On the train to the Zurich airport after 5 magical days in Switzerland. Elza and I kept saying it was so weird to be in a place that was exactly how we imagined it, exactly what it looked like on the random Instagram feeds we followed to get excited, exactly like it looks in the movies. Switzerland is lovely.
- Logistical Recap:
- Jan 4th: Leave Paris and Train to Zermatt
- Transferred in Basel and Spieze
- Checked in to Mont Cervin Palace Hotel
- Jan 5th: Zermatt
- Exploration of Zermatt
- Gornergrat Train to Matterhorn Observation Tower
- Indoor Outdoor Pool Time
- Jan 6th: Zermatt
- Mike Ski’s in Switzerland and Italy
- Fondue Date for Mommy and Daddy
- Family Movie Night: Encanto (We loved it!)
- Jan 7th: Leave Zermatt Train to Luzern
- Checked in at Hotel Des Balance
- Fondue Dinner
- Jan 8th: Luzern
- Transportation Museum of Luzern
- Licht Festival Lucern
- Jan 9th: Leave Luzern fly to Norway
- Glacier Garden Lucerne
- Train to Zurich Airport
- Jan 4th: Leave Paris and Train to Zermatt
Highlights:
- Trains:/ Swiss Travel Pass: The rail system is awesome. We got a Swiss travel pass for the 5 days which means we could get on every train throughout the whole country without prebooking a ticket at all. It really was amazing and made travel so easy. The trains are really nice and so easy to navigate. We often had to transfer 2 or 3 times between cities, but it was always so easy to navigate. The pass also meant we got into museums throughout the country for free.
- Fondue: Fondue is awesome. I think I sort of knew that, but it is awesome. A melted bowl of cheese to dip bread in. I could eat nothing else and would be happy.
- The Alps: The Alps did not disappoint, not one bit. Everyday we found ourselves staring in awe at the beauty of the mountains as they served as the backdrop for everything. From my day on the slopes to our views at each hotel it was awesome. Mountains are cool!
- Hotels: The Mont Cervin and the Des Balance were both lovely. The rooms were so cute and both had views that were to die for. The staff were kind and helpful and left us wanting to stay longer.
- Pokémon Cards: Our kids had asked for Pokemon cards but really had not made a big deal about it. The all got a pack of cards and they have been such an amazing source of joy for them during train rides, plane rides and just generally.
- Food Exploration: I am so proud of our kiddos. All of them have tried new foods (Escargot, Crepes, Tiramisu, Fondue, Prosciutto, quiche, and 4 different types of sprite!). They have done so with a smile and honestly given the food a chance. On top of trying new foods they have just generally been flexible when food was different than expected. The ketchup that tasted a little different, or the pepperoni pizza that had spicy salami one day and ham the next, and the fried pork nuggets to name a few. Granted we have also eaten more chocolate in the last month then I thought possible, but regardless I am proud.
- Skiing: I don’t ski often (I actually don’t remember the last time), but I decided that I shouldn’t miss an chance to ski in the alps. It was every bit as amazing as I could have dreamed. I took lifts, and gondolas, and even trains to go to slopes in Switzerland and Italy. Blue skies, lovely peaks and groomed trails for days. I spent 5 hours by myself on the slopes and felt so grateful for it all. Grateful for my wife who gave me the space, grateful for my kids who both worried about me and were excited for my day, grateful for the hotel that made it so easy to navigate and the matterhorn ski pass which includes a detailed graph of your day of skiing and an awesome video of my awesome skills! https://www.skiline.cc/skimovie/crtk5
Love and Happiness to All! -Mike
