MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial 15N trip report (Interlaken-Montreux-Zermatt-BO)
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Introduction
Hi all, I’ve just returned home from Switzerland and man, what a trip it was. Decided to share my itinerary (while battling jet lag 4am in the morning!), as a record of my amazing time spent there. For context, we are a family of 5 adult travellers, not in the best of shape lol and gotten ourselves 15-day Swiss Travel Passes in 2nd class. We spent 16D15N spread across 4 main bases. This arrangement didn’t proved too tiring as we allocated for rest days and did not cram in too many items. We thought the pace, travelling and duration worked out just nice for us.
- 3 Nights in Boenigen, Interlaken (Hotel)
- 3 Nights in Montreux (Hotel)
- 3 Nights in Zermatt (Chalet)
- 5 Nights in Wengen, BO (Chalet)
- 1 Night in Hilton Zurich Airport for a late morning flight the next day
The reason for these locations was to enjoy a mixture of lake and mountain views. We left the Bernese Oberland at the tail-end of the trip as we thought to save the best for last – which it was! We were there from late May to early June 2023 and didn’t want to risk the mountain gondolas/funiculars there being closed. And our mix of hotels and apartments also meant we could cook our own meals, save some money, and enjoyed the luxury of space.
I’ve break it down into 4 parts, 1 for each location, and conclude with some tips and thoughts. So here goes!
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Part 1 – Bonigen, Interlaken (Day 1 – 3)
Day 1
Airport – Lucerne – Bonigen
After our morning arrival at Zurich Airport, we set aside half a day to explore Lucerne. This was all the time we needed to have a nice lunch at Rathaus Brauerei, explore the old town, take pictures at the Chapel Bridge, visit the Lion’s Monument and the Bourbaki Panaroma. The Bourbaki Panaroma is included free in the STP and spectacular. I would highly recommend it. A great start to the trip.
Tip: For our time in Lucerne, we wanted to store our luggage at the train station lockers. However, they were all full and a tip would be to head up to the SBB office on the 2nd floor and deposit your bags there. Collection is by 7pm and it is chargeable per article (12 CHF), regardless of size. There is also a tourism office at the train station that will advise you on the places to visit in Lucerne.
We then headed to our accommodation at Bonigen, a short bus ride away from Interlaken. By this time, we were a little beat lugging the luggage around. Now, Bonigen is a bit away from the bustle, which we really appreciated. Void of any tourists in the early hours, we woke up to cool, fresh breezes accompanied by the symphony of birds chirping. In the distance, the mountains shrouded in mist overlooks the pristine waters where the ducks and swans glide across so gracefully and without a worry in the world. It was nothing short of magical. Best thing was, it was a local town, so it was always nice to see residents out jogging and on walks with their dogs.
Day 2
Iseltwald, Giessbach Falls, Brienz, Interlaken
Boenigen was along the bus route to Iseltwald, which was the place we went to the next morning. But instead of the bus, we took a boat ride which was awfully convenient as the dock was just across our hotel. Once there, we walked around while we waiting for the next boat in 2 hours. There was a slight drizzle.
The boat that arrived then brought us to Giessbach Falls, where we disembarked. The first ones to exit the boat gets first dibs on the tram up! We had to pay a small fee (cash only, I think!) to take the tram which was operated by the hotel. The waterfall was magnificent and worth it! There were also multiple photo spots on the hotel grounds where we took lots of pictures. Did not spend lots of time here as we wanted to catch the next boat that arrives. We then headed to Brienz and walked along the lake. The Swiss Woodcarving Museum was smallish (more like a showcase) but we spent some time here to seek refuge from the drizzle outside. It was around 3pm at this time. Lots of things accomplished in half a day huh? But at no point did things felt rushed… must be the views…
We took some time to explore Interlaken and true to what the Internet says, it’s a touristy place with ample shops. I would like to recommend Gelateria Azzurra (cash only!) and the Restaurant Aare Korean restaurant.
Day 3
Blausee, Kandersteg, Oeschineesee
On this day, we prepared ourselves for some walking! We strapped on our hiking shoes and took a train to Spiez, where we then took a bus to Blausee. The Swiss transport system operated in such clockwork that the bus was literally waiting for the train crowd to board. Blausee is not included in the STP and we had to pay to enter. Go through the “woods” and the view opens up to the beautiful lake and the schools of trout swimming in it. We spend some time here admiring the views on oversized loungers. Coupled with great weather and cool breezes, we could have lazed away the whole afternoon here. We managed to catch some quiet moments in between tour group arrivals and departures. The many trees provided ample shade. I learnt there’s even a hotel here!
After that we made our way to Kandersteg by bus (continuing the same bus route we arrived from). Now, I’ve done my research, but nothing has prepared me for the long walk from the Kandersteg bus terminal to the Oeschinensee gondola station! Don’t get me wrong – it’s on flat terrain and manageable but I was caught by surprise. We then paid for the gondola ride up the mountain and enjoyed the mountain coaster – and even had 2 turns on it. Then we began the scenic walk down to the lake (which was the “walk” I knew, with countless benches along the way for rest stops. Oeschinensee was more beautiful that I had ever imagined. Nothing in pictures could have prepared me for the awe-inspiring views. Unforgettable and a must-visit.
Tip: There is a electric buggy service (limited seats, priority given to those in need) that costs 8 CHF/pax one way. I would highly recommend one hikes on the way to the lake as it is downhill, enjoy the views along the way, and then opt for the electric buggy on the way back if you wish. We did. 😀
Part 2 – Montreux (Day 4 – 6)
Interlaken – Montreux – Goldenpass Express Journey
The Goldenpass Express (GPX) was launched late last year to great fanfare as it meant there was now no need to switch trains between Interlaken and Montreux. During the initial planning of the trip, we booked Prestige class tickets not knowing a malfunction later meant that we had to change trains in Zweisimmen after all. The Interlaken to Zweisimmen leg was a normal train while the Zweisimmen to Montreux was the sleek GPX train. It was a bummer initially when we learnt of this (we even pondered a refund), but everything worked out beautifully, making it arguably the best decision on the trip.
The Prestige class seats, located in a closed-off section (complete with doors) at the end of the train, offer seclusion and privacy, with plush swivel seats that rival none. On the day of our travel, we even had the whole cabin to ourselves! Another core memory. Make sure you book the tickets when they open as they sell out fast. You can book those before getting your STP. Note this is not to be confused with Goldenpass Panoramic or Goldenpass VIP seats.
For 2nd class STP holders wanting to go for Prestige class, you must first pay for a class upgrade from 2nd class to 1st class, then add a supplement amount for seat reservations (a 35 CHF supplement if I’m not wrong).
Note: Do not confuse a 1st class upgrade for a 1st class reservation. This was an easy mistake to make, and I saw some tourists having to fork out extra when the conductor came to check. If they deem the mistake to be genuine, they generally don’t fine you I suppose.
Tip: I would 101% recommend GPX if your budget allows for it. The change of trains at Zweisimmen was a mad rush (imagine the many luggage!), but we literally sauntered to our seats with the Prestige class reservations in hand. Ah… the luxury!
Day 4
Chillon Castle, Vevey, Montreux Promenade
Montreux is such a happy place. Music, flowers, hive of activity along the promenade. I immersed myself in it all. I stayed at Grand Suisse Majestic and I really can’t recommend this place enough. When you are travelling with luggage, and/or making many day trips from one base, location is EVERYTHING. In my opinion, this makes it the BEST place to stay for a first-time visitor here as its literally across the street from the train station. The well-appointed rooms, which are modern and stylish, still pays homage to its history through the many image posters that line its corridors and rooms. They had L’Occitane toiletries!
Probably more well-known (and pricier!), the Fairmont Montreux Palace is a short distance away and has a bigger footprint and an outdoor pool, but I will prioritise convenience of the Grand Suisse Majestic over everything else. I did hop over to the former for a while but found it to be a bit dark and dated – opposed to the bright and airy Grand Suisse Majestic. At the Grand Suisse Majestic, make sure you choose the rooms overlooking the lake, otherwise you will just be looking at a carpark or facing the train station which I presume would give a less-than-stellar experience.
Day 1 at Montreux was spent taking a boat cruise from Vevey (we backtracked for a longer boat ride) to Chillon Castle. Chillon Castle surpassed my every expectation. Compact in size when compared to even the Gruyeres Castle, I have to say the Chillon Castles truly stands on its own. It was chilly inside the castle which added to the whole atmosphere. Make sure you grab a brochure at the door that details every room. Spend some time on the video booths that gives a deeper insight into its history. I felt that was helpful for me. Being in the dark “prison” and hearing the crashing of waves outside was truly an experience. I spent around 2 hours, much longer than I had set aside, considering its size from the outside!
After Chillon Castle, we then spend the day soaking in the vibes along the Montreux promenade and the many stalls along it. They start packing up around 7pm.
I personally felt that Vevey was a tad underwhelming for me. Many shops were shuttered, and it felt almost a bit gritty on some streets I was in. Granted it had an expansive lakeside, but I had set my expectations a little high. Shout out to An Arvor restaurant which we chanced upon – the crepes, both sweet and savoury, were delicious. The owner and the chef were friendly and welcoming too. Great for a full meal or if you want something to nibble on in between.
Day 5
Rochers-de-Naye, Charlie Chaplin Museum, Queen Studio Experience
Day 2 in Montreux was spent taking the train up to Rochers-de-Naye, our first mountain peak ascent. This was also when we start to grow accustomed to, and accepted, the prices here LOL. We took the first train and were the first ones to be there so had the whole place to ourselves. We walked for around 20mins to a viewing point where a giant cross stands and took in the views. I enjoyed it and felt it was worth a visit as you could see mountain ranges on one side and the lake on the other. Take note that STP does not cover the full ride and you need to purchase a ticket that starts at Haux de Caux. You can do this on the SBB app.
We then headed to Charlie Chaplin museum. Frankly speaking, I did not appreciate this as much as I wasn’t much of a film buff. But there’s no denying the exhibits were top class. Charlie Chaplin would be proud. Tip: Remember to bring your Montreux Riviera card along which gives you 50% off admission. The STP was of no use here.
In the evening, the Queen exhibition at the Montreux Casino was totally worth a visit as well, even if you are not a die-hard music fan. It’s a small place, but within it you can feel the love from endearing fans from all around the world and see for yourself the effort that went into creating the place. Plus, it’s free! Walking back to the hotel along the scenic lake during sunset after the visit was a core memory.
Day 6
Gruyeres – La Gruyeres Cheese Factory, Gruyeres Town & Castle, Cailler Chocolate Factory
Gruyeres Day Trip! We enjoyed the small exhibition at La Gruyeres Cheese factory which was just across the street at the Gruyeres train station. Learnt a lot on how cheese is made. It was surprisingly entertaining as the information was presented in a way that was easily digestible. There are certain timings to catch the workers at work in the mornings, so you may want to plan your arrival around that. Did I mention this comes free with the STP?
We then made our way to Gruyeres town which was a cute, if not small, medieval town. The bus ride there is a little confusing but just make sure the destination end point on the electronic sign on the sign is correct. Gruyeres, Ville is where you want to be at if you are heading to Gruyeres Castle. We had lunch at the Le Saint Georges hotel which had great service and great food. Recommended.
We then visited the Cailler factory in Broc using the bus. Again, very well made with themed exhibits that moves you from room to room, but I would skip it if not for the fact that it complemented a Gruyeres day trip. The factory shop items didn’t retail for much cheaper than outside, nor were there factory-exclusive items.
Tip: Open to alternative views, but I thought the Chocolate Train was expensive for what it offered, especially when you could make your way to the same places on your own. Convenience was what one is paying for, I suppose?
Part 3 – Zermatt (Day 7-9)
Day 7
Zermatt, Matterhorn Museum
We travelled from Montreux to Zermatt, taking the first train out.
For all of its reputation as a tourist town, Zermatt remained absolutely charming in my books. Perhaps it was the shoulder season when I was there, but I felt there was ample of breathing space for all to enjoy! To have the Matterhorn watch down on you made for truly enchanting moments to savour.
We went to the Matterhorn Museum which was an eye opener and a great introduction to the majestic mountain. Plus, it was free thanks to our STP. Make it your first stop when there.
I would recommend Golden India restaurant here. Both chicken and lamb biryani were delicious.
Day 8
On the second day, we went to Gornergrat. Words escape me. The uphill path near the restaurant to a viewing spot should not be missed. But take your time as one or bring hiking poles to help as one can get breathless due to the altitude. We could have hiked down to Rotenboden but it was still covered with snow in late May.
Day 9
Slow Day!
On Day 3 in Zermatt, we got a chance to get up close with the adorable Valais Blacknose sheeps that were grazing the field. Hundreds of them dotted the landscape! Docile and friendly, their bells create a melody that resonates into the distance. Can anyone share where they go after that? They seem to disappear at night lol. Btw, here is where paragliders land, so watch out for them. This was a designated rest day to just enjoy our chalet.
Attachments:Part 4 – Bernese Oberland (Day 10-14)
Day 10 (Wengen), Day 11 (Lauterbrunnen, Mannlichen), Day 12 (Grindelwald-First, Trummelbach Falls)
Some of the mountains visited here were Grindelwald First and Mannlichen. When planning a trip, there is a pressure to squeeze in as many peaks as possible. I feel this is not necessary. Just set aside enough time to savour each mountain experience.
In Day 3 in the BO, we combined Grindelwald-First in the morning with Trümmelbach Falls in the afternoon, after Männlichen the day before*. I thought the restaurant at Grindelwald-First was pretty good. Generally, restaurants in mountains are divided into two sections, comprised of self-served (where you pick your food off a buffet-style line, pay and bring to your seats, generally cheaper) and where you get served by wait staff (with a wider food variety). So just make sure you sit in the right sections.
I saw some wait times for the activities stretching to over 120 minutes, so I would recommend you head up first thing in the morning if the weather is good. I also feel that you don’t have to buy the activities tickets online beforehand as they may be dependent on weather (and queues).
The Eiger views are nice and all, but the town of Grindelwald didn’t grow too much on me lol.
*Tip: On the Wengen to Männlichen gondola, consider paying 5CHF more one-way for access to the open top. Makes for a special experience with the wind in your faces!
Side Note: The STP only covers rides up to Wengen from Lauterbrunnen. You’d need to pay if you travel beyond Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg and vice versa.
Trümmelbach Falls is not to be missed! However, there are many steep steps involved so if you can’t climb for too far, you might miss out witnessing the raw forces of nature at play. Or just take your time to go up! I suggest taking the lift up to level 6 (it’s an engineering feat!), then climb up to the top at Level 10. It’s chilly and wet in there, so bring a waterproof jacket. And shoes with good grip as the floor, while didn’t exactly feel slippery, were wet. You can then take the lift down if you don’t prefer to walk down from Level 6 (the more impressive sights are at the top in my opinion). I spent around an hour here.
Day 13
Murren, Gimmelwald
If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, the train ride from Grütschalp to Murren offers the most scenic ride in my opinion, and for free! One should not miss it! The cogwheel train chugs along to unravel the Swiss Alps like a painting. A core memory indeed.
Tip: When using the SBB app, note that to search for Murren, you need to type Muerren for the result to show.
Tip: if you are the last to get on the gondola from Lauterbrunnen, you will be the first to exit – this means you get to snag a seat on the left side of the carriage (direction of travel) where the views are the best!
Attachments:Now, the question of where to stay – Murren, Wengen or Gimmelwald. Similar to what others have mentioned, Wengen is definitely livelier with its many dining establishments. However, it is still a small town and I was quite surprised by its size to be honest. But that’s not the main reason why you should choose Wengen. You would want to stay here for its great location. At just 2 stops away with trains at 30mins intervals from Lauterbrunnen, i think it is in a convenient spot compared to Murren. I would therefore recommend Wengen for one’s first trip.
Tip: The vantage point at the church was breathtaking. Do spend some time on the benches to take it all in the peace and scenery.
Speaking of which, I wouldn’t mind staying at Lauterbrunnen at well. Being down in the valley means that you get constantly reminded by the size and scale of the mountains – which I love!
However personally, I prefer the quiet charm of Murren and the imposing cliff faces is just right across from you. If I have a chance to come back, I will stay here for sure. In Wengen, depending on where you stay, your views to the valley down below may be blocked by foliage. But of course, you get to enjoy views of Staubbach Falls from many angles.
I stopped by Gimmelwald for a short while when coming down from Murren to Stechelberg. In the short time I was there, I could already understand what its attraction was all about. Even quieter than Murren, there were barns all around, neat little gardens and … peace. I turned around one time to see a horse quietly nibbling away on the grass, just right beside me! It was so quiet, and I think it could be a great place to relax if you don’t intend to travel around a lot. Stunning.
Day 15
In Zurich, the vegetarian restaurant, apparently the oldest in the world, serves delicious food. It’s buffet-style and charged by weight.
Others
Food
Fries and potatoes are so tasty everywhere lol. It might be just me but the chicken here taste so tender and fresh! I’ve never really had a bad meal here. Without drinks, my average lunch bill for my party of 5 is kept under 200CHF. The portions are so big, one meal sitting usually kept us full for the rest of the day.
COOP and Migros was so well stocked! Their croissants, pastries and sausage rolls were really good. Make sure you get the house-branded Prussiens puff pastry cookies (butter ones) and chocolate chip cookies from COOP and of course, the Paprika Zweifel chips.
Plus, there were cuisine of every kind you could think of especially in the larger towns. Btw does Aromat makes one thirsty?
Trains
As chronic overpackers who experienced both 1st and 2nd trains during this trip, I can definitively conclude that 1st class was a whole lot of difference. The peace, the space and the “almost” guarantee of seating and luggage space made it so worth it. I was travelling in a party of 5, so it was hefty to fork out first class for all (which I didn’t). But I would strongly recommend you splurge if you can, especially if you have luggage with you. I was there in late May, and crowds were starting to build.
- Tip: If you do not get a 1st class STP, what i would recommend is to get a 2nd class STP, then upgrade those sectors where you are travelling with luggage on the SBB app. You don’t have to jostle for luggage space and can keep an eye on your belongings easily. Look out for Supersaver Upgrades which are valid only for specific timings. Those are cheaper.
- Tip: When purchasing upgrades on the app as a STP holder, you may see the “half-fare GA card”. You’re all good if you see this term.
- Tip: Don’t just catch the earliest trains that arrive. Using the SBB app, I prefer to choose journeys with less connections.
Cash / Taxis
For our 15-day trip, we only withdrew a grand total of 150CHF cash at an ATM at the airport. Take note the “no-fee” only work for bank ATMs. Skip the “Euro” machines which has an extra fee for every transaction. Everything else, we used our Amaze/YouTrip/Revolut/TransferWISE cards.
The cash was spent on public toilets (some of them even accept cards lol) and on taxi rides in Zermatt and Wengen. Those were the most expensive taxi rides in my life haha. It’s a fixed 25CHF one-way to and from the train station to our accommodation. And each ride was like 3 or 4 minutes, tops. But I could not have done without them with the amount of luggage I was carrying. The gravel footpaths in Wengen would have ruined the wheels.
Oh, the lockers at Lauterbrunnen train station accept only coins, whereas the bigger ones such as Lucerne accept cards. You can exchange your notes for coins at the rail offices.
- SBB App – If there’s one thing you need for your Swiss travels, it’s the SBB mobile app. I can’t imagine the work backend to allow such an app to run the way it did. A small tip is to click on the “train formation” tab, so you know which sector to wait for your train (so you wait at the correct class carriage).
- MeteoSwiss – Forget the weather app on your iPhones. The MeteoSwiss is what you want. Take some time to learn how to read the graphs.
Peaklens – This app uses augmented reality to label the mountains you are looking it. Just point your camera at the peaks and it will identify it for you. Strangers on the trains were impressed and I got asked about this quite a lot lol.
- Altimeter – Want to know your elevation at any point? This is the app for you.
- Too Good to Go – I snagged good deals and saved a pretty penny using this app. Some shops set aside some items that are not sold at end-day and sell it as a mystery package. You collect the package during a pre-determined half-hour slot near their closing hours. Judge for yourself from which store to get based on the ratings. For instance, we used it at Fleur De Pains in Montreux (smack at our hotel entrance) and it was super worth it. We got a huge sourdough loaf and an assortment of yummy pastries. All for 7.90 CHF! Fuss-free and friendly staff.
- Swiss Travel Guide App – There are some free coupons in there, such as a first class upgrades on boat rides, discounts on Schiltorn brunches and souvenir discounts. Check it out.
- Mountain webpages – Not an app per se, but its always useful to check the webcam before you go up. Almost every mountain attraction has its own webpage. This way, you can make better use of your time. If it’s cloudy, do something else. The clouds may clear in a few hours.
Must-haves
- Sunscreen, sunglasses (the sun can be merciless on train rides!) and perhaps hiking poles to navigate uphill terrain. Some of us wore sneakers which worked fine for our trip, but hiking shoes recommended for better grip.
- I found groceries and chocolates a little cheaper at Denner compared to Coop or Migros.
- When buying loose pieces of vegetables or fruits that are chargeable by weight, you may need to print out a sticker label on the weighing machine. Just find the corresponding item number and enter it into the scale. “Stucke” means “piece”, so you need not weight those.
- As we travelled in a large group, I printed out our STP QR codes on individual card-sized paper which I then laminated. So, when a conductor comes along, just one of us needed to fish out the cards for everyone, which made things a bite more efficient. One or two conductors found it too small to scan lol (should have made it bigger!), while the majority found it cute and I received many compliments for it. I did not come across any conductors who asked to verify my passport.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, I would like to thank all moderators and community here for helping me with my trip planning. I can only imagine how repetitive things may be when the same questions get asked again and again (I’m guilty as charged for doing the same!). I hope my sharing here is my small way of giving back. Thank you.
What a beautiful country Switzerland is and what a treat it is for me to spend 2 weeks there. It’s an eye-opener to see train schedules operate like clockwork, to witness the respect humans have for animals and nature through recycling efforts, and to experience the warmth of the locals who are always quick to greet you with a cheerful ‘Hallo’. I will not forget the sight of dandelions and wildflowers that bloom just about everywhere.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world would become religious overnight. We would be ecstatic, delirious, made rapturous by the glory of God. Instead the stars come out every night, and we watch television.
I count my blessings to have the opportunity to travel halfway around the world. But, for a local who is reminded of the magnificence of nature every day, I can’t help but to wonder in my rose-tinted glasses… how does this affect/influence their world views? Do the locals ever grow indifferent to the scenery?
The locals that we have met during our visit have been nothing but gracious, nice, and welcoming. But I also wonder if the influx of us tourists intrude into their spaces? After all, we share the trains with locals going about on their daily commute and add to the crowd. I can’t help but feel like I am intruding their communities when I stay in mountain chalets in Wengen, where silence and peace descends in the evenings, with only the gushing of the waterfalls humming in the distance. I do get a little conscious of the creaking of the wooden floorboards in the night, knowing I share the same abode with local residents. I guess things like the 5CHF selfie charge at the Iseltwald boat pier helps a little, but still… Would love to hear the insights from locals!
Are chalets passed down through the generations? Are the upkeep costs substantial? I didn’t come across of young people there… is it because they leave for big cities for work?
Phew! What a wall of text! Thanks for reading and happy travels! If you need any clarification from me, please ask!
Hello forwardhero,
A huge thank you. Thank you for sharing. What an amazing, genuine, sincere trip report. Very much appreciated. It will for sure, help others who visit our forum who are wanting tips on traveling here.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your report and seeing your photos – so happy you enjoyed your time in Switzerland and the Prestige Class – what a treat 🙂
Your kind words for our website/forum mean a lot. Thank you again.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
In prepping for our two week trip, I’ve read countless itineraries on several internet sites. Yours has been the most valuable, with details, useful tips, and guidelines that I’ve seen yet. Many thanks for taking the time and helping out a couple senior citizens on their first trip to Switzerland.
What a great trip report, I enjoyed every word of it. Thank you!
Forwardhero, thank you so much for your trip report; I read it all and thoroughly enjoyed it! It brought back wonderful memories of our trip to Switzerland one year ago. Your reference to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s comment and whether people living daily with such beauty take it for granted was very thought provoking. .Again, thank you. 😊
What a wonderful and comprehensive trip report. I enjoyed it immensely and although I have been to Switzerland many times I learned alot. I loved each and every one of your picutres. The blacknosed sheep in Zermatt are also one of my favorites. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Thanks everyone for your kind feedback! 😀
@PlymouthGus, you are in for an amazing time in Switzerland, and happy travels to you! What’s most amazing is that there is something for every one. Seeking for adventure? There’s paragliding. Looking to expend some energy? The hiking trails are waiting for you. If not, there are funiculars and gondolas to bring you about almost everywhere. The millions of visitors before us have refined trips here to be smooth and seamless experiences.. so, lucky us!
And thanks for all of your comments on my photos.. but fact is, they don’t do the beauty in real life any justice! Haha!
I just finished reading your wonderful trip report – thank you for taking the time to add so much detail and photos. In answer to your black nosed sheep question, the Julen family raise/house the sheep when they are not grazing. Here is a link to locate the sheep during the summer months via GPS tracking, so that you can find them if you want to spend some time with them: sheep.gornergrat.ch/en
Forwardhero,
I want to add my thanks for your selflessness in taking the time to produce such an amazing trip report. My first trip to Switzerland will be in September and the page of notes I took when reading your post will be added to our planning and will most assuredly add a great deal to our trip. Thanks again.
Hi forwardher,
I loved reading your trip report, and seeing the phenominal pics. As mentioned above, it brings back memories of my trip in Sept 2018.
In Montreux, about 6 – 7 doors down from your hotel was (and hopefully still is) a place called the Barrel Oak. An Irish pub, owned by a Pakistani fella, in the French speaking region of Switzerland. I spent my 55th birthday there, and this coming September I plan on spending my 60th birthday there as well, if it’s still there. Was wondering if you happened to wonder in there during your visit to Montreux.
I agree about words escaping you about Gornergrat. I was there as a child and it was fogged in, (it took about three days to see the Matterhorn) and couldnt see the beauty of it. But when I went, again, in 2018, it was perfect weather. I had visited the Glacier Paradise earlier in the day, and was fortunate enough to see the sun setting over the shoulder of the Matterhorn when up there at the Gornergrat. Simply spectacular. To use your words, “core memories”. It’s definitely one of the two highlights of my trip. I have attached a link of my trip report from then. Its a bit lengthy, but perhaps you may appreciate it having just been there.
Thanks again for staggering through your jet-lag to write such a beautiful trip report. I will be sending out another one myself, come late Sept/Oct, when I return.
Regards,
Danielsan
http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/part-1-of-triip-report
Wow! What a great trip you had! I enjoyed reading it and your photos. Thank you Forwardhero. My husband and I are planning for next year September. Thank you for the tip and for your itineraries report. A great help for us. We were thinking of car rental but by reading your report. The Train is way to go for us.
God bless you and I appreciate,
Karen
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