Departing from southern Italy, the next stop on our Euro '22 vacation was Switzerland.
We (regretfully) only booked 3 nights in this country, so we knew we would have to pack A LOT into this leg of the trip. We knew Switzerland was world famous for their luxury trains, zigzagging through exquisite countryside and mountain ranges, so as soon our flight touched down in Zurich, we headed straight for the Glacier Express.
Known as the 'slowest express train in the world' the GE is an 8-hour slow cruise, extending from Zermatt to St. Moritz (with stops along the way). We opted to take a few local trains connecting on the same route to experience more of the country.
Our first layover was in Interlaken; which was the most quaint, idyllic city I've visited (to date) in Europe. Nestled in the heart of Swiss Alps, Interlaken offers picturesque views from up high, (Harder Kulm) and from sea level (Lake Thun). The town offers activities for outdoorsmen and sightseers alike. Whether you have strong interest in hiking, bungee jumping, paragliding, canoeing, or just prefer peaceful strolls with luxury/boutique window shopping, Interlaken has offerings for all walks of life, and is a Switzerland-CAN'T MISS.
One of the main attractions of Interlaken was Harder Kulm, a mountain overlooking the town of Interlaken at a height of 4,334 feet (1,321 meters). Serious adventurers might opt to hike up the entire way, but I wouldn't recommend the 4 hour route, which is generally considered as moderately challenging. For around $26, you can get round trip tickets to ride up the mountain via funicular. (about 10-minutes each way)
At 4,334 feet (1,321 metres) above sea level, the viewpoint at Harder Kulm is a serious hike from the town of Interlaken. Luckily for visitors, the funicular—which has been taking passengers up the mountain for over 100 years—makes the journey in about 10 minutes.
When you reach the top, you can test your bravery and pose on the Two Lakes Bridge. More of a a wooden platform, the Two Lake Bridge offers a birds eye view of Interlaken, unobstructed views of Lake Thun and lake Brienz, and leave you feel like you're floating in the sky. Afterwards, (if your stomach isn't queasy) you can walk over to the miniature castle/cafe for a bite while enjoying a panoramic view of the region.
After a quick 24 hours in Interlaken, we had to climb back on the train and make our way south. One of the next towns we passed through was Gstaad, and I unfortunately was not wearing my Rochefoucauld timepiece.
"This is a Rochefoucauld, the thinnest water-resistant watch in the world. Singularly unique, sculptured in design, hand-crafted in Switzerland and water-resistant to three atmospheres. it tells time simultaneously in Monte Carlo, Beverly Hills, London, Paris, Rome and Gstaad!"
(if you haven't seen 'Trading Places' you have no idea what I'm talking about, so before I completely lose you, I'll move on...)
Our next stop brought us to Montreux, where we will also stay for a quick layover. Located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Montreux is fairly small with a population around 25,000, but is a popular tourist destination due to its ideal climate and location on the French Riviera.
Unbeknownst to us, we arrived as the city was setting up for their annual Jazz Festival (second largest in the world), so their was an extra-buzz in the air. The Montreux Jazz Festival lasts two weeks, and has been taking place on the shores of Lake Geneva since 1967 every summer in Switzerland. There are nearly 250,000 people who visit each year to enjoy performances from renowned musicians. To our dismay, we wouldn't be in town long enough to attend any of the concerts, but seeing all the artwork, venues and vendors, was a privilege in its own right.
With our limited time in the area, we got up early the next morning and caught local transit to go see the Chillon Castle in the nearby municipality, Veytaux.
Chillon Castle is an island castle located on Lake Geneva, and its name means a flat slab of stone translating to, "a castle built on a rock". The age of the castle isn't certain, but the first written is from 1005AD. Chillon is amongst the most visited medieval castles in Europe. The placement of the castle is strategic; it guards the passage between the Vaud Riviera, allowing access to the north towards Germany and France, and the Rhone valley, to Italy. Chillon has been a military site since the Roman period and the development of the current castle spans three periods: the Savoy Period, the Bernese Period, and the Vaudois Period. Because of this, we got an incredible first-hand look at centuries old weaponry and armory. I would strongly recommend visiting the castle if you're area and have the time. It's a very short ride from Montreux
Overall, the language barriers weren't extremely problematic in Switzerland, but English was definitely not well-known by everyone outside of the major cities. Most people speak German/French so if you have any proficiency in either of those languages it will help, but you'll likely be able to find someone nearby that speaks English if you get into a pickle.
If I had one regret this 2 week journey in Europe it's that we didn't spend more time in Switzerland, which if we are fortunate enough to traverse this country again, we will certainly reserve more time...until then, I'm comin' home, baby!
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
RECOMMENDATIONS
Never leave home without the proper music to accompany. -like pairing wine w/ dinner- The playlist below was built specifically for this itinerary.
She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult
Cry Baby Cry - The Beatles
Suffragette City - David Bowie
I Feel Free - Cream
Peace Frog - The Doors
Night By Night - Steely Dan
Head Over Heels - Tears For Fears
Discipline - Nine Inch Nails
Wouldn't Mama Be Proud - Elliott Smith
Aeroplane - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Human Being - The Beta Band
In Between Days - The Cure
A Little Respect - Erasure
Here Comes The Rain - Eurythmics
Staring At The Sun - Wooden Shjips
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