Zurich Open Top Bus, Chocolate and Cheese Factory Tour Appenzell
About this activity
Highlights
- Scenic open-top bus ride through Zurich
- Explore Appenzell's renowned chocolate factory
- Taste traditional Swiss cheeses in Appenzell
- Learn about Swiss culinary traditions
- Enjoy picturesque Swiss countryside views
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Open-top bus tour of Zurich
- Visit to Appenzell's chocolate and cheese factories
- Guided tour with local expert
- Meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary
Itinerary
Meet our red open top bus, start with 1 hours city tour audio guided
Pass by: Zurich station is the largest railway station in Switzerland. It is an important railway junction for Switzerland, but also for Italy, France, Austria and Germany. It is located in the heart of the city. It is one of the oldest stations in Switzerland. In the station is its ShopVille shopping center with its 190 shops and restaurants open 365 days a year, from early morning to late evening. Even on Sundays when the shops in town are closed. The Zürich Tourist Office is also located in the station.
Pass by: The Urania Observatory, named after the Greek goddess of astronomy, was opened in 1907. It was the first concrete construction in the city of Zürich. In 1989 it was classified as a historical monument. A unique experience allowing you to admire the stars and their surroundings. From the Jules Vernes restaurant, of the Lipp brewery, a breathtaking panorama awaits you
Pass by: Pass lake Zurich and admire the lake side
Pass by: The Schwizerische Kreditanstalt, the first major Swiss bank was created in 1856, by Aflred Escher. She specializes in credit. It is she who will finance an important part of the railway. It then became Credit Suisse. Today, Crédit le Crédit Suisse is a world leader.
Pass by: The property belonged to Otto Wesendonck, a wealthy self-trader. The Rietberg Museum with its three villas and its park is rich in history. Richard Wagner, a great composer, lived for several months in the town of Schönberg. Where he finished writing the original version of "Tristan de Iseut", inspired by his love for Mathilde de Wesendonck, It was inaugurated in 1952, later it was enlarged. Its “Smaragd” building gives a modern look to the museum. The Wensendonck and Rieter villas contain the collections of Baron von der Heydt: works from China, Japanese, African, oceanic, Near Eastern and Tibetan prints.
Pass by: Located opposite the Headquarters of Fifa, it opened its doors on February 28, 2016. With its 3000 m2 of exhibition space, it offers all facets of football. The first stone of the building was laid by Sepp Blatter in 2013 and its construction was estimated at 130 million euros.
Pass by: Neoclassical mansion was built in 1819 by Heinrich Escher, a Zurich politician and railway pioneer. Its park is one of the largest and oldest landscaped gardens in Zürich Today it houses a restaurant.
Meet your driver guide at the bus station, ride through the swiss countryside for 1h20 to reach the famous chocolarium
Embark on a delightful excursion to the Chocolarium – the "Factory of Happiness" by Munz and Minor, located on Toggenburgerstrasse in Flawil, Switzerland. Immerse yourself in a world of chocolate bliss as you step into this enchanting factory. Discover the secrets behind the creation of Switzerland's finest chocolates through interactive exhibits, guided tours, and hands-on experiences. Learn about the history of chocolate making, from bean to bar, and witness the craftsmanship that goes into each delectable treat. Indulge your senses with chocolate tastings, where you can savor the rich flavors and textures of premium Swiss chocolate. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the Chocolarium and uncover the magic behind one of Switzerland's most beloved culinary treasures. Join us for an unforgettable journey of chocolate discovery and sweet sensations at the Chocolarium in Flawil.
After a 30 minutes drive, Embark on a flavorful adventure to the Appenzeller Schaukäserei, a cheese dairy in the heart of Appenzell, Switzerland. Immerse yourself in the centuries-old tradition of cheese-making as you witness skilled artisans crafting the renowned Appenzeller cheese. Experience the sights, sounds, and aromas of the cheese-making process up close, from the milk vats to the aging cellars. Learn about the unique techniques and natural ingredients that give Appenzeller cheese its distinctive taste and character. Indulge in samplings of this flavorful cheese at various stages of maturity, and discover the nuances of its complex flavor profile. With picturesque views of the Swiss countryside as your backdrop, the Appenzeller Schaukäserei offers a truly immersive and delicious experience for cheese lovers of all ages. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this iconic cheese dairy and taste the essence of Appenzell's culinary heritage firsthand.
Discover with us the charming village of Appenzell, nestled amid the rolling hills of northeastern Switzerland. Explore cobblestone streets, colorful buildings adorned with frescoes, and cozy cafes serving Swiss fare. Immerse yourself in tradition at the Landsgemeindeplatz, where the annual open-air assembly takes place. Surrounding the village, the stunning Appenzell Alps offer hiking trails and scenic vistas. Experience Swiss charm and hospitality in Appenzell. Drive back to Zurich for 1 hour
Return to Zurich by bus, the drive will take around 1h30
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Check the tour's availability and book in advance to secure your spot.
- Review the cancellation policy to understand any applicable fees.
- Confirm the meeting point and departure time to avoid delays.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for walking and varying weather conditions.
- Bring a camera to capture the scenic views and factory visits.
- Ensure you have a valid passport or ID for travel within Switzerland.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infants Required On Laps
- Easy Public Transport
- Stroller Accessible
Good to know
- We don't provide baby seat but you can take your own.
Traveler reviews
Great tour with a smaller group size
This was the first tour my wife and I booked while traveling to Switzerland for the first time. We really enjoyed the smaller size of this tour group and our guide, Gabriel. He was friendly and explained everything very well. We also had plenty of free time to explore the area. Unfortunately, the city tour was canceled but the chocolate and cheese tour was definitely worth it and we’d highly recommend.
Disappointed and Cheated!
The actual tour started at 12:30 even though the tour stated it started at 10:00am. At 10:00 am, we got on a bus that took us around Zurich for an hour and then dropped us off at 11:00am and told us to wait for the next bus for our tour! First of all, we did not want a tour of Zürich. We wanted what we paid for and should have started at 10 as it was advertised. The 12:30 tour bus arrived, we travelled to Appenzell and were on a tight schedule. The drive through the countryside was fast and furious and taking the mountain curves could have been more enjoyable if not having to rush instead of taking curves at a high speed. If we had left at 10:00, gone to the very enjoyable places we were promised, we would have gotten back before 7:00pm and enjoyed the scenery instead of being rushed. We did have time at the cheese and chocolate places but the drive was miserable. Felt cheated of the experience to enjoy the countryside! Both bus drivers were nice and congenial and good drivers! But, the experience was not worth it for us! A day lost!
Open top bus - chocolate, cheese and Appenzell
Morning open top bus was quite good. It took 55 minutes and was sufficiently extensive. The starting point was as instructed. We asked the driver where the next bus was leaving from, as the instructions were incomplete in this regard (no time, no place). On the map there was a place 2 in a completely different part of the city, maybe it was referring to the city tour, I don't know. The driver said the same place as morning and in about an hour, a small white bus. This was true. If the city tour had started at 11:00 we would have had plenty of time to catch this bus then too - it's worth considering changing the schedule - because the afternoon trip started at 12:30. A wait of more than an hour is too long, especially if there is uncertainty. The afternoon tour to the chocolate factory, cheese factory and village was really nice. We were the only participants on the tour. The driver was really nice and knowledgeable. The best part of the day. Both the cheese factory and especially the chocolate factory are very suitable for children. Village was really beautiful.
Only issue that we had...
Only issue that we had was that after the city tour we had no In formation as to departure time for cheese and chocolate tour and waited 1 1/2 hrs for bus. Both parts of these tours were interesting and our guides were great
Economical but needed more information on whom to meet in the second tour
You can save money by combining the Zurich tour with the chocolate and cheese experience. However, we had to reach out to the bus driver in the red Swiss sightseeing bus to understand how to catch the second part of the tour which was in a short white keytours bus. The cheese/chocolate tour was great.