Zurich Switzerland | Ray and Shelley's Retirement Adventures

We went to experience the Lindt Home of Chocolate tour located in Kilchberg which is just outside of Zurich.

We arrived and checked in for our self directed tours. The facility is impressive with a large foyer with a giant chocolate fountain.

Chocolate fountain in the foyer of the Lindt home of chocolate.

After we checked in we were given individual audio guides which scanned areas along the tour. We then proceed along the tour at our own pace. The multimedia tour explained the history of Chocolate from the discovery to the cultivation and other interesting facts.

Display case of one area of the chocolate tour

Did you know that you used to be able to pay with cocoa beans? It was a currency at one point.

After going through the early history of chocolate we came to the making of chocolate and how it has been enhanced over the years.

Lindt first system of chocolate making process

We came to the section of the tour where chocolate tasting was available.

The three chocolate fountains for sampling the different chocolates, Dark, Milk and white chocolates.

We could not resist trying the different chocolate flavours. It was a dangerous thing if you were a chocolate adict because you could sample as much as you wanted.

After trying the liquid chocolate we went to the next section which dispensed at your discretion, different types of chocolate chucks.

Chocolate dispensing machines with different chocolates.

You simply put your hand under the machine and a piece of chocolate would pop out. Once again you could indulge as much as you wanted. It was interesting to watch some people as they binged on so much chocolate.

The section that followed had a large Lindt Chocolate wrap on display with a camera imbedded into it. People were able to take a selfie and email the photo to yourself. Of course we had to do it.

The tour ended in an area where a large display table with all the flavours of Lindt chocolate could be seen.

People lined up to get free Lindt chocolate

Each person was given chocolates of each flavour. After that we exited into the Lindt chocolate gift shop. It was huge (500 m2) and there were every imaginable type of chocolate available. They even had Lindt clothing and bags.

Shelley looking at all the flavours of chocolates

A chocolatier displaying different types of chocolate bars

We had immerse ourselves in the world of chocolate and the experience was fun and educational. Not to mention a little bit of an indulgence.

Shelley and Ray with some of their chocolate samples.

“Glück kommt manchmal durch Schokolade.” -Ibousto

While in Zurich we decided to take one day and explore the Titlis mountain. So we took the train to the beautiful and rustic village of Engelberg.

Ray and Shelley on the train heading to Engelberg Switzerland.

Engelberg is known for its skying in winter and hiking, mountaineering and cycling in summer. One of the other features in Engelberg is that it is also an access point to reach the summit of Titlis mountain. We arrived in the morning and walked the small distance to the cable car system. We took a cable car and rode up to the first stage of the cable car system. It is known as the middle station. We then continued to the next level where we switched to the revolving cable car and proceeded to the summit.

Cable car for the first level of the system to Titlis mountain top.

The next stage of the cable car system is the world’s first revolving cable car. It transports you from the middle station to the summit station located 3,020 metres above sea-level.

RotAir rotating cable car Titlis mountain

We got into the cable car which allows for standing only.

Shelley in the Cable car to Titlis summit

During the five minutes or so it takes to reach the summit the car slowly rotates giving us beautiful panoramic views of steep rock faces, deep crevasses and distant snow-covered mountain peaks.

At the summit we were able explore the area. There were several interesting features and attractions. One was the glacier cave which is lit in a turquoise-blue light. We went into the cave and walked the 150-metre-long walkway which descends ten metres below the surface of the glacier. The walls are smooth and solid ice. It was an amazing to think we were inside an ice glacier that is over 5,000 years old.

We went to check out the cliff walk which is a suspension bridge that stretches over 100 meters long. The walkway is just one meter wide and the views into the abyss below are breathtaking.

View of the cliff walk on Titlis mountain.

The suspension bridge swayed when we were walking on it and hangs 500 meters above the ground. The views from the middle of the bridge are spectacular and worth the walk out.

Ray in the middle of the suspension bridge at Titlis mountain.

View from the suspended bridge at Titlis mountain

We then walked along the glacier itself and slowly made out way to the glacier park. There it was possible to slide on the snow of the glacier. We decided to skip this activity, as Canadians we have done our share of sliding on the snow.

Shelley and Ray on the glacier area of Titlis summit.

The last part of our time at Titlis mountain we went into the restaurant and enjoyed a meal while looking out over the alps and the glacier. It was a spectacular way to end our time at the summit.

“Die Welt ist ein Buch und wer nicht reist, liest nur eine Seite.” -St. Augustine

Life is too short to wait for adventure!