Switerland

Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Published on February 20, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Before taking my weekend trip to Interlaken, I knew there were other Swiss towns nearby I wanted to be sure to see. I had read a lot about Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen and decided I would take a day trip to both. I’m so happy I included this in my weekend itinerary. Both towns were charming and covered with the snow. I felt like I was walking through a winter wonderland… Swiss alps addition. A lot of people visit these towns in the wintertime for skiing and snowboarding. I was more interested in the short hikes and taking in the incredible views. Grindelwald was a thirty minute train ride from Interlaken. After spending a few hours in Grindelwald, I took another train to Lauterbrunnen which took another thirty minutes. Lastly, the train from Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken was the shortest, only fifteen minutes. Both of these towns were easy to see in one day from Interlaken.

Grindelwald Things to do:

Take the cable car to First and walk along the cliff walk once you make it to the top.
Hike from First to Lake Bachalpsee. Unfortunately since it was so snowy I wasn’t able to make this entire hike, but in the warmer weather it looks like a beautiful hike! Since I wasn’t able to take the hike, my friend and I just walked as far as we could and it was equally as beautiful to me.

Grindelwald Tips:

The cable car ride from town to First is 60 CHF and so worth it! The ride on the cable car is about twenty minutes and offers some incredible views all the way up. On the way up, it’s a bit crowded but on the way down, my friend and I had the cable car to ourselves!
I suggest bringing a packed lunch or snacks when visiting Grindelwald especially if you plan to spend a lot of time in the alps. While on First, there was two little food stations with mostly warm drinks. My friend and I brought along food we picked up at the grocery store before leaving Interlaken and ate at a picnic table outside one of the food stations.

Lauterbrunnen Things to Do:

Walk along the trials. There are several paths you can walk. My friend and I just kept walking on the road from the center of town and it took us pretty far on a path with gorgeous views.
Take pictures of the church. The town’s church is a popular photo because of the stunning view behind it. There are many different angles to get the perfect shot.

Lauterbrunnen Tips:

If you’re visiting Lauterbrunnen in the wintertime, we found that there were a lot of paths closed due to ice and falling rocks. I suggest walking along the main road, it takes you pretty far.
Try one of the many cafes in town. There were so many cozy coffee shops along the main road, all with a view of the Main Street and the mountains in the background.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Published on February 12, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck1 Comment

Over the weekend, a friend and I took a magical trip to Interlaken, Switzerland! Interlaken has been high on my bucket list for quite some time. Not only is it close to many charming Swiss towns, it is home to some of the most adventurous activities (especially in the winter). I had such a memorable weekend and I’m already looking forward to returning.

Interlaken Eats & Treats:

Brunch & Coffee: Velo Cafe
Dinner: Hüsi Bierhaus
Dessert: Funky Chocolate Club Switzerland

Interlaken Things to Do:

Paraglide. If you enjoy an adrenaline rush and a view from above, I highly recommend paragliding. It was one of the best experiences and one of the most memorable parts of my weekend.
Walk to Lake Brienzersee. There are two lakes surrounding the city of Interlaken but lake Brienzersee is more popular and easier to find. It’s about a forty minute walk from the city center and a relaxing spot to view the beautiful mountains. Lake Brienzersee is a great spot for pictures too, the water is so blue, most people refer to it as “the blue gatorade water.”
Take Day Trips. The train system in Interlaken is so easy and cheap to take short rides to neighboring towns. A lot of tourists take the train to other towns for skiing or snowboarding. If you’re like me, and would prefer to just explore other towns, I highly recommend visiting Grindelwald and Lauterburren. Each town was about 20-30 away from Interlaken by train.

Interlaken Tips:

If you want to see Interlaken’s other major lake, Thunersee, I suggest taking a bus. My friend and I tried to walk there from the city center and it took hours to walk and although it was pretty, it took much longer than we anticipated.
You can also take a bus to view Interlaken from above. When I went paragliding, we took a twenty minute bus ride up above the city center and the neighborhood above was so beautiful as well as the view.
A popular view of Interlaken is from Harder Kulm. Unfortunately, the train that takes you to the top is closed during the winter months. A path leads to the top but it takes two hours and I’ve heard it’s a bit too icy in the winter. This was something I was interested in but hopefully I’ll be able to visit Interlaken again in the warmer months!

A Weekend in Lugano, Switzerland

Published on June 19, 2017March 27, 2019 by Skylar M. Beck4 Comments

Happy Monday! I just returned from a weekend trip to Lugano, Switzerland. To me, Switzerland has always been a place that seemed amazingly beautiful and my expectations were not let down. Lugano was a heavenly sight. I chose Lugano because it is about an hour north of Italy’s border so from Rome, the train fares were not too expensive. I was fortunate to find an apartment rental through airbnb that was right on the Lugano Lake. If you are ever in Lugano, I highly suggest staying near the lake. Being by the lake was so relaxing, it felt like time stood still for the weekend. The central area of town was about a 10 minute taxi ride from my lake rental. In town, there is so much to do and amazing food everywhere! Make sure you try some Swiss chocolate ice cream or just Swiss chocolate!!