By Liana d’Amore

First Stop: Gruyères

Today, on our last full day here in Geneva, Switzerland, we decided to venture out into our taste buds’ dreams. We started off our day a little startled because of a misunderstanding with the bus driver but we didn’t let that affect us from having an amazing day. Once we boarded our bus we went to our first stop of the day. A medieval town called Gruyères. However, on our way to our first stop which was an hour away, we saw the most impressive views I have ever seen. The combinations of the green hills with the mountain ranges in the background was breathtaking, it didn’t even feel real. Once we got to Gruyères, we walked around and stopped by a souvenir shop where I got a Christmas ornament for my mom to add to her worldwide collection of ornaments. Then, our group split up and I went with the group that decided to go into the castle. We started our non-guided tour by going to the lookout where the views were amazing. Then when we decided to go into the castle, we accidentally like good engineers, reverse engineered our way inside by going in through the exit and out through the entrance. The rooms were gorgeous with giant murals which some where painted others had rugs on the walls. The windows also had stained glass sections which where so pretty. The castle also had a pretty garden in the front. After our tour we stopped at a little cafe for a coffee and then we headed back to the bus ready for our next adventure.

Second Stop: Cheese Factory

We made our way to our second stop of the day, the cheese factory, where we got to taste three different cheeses and see the production and where we had lunch. After an exquisite lunch we got back on our bus with destination, the Caillere Chocolate Factory .

Third Stop: Caillere Chocolate Factory

Our third and last stop of the day was the Caillere Chocolate Factory where we tried an inmense variety of chocolate and we saw and learned not only the history but how it is made as well. The most interresting part was when we learned how to eat chocolate in six easy steps.

1. Look. The shininess can tell you a lot about the chocolate
2. Hear. Each type of choclate sounds different when you crack it!
3. Smell. You can smell the cacao
4. Feel. While it’s in your mouth you can feel it melting
5. Taste. Eat it and see how it tastes in your mouth
6. Aftertaste Sad because it is over but the taste remains in your mouth!