Switzerland

My dream came true when I spent three weeks in the Swiss Alps. I completely unplugged, recharged, and reset my mind. We had been wanting to visit Switzerland for quite some time, and we finally made it happen! Switzerland is a mountainous Central European country, home to numerous lakes, villages, and the high peaks of the Alps. Its cities contain medieval quarters, with landmarks like the capital Bern’s Zytglogge clock tower and Lucerne’s wooden chapel bridge. The country is also known for its ski resorts, hiking trails, rivers, Swiss watches, and world-renowned chocolate. This vacation in Switzerland made me realize how much I prefer to live in a cooler climate. Switzerland is not a cheap destination, so I would highly recommend purchasing a Half-Fare card if you plan to spend over three weeks like I did. Trust me, it’s a great deal compared to purchasing a Swiss Pass. The Half-Fare card gives you a 50% discount on transportation, panoramic trains (such as the Glacier Express or Bernina Express), and an excursion to the Jungfraujoch, also known as the “Top of Europe.” With a Swiss Pass, you will have to pay extra for a journey on panoramic trains and excursions in the Jungfrau region no matter what. However, make sure to do some research to figure out what works best for you.

Here's the plan for our trip to Switzerland:

We spent 4 nights in Zurich, 5 nights in Lucerne, 4 nights in Interlaken, 1 week in Zermatt, and 3 nights in St. Moritz.

In Zurich, we enjoyed the bustling city life, with numerous events, museums, a diverse culinary scene, and a vibrant nightlife. Some of the things we did include strolling around Gossmunster, sightseeing in Zurich’s Old Town, shopping at Bahnhofstrasse, and indulging in chocolate tasting at places like Sprungli, Laderach, and Lind’t Chocolate Factory.

Lucerne, located in the heart of Switzerland, has become our favorite city. Nestled between lakes and mountains, it offers a rich historical, cultural, and social experience. The old town is filled with charming alleyways, lined with shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, bars, and hotels. We explored vibrant neighborhoods like Hirschmatt and Bruchquartier and enjoyed the local crafts, culture, and dining options.

During my travels, I visited Bern, the capital city of Switzerland, on a solo day trip. Exploring Bern allowed me to discover my independent capabilities. The city was built around a bend in the Aare River and has its origins dating back to the 12th century, with well-preserved medieval architecture in the Altstadt (Old Town). Noteworthy landmarks include the Neo-Renaissance Bundeshaus (Federal Palace), which is where the Swiss Parliament and diplomats convene, as well as the 13th-century Französische Kirche (French Church) and the nearby medieval tower known as the Zytglogge.

In Interlaken, known as the starting point for exciting excursions to the Bernese Oberland, I engaged in various excursions. Interlaken is famous for its wide range of adventure sports and top excursion destinations. To explore the town, I began a city tour at Bahnhofstrasse, crossed the River Aare, meandered through the old town, and continued to Höheweg, the delightful shopping promenade with Swiss charm. Additionally, I enjoyed watching paragliders against the backdrop of the Jungfrau massif from the city. Day trips from Interlaken;

Lakes Thun and Brienz

The location between two of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland is what makes Interlaken so special. Explore the lakes on a boat trip against a magnificent backdrop. Stop off at the Giessbach Falls, the St. Beatus Caves, or in Iseltwald, Brienz, or Thun.

Jungfrau region

Take a nostalgic trip to the natural paradise that can be found on the Schynige Platte. Or travel to the Lauterbrunnen Valley with its waterfalls and the traffic-free mountain villages of Mürren and Wengen. You can experience an action-packed day in the Eiger village of Grindelwald with a shopping spree and the First Fun Park. In addition to the Jungfrau massif, other excursion destinations include the Brienzer Rothorn, the Niederhorn, and the Schilthorn.

We had the chance to visit Zermatt and St. Moritz in the Swiss Alps, both amazing destinations.

Zermatt is located in southern Switzerland's Valais canton and is a popular resort town known for skiing, climbing, and hiking. The town sits at an elevation of around 1,600m and is dominated by the iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak. Zermatt has a charming car-free village with traditional brown chalets, boutique shops, and a lively après-ski scene. We enjoyed relaxing in the mountain village, taking a scenic walk in Hinterdorfstrasse, and admiring the Matterhorn from the village.

Our next stop was St. Moritz, a luxurious alpine resort town in Switzerland's Engadin Valley. St. Moritz is famous for being the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism and for hosting the Winter Olympics twice. The town was originally known for its mineral springs, which established it as a summer spa resort. We indulged in legendary service at the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel and embarked on an epic journey on the Bernina Express.

The Bernina Express offers a unique travel experience through pristine Alpine landscapes and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This journey takes passengers on the highest railway tracks in Europe and the steepest in the world, crossing 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges. The panoramic cars provide first-class travel comfort and offer breathtaking views of spectacular man-made structures such as the Landwasser Viaduct. The journey concludes in the Italian town of Tirano, where passengers can experience a dramatic change in scenery from glaciers to palm trees.

Switzerland is my favorite country in Europe. I hope our family and friends will enjoy hearing about our trip to Switzerland. Until the next adventure!