Prost to Switzerland! Traveling is one of our most favorite things to do as a couple. We don’t get to do it too often, but when we do, it’s such a blessing. We visited Switzerland during a very quick European vacation in 2012 (before parenthood), and we always knew we wanted to go back. Last fall, Michael, on a whim, started looking at flights via Amex reward points, and flights to Switzerland were as much as a domestic flight, so we booked it! He is my researcher and planner, which means he took the reigns on all of the vacation plans. I just got to say yes or no on all the places we stayed at and visited.
Our first travel day was brutal, but we enjoyed the lounges during our three legs of flights. Our first leg was from Houston to Atlanta, then Atlanta to JFK in New York, then JFK to Zurich. I think our travel day in total was a full 24 hours, and our longest flight was 9 hours (JFK to Zurich). We were tired but too excited to let that get us down. As soon as we landed, we hopped immediately onto a train to Lucerne, which was our first destination.
SWITZERLAND :: LUCERNE
Day 1
Trains, planes, and automobiles. The train system in Europe always amazes me, but if you know how to navigate the subway in NYC, then you can figure out the trains. Here we had just arrived in Lucerne. We then hopped on a tram to our hotel.
Then we got to ride in a little elevator contraption that went up and down on what looked like a rollercoaster track. Our hotel sat on top of a hill, albiet a mountain. We had no idea where the entrance of our hotel was, but some very nice locals pointed us in the right direction.
Walking into the lobby had me giddy.
Can you even stand it? It was absolutely gorgeous! Castle Hotel Chateau Gütsch was definitely one of my favorite highlights to our trip.
It also had the best quirks, like this dungeon door placed next to a staircase.
While getting acquainted with our new quarters, I told Michael to give me his best blogger pose. I think he nailed it. Lol.
This was the view from our room. I mean, can you even stand it. I can only imagine how beautiful it is in the spring and summer. Does that mean we have to go back?
However, that rainbow almost made me faint. The beauty was just too much.
And then there was our hotel bar. If you are ever in Lucerne and don’t have a reason to stay at this hotel (which I highly recommend), at least go to the bar. It overlooks the city and the lake and the service is amazing and so are the drinks!
After settling in, we went into the village and roamed around for a bit. We stopped at a little cafe on the river and grabbed a waffle and a cappuccino.
The food was forgettable, but the view was not. Lucerne is magical, y’all. It had cleared up that day after being drizzly and gray, and the blue skies that appeared were perfect.
We quickly fell in love with this place. If you ever do plan to visit, I’d say 2-3 days is plenty. Then hop on a train and go see more cities. (More on the cities we went to up next!)
After our day of site-seeing and getting acclimated to the time-change, we walked to dinner right around the corner from our hotel. It was the best Indian food we had had in a long time. (I think our favorite is still Babu Ji in NYC.)
But their buttered chicken and garlic naan was phenomenal. Now I’m hungry.
Day 2
We woke up pretty much adjusted to the seven hour time-change, and I’m so glad we did. We have a dear family friend who lives in Switzerland, and he was nice enough to join us for the day to be our tour guide.
But that balcony, people. Could not get enough of it.
The weather was a bit grayer this day, and the temps required lots of layers.
Did I mention how gorgeous our hotel was though? This was the scene from our breakfast room.
Breakfast is always amazing in Europe. Carbs, cheese, fresh fruit, mimosas. They nail every time. They always are nice and throw in American breakfast foods, too. The only thing that could have made breakfast better would have been to turn on this fireplace.
Now, follow me here. This is a view from the city looking up to our hotel. Isn’t it the coolest?!
This day we walked around with more purpose since we did have our friend show us more and give us the history behind a lot of the landmarks. So thankful for you, Mr. Peters!
The architecture, layout of the city, and all the history of these old European towns always amazes me. Everything has a purpose.
The churches are always on another level, and I love them so much.
After we visited that church, we walked to lunch at a beautiful hotel restaurant.
So fancy. Then it was more strolling the streets.
And more pictures together since Mr. Peters is the best photographer and friend.
Once we were done with site-seeing, we opted to stay at our hotel and have dinner at the bar. This burger was one of the more memorable meals we had.
Our last sunset did not disappoint. Neither did the roasted marshmallows.
Day 3
We had one last amazing breakfast at our hotel, then it was off to Pontresina!
Lucerne was so special. Makes me want to plan our next vacation back to it.
Part 2 to Pontresina coming soon!
