If you want to get away from the busy hustle and bustle of life, love adventure, breathtaking scenery, trains and gondolas, a trip to Switzerland is a must.
Here is a small flavour of what you can expect to see and do.
Flew direct from London direct to Zürich, then took a train to Zermatt which took approximately 3.5 hours.
Trains are comfortable, quick and take you right into the heart of Zermatt. Zermatt is car-free so no need to find parking. Let’s face it, who wants to drive anyway. A holiday is a time to relax without getting into a fluster having to look for petrol/charging stations or even worse, getting lost.
Zermatt
Arrived in Zermatt. The month was August, but it felt more like December. It had a magical feel about it and as we arrived the snow started to fall.
Zermatt is regarded as one of Switzerland’s top ski resorts. The village has spectacular views of the Matterhorn. It is a magnet for adventurers looking for a challenging climb in Switzerland. This climb is not for the faint hearted. The mountaineers’ cemetery is a moving reminder of the accidents that have occurred in the mountains around Zermatt.
The accommodation was spacious and comfortable. The décor was similar to a wooden chalet and the balcony overlooked the Matterhorn Mountain.
Zermatt is home to the world’s highest gondola lift. The four-kilometre journey takes you to almost 4000 meters above sea level.
We took a gondola lift alongside keen skiers and snowboarders and soaked up the spectacular scenic views. Please do not forget sunscreen, glasses, and lip balm. Snow reflects UV radiation so you can easily burn even on a cloudy day.
Many who visit Zermatt are there to ski or snowboard but there are plenty of other activities to do such as mountain biking, paragliding, and trekking. We opted for trekking.
After a busy day of trekking (don’t forget a good pair of walking boots), it’s time to relax. Zermatt has over 100 restaurants to choose from, many with live music, bars, and jazz-clubs so no matter where you stay, a place to eat and drink is only a short walk away.
Zermatt is a magical holiday destination to explore anytime of the year, especially for those who enjoy trekking, skiing, paragliding and snowboarding.
Glacier Express
The Glacier Express is one of the most famous train routes in the world. Was lucky enough to take this panoramic train journey through the Swiss Alps, connecting Zermatt with St. Moritz. The route is 300 kilometres long and takes approximately 8 hours. It offers breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers, and idyllic villages, while passing through 91 tunnels and 291 bridges.
The highest point of the route is the Oberalp Pass at an altitude of 2,033 meters. Make sure you have cameras at the ready. Along the way, you are treated to beautiful views of the famous Matterhorn and the majestic Rhône Glacier.
Highly recommend booking this train journey. It is an experience you will never forget.
Grindelwald
The next stop was Grindelwald, a post-card village with spectacular mountain scenery towering above the village. The mighty Eiger Mountain could be mistaken for a scene from Jurassic Park. It’s a dream for any art enthusiast to sketch or paint. The landscape is mesmerising. It is one of those moments that truly take your breath away.
We took a scenic train ride to Europe’s highest railway station – Jungfraujoch. Then took a high-speed lift to the observatory of an international research station. The observation deck had fantastic panoramic views. This trip is a great choice for families. There’s an ice palace and children can ski, snowboard and sledge on balancers. We then hiked to Mönchsjoch hut, the highest mountain hut in Switzerland. This took approximately 30-40 minutes so you would need good hiking shoes and warm clothing.
It was a hot sunny day, and we were in short sleeved tops but reaching the summit of Jungfraujoch was a complete contrast. It was freezing and snowing hard. Really strange experience feeling like we had changed seasons within minutes.
If you visit during spring or summer, there are plenty of treks to take through the alpine meadows. It’s so peaceful. Depending on which routes you chose, you can walk for miles and not come across a single tourist. All you can hear in the distance are cowbells clinking. Alpine cattle have worn cowbells for hundreds of years so they can be traced if they decide to wander too far.
Lucerne
Next stop was an overnight stay in the city of Lucerne. You can stroll along the promenade or take a dreamy sunset cruise on Lake Lucerne. Alpine landscapes form the scenic backdrop with famous peaks Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus and the Stanserhorn framing the water. Lucerne is surrounded by sophisticated medieval architecture and places to shop for souvenirs, watches, Swiss knives, and Swiss chocolate. Lucerne is best-known for the wooden bridge spanning the river to connect the city. The most famous and world’s oldest one is the Chapel Bridge dating back to the 14th century.
Switzerland has stunning scenery and most importantly gives you the time to disconnect from everyday life.
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