Discovering Switzerland: A Mother-Daughter Adventure
Switzerland has always been on my bucket list. My daughters and I spent months discussing various places we wanted to go and coordinating dates. Finally, we picked Switzerland for our mother-daughter trip.
Switzerland, though small (about the size of Michigan), offers many experiences. With just nine days to explore (minus travel time), we needed to narrow down our itinerary. Our wish list included green hills, turquoise lakes, and stunning scenery. Moreover, we wanted to experience Alpine hikes, cheese fondue, chocolate, outdoor activities, and shopping.
AI Assistance
What’s more, several friends who recently visited Switzerland shared valuable recommendations. Accordingly, we realized that seeing everything in nine days was impossible. For this reason, we turned to ChatGPT for help.
ChatGPT is an excellent tool for planning itineraries. The key is to give detailed questions. For this reason, we focused on top cities to visit. We stated we’d start and end in Geneva. This was to take advantage of the best business-class fares (thanks, Swiss Airlines!). ChatGPT suggested Geneva, Interlaken, Zurich, Zermatt, Bern, and Lucerne. Friends recommended Montreux, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen. Next, we asked ChatGPT to create a detailed plan for Geneva. We also included Montreux, Interlaken, and Zurich. ChatGPT provided the logical order for our travels.
We Have an Itinerary
With our itinerary set, we asked for recommendations on top hotels, restaurants, and attractions. The results were outstanding, with several options. In addition, we used Trip Advisor for reviews. We then compared hotel rates using American Express, Chase Sapphire, and Trip Advisor. It was surprising to see how much the rates varied. Of course, Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok provided great inspiration.
Switzerlanding
I stumbled upon the website Switzerlanding purely by chance. The content creator, Ashley, is an Australian who has become Swiss. Naturally, I subscribed to their newsletter because they offer valuable tips and recommendations, including hotels, restaurants, must-try foods, hikes, attractions, and off-the-beaten-path must-sees. As our first trip to Switzerland approached, I purchased their Interlaken guide. It proved to be highly detailed, informative, and reasonably priced.
The guide not only helped us choose hikes that suited our abilities but also highlighted the best attractions. Additionally, knowing that the hotel we reserved was one of Ashley’s recommendations was reassuring. Therefore, I highly recommend working with Ashley or purchasing his guides, especially since he is a local Swiss with extensive knowledge. Although we have read many blogs on Switzerland from other visitors, his recommendations are the most informative and genuine.
Accommodations
Once we had our itinerary, the next step was to book our hotels. I am big on credit card points, which I use for travel or cash reimbursement. By booking through my Amex, I could take advantage of monetary credits (we received a $100 credit at the hotels we stayed at) under their Preferred Hotel benefits. The package includes a room upgrade upon arrival (when available), breakfast for two, 4 p.m. check-out, noon check-in when available, and complimentary Wi-Fi. I also earned 5x points for prepaying for each hotel stay.
Our hotels were fabulous. The service was impeccable, and their restaurants were equally as good. We always book a junior suite for the three of us. The bathrooms were large and spacious, allowing us to get ready simultaneously with plenty of room for our toiletries, makeup, and hair appliances. Junior suites typically include a sofa, desk, and luxury beds.
My experience booking hotels often involved significant price differentials between Chase Sapphire Travel, American Express, Expedia, and Trip Advisor. I made a spreadsheet to determine the rate for the hotel we chose on each site to determine the best price and benefits. All of the hotels, except one, were booked through American Express.
Switzerland By Rail
Once we booked our itinerary, it was time to figure out our transportation from city to city. After much research, we chose the Swiss Travel Pass through SBB. Our best option was the 8-day flex pass, which allowed us to select our travel days and get free or half-off admission to many attractions. We upgraded to the first-class car, which was great, especially for boarding the train. The pass is valid for trains, buses, boats, and public transportation. We highly recommend this pass. Add the app to your phone and activate your pass daily. We were only asked for our tickets on three of our train rides. We even used it on the premium panorama trains.
Exploring Geneva in Three Days
Geneva is located on the shores of Lake Geneva and is surrounded by the Alps. It has a rich history and cosmopolitan vibe, with plenty of museums, and is also known for Swiss watches.
We stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel Des Bergues. The location was perfect for walking to Old Town and easy access to modern trams to visit other areas in the city. The breakfast buffet was a delicious way to start our day. We even saw Kelly Ripa one morning at breakfast! Our stay included two days at the front end of our trip and one day at the back end.
Places to see:
- Plainpalais: Known for its flea and farmer’s markets.
- Carouge: Geneva’s hipster neighborhood with local restaurants, cafes, and bars.
- Rue St. Joseph: Antique shops, clothing stores, and boutiques.
- Flower Clock and Jet d’Eau Fountain
Restaurants:
- White Rabbit: Serves brunch every day. We had avocado, salmon toast, eggs, foie gras, salads, and traditional brunch fare.
- Le Flacon Restaurant: Located in Carouge, the menu changes according to local fresh and seasonal produce.
- Il Lago: Michelin-starred restaurant in the Fairmont Hotel offering Northern Italian fare and exceptional wines.
- Auberge de Savièse: Located in the Pâquis district, it offers some of the best fondue and raclette.
Two Days in Montreux: Scenic and Cultural Delights
Home to the annual Montreux Jazz Festival and the Chillon Castle, Montreux offers stunning views of Lake Geneva. We stayed one night but had plenty of time to explore. We took the panoramic scenic train to Montreux, included in the Swiss Travel Pass. It provided the most stunning views we’d ever experienced.
We stayed at the Grand Suisse Majestic, a Marriott Autograph Collection property conveniently located across from the train station. The room was spacious and located in the heart of Montreux.
Places to visit:
- Chillon Castle: Admission is free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
- Freddie Mercury Statue: Commemorates his influence and connection to the town.
- Promenade: Lined with flowers, sculptures, and amazing views of the lake and mountains.
- Old Montreux: A narrow, winding path up a hill filled with boutiques, shops, cafes, restaurants, and incredible views.
Restaurants:
Restaurant Le Museum is an authentic Swiss restaurant in a historic building. We enjoyed cheese fondue and meat fondue.
Four Days In Interlaken: Where Adventure Meets Scenic Beauty
For our train ride to Interlaken, we took the scenic Glacier Express. The two-hour ride offered spectacular views. There was no additional cost to take the scenic train.
Interlaken was our base for day trips to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Mürren. It is between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland region.
A Five Star Stay
We stayed at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Interlaken’s luxurious five-star hotel. The stunning views of hang gliders and paragliders with the Swiss Alps in the background were terrific. The rooms are elegant and have wonderful amenities. We booked massages at their spa and then spent time in the most beautiful indoor pool I have ever seen.
Places to Eat
Victoria Jungfrau Hotel has many restaurants to choose from. We ate at several of their restaurants.
- La Terrasse Brasserie: Casual dining with beautiful decor and mountain views.
- Radius by Stefan Beer: A Michelin-starred restaurant with food made from ingredients sourced within a 50-kilometer radius.
- Ristorante e Pizzeria Sapori: Delicious Italian food. We had room service here.
Make sure to stop by the Funky Chocolate Club Switzerland, one of Switzerland’s best chocolate shops in Interlaken. We had fresh-cut strawberries covered in melted Swiss chocolate.
Day 1: Discovering the town of Interlaken
We walked around the town, enjoying the architecture, chalets, churches, and shops. You’ll find several shops carrying designer and Swiss watches. The Aare River, with its distinctive light green color, was spectacular.
Day 2: Our Day Trip to Lauterbrunnen and Mürren
We took a 45-minute train ride to Lauterbrunnen, a charming village with impressive waterfalls and mountain views. After walking the Staubbach waterfall path, we took a gondola to Mürren, a car-free mountain village with breathtaking views of the Jungfrau.
Day 3: Our Trip to Grindelwald
We took a scenic train ride to Grindelwald, a charming village known for outdoor activities. Despite cloudy weather, we enjoyed a gondola ride and tobogganing. The locals were friendly and accommodating, making our experience even more memorable.
Day 4: Our Last Day
Before leaving Zurich, there was more we wanted to see. First was our breakfast. Afterward, we spent the morning visiting the lakes before taking a scenic train to Zurich.
Zurich in 48 Hours: Culture, Cuisine, and Charm
We stayed at the Baur Au Lac, a family-owned hotel in the heart of Zurich. Our junior suite was spacious and charming, with a chocolate fondue setup and luxury bedding. We even cheered on the Swiss Futbol team in the quarterfinals of EURO 2024 at a local pub.
Places to see and do:
- Old Town: Wander through medieval buildings, shops, and cafes.
- Lindt Chocolate Factory
- Bahnhofstrasse: One of the world’s most exclusive shopping avenues
Places to Eat:
- Auberge de Savièse—We chose this rustic, chalet-like restaurant since we wanted fondue for our final dinner. It is known for its fondue and raclette.
- Marguita—Located on the hotel property, this outdoor restaurant changes with the season. We were fortunate to experience its summer decor and Mediterranean-inspired menu.
- Tritt Käse—Located in Viadukt Markethalle (a food market), this is where we grabbed the most amazing cheese and bread for a light lunch.
- Raclette Factory—We went to the Old Town location. Although it’s an unassuming restaurant, don’t let that deter you. Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish with melted raclette cheese poured over potatoes, pickles, and other specialties.
Final Thoughts: A Journey to Remember
Switzerland is a country of unparalleled beauty, where every corner reveals a postcard-perfect scene. From the serene shores of Lake Geneva to the majestic peaks of the Swiss Alps, our journey was filled with unforgettable moments and breathtaking views.
Every destination offered its unique charm. Traveling by train allowed us to witness the stunning landscapes, and each journey became a highlight. Switzerland exceeded our expectations in every way. We left Switzerland with hearts full of gratitude. Moreover, we plan on returning someday to discover even more of this enchanting country.
Read more about our Geneva, Montreux, Interlocken, and Zurich stays.
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