Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium & Switzerland Itinerary - Summer 2015

This would be if there is a way to exhaust yourselves on a European vacation. Since my work only permits a maximum of two weeks of vacation at any given time, I am always prone to overscheduling regarding trip planning. After six flight segments and four countries, we were thoroughly exhausted. Even though we genuinely enjoyed every place we visited, except Geneva, we think we get to take a slower pace to immerse fully in a specific culture. At the same time, our intense pace of travel is a testament to the economic integration of Europe in the 21st century.

Day 1 - New York - Zurich - Copenhagen

After the red-eye flight from New York, I was eager to jump on the opportunity to use our five-hour layover to address my jetlag. Fortunately, Zurich's airport is well-served by public transportation. Within twenty minutes, we were in the middle of downtown Zurich and ready for exploration. It was our first time in the city, and we were glad to find the central city walkable. We got a decent dose of Swiss charm from historic Lindenhof to Old Town. Being a notoriously expensive city, I have researched the best budget lunch option available. This brought us to Sternen Grill, a landmark sausage eatery in the center of town. But at 7 CHF for a bratwurst, it was still a sticker shock, nevertheless.

After lunch, we stopped by my architectural fascination of the day: Stadelhofen Railway Station by Santiago Calatrava. It was perhaps the only project of his that was finished within the budget. Aside from Zurich’s neoclassical opera house, the afternoon's highlight was visiting the imperial abbey church of Fraumünster. Even though the church architecture is not particularly remarkable, the stained glass windows by Marc Chagall are something special. Before heading out of town, we treated ourselves to a little bit of a luxury: the famous Luxemburgerli from Sprungli's. After our whirlwind visit to the city, we were glad to get on the flight to our destination. We decided to take a scenic ride via the city’s train system to return to the airport.

From Zurich, it was a quick two-hour flight to Copenhagen. Compared to Zurich, Copenhagen seemed much more relaxed. We immediately felt at ease when we stepped out of the airport. After picking up our pre-ordered Copenhagen Card, we headed straight to our hotel, Wakeup Copenhagen. A modern, no-frill budget hotel, it was just what we needed to save a few bucks in this notorious, expensive part of the world. At that point, we were so exhausted that we decided to skip dinner and call it a night.

Day 2 - Copenhageen - Helsingør - Copenhagenn - Helsingør - Copenhagen

I had an early start for my first day in Denmark with a walk around Nyhavn and Amalienborg Palace. I also took this opportunity to make an architectural pilgrimage to Ørestad District to visit Mountain Dwelling and VM House. These two apartment projects have significantly impacted the development of contemporary architecture in the West. This project propelled Bjarke Ingels and Julien De Smedt to global architectural stardom. For my next visit, I want to see whether I could find an Airbnb rental in one of these buildings. Afterward, I returned to the hotel to meet Brian for a surprisingly good breakfast.

M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark, Helsingør.

The main destination for the day was the city of Helsingør, a 45-minute train ride from central Copenhagen. Kronborg Castle, the Renaissance-style fortress immortalized by Shakespeare’s Hamlet, drew us here. As we exited the station, the castle came into view. It was a pleasant ten-minute stroll along the peaceful waterfront. But honestly, the main motivation for my visit was the newly opened Maritime Museum. Also designed by Bjark Ingles, the museum was buried within the old naval dry dock. The Maritime Museum may not be interesting, but the architecture and interactive exhibit were excellent.

If the Maritime Museum was a surprising delight, Kronborg Castle was quite a letdown. A handsome building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, the fortress did not have much to explore inside except for a massive statue of Ogier the Dane. One of my best memories was when I overheard a Chinese tour guide saying there was nothing to see inside. After a quick visit to the nearby Saint Mariae Church, we had a late pizza lunch at Ristorante Amici Miel. Afterward, we spent a relaxing afternoon back at Nyhavn. Like all the locals, we bought a few cans of beer from 7-Eleven and sat by the harbor to people-watch.

With our Copenhagen Card in hand, we decided to climb the bell tower of Christianborg Palace for a panoramic view of the city. To round out the evening, we spent a few hours at Tivoli Gardens, the oldest amusement park in Europe. This place epitomizes the Danes’ love of life. Everything was immaculate, fun, and cozy. From roller coaster rides to carnival games, I could easily see how this place managed to stay relevant after 170 years. During our visit, they happened to be playing Moulin Rouge, and it was a lovely experience.

Day 3 - Copenhagen

Today was our first full day in the city and our personal ‘royal tour.’ Just steps away from the hotel is the Rosenborg Castle. A Renaissance-style palace, the castle was the royal residence of Denmark during medieval times. Unlike most royal palaces, medieval furnishing is fully preserved. It was an intimate look at the royal life of the 17th century. For visitors, the highlight is undoubtedly the exquisite Royal Collection, which includes the full royal regalia and the original throne room. But for me, the true joy of the castle was the surrounding Kongens Have, Rosenborg Castle Gardens. The royal garden is the oldest in Denmark and is now fully accessible. It is Copenhagen’s finest and popular public space.

Temporary wood pavilion at Kongens Have.

After a quick bite from a local sausage cart, we headed to Christianborg Palace. It may look like just another European palace, but this place is quite special because it is the only building that houses all three branches of the Danish government. It hosts the Folketing (the parliament), the Supreme Court, and the prime minister’s office. In addition, it is also the working palace of Queen Margrethe II. The guided tour of Christianborg is the best tour of any European palace to date. The definite highlight for us is the Queen’s Tapestry. Done in the contemporary style, the tapestry was presented as a gift to Margrethe II and illustrates the Danish history and the life of the Queen.

Besides the palace and bell tower, the visit to Christianborg includes the excavated ruins of the original fortress and the Royal Stable. Afterward, we took the tram to the borough of Christianshavn. Long attracted artists and Bohemians due to its lower housing price, the neighborhood today is best known for Freetown Christiania, a self-governing “Utopian” settlement known for tolerance of soft drugs and aversion to capitalism. Billed as one of the most unique sights in Copenhagen, we can’t say we enjoyed our visit. Rather than feeling free, we felt this underlying tension with the Danish society just beyond the fence.

Before sunset, we visited the iconic Church of Our Savior, best known for its unique spiral staircase at its spire. To our surprise, it was quite a terrifying experience. Even though I generally do not fear heights, I must admit it took courage to climb to the top, especially on a windy day. Afterward, we had a lovely dinner at the nearby Ravelinen. We wrapped up our day with a couple of beers back at Nyhavn.

Day 4 - Copenhagen

Rather than paying for another breakfast at the hotel, we opted for a 7-Eleven croissant breakfast to be enjoyed at Kongens Have. After window shopping along Strøget, we visited the famous Rundetaarn, the Round Tower. The astronomical observatory is known for the massive internal spiral ramp custom-made for King Christian’s royal carriage. The ramp is an architectural masterpiece and a surprising Instagram hotspot. Afterward, we got a bus to the Bispebjerg borough to visit Grundtvig’s Memorial Church. Aside from Mountain Dwelling and VM House, this is my most anticipated sight. The expressionist church reminds me of the Legos, one of Denmark’s most famous exports.

For the afternoon, we headed out of town to visit the suburban town of Hillerød. After a quick lunch at Cafe Valentin, we visited Fredricksburg Castle, the grandest palace in Denmark. Nicknamed Versailles of the North, Fredricksburg is Rosenborg on steroids. The palace was impressive, With over a hundred rooms and grand chapels. But the most beautiful part of the complex got to be their elaborate garden, where the comparison to Versailles is self-evident.

Back in Copenhagen, we returned to Nyhavn for a classic canal cruise, which Copenhagen Card also covers. The 45-minute boat ride followed many of the city’s top landmarks, such as the opera house, the Little Mermaid, and Black Diamond. The guide we had was amazing and made everything come to life. I purposely researched affordable options for dinner and eventually settled on Della Valle. Catering to students at the nearby Copenhagen, this place offers a generous buffet spread at an amazing price point.

Day 5 - Copenhagen

To round up our royal tour of Copenhagen, we paid a visit to the Amalienborg Palace, the current residential palace of the Danish Royal Family. Composed of four symmetrical palaces around a square, the palace is a masterpiece in architecture and urban planning. As the working palace, Amalienborg is by far the most modern and the most pleasant. This is also where royal guards changed daily despite the morning's downpour. After the rain ceased, we headed north to the Design Museum, a paradise for design lovers like us.

After a quick lunch at the food court of Magasin Du Nord Department Store, we visited the Danish Jewish Museum, which is also on my architecture bucket list. Designed by Polish American architect Daniel Libeskind, the exhibition space is among the most unusual spaces you could imagine and reflects the oppressive and disorienting Jewish experience in the 20th century. Steps away from the museum are the Black Diamond, Copenhagen’s state-of-the-art library, and an architectural masterpiece in its own right. But the true highlight of the day was, no doubt, a visit to the Louisiana Art Center in Humlebæk. It is the foremost art museum in Denmark. The beautiful gallery space along the oceanfront enhances the museum’s modern and contemporary art collections. The museum also served us one of the region's most elegant and atmospheric dinner buffets.

Day 6 - Copenhagen - Amsterdam

Today is our travel day! With only a few hours in the morning, we scouted the city’s numerous design stores. Chief among them is Illum Bolighus, a one-stop design emporium. After all these years of travel, I can declare that this is my favorite store. All the major design brands across Scandinavia. Even for design novices, I can guarantee you will find the best souvenirs Denmark offers. We then stopped by the Church of Our Ladies, Copenhagen’s cathedral for the Church of Denmark. The serene neoclassical interior echoes the simplicity of Lutheran worship. The beautiful statue of Christ by Bertel Thorvaldsen is absolutely beautiful. Before our flight, we stopped by the nearby Athenian Academic Bookstore and the lunch buffet back at Della Valle.

The serenity of the National Cathedral…. how appropriately Danish.

The quick flight to Amsterdam was pleasant, and we could feel a different energy as soon as we left the airport. The fanatic energy of Amsterdam reminds us of New York; the density and crowds provided adrenaline after four days in Copenhagen. We stayed at the Mercure Hotel Amsterdam Centre Canal District during our visit. After spending a few nights in the budget room in Copenhagen, Mercure was pure luxury. After a leisurely stroll around neighboring canals, we ended our day early with a dinner at Isola Bella. While the food is forgettable, the convivial street life more than made up for it.

Day 7 - Amsterdam

I started my day early to drop off our laundry at a local laundromat. We had nothing planned for this morning because Amsterdam is like a massive open-air museum. After an early brunch at De Drie Graefjes, we went on a guided walk around Jordaan, the most trendy and sought-after neighborhood. The area includes numerous hofjes, characteristic small courtyards that serve as front doors of several residences. All around the neighborhood are cafes and boutiques; no wonder the most expensive hotels are concentrated here.

After lunch, we took a quiet stroll along the infamous Red Light District. Known for its legal brothel, the neighborhood appeared normal during the daytime. Funny enough, my favorite of the neighborhood is the open roadside urinals. It perfectly encapsulates the drive for no-nonsense practicality among the Dutch. Following Rick Steve’s recommendation, we made the advanced reservation for a visit to Anne Frank House. Although visiting here may be a cliche, it is well worth the money and effort to glimpse Frank’s life in hiding.

EYE Film Institute Netherlands, Amsterdam.

Dutch cuisine may have the most stellar reputation. But thankfully, its colonial past injected some much-needed flavors and spices. Among the culinary delights of the modern Netherlands is the Indonesian rijsttafel dinner. Composed of a dozen small plates, the meal seemed purposefully designed for novices like us. After much research, we settled on Restaurant Kartika by the Vondelpark. While we thoroughly enjoyed the meal, I couldn’t help but think what an Indonesian native would say about it.

Day 8 - Amsterdam - Haarlem - Amsterdam

There were plenty of excellent day trip destinations to choose from. After devouring a croissant sandwich at a local bakery chain, Vlaamsch Broodhuys, we jumped on the train for a 15-minute ride to Haarlem, the capital of North Holland. If Amsterdam was too overwhelming, Haarlem is pleasantly manageable and has a surprisingly cosmopolitan feel for a small town. The town is centered around Grote Markt, which happens to have the weekly weekend market. It was a great place for us to sample truffle cheese and stroopwafel. Ironically, the memorable thing we tried was the insanely spicy hot sauce.

While this beautiful town is by itself worthy of a visit, the main draw for visitors is its excellent museums. Teylers Museum is the number one draw in the city and contains a wide array of artifacts from art and natural history to scientific discoveries. The architecture of this place is also stunning, and it retains the classic concept of the museum as a ‘cabinet of curiosities”. Before exploring more of the city, we stopped for lunch at Fortuyn. The waitress there introduced us to one of many Dutch treasures: the Wilhelmina mint. Afterward, we strolled along Haarlem’s beautiful riverfront and admired the historical bridges. For me, the day's destination is Frans Hal Museum, which is dedicated to the Dutch master known for massive secular portraitures.

We spent time in Amsterdam around the Rembrandtplein and had a lovely dinner at Cartier Latin. This being Amsterdam, visiting a local “coffee shop” was definitely on our to-do list. Even though I have never had marijuana, I was eager to give it a try, not really out of general curiosity but to participate in a cultural adventure. Eventually, we decided to pick a low-key place close to the hotel… just in case. After much discussion, we settled on Barney's Lounge, an inconspicuous establishment that attracts a semi-local crowd. I was honestly surprised just how little I felt the effect of cannabis.

Day 9 - Amsterdam

No visit to Amsterdam should be considered complete without a visit to Rijksmuseum. The largest art museum in the country specializes in the old masters from the Dutch Golden Ages. Among the museum’s prized collections are many of the world’s most recognizable works, such as Rembrandt’s Night Walk and Vemeer’s The Milkmaid. Anyone who took art history in college could have spent a whole day there. Even without entering the museum, Museumplein is easily one of Amsterdam's most popular public spaces. Many of the city’s most important cultural institutions, such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Concertgebouw, and the Stedelijk Museum, are located here. We also tried out the first fresh stroopwafel here.

With our Museumkaart in hand, we were glad to catch a series of tourist sights. The first stop is the Royal Palace on Dam Square. Even though Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, it seems like just about everything important is located in Hague. That includes everything from the parliament, the Supreme Court, the cabinet, and the royal family's residence. Amsterdam is the national capital in name only. Even Amsterdam's royal palace itself was somewhat of an imposter. It was a convenient conversion of the former city hall.

Hanging out with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.

De Nieuwe Kerk (the New Church) is just across from the royal palace and the venue for royal enthronement. Ironically, the Old Church is located in the Red Light District. The Prostitution Information Center is located just across the street from the church. But of all the churches in Amsterdam, the most exciting is the Our Lord In the Attic. It is a clandestine Roman Catholic Church hidden behind the facade of a typical townhouse.

Today was a pretty good food day. We tried our first authentic Belgian fries at Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx, one of the most venerated fries shops in the city. We also got to try another rijsttafel at Indrapura.

Day 10 - Amsterdam - Antwerp

After we checked out of our hotel and left our luggage, we visited the most popular museum in the city: the Van Gogh Museum. To attest to its popularity, this is the only Amsterdam museum we visited to bother to verify the name and signature on our Museumkaart. Even though Vincent van Gogh’s works are enjoyable, it was a little underwhelming, to be honest. As precious as his paintings are, I feel his works have been well distributed among the world’s leading art museums. For anyone with limited time, I honestly would not recommend this museum. Before heading to Antwerp, we stopped by a local Febo, a beloved automata take-out place favorite among the late-night crowd. I also managed to pick up a couple of KLM’s Miniatures Blue Delf House as my only souvenir from the Netherlands.

The train ride to Antwerp was quite a pleasant journey. I really can’t quite remember when the last time I took an international train was. Before long, we arrived at Antwerpen-Centraal Railway Station, an imposing neo-classical train hall that would put New York’s old Penn Station to shame. But for many travelers like myself, the station is forever memorialized by a famous 2008 flash mob set to the song Do Rei Mi from Song of Music. I was hoping for an encore performance while we were there.

Because we were only spending a night in Antwerp, we opted for one of the cheapest lodging options: Hotel Ibis Budget Antwerpen Centraal Station. The place resembles more like a hospital room; it was spartan even by the standard of the Ibis Budget. However, the lack of charm prompted us to explore Antwerp more. We took a pleasant walk toward the Old Town despite the light drizzle. We were quite surprised just how beautiful central Antwerp is. For our first meal in Belgium, we couldn’t resist ordering one of Belgium’s most beloved dishes: mussels and frites. Located on Grote Markt, Cafe Ultimatum served up beautiful mussels and iconic views of Brabo's Monument and Antwerp City Hall.

Day 11 - Antwerp - Brugge

We were glad to check out the ibis Budget and eager to start our day exploring Antwerp. After checking our luggage at Antwerp Centraal, we headed toward the historic center and grabbed a quick breakfast at EXK, Belgium’s version of Au Bon Pain, and a stop at a local chocolatier: the Chocolate Line. Since we only already had train tickets booked for Brugge, it was time for us to be perfect tourists, hit all the major sights, and follow Rick Steve’s guidebook to the tee. That includes admiring masterpieces by Flemish painter John Paul Rubens at the Church of Our Ladies and visiting Museum aan de Stroom. For lunch, we found this adorable place, Tartine, which served up some delightful pastries and sandwiches. Before we left, we visited the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a museum housed in the former printing house of 16th-century printers Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus. This museum was a particularly meaningful visit since Brian worked as a faculty administrator for a university writing center. It was also one of Belgium’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The painting by John Paul Rubens at the Church of Our Ladies.

It was a quick 90-minute train ride from Antwerp to Brugge. Rick Steves often labels Brugge as the best introduction to continental Europe for American travelers. The pint-sized town is perfect as a getaway destination, a perfect vacation from our vacation. A handy shuttle bus dropped us off at Grote Markt, the town center. Our hotel, Hotel De Tuilerieën, was the best accommodation we enjoyed on this trip. The hotel gave us a complimentary upgrade for a canal-facing suite. We felt instantly at ease. From the room was a picture-perfect view of the Brugge Belfry, and we could hear the carillon concert. The day ended with an amazing seafood-focused dinner at Breydel-De Coninck.

Day 12 - Brugge

Since we were in Belgium, we could not pass up the opportunity to try authentic waffles at Tea Room Laurent. Central Brugge has beautiful and fascinating sights from the Church of Our Ladies and Gruuthusemuseum. The day's highlight is the visit to Oud Sint-Janshospitaal (the Old Hospital of St. John). The hospital building was a care facility primarily for travelers and pilgrims. Until as recently as 1977, the facility was used as a center for hospice care. Interestingly, we learned that hospice care was as much as it was about religious comfort as about medicine. The building exhibits countless amazing artifacts, from medieval triglyphs to golden reliquaries. Ironically, the most memorable aspect of the day was a tourist dressed like Freddy Krueger.

Another popular activity is the brewery tour at Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan. Belgium beer enjoys a particularly great reputation internationally. As a non-beer drinker, I always find brewery visits quite interesting. But little did I know that I would slip down the rooftop staircase embarrassingly. At the end of the tour, everyone got a free pint of their famous beer, and their restaurant steak tartare was surprisingly delicious. Not too far away was the Groeninge Museum, another hidden little gem that exhibited priceless works by Flemish master Jan van Eyck and Hieronymus Bosch. The rest of the afternoon left us getting lost amid the tangled streets of the city center. The hotel concierge highly recommended our dinner at De Koetse, and it is, without a doubt, our best meal of the whole trip. A nightcap at Het Hof Van Rembrandt rounded out our full day in this enchanted city.

Day 13 - Brugge - Damme - Sluis - Brussels

I woke up early to do the final run for the laundromat for this trip. We had a quick breakfast at the chain bakery Panos. This is our final day in Brugge. We left the best for the last: climbing the main belfry and taking the canal cruise. The Flemish belfry is world-renowned and is collectively registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike church towers, the belfry is not religious in nature but a monument of the civic order. The canal tour around central is somewhat obligatory. While informative, the pre-recorded audio tour was no replacement for an in-person tour guide.

Panoramic view from the top of Old Lady of the Assumption in Damme.

The day's main activity is a bike ride back to the Netherlands. Connecting Brugge to the Dutch city of Sluis is the 8.5-mile-long Damme Canal. Nicknamed the Napolean Canal, it was built by the French emperor to allow more efficient movement of troops amid British interventions. Although there is a canal tourist boat cruising the canal, renting a bike is the best way to experience this magical landscape. Along the way, there were plenty of traditional windmills and fortifications that are synonymous with the idyllic Flemish countryside. Less than 25 minutes from central Brugge is the adorable town of Damme, from which the canal is named nowadays. It was a perfect place for a quick lunch (Tijl en Nele) and to climb the tower of the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Another half-hour on the bike took us to the international border with the Netherlands. The Dutch of Sluis is a surprising gem and lively place on the border. If it were not for the pre-booked train ticket to Brussels, we would have stayed the rest of the day. Nevertheless, we had some local beer at Hart van Sluis. It was already pretty late when we arrived at Brussel Centraal. We checked in to the Royal Windsor Hotel (now rebranded as Warick Hotel) and quickly walked around the La Grand-Place before dinner at La Caneva.

Day 14 - Brussels

Brussels does not enjoy the best reputation among the great European capitals for various reasons. Partly due to this reputation, I only budgeted a day and a half for this great city. We followed the walk in Rick Steve's guidebook to get the most out of our time here. The walk took us across the Upper Town to see the Royal Palace, the Hall of Justice, and the enormous Brussel Cathedral. The grand avenues of imperial Belgium are somewhat unapproachable. From the Bourse Stock Exchange to the Triumphal Arch of the Cinquantenaire, I could say Brussels is beautiful, if not lovely.

After our lunch at Le Cirio, I made a beeline to the most interesting sight in Brussels. As the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, Brussels is often considered the political center of Europe. As a political junkie, I am excited to visit the headquarter of the European Union, and the surrounding area called the European Quarter. The headquarters building also hosts a beautiful museum exhibiting the evolution of the union, its membership, and its internal organization. Unfortunately, the actual parliament space was limited during our visit.

After a little nap at the hotel, we took the metro out to the city's outskirts to the former fairground 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. Like most visitors, we came here for Atomium, perhaps the most iconic structure from any World’s Fair besides the Eiffel Tower. Atomium is the most selfie-worthy spot in Brussels, composed of nine giant stainless steel spheres. It would be worth visiting if not for the stiff admission price and limited time. To celebrate our final night in Belgium, we had a reservation at La Royal to sample the country’s famous Carbonnade à la Flamande (Flemish beer beef stew). We had a few cocktails at Skylab Bar in the Saint Catherine neighborhood to round up the night. It was a convivial atmosphere, and for the first time, we discovered the genuine charm of this metropolis.

Day 15 - Brussels - Copenhagen

At the end of our trip, we were hunting for some decent souvenirs to be brought back for friends and families. Some Belgian chocolate is high on our list. As we explored the old town, we stumbled upon perhaps Belgium’s most infamous icon: the Manneken Pis. Like any travelers before, we have warned that it was as unimpressed and overrated as everyone says. That said, the joy was observing all the tourists looking to take the best selfies they could manage.

To indulge in Belgium's culinary heritage, we somehow managed to have two separate lunches at Le Select and nearby Le Pré Salé. Before heading to the airport, we stopped by the Magritte Museum, which holds the largest collection of works by Belgian surrealist René Magritte. His works blur the line between advertisement, art, and cartoons. Even for Brian, who is not a big fan of art museums in general, this museum turned out to be a big hit.

When we arrived back in Copenhagen, it was already past eleven o’clock. We picked a place close to Copenhagen's central station for our overnight stay: Hotel Kong Frederik. By this point, we were ready to crash. After getting a kabob from a 7-Eleven nearby, we were soundly asleep.

Day 16 - Copenhagen - Geneva

Today was our designated shopping day. Since leaving Copenhagen a week ago, we have compiled a list of souvenirs and designed home products we wanted to bring home. Our morning was an efficient shopping spree, going from one shop to another. They include Bolia, Illum Bolighus, and the gift shop of Christianborg Palace. Of course, we could not leave Copenhagen without another visit to Della Valle. We also tried something for the first time: getting a VAT refund!

Pont du Mont-Blanc with the canton flag of Geneva.

We arrived in Geneva in the late afternoon. Despite the beautiful summer weather, Geneva did not give a good impression. For whatever reason, central Geneva has a seediness that I could not quite put my finger on. We took a walk along the lakefront promenade and passed through various monuments. We came across the local festival, just locals enjoying the late summer sun. As is often the case with Switzerland, we felt a sense of dread about mealtime. Knowing the high prices, we chose a crepe cafe for dinner: Restaurant Saint-Pierre. Little did we know that each relatively mediocre crepe cost us around 18 CHF.

Day 17 - Geneva - New York

Honestly, we could not wait to get out of Geneva. Like Rick Steves once said, Geneva was one the most overrated cities regarding tourism. The cost of living here still shell-shocked us. We did some grocery shopping at a local supermarket last night for our breakfast this morning. I don’t mind eating convenience store croissants as long as it is less than 2 CHF.

We were thoroughly exhausted after six flight segments and four countries in two weeks. I think this trip taught us the virtue of open-jaw flights. We spent as much as four to five days on air travel alone. Regardless, we had a great time and can’t wait for our next journey!

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