Switzerland

Summer 2014

Day 1

On the first day of our trip to Switzerland, we arrived in the small village of Lauterbrunnen, which is located in the Jungfrau (Bern) region of Switzerland. The village is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges, which made for an incredible view wherever we looked.

Our first adventure in Lauterbrunnen was a hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. The hike was challenging but rewarding, and the views from the top were absolutely breathtaking. After reaching the summit, we enjoyed a delicious lunch of fancy cheese and other local specialties.

After lunch, we took the train to Eigergletscher station, and then hiked down to Alpiglen. The hike was moderately difficult, but the beautiful waterfall that we passed along the way made each step worth it.

Day 2

On the second day of our trip, we woke up early to take the train to Wilderswil. From there, we took a small cogwheel train up to the Schynige Platte, which is located at a high altitude and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. From the top, we were able to see the Eiger, Moench, and Jungfrau mountain ranges, as well as the beautiful lakes that are scattered throughout the Swiss landscape. From this single point, if you turned in a circle, all the lakes and mountain ranges of central Switzerland would come into view.

Day 3

On the third day of our trip, we took the train to the Sphinx, one of the highest observatories in the world. Located more than 12,000 feet above sea level, the Sphinx offers incredible views of the surrounding area. The only way to reach it is by a train which climbs the steep mountain sides. At the top, there is an amazing view of the surrounding areas. More than the view, there are also many activities. On a sleigh, two huskies pulled me across a windy route along the top of the mountain, which was an exhilarating experience. We were able to enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains as we rode along.

For lunch, we went to the Lobhorner Hutt, where we enjoyed hard cider, soup, fresh bread, and raclette in front of a beautiful view of the Jungfrau mountain. After lunch, we went on a one-hour hike around the base of the Mönch mountain to the Mönchsjochhütte. The thin atmosphere at the high altitude made it difficult to breathe, and so we took many breaks along the way..

Day 4

On the fourth day of our trip, we decided to take it easy and explore Grindelwald. We took a cable gondola to the top of the mountain, and then hiked a short distance to the top for a view of the lake. After that, we took another gondola to Aare Gorge, where we were able to see the beautiful river and the surrounding landscape.

Day 5

We took a cruise across Lake Brienz from Interlaken to Brienz. The cruise was a wonderful way to take in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. As we cruised along the coast, we were able to see the beautiful buildings and castles perched up in the trees, adding to the picturesque scenery.

After the cruise, we visited the Open Air Museum, which was a fascinating experience. We learned about the history and culture of the region, and were able to see how people lived in the past. Next, we took a boat tour of Brienz, which gave us a glimpse into the town's history of fine woodworking. The boat ride also provided us with a stunning view of the Giessbach Waterfall.

Day 6

We took a train to Bern, the capital city of Switzerland. The train ride offered us some incredible views of the surrounding landscape, and we were able to soak in the unique environment and forget about the rest of the world for a while.

Once we arrived in Bern, we visited the Rosengarten, which was a beautiful garden filled with a variety of colorful flowers. After that, we walked to Bear Park. Next, we explored Altstadt, the old town of Bern, which was full of historic buildings and charming cobblestone streets.

Day 7

We took a cable car from Schilthorn to Gimmelwald. At the top, we had a delicious lunch at Pension Gimmelwald, where we were able to try some local specialties. After lunch, we took a small cable car to Grütschalp, where we were able to enjoy more beautiful views of the mountains. From there, we went to Murren, a picturesque village in the Jungfrau region. In the afternoon, we went up to Schilthorn and hiked to Grütschalp, which was a challenging but rewarding experience.

Day 8

On the final day of our trip, we went to Brienz, where we saw the Chapel Bridge and explored the old town. The Chapel Bridge is a historic wooden bridge that is one of the main landmarks of Brienz, and it was a pleasure to see it up close.

In the afternoon, we took another boat ride on Lake Brienz, which was a great way to end our trip. The boat ride allowed us to take in the beautiful scenery one last time, and to reflect on all the wonderful experiences we had during our time in Switzerland.