When you think of a fairy tale, what do you picture? Is it quaint cottages, skyscraping mountains, cobblestone streets, or all of the above? If you’re hoping to see storybook scenery in real life, book a trip to Switzerland! I was recently in this majestic country, hosted by Collette Travel, and I couldn’t be happier with my itinerary—“Peaks of Europe: the Alps to the Dolomites.” Whether I was in a small village or at the top of Europe, there was no denying the beauty of the place. Here’s how I spent my high-flying Switzerland vacation! I’ll share more about France, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Italy next time.
A Woman’s Best Friend
Our first stop in Switzerland was Barryland, where we learned the history of this country’s national animal, the St. Bernard. St. Bernards are massive dogs known for locating people lost in avalanches or heavy snows. The renowned Barry saved over 40 people! I highly recommend this attraction for families and kids, but keep in mind that puppies aren’t often available for viewing.
The Sculpture Garden at the Foot of the Alps
My first Swiss stop was Montreux. This vibrant city on Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps was the perfect introduction to the country. It’s home to the extravagant Fairmont le Montreux Palace, and a quick stroll into the entrance of this grand hotel will fill you with the scent of old money and elegance. Wanting to linger in this real life “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” I decided to splurge on a cheeseburger lunch at its Montreux Jazz Cafe—a mere $50. It actually was quite delicious, topped with their special signature sauce. Service was perfect, and the waitress even snapped pics of me to document my visit.
My favorite part of the palace? The teeming sculpture garden directly across the street on the lakefront. Having seen one in Grand Rapids and was excited to check out another. This one though has detailed sculptures of legendary music giants like B.B. King, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and more. I’ve never seen so many sculptures depicting Black entertainers in my entire life! I was and still am absolutely flabbergasted. I’d really like to know more about just how that happened. I’m seriously thinking of returning next July for the Montreux Jazz Festival.
The Spellbinding Swiss Countryside
We boarded the Golden Pass Train in Montreux for our next destination. The trip to Gstaad was absolutely spellbinding, complete with grand peaks, rolling hills, storybook villages and adorable cottages dotting the mountainsides. Once we got to town, I relaxed and enjoyed the view of the Alps from my balcony at the Golfhotel Les Hauts de Gstaad. Again, the scenery is something you won’t soon forget! That hotel is perfectly situated for dreamy Alps views.
If you’re looking for more incredible views when you visit Switzerland, you simply have to see Grindelwald. The Sunstar Hotel’s 180-degree views from the restaurant made eating impossible. Seriously! I kept taking pictures from various angles of the surrounding Alps. I was there for two nights, and this alpine village has to be one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen. Lovely shops and cafes line the streets, and cafes with outdoor seating make it the perfect locale to take in the scenery. Here and throughout all this region, winter sports clothing dominates the shops. Skiing, hiking, climbing, and mountaineering wear abound. Family owned shops selling colorful, enticing pastries and breads are all over—no chains.
Known for Waterfalls, Watches, and Winding Streets
Exploring Swiss villages was incredible, but I had lots more to see on this trip! Much like USA travel destinations, every place is unique and comes with its own wonders. Among the highlights of this international trip was the waterfalls. Did you know Switzerland has at least 150 of them? I saw a gorgeous waterfall on a cliffside in Lauterbrunnen, and it was nothing short of amazing!
While Switzerland is known for its views, it’s also famous for luxurious cities. Lucerne was a major stop on my Switzerland trip, and the place certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the country. The Old Town is fantastic, with complex architecture and a watch district along with throngs of chocolate shops. Did you know Switzerland is also known for knives? There are so many displayed in shop windows throughout the area that you can’t help realizing this must be the knife-selling capital of the world. Also don’t miss strolling through the 700 year old Chapel Bridge and Water Tower that crosses the river Reuss—a perfect photo op!
Jungfraujoch: Views from Atop Europe
I’ve gone through my itinerary out of order, but that’s just because I’ve been building up to the crown jewel of my Switzerland vacation—Jungfraujoch! Some boomer travelers shy away from mountains, but conquering this one didn’t require as much stamina as the Namibian dunes (I took a gondola, then a train which were smooth sailing!). But the 150-foot, slippery, snow-covered slope up to the photo op with the Swiss flag was the greatest physical challenge of the whole trip for this baby boomer.
Jungfraujoch is known as the “Top of Europe,” and its craggy peaks are something you’re sure never to forget. While the sightseeing is certainly worth the ride up, there’s plenty more to do once you get to the top. You’ll find lots of restaurants, shops, and activities, including a slippery stroll through the frigid Ice Palace! The Ice Palace doesn’t quite feel real, and I loved the whimsy of it all as I walked (or slipped) through the halls. There’s also ziplining, areas for playing in the snow, and other attractions once you’re here at the top. The ticket was part of my all-inclusive Collette guided tour!
If you’re not one for snow-based activities, one of the best things to do at Jungfraujoch is visit the Lindt Chocolate Shop. When else can you say you bought your goodies at the top of a mountain? My daughter Liz would have loved it; maybe a mother daughter trip is in our future?
See Switzerland Straight Out of a Storybook
There’s more to Switzerland than chocolate, cheese, knives, and watches (though there’s a lot of that, too!). If you’re looking for a vacation destination that makes you feel like a queen in a fairy tale, find yourself a flight to Bern, Zurich, or Geneva. Switzerland also makes a great jumping off point to see the Dolomites in Italy! Stay tuned for more details about my Collette trip here and on Instagram. Collette appropriately named this itinerary “Peaks of Europe: the Alps to the Dolomites!”