City Lights and Last Goodbyes: Our Chicago Finale

On Monday, 20 April, we said farewell to our Sheboygan friends — with one laughing eye and one crying — and set off as a small travel group to explore big-city life in Chicago.

As soon as we arrived, we hit the ground running: we enjoyed the view of the Magnificent Mile and walked on to Millennium Park to see the famous Cloud Gate — better known as “The Bean”. We walked until our feet protested — and the further we went, the bigger our appetites grew. The cure: a spontaneous stop at Giordano’s for classic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Re-energized, we kept exploring. Chicago after dark has its own special flair, which we soaked up on our hotel’s rooftop bar — mocktails in hand — a perfect ending to a very full first day.

Tuesday – Navy Pier, Pedals and Panoramas

After a typical American breakfast at the hotel, we made our way to Navy Pier. On arrival, we opted to explore some of Chicago’s most picturesque spots by bike, since it was faster and gave our feet a well-deserved break. We booked four-wheeled bikes and cruised along the Lakefront esplanade in small groups — the views were too good not to grin about! Lunch gave us a second wind for some shopping along the Magnificent Mile. A Starbucks stop (“Tall Caramel Macchiato with whipped cream, please!”) was a non-negotiable. In the evening, we returned to Navy Pier for a ride on the Ferris wheel and then wandered down to the beach to let the day fade out with the city lights shimmering on the lake surface. It was a magical evening!

Wednesday – Across the Water and Up in the Sky

In the morning, we hopped on a water taxi that took us from Downtown Chicago to Chinatown, offering a unique view of the city’s most iconic skyscrapers. Once we arrived, we dived into the bustle and sampled Asian cuisine from all corners: some tracked down bubble tea, others went for Thai dishes or classic Chinese fare. Back in the Loop, the weather was on our side, so we headed up to the 107^th floor of Willis Tower to take in sweeping views of Chicago stretching all the way to the horizon under brilliant sunshine. Our final evening brought us back to the rooftop bar for a last toast to an unforgettable trip.

Homeward Bound

The next day, it was time to head home straight after breakfast — tired feet, full hearts and camera rolls to match. More than a few students and teachers alike struggled to close their suitcases, weighed down by all the gifts and souvenirs snapped up while wandering the streets of Downtown Chicago. An unforgettable trip — and one that left us happily basking in the afterglow of everything we had seen, tasted and experienced over those four remarkable days.