...live in Switzerland that is
note: all bold texts are clickable.
This is long over due and I finally got the inspiration to write about our Switzerland trip after rummaging through old digital photos.
Day 1.
We arrived in the early evening, but technically, it still counts as Day 1.
This trip was back in December 2010, when I visited Switzerland with the hubby (then boyfriend) as part of a group tour we booked an escorted guided tour (Cosmos). Going in, we expected Switzerland to be brutally cold, colder than the other European countries we had already visited that week. So imagine our surprise when it felt warmer. Not tropical, obviously, but noticeably milder than London. The hubby joked that we froze in London only to thaw in Switzerland, which felt like the wrong way around.
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| i'm in the land of toblerones! can i take this home, please?! |
We arrived in Lucerne just before nightfall, and our first stop was a shop selling Swiss watches and Swiss Army knives. Naturally, I had to get one...... well.... okay, three. I’ve always been a fan. I had one from a previous U.S. trip, but I lost it somewhere along the way. So buying one in Switzerland, just felt the right thing to do :P. The hubby also got me a Swiss watch, which I still wear to this day, usually when the outfit calls for a little extra polish.
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| view from the restaurant |
After checking in, dropping off our bags, and freshening up, we headed out to explore the city and find dinner. Armed with nothing but directions we half-remembered from the concierge (or as much as our brain can absorb after a long drive), we set off.
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| lucerne at night (the chappel bridge) |
As we wandered through Lucerne’s streets, we passed a well-dressed crowd, likely heading out for the night. The city felt incredibly clean and, even after dark, very safe. It was a noticeable contrast to places like Paris, where you’re a bit more on guard, all-the-time. But of course, it still pays to be cautious no matter where you are in the world.
After several stops, mostly because I kept setting up my tripod for long-exposure shots, we finally found an outdoor restaurant. If there’s outdoor dining, we’re in. The place was packed, which is usually a good sign. It was called Restaurant Pfistern.
We were seated right away and given blankets and hot water bottles for our laps. Such a thoughtful touch, especially as the temperature dipped near the water. I’m not sure if this is standard across Switzerland, but it definitely made an impression.
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| far to your right, outside, closer to the water, was where we were sitting... photo credits from the restaurant's website |
We weren’t particularly hungry, so we kept it simple and ordered cheese fondue. A nearby table, locals who kindly spoke English, recommended the Gorgonzola. We took their advice.
Soon, our fondue arrived, along with a warm sack of tiny potatoes (I think they’re called marble or baby potatoes) and bite-sized pieces of bread. We were ridiculously excited. I mean, cheese fondue, in Switzerland, in December. The foodie in me was quietly celebrating a full-blown victory. Sometimes it really is the little things.
After dinner, we lingered for a few more photos before heading back to the hotel. We had an early start the next day, so rest was non-negotiable.
Oh, and about that Gorgonzola fondue? Not our favorite. I love Gorgonzola in small doses (hello, Trader Joe's crackers), but as a full-on fondue, it was intense. Lesson learned.
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| (excuse the crappy photo) sitting just right outside the entrance enjoying my swiss fondue the bag on your right are the tiniest (warm) potatoes i've ever seen and tasted. |
Day 2.
We started the day early.....very early...... for our cruise on Lake Lucerne. But before we got to the water, our tour bus took us on a quick city drive around Lucerne.
One of our first stops was the Lion Monument (or Löwendenkmal). The monument honors the Swiss Guards who were killed in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace.
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| Löwendenkmal |
I couldn’t help but notice how Lucerne blends old and new so effortlessly, modern buildings sitting comfortably alongside traditional Swiss chalets. It felt like the past and present decided to be good neighbors.
It was drizzling that day, ergo, the very gloomy sky but that didn't dampen our spirits specially since we know our next stop would be a cruise on the Lake Lucerne. So we hopped on our chartered bus again, and we waited to be transported to the docking area, where a medium size boat awaits us.
It was breezy, very breezy. My hair had fully committed to chaos at that point. That’ll teach me to skip the scarf. But honestly, I didn’t even care. The air, the water, the mountains, it was all too beautiful to fuss over windblown hair.
And then….... ahh..... the moment.
The Swiss alps..
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| a dream come true, both literally and figuratively |
Seeing them up close stopped me in my tracks. Not just because they were stunning, but because they felt strangely familiar. I suddenly remembered a dream I had as a child. I must’ve been in elementary school. In that dream, I was standing in front of a massive white mountain, just staring at it. I didn’t know what it was back then, I had never seen anything like it.
And now, years later, there I was, staring at that exact same scene.
I get goosebumps, every time I think about it.
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| isn't that the most peaceful scenery ever (for me atleast) with the early morning light, the alps, the water |
The cruise eventually came to an end (way too soon), and we were off to our next stop, heading up into the Alps.
But first: more photos. Because obviously.....
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| view from the boat...towards the docking area |
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| Jesus Christ statue by Josef Vetter, a sculpture resembling Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but on a much smaller scale |
We made a quick stop at some shops, our last chance for souvenirs. For me, that meant the essentials: magnets, shot glasses, snow globes..... and snacks, because, you know, priorities.
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| the busy street |
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| the box says: luxemburgerli |
Finally, Mt. Titlis, here we come!
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| getting closer to our next destination |
Now, now, behave. Read it again. There’s an L in there. Tit-LIS. 😄
This was my second encounter with the Alps, but this time, up close and personal.
The drive itself was already breathtaking, but when we reached the base, the snow-capped peaks completely surrounded us. It felt like stepping into a postcard.
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| the parking lot itself is very scenic |
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| ...and here's a very crappy photo of my mt titlis ID pass with the cable cars in the background |
Getting to the top is an experience in itself. First, you take a smaller cable car. Then you transfer to the larger one, the famous Titlis Rotair, which slowly rotates as it ascends. Think of it as a moving observation deck in the sky. No matter where you stand, you get sweeping panoramic views of the mountains.
Isn't that awesome? Yep, I thought so too.
views because this rotates really slow....
There are really no words to describe the view and the experience we had while on top of Mt. Titlis so I'll just let the photos (and videos) do the talking.
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| view of the city below from the first cable car i think we were just 1/4 of the way when i took this photo that dark blue half rectangle to your left is a small, semi-frozen lake |
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| that's what the revolving Rotair looks like i took this photo from inside a cable car, while on the opposite side.. thank goodness for circular polarizer :P |
There are honestly no words that do it justice.
Mount Titlis sits at around 10,000 feet, and our guide warned us about possible dizziness due to the altitude. Sure enough, I felt a little lightheaded, but nothing dramatic. Just a reminder to slow down, breathe, and take it all in.
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| *sings* i'm on the top of the world looking down on creation... view of the tips of the alps while inside the cable car |
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| proof that I was there see that sign? I'm 10,000 feet high up! |
it was too cold and windy and i was feeling dizzy already so i stayed inside....
it was the hubby (then boyfriend, who took this video)
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| some swiss food i discovered while on top of mt. titllis at their cafeteria it's called birchemuesli (musli cereal) aka swiss cereal... i forgot how it tasted like so i'm guessing it's just so-so that's why i forgot :P |
and i'll end this blog with a favorite photo of myself on top of mt. titlis...
thanks for reading!  |
Trivia:
Did you know that Martina Hingis, one of my all-time favorite tennis players, is Swiss? Realizing that made this trip feel even more special
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