Here's to many more incredible moments like this one!

The waiter was fantastic, making us really happy and even taking a short videos for us. So, we decided to tip him 5 British pounds in cash. It felt good to show our appreciation for his great service! :) When someone brings you joy, you return the favour. 

We had a lovely dinner for two that set us back 97.60 Swiss francs, which is about 102.74 euros.

My friends, I am sending you positive energy. I am sending you love. All good things are flowing into your life.

This waiter was awesome! I totally forgot to catch his name. As we were heading out, he came over to film a quick video of me saying "Welcome to Restaurant Zeughauskeller," even though he wasn't serving us. He really brightened my day! The restaurant should definitely give him a reward.

[The law states that the service charge and any tips given by card go to the restaurant, not the waiter's personal tip]. 

The total expenses for day one, which include transportation, hotel accommodations, lunch, and dinner, 90+180+20+97.60+5.7 =  CHF 394.30 (£348). Covering what we've spent on our first day in Zurich.

I hope you had a great time watching my travel video! If you liked it, give me a thumbs up and drop a comment! Did you prefer it with my voice on or  original sound, or just music in the background with subtitles, or something else? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s take a leisurely stroll back to the hotel. Good night, and catch you on day 2.

Copyright © Josephine's Recipes. All rights reserved.
No part of this video (including thumbnail images or written recipe) may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright holder.