One Last Day in Zurich: A Sweet Goodbye Before Home

One of those stories I’ll always tell.

On our flight back to Sydney, I ended up sitting right behind Eve- yes, the Eve, the American rapper and actress.
I’m not someone who usually gets starstruck. Over the years, I’ve crossed paths with a few celebrities- spotted Nicole Richie once on Rodeo Drive (even prettier in person), ended up at a pool party where Toni Collette and her friends were hanging out (my niece was DJing the event in Vegas), and a few concerts here and there.

But Eve was different.
Maybe because she was literally within reach- sitting right in front of me.
Maybe because she had the most beautiful, flawless skin I’ve ever seen- foundation or not, it was just glowing.
There was just an ease about her- effortless and quietly beautiful.

Meanwhile, my husband had no idea who she was.
When I whispered it to him, he gave me that classic husband look- you know, the "And? Should I be impressed?" look - and went back to minding his own business. 😂
To be fair, when her group came through boarding, they were a little loud, full of energy, towering over me (they were tall, my husband’s tall too... and there’s me, 157 cm in the middle, looking up like a lost tourist). I couldn’t help but laugh quietly to myself.

Some endings you can’t plan- Zurich gave me one last perfect day, and the flight gave me one unforgettable memory. ღ

This story first appeared on my old website and is now shared here.

Zurich has a reputation for precision and polish- and somehow, even on a rushed final day, it still managed to surprise me.

We had a full day to spend before flying back to Sydney, and Zurich felt like the perfect kind of calm you want before a long journey. Mornings by the lake, quiet cobblestone streets, cafés that smell like roasted coffee beans and fresh bread. It’s easy to see why this city always tops the “world’s most liveable” lists- even the pigeons seemed more relaxed here.

We started early, wandering through Bahnhofstrasse- Zurich’s famous shopping avenue. It stretches like a polished ribbon from the main station down to the lake, lined with everything from global luxury brands to tiny Swiss boutiques. I wasn’t there to shop (luggage already at bursting point), but window shopping felt like enough. The jewellery displays alone could have paid for another Europe trip.

Old Town, just a few minutes away, was my favourite part: a maze of colourful narrow streets, crooked shutters, and unexpected pops of art. Zurich’s heart isn’t cold or corporate like some people imagine- it’s full of soul if you know where to look. You just have to let yourself get a little lost.

By late afternoon, we found ourselves by Lake Zurich, letting the hours slip by. Locals lounged by the water, kids chased ducks, and the snowy tips of the distant Alps shimmered under a soft spring sun. It didn’t feel like a city saying goodbye. It felt like one offering a quiet hug.

And then, just like that, it was time to go.