Tag: Switzerland

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  • Is St. Gallen Worth Visiting? – 10 Things To Do in St. Gallen, Switzerland

    Is St. Gallen Worth Visiting? – 10 Things To Do in St. Gallen, Switzerland

    St. Gallen, tucked in the northeast of Switzerland is an unassuming city with much more than meets the eye. With stunning architecture, medieval roots and a thriving university, St. Gallen has so much to offer the mini-breaker and day-trippers alike. So is St. Gallen worth visiting? Check out these 10 things to do in St. Gallen and see why we think it shouldn’t be missed.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    1.) Check Out the Cathedral

    The Cathedral of St. Gallen (or the Stiftskirche St. Gallus und Otmar) is a magnificent baroque behemoth. It is intimately linked to the founding of St. Gallen. In 612 AD, a monk from Ireland passed through the area. He would later be known as St Gall but I guess, at the time, he was just Brohter Gall. He was spreading the message of Protestantism, a less famous reformer than Martin Luther probably everywhere but here. This location “the green wilderness between Lake Constance and Säntis”, he decided, would be the perfect place to set up his hermitage. Over time, other people joined him and church after church was constructed on this spot. St Gall’s remains are now housed in the St. Otmar crypt under the high alter.

    The current cathedral, built in the 1750 and 60ss by architect peter Thumb (more on him later). It has stunning baroque interiors, white walls, unique turquoise stucco by brothers Johann Georg and Matthias Giglmouldings and incredible ceiling frescoes. painted by artist Josef Wannenmacher. Cherubs and angels throng the cathedral walls, there are around 800 to count.

    There are two other very cool things to look out for, and they originate from around 1400 years apart. If you walk to the right of the bars that separate the high altar from the rest of the naive, you will find an old bell tucked behind the giant colouring. This is said to be a bell brought from Ireland by St Gall. On the other side is the super shiny new font. It is beautifully reflective so you see the ceiling in it, as well as yourself.

    2.) Visit the Three Ponds

    Travelling from St. Gallen’s old town up to the Three Ponds (Drei Weieren), the Mühleggbahn is a steep, tunnelled funicular that takes just a couple of minutes to travel up the hill. It has been carrying passengers to the Three Ponds area for over 100 years (although the old water weight mechanism has been replaced and it is now electric).

    Turn left from the station and walk up the road and you will find yourself at the first of three large outdoor pools. These aren’t natural lakes, rather two of the ponds were created in the 17th century for use in the textile industry and as a water supply in case of fires in the city, They quickly became popular as a place for recreation so three more ponds were dug for swimming in summer and ice skating in winter. These days, there are facilities for the swimming club and plenty of spots for everyone else to enjoy the water. Oh, and don’t let the names Men’s Pond, Boy’s Pond and Women’s Pond deter you, the pools are for everyone. Even the name Three Ponds is deceptive as there are still four.

    Running alongside the ponds is an elevated walkway that provides stunning views across the city. Here you’ll find the Grand Tour photo spot, so you know its a good one!

    3.) Catch a Concert at St Lawrence Church

    St. Laurenzen is the city’s main Protestant church. It is a little overshadowed by the Cathedral next door but don’t skip on this gem. From its decorative tiled roof to the pretty stained glass, it is both introverted and extroverted (not to anthropomorphize it). There has been a church here since at least 12th century. This church was first built in the 1400s but it was renovated in the 1850s with a neo-gothic aesthetic. It feels quite modern inside. The church is only open for a couple of hours in the morning and a couple in the afternoon so make sure you factor this in for your visit. You can check opening times here. In summer, you can climb the tower for a lovely view of the old town around it.

    For something special, see if you can snag tickets to an organ concert here. The organ is very unusual. The original was installed in 1973 but three new sections were added in 2023 and the pipes are spread around the church’s interior. It gives any musical performance a surround sound quality.

    (If you love organs, don’t miss the Wurlitzer at Kirchgemeindehaus St. Georgen too. You’ll find it near the Three Ponds up on the hill.)

    4.) Mosey Through Museumstrasse

    Conveniently, St. Gallen has put three of its big cultural buildings along one street (no points for guessing what it’s called). If you are heading this way, expect a long morning or afternoon at the least.

    Kunstmuseum

    The St. Gallen Museum of Art has three floors of works, featuring both art dating back to the middle ages, and intriguing modern exhibitions. The Neo-Renaissance gallery has been open for over 140 years. You will find a focus on Dutch Golden Age so if that is of interest, be sure to hunt the still life paintings out. You will also have to keep an eye out for the works by Ferdinand Hodler, one of the only Swiss painters featured prominently. More to our taste were the interesting and provocative modern pieces on the ground and top floors, but these will change often so check what is on show during your visit.

    Kulturmuseum

    Both a city museum and a museum of eastern Swiss culture in general, this museum has a lovely selection of interesting galleries. It has stood here since 1921 when the collection of historical artefacts and art grew too large for one museum. Wandering the falleries takes you from the earliest days of St. Gallen, through the straight-laced Victorian era and those years that seem so tantalisingly close but a world away. Particularly worth seeking out are the historical rooms (a beautiful old bed, a barber shop and a school room for example) and the history of medicine.

    Konzert und Theater St. Gallen

    Finally, check out the program listings for the concert hall and theatre. You may not speak German but you may come across a music concert that tickles your fancy, and then the language barrier doesn’t matter.

    5.) Go Back in Time at the Abbey Library

    There is something distinctly magical about beautiful old libraries. We have seen a fair few on our travels but to the Abbey library in St. Gallen takes the prize for the most marvellous. This is a must do on our list of 10 things to do in St. Gallen. The Abbey Library is one of the oldest monastic libraries in the world and the entire collection is around 170,000 texts.

    Like something from a Disney fairytale, the wooden bookcases, intricate rococo carvings and dramatic ceiling frescoes give the library a dreamy quality. Wearing the fabric clogs over your shoes may spoil the magical feelings at first but once you are used to them and can start taking in the details of the room. Peter Thumb, an Austrian architect, constructed this room between 1758 and 1767. He is rightfully famous for his rococo work. His cherubs each watch over a bookshelf with a particular focus and are styled as such. The astronomy section has a cherub with a telescope above it, and

    As well as the permanent collection, they have a changing exhibition all based around a theme every season. We visited during the food and drink exhibition and this text had some choice words about my favourite boozy beverage.

    6.) Discover Fabric History at the Textile Museum

    St. Gallen has long been associated with fabric and especially embroidery. From delicate, individualised pieces to vast swatches of cloth, fashion may change but a stunning piece of embroidery will always be in style. The textile museum is part permanent exhibition, part fabric library, and part rotating art gallery. I’ll be real, I wasn’t convinced it sounded that interesting but actually, it’s a fantastic museum. Seeing what can be created with lace and embroidery is amazing and seeing pieces that date back all the way to the ancient Egyptians is crazy cool. There were several beautiful dresses tha I would have happily smuggled home.

    As well as these sections, there are a coupe of changing galleries. Here students from the attached fashion school have their work displayed. During our visit we saw an intriguing collectin of pieces all based around food waste, “All You Cannot Eat”. It was really good.

    7.) Savour the Tastes of Schlossli

    Schlossi has been a really popular option for fine dining in St. Gallen since it opened in 2005. It is located in a castle building that dates back to 1580s! Luckily now, they have a lift. You can dine with a large group of friends for a fun special occasion or request one of their adorable tables perfect for date night. Just look at the gorgeous nook we had!

    They have plenty of options but for a brilliant look through St. Gallen’s ties to the world of fashion, opt for the Textile Gourmet Menu. Each course comes with a story, a chapter in the city’s history, which accompanies a selection of dishes which range from Japanese to distinctly local. The server will talk you through how each relates to St. Gallen as they serve the accompanying wine. Each course is fantastic and it is fun to try local specialities like the blue potato and liqueur that adorns the pears in the dessert.

    8.) Look Out for the Old Town Architecture

    Apparently, you can always spot a tourist because when they walk down the road, they look up. Well, we highly encourage you to do just that in St. Gallen. There is some rather fantastic architecture that you shouldn’t miss.

    St Gsllen’s position as the place to get beautiful embroidery means a fair amount of money was flowing into the city. That means there was some spare cash to show off. The city is full of these markets of wealth. The most obvious of these are the Oriels, decorative enclosed wooden balconies protruding from the building fronts. These often have depictions of the trade of the occupants on them and there are 111 throughout the Old Town to spot. Then there are carved stone facades and statues, including these impressive carved heads on 54 Neugasse, that speak to the global trade the city was doing. Just keep your eyes on the buildings above you and see what you can capture.

    9.) Grab a Seat in the City Lounge

    Sometimes called the Red Square, the city lounge in St. Gallen is a rather unique public spot. The floor, tables and chairs are bright red as if someone has gone mad with the Heinz. The integrated urban space and soft lines give the impression that a large red carpet or duvet has been spread across the area. Then, if you look up, there are some fun rainbow bubbles. Pipilotti Rist, a Swiss artist collaborated with architect Carlos Martinez to create the installation back in 2005 and it is a popular if slightly unexpected addition to the city.

    10.) Have the Cutest Lunch Date with a Fondue Backpack

    Kundig Feinkost have served St. Gallen with the best cheeses for almost 100 years. The counter and fridges are stuffed with French, Spanish and local cheesy treats. You could just stop in for a slice or seven but for the coolest lunch in St. Gallen, you’ve got to try their fondue backpack.

    Once you hand over a CHF deposit, you will be given a backpack that is full of everything you need to make a fondue in the great outdoors. We chose to picnic up at the Three Ponds but you can pitch up anywhere that accepts grills. Ask them for some recommendations.

    In the rucksack, you will find;

    • A picnic blanket/sheet.
    • A packet of fondue cheese mix (with the wine in it already) .
    • A half bottle of white wine with glasses.
    • Fresh bread.
    • A fondue pot and forks.
    • The burner with lighting fluid and matches.

    You just set up your picnic, light the burner and set the fondue mix melting. It took us a while to light it as we picked somewhere a little too windy, but once it was going, it didn’t take long to get the ooey gooey fondue goodness going. It was the cutest and most fun way to enjoy a fondue. Plus, it was very slightly cheaper than having one in a restaurant and you can always take a few more of your own drinks or other treats.

    Information About Visiting St. Gallen

    The best way to travel to St. Gallen is by rail. There is a direct train to Zurich that takes 1-1.5 hours. However, for the most scenic route, hop on the Voralpen-Express from Lucerne. You will sweep past glittering lakes and the rolling foothills of the Alps. Arriving in the shiny new station entrance, remember to look to your right and see the original station building.

    We stayed at Sorell Hotel City Weissenstein during our visit to St. Gallen. This urban boutique hotel was very sleek but had some really fun touches. We loved the funky mural in the reception/breakfast room and the huge apartment-style rooms. They have huge beds that are super comfortable and room to swing a lion (or any big cat). It is just five minutes from the station and a ten minute walk into the Old Town.

    Final Thoughts on 10 Things to Do in St. Gallen

    St. Gallen was a delightful surprise. When you hear that a city was in the textile industry it may conjure up visions of big, grey factories in a faceless town but there is history, fun and beauty here. If you are doing a tour of Switzerland, it should definitely be on your bucket list.

    Rosie xx

  • The 10 Best Scenic Trains in Switzerland to Take with a Swiss Travel Pass

    The 10 Best Scenic Trains in Switzerland to Take with a Swiss Travel Pass

    Switzerland is the most beautiful country. Rolling green meadows, snow-capped peaks and azure lakes abound. Criss-crossing the gorgeous landscape is an incredible transport network. Efficient and well organised, it is the gold standard and leading the way are the trains. Pretty views, incredible destinations and unusual carriages make these the 10 best scenic trains in Switzerland.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    What is the Swiss Travel Pass?

    Travelling around Switzerland by train is easy but it isn’t always cheap. There are a few different passes on offer, including the half-fare card and Interrail/Eurail passes which will help. However, for the best flexibility and coverage, we love the Swiss Travel Pass. As well as trains throughout Switzerland, it includes trams, boats and buses as well as entry to over 500 museums. It can be incredible value if you use it wisely.

    What to know more? Check out what we LOVE about the Swiss Travel Pass here.

    The 10 Best Scenic Trains in Switzerland (In No Particular Order)

    A Quick Note About the Golden Pass

    Running between Montreux on the shore of Lake Geneva and Interlaken/Zweisimmen, the Golden Pass Line has three trains on this list. Each train traverses a lakeside hill above Lake Geneva, which glistens gently below. Then meander through green or snow-blanketed hills and picturesque villages with steep valley sides rising up to either side. It is one of the cutest routes in Switzerland and three super trains run on this route (number 1, 2 & 3 on this list).

    1 – Golden Pass Panoramic

    The first of our Golden Pass options is not the prettiest on the inside. However, it is not the inside we are concerned with. Each carriage has large windows, with extra panoramic windows on the roof to extend the views up to the surrounding peaks, and sky beyond. It is modern and comfortable but with a slightly plasticky feel.

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    For an extra special treat (and an extra fee) you can pay to sit at the very front of the front carriage. The driver sits above this area so riders gets a view of tracks ahead of them and to both sides. This is very immersive, incredibly novel and if you speed up your videos, looks like a very scenic rollercoaster. It even has windscreen wipers, something I have never experienced on a train!

    2 – Belle Epoque

    Boasting the same beautiful lakeside switchbacks, and sweeping valley views as the Golden Pass Panoramic, the Belle Epoque train has carriages to rival the superb views outside. The interior is designed to recreate the magic of vintage train travel. The wooden accents and turquoise brocade finishings are warm and inviting, with a clean but vintage vibe. It feels so luxurious.

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    The best part is that this train does not cost a penny more than the normal train. You need to check the schedule. You can reserve a seat for €9, or thereabouts, but we found that all the reservations were in one carriage. The next carriage along was empty so it may not be worth it unless it is peak season.

    3 – Golden Pass Express

    The third of our Golden Pass trio is the newest of the three. The Golden Pass Express is a modern and ingenious train. Whereas you need to change at Zweisimmen on the previous two Golden Pass trains, on the Golden Pass Express you can travel directly through to Interlaken. This is due to the undercarriage wizardry. When the track gauge changes at Zweisimmen, the wheel bogeys extend along with it. If you are seated in the extremely luxurious Prestige Class, there are screens where you can watch it happen.

    For a full review of the Golden Pass Express Prestige Class, CLICK HERE

    4 – Bernina Express

    Taking passengers across the Swiss/Italian border several times a day, the Bernina Express is the most famous train that runs on this track. It travels up from the foothills to the Swiss mountains above through the Bernina pass. There are striking valleys views and cute towns to peer nosily through.

    The most famous section of the track is something we all tried to create with our wooden Brio train kits as kids. The Brusio Spiral Viaduct (also known as the circular viaduct), sends the train around a 360° loop as it climbs or descends depending on which way you are travelling. The viaduct is 110 metres long and was built to minimise the slope of the tracks here, whilst avoiding the tedium of switchbacks.

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    Although the Bernina Express runs between Switzerland and Italy, you can hop off at Campocologno if you have a Swiss only rail pass. Disembark here before catching the return journey.

    5 – Gornergrat Bahn

    Hauling tourists from Zermatt up to the Gornergrat for over 100 years, the Gornergrat Bahn is a highlight of any trip to the small resort town. This is the highest open rack rail (cog rail) train in Europe climbing from from Zermatt station at 1,620m up to its top station at 3,089m. The trip takes 33 minutes and has gradients of up to 20%.

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    You can pay for priority boarding on the Gornergrat Railway. This is around CHF 7 and is 100% worth it if you want fantastic photos. Either way, try and snag seats on the right-hand side of the train as you face forward. for stunning Matterhorn views.

    6 – Jungfrau Railway (With Some Extras)

    There are two ways to reach Jungfraujoch. We think it’s worth going both ways for some fantastic trains views (as well as a rather super cable car). First, hop on a Wengernalp Railways train to Lauterbrunnen (this in itself is a very pretty little train ride). If you can, spend an hour marvelling at the gorgeous waterfalls that tumble towards the valley floor.

    From here, head for Kleine Scheidegg. Here you can switch to the original Jungfrau Railway train to take people up to the Jungfraujoch station. The train passes through the valley and plenty of waterfalls before it curves around the pretty car-free village on Wengen. Then you will find it cranking slowly uphill and into a tunnel that ends at the Junfraujoch station, Europe’s highest station. For this leg, you are going to want to be on the right side of the train as it is facing forwards.

    On your way back, the train (Jungfrau Railway) is in a tunnel 99% of the time but it stops at Eismeer Station, down at 3,159m. It has windows with a fabulous view of the Ischmeer (Ice Sea) … or so we hear. The day we visited, the clouds were inpenetrable.

    The train temrinates at Eigergletsher Station which has a fun outdoor terrace and from here, you can catch the swanky new Eiger Express cable car down to the popular town of Grindlewald. From there, you can hop back on the cure blue and yellow train down to Interlaken.

    7 – Glacier Express

    I was thinking of doing a “saving the best for last” moment with the Glacier Express but there are a couple of things people dislike about this iconic train journey…but more on that later.

    Commonly known as “The slowest express train in the world”, the Glacier Express takes eight hours to wind its stately way between St Moritz and Zermatt. The slow pace is intentional, allowing people to soak in the sumptuous views. For slightly more than half of the year, snow surrounds the higher sections of tracks but even in summer, it caps the mountains around. As you travel 180 miles between Zrematt and St Moritz, the tracks travel over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels. Countless gorgeous valleys appear below you and then rise up above. The Schöllenen Gorge will take your breath away, the Landwasser Viaduct is utterly capitivating and the Oberalp Pass, right up at 2,033 m, is the crowning glory of the route.

    The most obvious drawback for some people is the price. Although your ticket is covered by your Swiss Travel Pass, you do still need a seat reservation. As many people’s dream trip is sitting in Excellence Class, the £500ish reservation fee can put some people off. The good news is, the views are the same from every carriage so you can definitely just spend enough to sit in second-class and have a lovely time.

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    If the expensive Excellence Class is a little out of your budget, (as it is ours), don’t fret! You can bring a picnic on board and enjoy your own food and drink throughout the trip. This means if you really want to sit and sip a bottle of bubbly, you can! Just remember to bring your own glasses. 

    8 – Vorelpen Express

    The Vorelpen Express travels between Lucerne in central Switzerland to St Gallen in the east every hour. This is the slowest way to connect between these two cities. Going via Zurich and switching trains is actually about 20 minutes quicker, but we are here for a relaxing time. It meanders through the low-lying foothills of the “pre-Alps” and skirts pretty lakes. The modern copper/orange Traverso trains lack the panoramic windows of many of these scenic trains, but they do have nice big windows so the views are still great. Some particularly picturesque sections include the glittering Lake Lucerne with Pilatus rising beyond, Mount Rigi and rolling green of the Toggenburg. Finally, just outside St Gallen, the train crosses the 99m high Sitter Viaduct, the highest train bridge in Switzerland…and that’s saying something.

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    Don’t miss the “bistro car” which, rather than being a person behind a counter, is comprised of a couple of vending machines. One serves hot drinks, and then other cold drinks and snacks.

    9 – Zurich to the Rhine Falls

    As this train journey from Zurich to Schaffhausen trundles through the grey outskirts of the city you will assuredly be wondering why it on the list of best scenic trains in Switzerland. That’s fair, suburbs are rarely stunning. The scenic section comes right before you arrive at Neuhausen Rheinfall, 50 minutes and 23 miles later. The train line edges its way up the Rhine river at its most dramatic point. You are going to get wonderful views across the Rhein Falls, Europe’s biggest waterfall.

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    Make sure you are sitting on the right as the train is facing forward for the view.

    Full disclosure, we haven’t taken this train to Rhine Falls, but have some some of the route on another trip and got to see the view in the museum at the Rhine Falls.

    10 – Luzern–Interlaken Express

    It is a lesser-known panoramic train so you will find it much easier to find a seat, and may even have a section all to yourself. The route is plied by swanky modern trains with roof windows, giving lovely views of the valleys it passes through. There are two main sections to this route, one traverses pretty green hills and cute villages. The other curves around the edge of the stunning, milky turquoise Lake Brienz. If you get peckish, there is a bistro car in the middle of the train which serves food and drinks all day.

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    Both sides of the train will have fab views during the train ride so there is no need to scramble for seats. If you are departing from Lucerne, Lake Lucerne and Lake Alpnach will be on the left but then the best views switch for the rest of the journey. If you have room in the carriage, you can hop seats but if not, opt for the right. (The train switches direction during its journey but don’t move at this point, you are still in the right seat).

    Final Thoughts on the 10 Best Scenic Trains in Switzerland

    After two extensive trips through Switzerland by train, I can confidently say I am hooked. The seamless travel and fantastic pass options make travelling a breeze. Thus far, these are the 10 best scenic trains in Switzerland that we have taken, but there may be some more hidden gems. The Gotthard Express and Brienz-Rothorn Railway for instance…we will have to return to try and find them!

    Rosie xx

  • Is the Swiss Travel Pass Worth It? – 7 Reasons to Choose a Swiss Travel Pass

    Is the Swiss Travel Pass Worth It? – 7 Reasons to Choose a Swiss Travel Pass

    The Swiss Travel Pass is an amazing way to see Switzerland using public transport. It is the ultimate pass over and above the other pass options on offer. However, it doesn’t come cheap. So is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it? Here are 7 reasons to choose the Swiss Travel Pass.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    What is the Swiss Travel Pass?

    The Swiss Travel Pass is the ultimate addition to any Swiss adventure. It allows the holder to travel on buses, boats, trams and trains throughout Switzerland. You can opt for first or second class (obviously, we are first class kids these days). There are two variations of The Swiss Travel Pass:

    • The Swiss Travel Pass – The Swiss Travel Pass can be used on consecutive days (3, 4, 6, 8 or 15). Be sure you have big journeys planned on these days, or a big discount on a trip up a mountain planned to ensure it is good value every day.
    • The Swiss Travel Pass Flex – The Flex pass can be used for the same number of days (3, 4, 6, 8 or 15) but at any time within one month. It costs more but means you can split the expensive journeys up and relax between them.

    7 Reasons to Choose the Swiss Travel Pass

    1 – The Swiss Travel Pass Provides Plenty of Flexibility

    The best-laid plans of mice, men and tourists often go awry…that’s the poem, right?

    Happily, not being tied for certain trains means you have a bit more leeway. If you miss a train, no dramas, you can hop on the next one. In fact, in St Gallen, we left so much contingency time to walk to the station that we were on time for the one before…so we got that. No faffing changing tickets or having to bag a train conductor to accept a different train time, we just hopped on and flashed our pass when the tickets were checked.

    Of course, there are trains you will want or need to reserve but day to day, you have so much more flexibility.

    2 – The Swiss Travel Pass Doesn’t Just Cover Trains

    The Swiss Travel Pass doesn’t just get you passage on the trains of the country. These will probably be the primary way you travel around Switzerland, and it’s the main way to make The Swiss Travel Pass worth it, but you can use other forms of transport too.

    Trams, some funiculars and boats too are all included! It’s such fun discovering new ways of getting around. For example, when we visited Aare Gorge from Interlaken, we caught a train and bus from Interlaken. However, on the way back, we travelled on the boat that crossed Lake Brienz from Brienz to Iseltwald, had a little look around and then caught a different bus back to Interlaken. It was much more exciting and being on the water, in the sun just makes it feel so much more like an adventure.

    3 – The Swiss Travel Pass Includes Amazing Scenic Trains

    Some of Switzerland’s most iconic trains are included on the Swiss Travel Pass. The country is crisscrossed with the most beautiful train journeys, carving through picturesque valleys, skirting glittering lakes and climbing over mountain passes. The most renowned routes have panoramic trains which extend the views up to the mountain peaks. All you need to travel on these, you only need a Swiss Travel Pass. You can pay for a reservation for some but you don’t have to. (If you are travelling in high summer and want a window, you might want to).

    When it comes to the two biggest hitters, the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express, you just need to pay the reservation fee in your fare class. Travelling on these two trains alone will cover the cost of A three day pass so it is absolutely worth it if this is part of your Swiss trip.

    Check out our reviews for the Bernina Express and Glacier Express trains here.

    4 – The Swiss Travel Pass Also Includes Museums

    If you love museum hopping, and discovering those small and charming museums that every town seems to have, then you are going to be thrilled with your Swiss Travel Pass. It includes free or discounted entry to around 500 museums, galleries and historic buildings. To find a full list, check out the Swiss Museum Pass website here. Some of our favourites were:

    • St Gallen’s Museumstrasse has three big museums that are all included so you can spend most of a day popping in and out, soaking up culture along the way. You can also access the absolutely beautiful Abbey Library which is worth travelling to St Gallen for.
    • Lucerne has some weird and wonderful museums (especially the Glacier Garden and nearby Bourbaki Panorama) which are included. However, the Swiss Museum of Transport or Verkehrshaus der Schweiz is not. You will get 50% off with the pass though.
    • In Montreux, Chateau Chillon is included. This medieval castle right on Lake Geneva is so imposing and interesting.
    • Sadly, we missed the Matterhorn Museum in Zermatt but we have heard great things!
    • Zurich has a fair few museums included. The Swiss National Museum in Zurich is interactive and you can lose half a day there for sure. A couple of other notable museums included are the FIFA Football Museum, the Swiss Finance Museum (more interesting than it sounds).
    • Finally, head to Gruyere where you can visit both the Maison du Gruyere (the cheese museum) and the castle in the medieval town. It is the perfect cheesy day trip!

    Just remember, it has to be a travel day to use the pass so if you are excited to visit a certain museum, ensure you are travelling early or late that day to allow plenty of time.

    5 – The Swiss Travel Pass Grants Access to Discounted Mountain Excursions

    One of the most popular things to do in Switzerland is hop on a cable car or railway and go up. Viewpoints, mountain visitor centres and fun activities galore are on offer at the top of several famous mountains. These are not cheap excursions though. Happily, the Swiss Travel Pass gets you up to 50% off at many of Switzerland’s funiculars, cable cars and mountain railways.

    • If you are planning to visit Jungfraujoch from Interlaken Ost for example, travelling up by cable car and train, and coming back via the older trains, you are going to save CHF 76. It goes from 223.80 to 147.80. That’s not insignificant!
    • To reach Pilatus, near Lucerne, you can get to the funicular station for free. Then, to head up on the cogwheel railway and back down on the cable car, you are going to save CHF 39 (78 to 39).
    • Harder Kulm in Interlaken comes down 50% from CHF 38 to CHF 19.

    You can see that travelling into or out of the area on the same day as making one of these large savings, really bumps up the value of the pass.

    6 – The Swiss Travel Pass is Good for Budgeting

    Switzerland is an expensive country so anything you can do to help you plan your financials is a good idea. You are quickly going to find yourself spending more than planned unless you really sit and make a budget. Paying for the pass is a big layout initially but once you have paid for your Swiss Travel Pass, it is settled. It doesn’t have to cost you an extra penny for transport around Switzerland unless you are planning to pay for reservations.

    7 – The Swiss Travel Pass Gives You Spontaneity

    The possibility of taking fun day trips and side quests is greatly increased when you feel like you want to make the most of your Swiss Travel Pass.

    Found a great deal on Too Good to Go that is about to end a tram ride away? Had a sudden craving to capture a photo at a famous viewpoint before the sunset or visit a museum before the last entry? No dramas! The Swiss Travel Pass has it covered and doesn’t cost you a penny more. If it starts raining, your feet are freezing or you are just really tired, you can board a nice warm, dry bus or tram at the last minute without stressing about the added cost. Now, I know that many hotels and hostels give you a pass to use local transport when you check in but getting to your accommodation in the first place can be a chore, and it doesn’t cover as many options as the Swiss Travel Pass does.

    We were in Montreux and found out that the Gruyere annual cheese festival coincided with our visit. Well, this gave us the chance to try both the Belle Epoque (the 1930s style train) on the way up and the GoldenPass Panoramic train on the way back and it didn’t cost us anything. We may not have done the trip if we had to pay for each of those trains individually and just stayed put in Montreux. Similarly, we found a fun wine tasting around the lake from Montreux and could just hop on the train to get there.

    Final Thoughts on Why to Choose the Swiss Travel Pass

    So is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it? Definitely! If you can afford it, you should absolutely be picking up a Swiss Travel Pass. It is going to make your trip to Switzerland so much more enjoyable and if you use it well, you can get great value from it too. Next time we are in the country, I will be clutching mine, ready to see more of stunning Switzerland!

    Rosie xx

  • Riding the Rails – A Bernina Express First Class Review

    Riding the Rails – A Bernina Express First Class Review

    We have had the pleasure of arriving into Switzerland by train and by plane. Both were perfectly nice, but taking the Bernina Express from Italy to St Moritz was an experience! If you are planning to take the same journey then read on for our full Bernina Express First Class review.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    The Bernina Express

    The Bernina Express travels from Tirano in Italy, on a steady 7% gradient up to the Swiss Alps. We caught the train up to St Moritz which takes around 2.5 hours but you can travel to Chur which will take around 4. (Thats “Cor” like door rather than “Chur” like her). This route was electrified in the 1920s and have been carrying happy travellers ever since.

    If you would rather watch our YouTube video about the experience, it is below (or you can do both).

    A Milan Stopover

    The night before our Bernina adventure, we flew into Milan. This was a late night flight so we did a quick self check in to our hostel and got a decent seven hours kip.

    It was just a 15 minute walk in the morning to catch our Trenord train from Milano Centrale up into the valley that lies between Italy, Switzerland Austria.

    Route: Milano Centrale – Tirano

    Train No: 2818

    Train Time: 09:20 (actually 09:24) – 12:05

    Even this train ride was lovely. Sure it passed some grey factories and uninspired suburbs, but then we left north Milan and hit the lakes. I don’t know why it hadn’t occurred to me sooner, but the train line runs up past Lake Lecco and Lake Como. The train was quite busy but nearly everyone bundled off at
    Varenna Esino, trying to trundle their wheeled suitcases across the tracks.

    TOP TIP: For the best views of the water, sit on the left side of the train, as you are facing forward.

    An Unexpected Stop

    We pulled into Tresenda, the second to last stop before Tirano, everyone disembarked. We weren’t paying an awful lot of attention to be honest, until the train guard came down and gave us a quizzical look. This is where the train terminated, not Tirano. She gave a heavy sigh, enquiring as to where we purchased our tickets. When we said The Trainline, she gave a knowing nod and informed us that this has been a common problem. The train hadn’t been going all the way to Tirano for a while.

    We dashed along the platform, following the last couple of stragglers as they turned the corner and made their way to a small waiting bus. I was in slight panic mode. Google told us that this bus was going all around the houses and would give us just a minute or two between its arrival and the Bernina Express departing. Thankfully, Google had no idea that this was in fact a rail replacement bus and it got us there, in just over 10 minutes.

    Tirano Station

    We made it to the station with time to run to the nearest supermarket. Switzerland has much higher food prices in Italy so we wanted to stock up on food and snacks for the next few days. We picked up crisps, biscuits, prosciutto, a couple of Aperol Spritz bottles, some Prosecco cans (or so we thought), a red pepper, smoked cheese, bread, and breakfast bars. Stocked up and feeling full of adrenaline, we hot-foot it back to the station with another ten minutes to spare. Less wound-up passengers thronged the square outside and I envied their relaxed demeanour, many having just emerged from the nearby restaurants full and happy.

    Route: Bernina Express, Tirano – St Moritz

    Train No: 974

    Train Time: 13:17 – 15:45

    After all the drama, we arrived back at Tirano station before our train arrived into the platform. Everyone bundled onboard as soon as the train doors opened. Luggage stowed, seats located and excitement high, the train pulled away.

    We travelled on the Swiss Travel Pass. Check out what we LOVE about the Swiss Travel Pass here.

    The Carriage

    At first glance, the seats look a little like normal train seats, rather than the fancy ones you may be expecting. I think it is the dark grey that makes them feel a tiny bit commuterish. They are very comfortable, however, so don’t let the colour put you off. In second class, there are two sets of four seats so you will be sat next to or opposite people you don’t know if you are in a couple. In first class, you will find sets of two opposite tables of four. If you both want a window seat then book early.

    Mind you, everyone still has a good view as the Bernina Express has the most glorious panoramic windows. They stretch up and over the carriage in one large pane of glass, rather than the separate roof windows you will find on many other routes. These give an incredible view and we loved them.

    On the small tables, everyone had a map (actually, it was printed ON the tables) and a small leaflet about the journey. I wish we had looked at this sooner as we found a link to an audioguide and we didn’t see it until it was almost time to get off. I love an audio commentary so this was silly of us.

    The Food and Drink

    Each table is provided with a menu of snacks, and drinks available to purchase. The prices were a little steep for Italy but rather good for Switzerland so I guess you just have to even it out mentally.

    However, you are allowed to bring your food and so most people were having picnics. After our rather rushed food shop, we accidentally picked up the sparkling red wine rather than the Prosecco we were aiming for, but we still poured the cans into our plastic champagne flutes and toasted the journey whilst munching on peanut crisps, bread cheese and ham.

    After our stop, everyone was presented with a small tin, made up to look like the Bernina Express’ iconic red trains. A quick flip over and I saw the Lindt logo. The tin contained Swiss chocolate hearts and they fueled us through the rest of our Swiss adventure (one a day for dessert). We also had a small carton of iced tea. It seemed to be camomile, alpines herbs and mint. It tasted just like my step-mum’s ice tea and I loved it!

    The Viaduct

    The Brusio Spiral Viaduct was my highlight. As a girl that spend many an hour creating similar structures with a wooden Brio set, it was astonishing. Built in 1908, the 110m long viaduct takes the train round 360 degrees and raises it up a whopping 70m! Originally, a spiral tunnel was planned but I am so glad that they went with the open structure. It is strangely alluring and the curve suits the meandering valley.

    The Views

    The full journey covers 144 kilometres (around 90 miles), goes through 55 tunnels and across 191 bridges. The Bernina Pass is a UNESCO World Hertiage Site so you know its going to be gorgeous. We passed through villages, and soared above them on viaducts. Bright blue lakes, green meadows and dark pine trees slipped by as we gazed through the windows.

    THREE TOP TIPS:

    • They do say that from Tirano the best views are on the right, and from Switzerland they are are on the left. However, you can’t see the direction of travel when you are booking so this is a bit tricky to sort out ahead of time. Maybe pop across if you find some free seats on your favourite side. We were on the left and I can confirm that we spent a fair amount of time gazing through the other side. Either way, try to nab seats towards the centre of carriage as this will give you the broadest view.
    • The excellent curved panorama windows in first class dont open, obviously, but head backwards and at the end of the train you will find a little vestibule. Here you can open the windows and catch unobstructed view as well as seeing backwards along the tracks.
    • On the older trains, you miss out on the panoramic windows but the smaller windows do open halfway. If you are doing a return journey then travel one way on the older trains and capture all your photos. Then you can relax and just enjoy the views on the newer one on the way back.

    Alp Grüm

    Just before we head up into the Bernina Pass, there was a stop called Alp Grüm. Here, everyone could get out and take in the views whilst stretching our legs. It was a bit cold and windy so it was a bit of a struggle to stay out for the full fifteen minutes without a coat (I really should have popped back on b oard and grabbed it but I was over-excited). To the south we could see a gorgeous valley and the beautiful glaciers beyond.

    St Moritz

    Knowing that we were now up in the mountains, we bundled up enthusiastically before disembarking. Everybody else seemed to dive off the train and were long gone by the time we stepped onto the platform. I revealed to unenthusiastic Mr Fluskey that we were half an hour’s walk from the hostel on the other side of the lake. However, he reminded me that the Swiss travel pass doesn’t just cover trains, but buses too! There was a bus that would take us right to the front door of the hostel and so we gratefully hopped on.

    After checking in, I thought it would be nice to take a walk around the lake and see what Saint Moritz had to offer. It was a beautiful walk if a little grey. When we reached town, we took several escalators up to the main area above the lake, but it was, like a ghost town. We were quite tired from our day of travel so we decided to bail that same bus once again back to the hostel.

    We made some dinner and watched Celebrity Race Across the World as we munched our way through it. Budget travel mode was activated. Leftover Wagamama noodles, one packet of cheap ramen, overpriced hummus from the co-op in St Moritz and a single red pepper from Italy made up our first backpacker dinner. Ah Switzerland, you humble us all.

    The Swiss Travel Pass

    The Swiss Travel Pass is the ultimate travel companion in Switzerland. It allows you hop on and off buses, trains, boats and trams throughout the country. There are two main kinds of passes, The Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass Flex. The Swiss Travel Pass means using it on consecutive days (3, 4, 6, 8 or 15). The Flex pass allows you the same number of days but at any time within one month. The flex costs a little more but means you can relax along your journey.

    The Swiss Travel Pass covers the length of the Bernina Express, despite the fact it starts or ends in Italy. You just need to book a reservation for your selected class. When we travelled (September 2024) this was around 28 CHF in first class and 26 CHF in second class. This is totally worth it!

    Final Thoughts on Our Bernina Express First Class Review

    The thing about Swiss trains is that they are just too beautiful. Despite having done it once, I want to do it again. The September travel date allowed us to see the change of summer into autumn but now we need to see it all covered in snow! Whenever you go, you are going to have a wonderful day. Enjoy travelling through the most gorgeous places, relaxing, and letting the train driver do all the hard work. Cheers!

    Rosie xx

  • GoldenPass Belle Epoque vs GoldenPass Panoramic – The Battle of the GoldenPass

    GoldenPass Belle Epoque vs GoldenPass Panoramic – The Battle of the GoldenPass

    The GoldenPass is a pretty train line that runs between Montreux and Lucerne. For part of it, two gorgeous trains take tourists in style. The GoldenPass Belle Epoque is a vintage style train, and the GoldenPass Panoramic is equipped with extra windows for fabulous views. We took a day trip to Gruyere travelling one way with the Belle Epoque and the other with the Panorama and it was the most fun train geek day! However, if you can only take one, which one should you go for? Check out our comparison as we settle the debate of GoldenPass Belle Epoque vs GoldenPass Panoramic – The Battle of the GoldenPass.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    One Quick Note: Both of these trains travel between Montreux and Zweisimmen. To continue your journey to Interlaken or Lucerne you will need to change trains. For the direct service to Interlaken, the only option is the GoldenPass Express. You can read all about our experience on the GoldenPass Express HERE.

    GoldenPass Belle Epoque vs GoldenPass Panoramic

    The Route

    Well, this one is a dead draw as they both traverse the same tracks.

    Winner: Draw

    Read about the pros and cons of the Interrail Pass

    The Seats

    GoldenPass Belle Epoque

    The turquoise jacquard of the Belle Epoque, along with the real golden wood is so pretty. The seats are very upright so may not be too comfortable for a long journey, but they do look stunning. There are luggage racks and even the plugs, belying the Belle Epoque’s vintage vibes. Seats in second class are identical to those in first class but have a 2:2 configuration. The tables can fold out, making getting in and out easier. This is especially handy if you don’t know the people you are seated with.

    On our journey, there was a big group booked in the same carriage as us, so it was really crowded, but the other first class compartment was completely empty. We didn’t have to share a table after all. We still recommend booking a reservation to ensure a seat, but then check out the rest of the train and see if you can move to make things a little quieter.

    GoldenPass Panoramic

    The GoldenPass Panoramic has a slightly dull dark grey and blue colour scheme with seat covers very reminiscent of British Rail in the 1990s. The seats are large with curved backs to help with ergonomics and comfort. For a longer trip, these would be better for a long ride for sure. The plastic tables fold out which again, is great for getting in and out. Seats in second class are grey and less plush, set in a 2:2 configuration and with no large tables. This isn’t ideal if you want a picnic…but I am sure you’ll manage.

    Winner : GoldenPass Belle Epoque

    The View

    As these two trains traverse the same stretch of track, they both get top marks for the scenery. This battle is going to come down to the windows…

    GoldenPass Belle Epoque

    The windows of the Belle Epoque are big, but nothing special. They do make sure that the tables and chairs match the width of the window so everyone gets a good view. You aren’t going to pay for a window seat and end up with a wall instead.

    Check out what we LOVE about the Swiss Travel Pass here.

    GoldenPass Panoramic

    As you expect, the windows on the panoramic train are a little bit special. Not only are they wider and taller than those on the Belle Epoque, but they are additional windows up on the ceiling giving extended views up to the mountains and the sky. Plus, if you are sitting in first class, the chairs are elevated, so it feels like you have windows from your knees upwards. It’s all landscape all the time!

    Then, if you are willing to splash a little extra cash, there is something rather exceptional. For an extra 16 CHF or so, you can go all the way to the front of the train. Under the driver, you can sit by a large front-facing window, or is that just a windscreen? It’s pretty unique and the views along the tracks are very cool, especially during the big turns, when you have a mountain looming in front of you and sweeping down towards the lake at Montreux.

    Winner : GoldenPass Panoramic

    The Catering

    GoldenPass Belle Epoque

    There is a menu of food and drink available available for purchase, but you can bring your own picnic. (If you have seen Instagram setups with afternoon teas and fancy tablecloths, those people brought that with them). The website says that catering is only for groups that have rebooked but we were able to order at the table so maybe this only refers to proper meals? We bought an eye-wateringly expensive glass of champagne to share, and the gentleman next to us was impelled to do the same. It just felt right in the fancy surroundings.

    GoldenPass Panoramic

    There is no food and drink option on the GoldenPass Panoramic, but again, you can bring your own picnic.

    Winner : GoldenPass Belle Epoque

    The Overall Experience

    GoldenPass Belle Epoque

    The Belle Epoque celebrates the golden age of train travel. Gleaming wooden panels and beautiful brass details give it a sense of authenticity, even if it is a new and slick Swiss train. Anyone British is hard-pressed not to mention Agatha Christie in their description of any lovely old train and I am trying hard not to…but it evokes the magic of Murder on the Orient Express. It has unmistakable 1920s vibes, and if you can snag a table for two, it is very romantic. If you are in it for the experience, then the Belle Epoque is for you.

    GoldenPass Panoramic

    The panoramic train is very modern and the interior is not particularly pretty. However, it is not the looks of the carriages that are its big selling point. You won’t be looking at the inside of the train at all with all that window to the outside on offer. If the scenery is the most important thing for you, then you will definitely want a seat on the panoramic.

    Winner : GoldenPass Belle Epoque

    Final Thoughts on GoldenPass Belle Epoque vs GoldenPass Panoramic

    As you can see, there are plus points on both of these trains, and I’m pretty sure you will have an excellent time. No matter which you pick. However, for me, it has to be the Belle Epoque as I don’t think I will ever get over the beauty of vintage trains. This is a fraction of the price of taking many luxury trains around the world, especially if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, Interrail Pass or similar.

    Travelling at the front of the GoldenPass Panoramic, with the giant windscreen, was definitely novel and I think for families that it is the way to go but as a couple, capturing the magic of vintage train travel is always going to be a winner.

    Both of these fantastic trains offer unique experiences so if you can try both then why not give it a go? You can change at any of the stops along the way if you are travelling on any kind of train pass. You’ll just have to wait an hour for the next train.

    Mind you, if you want real luxury then the GoldenPass Express Prestige Class wins handdown…but that’s another story.

    Rosie xx

  • A Dairy-licious Day Trip to Gruyères Festival

    A Dairy-licious Day Trip to Gruyères Festival

    When you think of Switzerland, what pops into your head? Trains? Cheese? Heidi? Well, a day trip to Gruyères from Montreux offers two of three and I am sure you could recreate some Heidi moments while you are there. We took a day trip to Gruyères on the best day of the year to do so. Join us for our accidental day trip to Gruyère festival.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    Oh, a quick note on spelling. The cheese is Gruyere and the town is Gruyères. I have tried to get it right throughout but I can’t guarantee it!

    The Belle Epoque

    We decided to use our Interrail passes for one of their coolest perks and get special trains both ways. In fact, this was half the reason we wanted to visit Montreux. To reach Gruyères we first boarded the beautiful 1930s style Belle Epoque train. By rights, a train this gorgeous and vintage should be hauled by a steam engine. You’ll forget that it’s not as soon as you enter the carriage lined with turquoise brocade and gleaming wooden seats.

    We ordered a glass of champagne to share (budget travellers over here) and our bad influence got the guy next to us to get one too! The views were gorgeous as we climbed the switchbacks by the lake and then we trundled up through the valleys for about 40 minutes.

    All Change

    We changed at Montboven. It was a tight connection, just four minutes so everyone that was due to change was getting very twitchy as we pulled in. More fool us to doubt the Swiss Travel System. Our train to Gruyères was across the platform and someone was there to point us right to it.

    La Maison du Gruyère

    Our first stop was right next to the train station and one, not to be missed. The cheese that has taken its name from this area is made right here in town and you can see them creating the mildly nutty delight on site. Even if people aren’t visiting the museum, they can see the giant cheese cave. This is a huge room with row upon row of maturing cheeses. They sit here for 5 – 12 months before being demolished by happy diners, picnickers…and me.

    The first choice you have to make is whether or not to buy the little tasting packet that is on offer. We jumped at the chance and with our cheese in one hand and audio guide in the other, headed into the busy museum. There was a small area dedicated to what makes the milk here so special. It all comes down to grazing. The cows are free to roam /on the mountains for half the year and on the plains for the other half. They munch their way through all kinds of delicious wildflowers, grasses and herbs so their milk is full of yummy things too.

    As with most audioguide-led exhibitions, people shuffle along nodding and smiling at each other while they listen intently to the commentary. This was designed for all the family so it was slightly…well…cheesy. Fun though!

    The guide leads you into an observation area that surrounds the production floor and people gather to gaze down upon the cheese makers. This kitchen, with its floor slick with ivory milk, has about 30 cheese moulds full to the brim with milk. There are also huge copper vats with swirling milk, churning away. It is strangely fascinating to see the workers follow their daily routines, filling, draining, flipping and measuring the proto-cheese. We did our little cheese tasting as we watched the milk spin, moving from the mildest to the punchiest (and saving one of the packets for a later lunch…we are such backpackers).

    Click here for more tips on saving money in Switzerland

    Up the Hill to Gruyères

    The old village of Gruyères is a 15-minute walk away from the station and we followed a steady stream of tourists heading in that direction. Already slightly stuffed with cheese, I wasn’t too keen on the steep hill that led up to the grand ramparts. I am not convinced you can see just how steep it was but trust me, we were very much out of puff at the top of the 53m hill. At the top of the hill are the walls of the town you can climb them and take in the view (but catch your breath first).

    The Gruyere Festival

    We emerged through an arch onto a street heaving with bemused tourists, satiated cheese fans and plenty of locals who clearly knew all the best spots. It was so blooming pretty. The town and its walls date back to the 1190s so it had serious medieval/fairytale vibes. We took a wander around the stalls. There were local handicrafts and lots of food offerings including some gorgeous baked goods and of course, cheesy treats.

    More Cheese Please

    By watching the people, we clicked who knew lots of people and what they were doing. These casual strollers didn’t have walking shoes on or rucksacks strapped to their backs. After a short investigation, we realised they were all heading for one particular food truck. We sidled over and found it offered raclette and a glass of white wine for just 6 CHF. This sounds like a lot but for Switzerland, it’s quite the bargain. We perched on a wall and luxuriated in the joys of melted cheese and crisp Swiss wine.

    We also grabbed free cheese samples from the official Gruyères Festival tent, and samples of hot, unctuous fondue from another. How much cheese is too much? I will tell you when I have found out.

    Karl wearing a sunglasses holds a stick with a bread covered in melted Gruyeres cheese

    Taking a Stroll Through Gruyères

    We had planned to pop into the incredible Giger Bar, featuring the artwork of H. R. Giger. He is a Swiss painter whose strange art is most commonly known from the film Alien. However, it was rammed and very hot so we had a quick nosy and then backed out. If we go back, we will take the time to visit the museum and the bar for sure!

    Gruyères has a castle, Château de Gruyères, which perches on the edge of the town, raised and with amazing views across the Fribourg hills. It was built in the 1200s and now houses an art museum inside the medieval walls. You can see murals and stained glass windows that have been created over the centuries.

    We wanted to give the castle a quick visit but decided to circumnavigate it first. We took a path that looped around the castle…or at least, that was the plan. The path actually ended up going down a hill so we just followed it. Distracted by the views and having a nice natter, we hadn’t quite realised the length of our descent until we looked back up. We didn’t fancy walking up again so we followed the trial to the church.

    Alphorns

    As we came out, we caught the strains of Alpine horns on the gentle breeze. We scrambled up some stairs and came out right to where the horns were performing. Alpine horns are long wooden instruments with a rounded end. They are designed to send sound a LONG way across the hills and valleys of the Alps. You can see Alphorn players across Switzerland but in Gruyères, they have a rather fun extra flourish in the form of a flag tosser. As the horn orchestra blew melodically, the tosser (no giggles please) threw his flag high into the sky, catching it with ease and a cool nonchalance. He had two flags, one with the Swiss flag on and one with the crane, the symbol of Gruyères.

    Greedy Cream Creatures

    Every menu in Gruyères has the same dessert: cream, meringue and fresh fruit. It is an Erin neat if you will. Gruyères doesn’t just make delicious cheese, but that same world famous milk is turned into unbelievably thick double cream. Well, we couldn’t find this dessert for less than 10 CHF which felt excessive but Mr Fluskey REALLY wanted one. Luckily, he found a hack in the form of an adorable village shop. Inside they had pots of rich, silky cream and packets of meringue. We were missing the fruit but that is what imagination is for right?

    We sat on the step outside the shop and dipped mini meringues into the cream, both delighting passers-by and our tastebuds all at once. It was a little embarrassing but tasted so good that I was equally ashamed and ecstatic. We managed to stop halfway down the pot and meringues, stuffing them into our bags….until we finished it for dessert at dinner time.

    I can’t bear to look up the caloric intake we put our tummies through that day….whatever it was, it was worth it.

    The GoldenPass Panoramic

    We rolled back down the hill, past the cows that make all that magical milk, en route to the station. we had a date at Chillon Castle and had to get there before it closed. We took the connecting train before making another quick swap at Montbovon.

    Our train back to Montreux was the GoldenPass Panoramic which takes it name from the huge windows and the small extensions that edge the roof. These give fantastic views across the valleys, up to the snowy peaks that almost touch the sky.

    The first class cabin is a little raised giving even better views. However, even better than this is the very, very front of the train. Here, the driver is elevated allowing passengers to sit and enjoy the giant windscreen (complete with windscreen wipers). This costs extra so we decided not to bother, we could see some of it anyway. However, the conductor invited an adorable little boy and his grandma to sit there. As she took them down, she waved us to sit there too and so we jumped at the chance, revelling in the special treat.

    Final Thoughts

    I can’t believe how lucky we were to time our trip to the Gruyere Festival. It was a total fluke but really made our visit special. That being said, even if it hadn’t been a festival day, Gruyères is such a worthwhile trip. The factory was really interesting and got us very much in the mood for cheesy feasting.

    Oh, and there is a double cream festival in early June too so you have two chances to stuff your faces festively!

    The old village of Gruyères was incredibly picturesque, resembling a scene from a fairytale. We would have certainly visited the castle if there hadn’t been so much activity happening outside. It would be brilliant to return and see the castle and that super cool Giger Bar properly so maybe we will see you at the next Gruyere Festival!

    Rosie xx

  • Interrailing Switzerland on a Budget – How to Save Money in Switzerland

    Interrailing Switzerland on a Budget – How to Save Money in Switzerland

    Interrailing in Europe is a rite of passage for travellers from across the world. The ticket can seem expensive but one country where it really pays off is Switzerland. You will save money when compared to booking individual trains for sure. However, there soon comes the realisation that you need to pay for everything else in Switzerland too. So, how do you save money on food in Switzerland? How do you save money on accommodation in Switzerland? Is Interrailing Switzerland on a budget even possible? We share all this and more!

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    A Few General Tips

    Always Pay in Local Currency

    This is for card payments. If anyone asks if you would like to pay in your home currency, decline. The exchange rate when you do this is always terrible, with the business pocketing the difference. Pay in Swiss Francs and enjoy the better rate from your bank.

    Bring a Fee Free Card

    Get a card that allows you to use and to get money out in Switzerland with no additional charges. We love Revolut but this isn’t great for getting money out. There are plenty out there so do your homework before you travel. If at all possible, bring a selection of cards (Mastercard/Visa and debit/credit).

    Plan Ahead

    Yes, Interrailing does offer wonderful flexibility but if you are passing through expensive and/or popular spots in Switzerland then it is a good idea to book a few things in advance. Getting your accommodation sorted for the key points of the trip is a good start.

    Make Sure You Have Travel Insurance

    This is an initial financial outlay but trust us, you will be so grateful you have it if things go awry! You may have to pay out of pocket at the time but knowing they will be paying you back is so reassuring, especially in an expensive country like Switzerland. This is especially important if you are planning on doing any sports or adventure activities during your trip. We recommend EKTA for your insurance needs.

    Get a Local Sim or an e-sim

    Using your phone abroad can be expensive. If you are coming from outside the EU then Switzerland is no exception. Your phone provider probably charges a fair amount every day to use your phone in Europe. You have two better options. Either pick up a pay as you go local sim when you arrive. You will only really need data so look for the cheapest data-only sim you can. However, our preferred method is to get an e-sim. This can be done in advance (as long as your phone can use them) and activated on arrival. This saves the hassle of finding a phone shop and our favourite brand Airalo is great value.

    How to Save Money on Transport in Switzerland

    First Things First: Have An Interrail Ticket

    If you have your main residence in Europe, the Interrail allows you unlimited train travel in 33 countries. This includes Switzerland. If your main residence is outside Europe, you benefit from the same discounts and opportunities with the Eurail Pass.

    There are two main types of Interrail Passes:

    • The Global Pass – The Global Pass gives users the freedom to travel through all 33 countries included in the pass. The only exclusion is that only have one day to leave your home country and one to return. This is perfect if you have a long time to travel, want to see lots of different spots or want the flexibility to make a decision later on (even whilst travelling).
    • The One Country Pass – The Switzerland Country Pass only allows you to travel within Switzerland This is ideal if you have a shorter trip, or want to explore Switzerland in more depth. Bear in mind that there is no unlimited travel option so you need to pick how many travel days and the length of pass you require.

    If you haven’t already booked an Interrail ticket, use our link. It won’t cost you any extra but will help support the blog – BOOK NOW

    Once you have booked your ticket, you are free to use local and regional trains free of charge on the days you have chosen as your travel days. This makes travelling around the country so easy and cheap. We used it to hop around the lake in Montreux, chopping and changing as we found new adventures along the way.

    Hop on the Panoramic Trains

    OK, so technically this doesn’t actually save you money BUT you will be amazed at the trains that are included with the Interrail Pass. You can have some truly special train rides without forking out for the wildly pricy Goldenpass Express and its other luxury brothers and sisters.

    • The Belle Epoque – This runs between Montreux and Zweisimmen and has gorgeous 1930s style carriages, lined with wood and turquoise seats. It feels like something from an Agatha Christie novel and is included with the Interrail Pass. You could catch this one way, and hop on another train coming back again.
    • GoldenPass Panoramic – The other train that plies the Montreux to Zweisimmen route is the GoldenPass Panoramic. This has windows that extend to the roof, with a couple more on the roof for good measure. These give wonderful views up the mountainside and across the valley of the journey. Combine these two trains and you have a great day out for free! (Bear in mind that these can get booked up in peak season so it might be worth paying the small reservation fee to guarantee a window if you really want one).
    • The Bernina Express Line – Travelling on the actual Bernina Express will cost you a reservation fee, and it is a little steep. However, you can travel the same route (around the famous Brusio spiral viaduct) on local trains for nothing. Just ensure you have a Global Pass if you intend on travelling to Italy. If you only have the Swiss Country Pass, disembark in Campocologno.
    • The Glacier Express – OK, OK, so this isn’t cheap, even with an Interrail Pass BUT you are going to save money if you have one. To ride on this iconic train, you’ll just need to pay the reservation fee. The ticket price goes up dramatically the further you travel but the reservation doesn’t so you can travel from St Moritz to Zermatt for just 49CHF or just do the short trip from Brig for 39CHF.
    City Cards 1

    When checking into hotels in much of Switzerland, you will be given a city card or region card for the duration of your stay. This can give you access to local travel. This is a great addition to your Interrail ticket because that doesn’t include teams, buses etc. For example, if you’re staying in Bern, Lucerne, Basel, Geneva or Lausanne, you get to use local public transport for free.

    In Ticino, that’s Lugano and around, not only does it cover the local buses but gives you a discount on the cable cars, funiculars and boats in the region.

    Take Advantage of Free Bike Rental

    If you’re visiting Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Zug or Valais, then check out their free bike schemes. You can zip around town for free on pushbikes or e-bikes depending on your preference. Push bikes in Valais cost nothing for the first four hours so you could even take these for a scenic ride into the countryside. E-bikes and mountain bikes, however, start to charge after just one hour. The bike rental spots in Geneva, run by Genèveroule, require a cash deposit and an ID so make sure you have these to hand.

    Take a Hike

    One of the best ways to get around for free is to go on a big walk. Luckily, Switzerland is full of incredible hikes through stunning scenery. Use google or your hostel/hotel reception for advice on the best walks in the area you are staying in. To be honest, we didn’t do any hiking as it was unseasonably rainy, but we definitely plan to return and hit the hills!

    How to Save Money on Food in Switzerland

    Download Too Good to Go

    Too Good to Go is an app created to help reduce food waste, which is great, but it isn’t why e love it. For between 6 and 8 CHF, you can get enough food to fill up. The idea is that supermarkets, bakeries an restaurants send their. Fresh food either at the end of the day, or sometimes, at lunch. Launch the app and search for places around you that are offering food. Pay for it and go and pick it up at the allotted time. You can find baked goods, groceries that will end some proper cooing, things from the ready to eat fridges or even hot food from restaurants. In Switzerland, we had great big hot meals from the Migros hot counters and ready to eat cold food from Coop. Nothing cost us more than 7CHF, which is astonishing when the cheapest main meal we could find in the sit down restaurant was 16CHF.

    Cook Dinner for Yourself

    The cheapest way to eat in Switzerland is to cook for yourself. This does rely on you having a kitchen in your accommodation, and most hotels will have one. At our hostel in Interlaken, there were lots of Korean travellers that cooked up a multi course feast in the kitchen every night. It was very impressive. We managed to boil up lots of pasta that worked for dinner hot and lunch the next day cold. (Don’t forget your Tupperware…silicone folding if possible to save space). Look out for Migros and Co op. Buying a loaf of bread, a block of cheese and a big packet of crisps is going to be cheap, cheerful and can make a few sandwich lunches. Look for red stickers for discounted food with best before dates that day.

    For more Interrail packing ideas, check out our full Interrail packing list here.

    Opt For the Lunch Menu

    If you fancy eating out in a restaurant then make it a lunchtime treat. Many popular restaurants have a plat du jour (dish of the day) which will be much better value than their dinner offerings. You are still looking at 25 – 30 CHF but that could be half the price of dinner. It is also much cheaper to eat the vegetarian option. It can be a whole third cheaper.

    Scout Out Deals Near Universities

    If there is a university or college in the place you are visiting then there is likely to be a few good meal deals around the area. Take a stroll in the district and see if you can uncover any bargains. Restaurants that serve international food tend to be a little cheaper so keep your eyes peeled for Thai, Chinese and Italian options. If all else fails, find a place to fill up on chips.

    Enjoy the Free Tap Water

    Tap water is safe to drink, and delicious, throughout Switzerland so ask for a jug when you eat out. This saves you from having to swig from your water bottle in the middle of the dining room. In German, ask for “Leitungswasser., In French, it’s “une carafe d’eau”.

    You will also find free water fountains in plenty of Swiss towns, Zurich especially. You are safe to just fill up your water bottle for free drinks all day. We like to have squash drops to liven up the water on long days out.

    Service is Included

    Don’t forget that it is not mandatory to tip in Switzerland. On a large bill it is typical to round up a couple of Swiss Francs but the service charge is already built into the price of the food. TThis can feel uncomfortable when you are used to tipping 10-20% but it is totally fine to just pay the amount on the bill and leave.

    How to Save Money on Accommodation in Switzerland

    Visit in Shoulder Season

    Switzerland has two major tourist seasons, winter and summer. The low seasons, or shoulder seasons, fall in spring and autumn. If you visit outside of the high seasons then you have a better chance of finding cheap accommodation. Just bear in mind that some places shut for a month in April and October so if you have your heart set on a certain hotel, this might not be an option.

    Try Hostels

    Don’t let the word hostel scare you. Swiss hostels are clean and excellently run. Many have private rooms and are more like a hotel than you might imagine. As well as having good value rooms, you will also find laundry rooms that are cheap or free to use, games rooms for free entertainment and well equipped kitchens for preparing your own meals. Most also include some sort of breakfast too. Of course, if you are happy to share dorm rooms, you will save a bundle of cash! Just bear in mind that some dorm beds don’t include bed linen or towels so you’ll need to bring these yourself.

    We stayed in an excellent hostel in Interlaken, see the full review here.

    Find a Good AirBnB

    AirBnB has been the budget travellers’ friend for a few years now, and although hiring whole apartments or houses can still be very expensive, booking a room in someone’s house is still a great budget option. In towns like Zermatt, you can find rooms with postcard views for much less than nearby hotels but these still aren’t what we would call cheap.

    Hashtag Van Life

    Of course, if you are Interrailing Switzerland, you might just want to take the train, but if you have limited travel days you might consider getting a camper van.

    Transport and accommodation rolled into one, the camper van is another brilliant option. Many campsites are cheap to stay in and provide electrical hookups etc. for much less than a hotel room. Of course you need a driver’s license and the constitution to deal with your own toilet clearing but it does allow you to drive to some stunning places on your own schedule and take your bed with you. Do bear in mind that wild camping is illegal so you will need to park at a registered campsite.

    Stay Off the Beaten Track

    Staying in Zurich, Interlaken and Geneva is going to cost you more than in small nearby towns. The advantage of having your Interrail ticket is that you can reach these famous spots quickly and easily by train. You might not need to stay in these big cities at all. Accommodation in smaller towns is significantly cheaper so if you don’t mind the commute, you could save a fair whack.

    How to Save Money on Activities in Switzerland

    Interrail Freebies and Discounts

    Interrail doesn’t just cover your train journeys, it can also provide some other fun, free activities. For example, if you’re visiting Interlaken, your Interrail Pass provides free boat trips on both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. You can take these two hour boats to some seriously beautiful spots which is a fun day out for nothing,

    You will also find a few discounts on funiculars or special trains across Switzerland like 25% off on the Jungfrau railway up to the Top of Europe.

    Guest Cards 2

    Some of the guest cards you receive from your accommodation (hotels and hostels) will offer more discounts on funiculars or cable cars in the region or local area. Interlaken’s includes a free walking tour, free or discounted entry to nearby museums and free entry to a local swimming pool and mini golf. Others across Switzerland have museum discounts (up to 50%), discounts on the numerous funiculars and cable cars that are everywhere in Switzerland and even the odd discount in a cafe so it’s worth checking them out for each area you are staying in.

    Free Walking Tours

    As with most of Europe, you can find decent walking tours in many of Switzerland’s main towns. Of course, these are not totally free as it is encouraged to tip the guides (they are guiding for tips) but compared to a paid tour, where you may also want to tip, they are decent value. Companies like Free Walking Tours Switzerland offer tours across the country.

    Final Thoughts on Interrailing Switzerland on a Budget

    Let’s be honest Interrailing Switzerland on a budget is hard work, and it can get a bit tedious. But if it allows you to travel for longer, it is definitely worth it. Unlike many countries, the beauty of Switzerland doesn’t lie in the big cities. So getting out into nature with a hunk of bread and some cheese really is the best way to spend your time.

    Rosie xx

  • How to Spend 2 Days in Zurich

    How to Spend 2 Days in Zurich

    When I first thought of Zürich I didn’t really know what to picture. Fancy cars, fancy watches and lots of fancy bankers came to mind. I thought there was no place for scrappy tourists like us but I was so wrong. There is plenty to see and do in Zürich. If you have 2 days in Zürich then this is a great itinerary. (Oh, and if you only have one day in Zürich then just follow day one)!

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    Flying Fluskey in Zürich

    On our journey from London to the Maldives we had an eight hour stopover in Switzerland. At first, I anticipated a long day in a cold airport but with a little more research, we saw how quick and easy it would be to get to the city (one quick train). We spend a very happy five hours exploring Zürich and vowed to return. Six years on and we returned to explore further.

    The Zürich Card

    The Zürich Card provides free public transport for the length of the card, whether that be 24, or 72 hours. It also includes free entry to lots of museums around town as well as discounts at many others. You will also be entitled to a free mini cruise on the lake and some other exciting offers which we will mention along the way. It is best to order your Zürich Card in advance so you can use public transport straight away. It includes trains to and from the airport and it is around £10 each way so this makes the card great value! Remember to validate your Zürich Card when you want to start using them, you will have 23 or 72 hours of use. You can validate these in the machines at the Zürich HB if you are picking them up from the tourist office.

    For a great day trip from Zürich, check out our tour to the Rhine Falls

    DAY ONE

    Take a Walking Tour

    It’s always a great idea to discover a new city with a walking tour, especially if you only have 2 days in Zürich. You will take in some of the best outdoor sights in good time, without getting lost and learning a bit of history along the way.

    The Official Tour – Zürich Old Town Walking Tour

    The Old town walking tour begins at the Zürich HB, outside the tourist office. From here, you will head down to the old town, along the Limmat River through some of the prettiest streets in the city. Along the way, the professional guides will share tons of info and some fun stories. As a bonus, you get to try some syrup which is a concentrated fruit drink mixed with Zurich fountain water which all feels rather wholesome.

    Tours are 50% off with the Zürich Card

    Free Walking Tours

    For a slightly less formal, walking tour, search for freebies like Free WalkingTour Switzerland. Of course, these guides work for tips and so you should definitely bring along some cash before the end of the tour so technically it’s not free but they tend to be a little quirky with guides focusing on the areas that they find most interesting and are most passionate about.

    Alternatively, if you enjoy doing your own thing, the tourist office has free walking tour sheets with a route to follow that will guide you through most of the big sights between Zürich HB and the lake. This is what we did on our first stopover visit and it was a great way to see the city at our own pace. (It was great to rediscover it with some more info on our proper tour though).

    Duck Into These Churches

    You can’t spend 2 Days in Zürich without popping into a church or two. The city has many, but here are 2 of our favourites;

    Grossmunster

    The two main towers of Grossmunster are recognisable from across the city, so it is one of the city’s icons. Built in 1220, the present building was built upon the foundations of an even older church. It used to be a monastery and was founded by Charlemagne. Legend has it, the horse of Charlemagne fell to its knees at the spot the saints of the church were buried.

    The Zürich Card gives visitors access to the right-hand tower so head to the Ticket Desk. They will let you through. The stairs are quite steep, but there are a couple of spots for a breather as you climb one of which has some interesting street art from a famous graffiti artist. at the top, if the weather is bad, you won’t be able to go right out onto the balcony, but the views are still good enough if you are tall enough. On nicer days, you can head right out to the stone balustrade and take in the sweeping views of the lakes and the surrounding city.

    Grossmunster is free with the Zürich Card.

    Fraumunster

    Across the river, is Fraumunster. This was established by Charlemagne’s grandson and was a convent (a fierce rival of Grossmunster across the bridge). The stained glass behind the altar is beautiful, and they know it. In the welcome leaflet, it states that reproducing, photographing or posting pictures of the stained glass on social media is all copyright infringement. The windows were created in the 1970s by artist Marc Chagall and they are seriously stunning. I might not be allowed to post them but here is a link to the google photos results so you can see them…but also, go and see them in real life!

    Fraumunster is free with the Zürich Card.

    Relax on Lake Zürich

    Your Zürich Card entitles you to a free mini cruise of Lake Zürich and this is a great way to rest and recuperate whilst taking in some pretty scenery. The mini cruise takes around an hour and is a must do if you have 2 days in Zürich. The boat has indoor and outdoor seating so you can enjoy it whatever the weather. The boat leaves every hour from 09:45 – 16:45. There are some seats at the front of the boat where you get the best view and some at the back, which is another nice spot to relax if the weather is nice. Alternatively, there are plenty of seats inside on cushioned benches with tables, making this a nice spot for a picnic or to huddle from the cold. The boat travels about halfway along the lake, past the suburbs of Zürich and the green hills beyond before returning.

    The mini cruise is free with the Zürich Card.

    Get Cheesy at Swiss Chuchi

    There are a fair few spots offering fondue in Switzerland but our favourite is Swiss Chuchi. The atmosphere is cosy and jovial while outside is lovely in the summer sun. There is plenty on the menu to satisfy but it’s all about the cheese!

    Raclette

    There are two kinds of raclette, the kind that is melted and scraped off a huge cheese wheel and the kind you’ll find here. Diners are given a little platter of veggies, potatoes and other bits and a plate full of cheese.

    The idea is to load up your mini skillet and melt the cheese onto your chosen receptacle before scoffing the lot. It’s fun…but not as fun as fondue! Maybe we should call it FUNdue?

    Fondue

    Swiss Chuchi has a whole page of its menu dedicated to this boozy, cheesy pot of deliciousness. We favour their unique fondue (Fondue Adler mit gereifteren Käsesorten) with lashings of wine and cherry liquor as you can try the regular stuff elsewhere. Every fondue comes with bread as standard for dipping but you can also order pickled veggies (cornichons, pickled onions and corn), potatoes or meat to dip on as well. Dip, dig in and don’t give up until it’s all gone!

    If you still have room, they have a yummy selection of desserts including seasonal offerings like this meringue, strawberry and deliciously thick Swiss cream concoction, (it is an Eton neat).

    You will receive a culinary surprise at Swiss Chuchi if you show your Zürich Card.

    DAY TWO

    Play Charlie at Lindt Home of Chocolate

    If you have always dreamt of getting one of Willy Wonka’s golden tickets then you are going to love the Lindt museum. It’s an essential taste tour if you have 2 Days in Zürich. Now, unlike a few chocolate tastings you may have been to, the first few rooms are fun, informative and very interactive. Everyone has an audio guide but there’s also plenty to read and play with. Even if you don’t have a ticket, you can visit the shop and lobby and see the huge chocolate whisk fountain that has actual chocolate cascading down the central column….but it is a long way to visit a chocolate shop and the museum really is great.

    Then, once you have a head full of knowledge about the joys and history of chocolate it’s time to taste some and again, this is next level.

    Eating Lindt
    1. The Fountains – if the idea of chocolate fountains fills you with equal parts joy of chocolate and horror of germs then you’ll love the Lindt fountains. Instead of sticky hands under the chocolate falls, guests pump squirts of the melted confection into small spoons. There are three types, dark, milk, and white. If you’re feeling fancy, you could try and get all three on one spoon. Don’t fill up entirely though, as very quickly you’ll be at tasting station number 2.
    2. The Flavour Test – Here will find a cluster of machines all chopping chocolate. The idea is to put your hand out and catch a chunk. These are all dark chocolate blended with different flavours. Guess the addition and there’s a little flap with the answer so you can check how good your palate is.
    3. Lindor Heaven – The first thing you see when you enter Lindor Heaven are two giant versions of the iconic truffle. These are photo booths and if you’re on a tasting mission then you can skip these. Instead, join the queue to pass the see-through capsules full of every flavour of Lindor ball that they produce. You take one of each (unless staff aren’t paying attention, when you could grab more…but we didn’t tell you that).

    The Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum is 10% off with the Zürich Card.

    Culture Time at Zürich’s Museums

    Zürich has plenty of museums to include in your 2 Days in Zürich. Some are free with the Zürich card and some you will receive a discount. Here are some of our favourites:

    Beyer Clock and Watch Museum

    At first glance, this tiny museum seems like five minutes’ work, but you can easily lose an hour here (and they’ll be plenty of clocks to tell you so). There is a large collection of timepieces, some beautiful, some you recognise from your grandparent’s mantelpiece, and some that are downright weird. A particular feature is the section for clocks with unusual mechanisms. No matter how many times you see the movie o’clock ago, he will still be drawn to it every time you hear it roll.

    The Clock Museum is free with the Zürich Card.

    FIFA Museum

    The FIFA World Football Museum is all about the beautiful game. There are cool exhibits here that go back to the very first world cup in 1930. Even if you don’t love football, the interactive elements are a lot of fun. You can test out your football skills; don’t worry if you are rubbish, that is often a lot more fun!

    The FIFA Museum is 30% cheaper with the Zürich Card.

    Landesmuseum – National Museum of Swizerland

    The Landesmuseum is stuffed full of Swiss culture. It includes archaeological artefacts (displayed with amazing interactive screens full of interesting information) and interiors from across the ages. There is so much to see. Pass through stunning wooden rooms and beautiful ballrooms, and marvel at the ancient art. There is a wonderful exhibition that traces Switzerland’s history and it is packed with incredible pieces. This includes the Guild map (in the photo below), right up to the modern age. Even the museum building itself is attractive, designed with French city chateaus in mind in the 1890s.

    The Landesmuseum is free with the Zürich Card.

    Money Museum

    Zürich is known as a banking hub (and all those mysterious Swiss bank accounts) so it is only right that there is a museum all about money here. The museum traces the history of currency and its role in society. It showcases a huge range of banknotes and coins from around the world, with some rather good-looking gold bars.

    The Money Museum is free to enter, which is super but it is only open on Thursday and Friday.

    Kunsthaus

    The Zürich Kunsthaus is Switzerland’s biggest art museum and is spread across a few buildings in the city. Here where you will find fine and modern art from Switzerland and across Europe, some dating back to the 1200s. A particular highlight is the new David Chipperfield extension where you will find gorgeous pieces from Picasso and Monet.

    You will receive 20% off with the Zürich Card. The main collections are free on Wednesday so if your 2 days fall midweek then you are onto a winner!

    Dinner – Too Good to Go

    If your budget is stretched by 2 Days in Zürich, then make sure you have downloaded the Too Good to Go app. This super money saver means you get end of the day food from restaurants, canteens and supermarkets for a steal. We had full bakery bags for less than 6 CHF, hot food from a Migros canteen for 6.50 CHF and random grocery items from Coop for 6 CHF. Its a bargain and a gamble! But, when a pizza can be 25CHF and a Big Mac meal with McFlurry is 17CHF, it’s worth the risk.

    Final Thoughts for Your 2 Days in Zürich

    There is something about Zürich that is surprising and delightful in a way that you wouldn’t expect. The old town has some serious charm and there is something about being surrounded by wealth that is eternally interesting. You could be walking any backstreet in Zürich and the four cars that drive past, will all be rather lovely. We have been in the sunshine and in the rain and enjoyed both trips greatly. If you are travelling to Switzerland, make sure that spending 2 days in Zürich is part of your itinerary.

    Rosie xx

  • A Tour to the Rhine Falls with Best of Switzerland Tours

    A Tour to the Rhine Falls with Best of Switzerland Tours

    During our trip to Zürich, we couldn’t resist the chance to embark on a trip to Europe’s biggest waterfall, the majestic Rhine Falls! In a country full of natural splendours, the Rhine Falls still stands out. Although there are ways to reach the falls by public transport but we thought that the benefits of taking a tour would be worth the extra cost. We took our tour to the Rhine Falls with Best of Switzerland Tours and here is the full review.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    Travelling to Switzerland, check out our other Switzerland content here!

    The Coach from Zürich

    Our journey began at the coach park next to Zürich HB. We took our ticket voucher and exchanged it for a sticker at the little white booth, which I probably dropped twice. I affixed it to my bag and hopped on board., claiming two seats and settling in. This coach was a little older than the double-decker we took on our JungrauJoch tour with Best of Switzerland, but still, it was clean and comfortable. We drove for around 45 minutes, taking a little deto to pass through a very cute village with typical half-timber houses.

    The coach pulled up and half of the group decamped for photos with the big Rheinfall sign. The ever-patient guide Fatima gave everyone a few minutes and then gathered us back together and walked us to the lift. These glass lifts very nearly give you a glimpse of the falls but they are very slightly around the corner so they don’t spoil the surprise.

    If you are visiting Zürich, check out our blog “How to Spend 2 days in Zurich”.

    The Boat

    Everyone on the tour opted to pay a little extra for the chance to get close to the falls on a motorboat. The group were all given their tickets and clambered on board/ The captain aimed the bow at the base of the rushing water. It was a battle of wills as the engines fought the force of the falls. At this point, the weather was pretty grey and rainy so we all had our raincoats on anyway, but it was good to have them as the spray came straight towards us.

    The Observation Decks

    Then it was time to get really up close and personal. The large concrete promontory that sticks out in front of the falls isn’t the prettiest or most sympathetic structure, but it kept our legs dry as the water crashed past at 600m³ per second. The spray fell like rain and whipped up by the wind of the waterfall chilled our faces. We got some photos and a quick real for Instagram before making our way up to the next viewing point.

    Coming out from the rock, the covered concrete platform was mere feet from the plummeting white water. It looked like you could just reach out and touch it…but that was probably a bad plan so I didn’t try, lest I lose a finger. From here, we watched the other tour that the boats run. The motorboat heads to the large rock in the centre where visitors can disembark and have a walk. It clearly took some real skill to get the boat there safely. It was a shame that we didn’t have time to do this as my inner geography geek would have loved it (and in 100,000 years, that rock might be inaccessible so best to visit now)!

    The final spot was a large open terrace overlooking the river and the top of the drop. It was strange that as the river opened up, I could see the volume of water, but lost almost all sense of the waterfall itself. I kept imagining what would happen if you were happily travelling along the Rhine years ago then you notice the water moving a little faster, the roar of the distant falls starting to creep in and realising that you were a LONG way from either river bank. It was a scary thought.

    Laufen Castle

    After catching the lift back up, we took a look inside Schloss Laufen. There has been a castle here for over 1200 years in some form or another. It has amazing views of the falls below. Inside, the museum’s exhibitions range from information about the castle’s history to mock-ups of the way people lived within its walls through different eras. There are also some quite strange rooms, one lined with singing portraits and another featuring a fake train ride. It is a fun distraction, but we zipped through quite quickly.

    With a little time to kill and the sun, making an unusual appearance, we decided to grab a drink and snack and hang out in the children’s play park. We really climbed and we really slid. The park area, opposite the pretty church, and next to the crenellated ramparts was a lovely spot for a picnic.

    We made it back to the coach bang on time as Fatima rounded up the unbothered stragglers.

    Top Tip for Taking Tours: Be at the designated meeting point at the designated meeting time or you will be judged!

    Final Thoughts on This Tour to the Rhine Falls with Best of Switzerland

    Visiting the Rhine Falls with Best of Switzerland, was an interesting mix of independent travel and guided tour. It was nice to have the convenience of a coach both ways and to be pointed in the right direction for the boat and the tours, but I did enjoy the chance to explore on our own for some portions. I wish we had more time at the Rhine Falls; to take one of the nature trails or hop on the train to see the view from the viaduct…but I guess we kind of did in the museum. Overall, it was a brilliant way to spend half a day during a trip to Zürich and a great way to visit the Rhine Falls.

    What a view that train line must have!

    Rosie xx

  • The Perfect Lugano Day Trip – Luxury by the Lake

    The Perfect Lugano Day Trip – Luxury by the Lake

    Lugano offers visitors the chance to live in the lap of luxury and indulge in dolce vita. Surrounded by the soaring Swiss Alps and lapped by the sparkling waters of Lake Lugano, this chic Swiss city blends beauty, Swiss harm and Italian flair. If you only have one day in Lugano or can only take a quick Lugano day trip, then we will help you find the best way to spend your day.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    Lovely Lugano

    Switzerland is a country of rather uneven thirds. It is split between, French, German, Italian and Romansh. The heart of the Italian-speaking sector is undoubtedly Ticino, (it is the only fully Italian Canton) and the heart of Ticino is Lugano. Lugano has been Swiss for over 500 years but still feels distinctly Italian (and not just because its best airport link is Milan). Here you’ll find pizza, pasta and plenty of Aperol. If yu are lucky enough to visit during summer (mid-June to early August) then check out the Lugano Festival listings for all kinds of jazz, blues, world music and other banging beats!

    Funiculi Funicular – Head Up the Mountain

    Start your day by taking in a view of Lugano from above. The best way to do this is by taking the funicular up the steep sides of San Salvatore.

    Visitors board the funicular and head skywards for about five minutes. Then, cross a platform and bird an even steeper funicular. If you want great views, sit on the floor at the front, if you want a seat then take the top row as you’ll get a lovely view through the roof. These lifts will whisk you up to around 910m (2,990 ft) above sea level.

    Soak Up the View at Chiesa Monte San Salvatore

    The church, named for the same San Salvatore is perched right up on the top of the hill. It is a steep climb from the funicular if you are going quickly but the sweeping views give a great excuse to stop for breath. Thank your lucky stars that you didn’t visit during the church’s first 800 years of history when the only way to reach it was to hike all the way up the mountain.

    Pop into the pretty little interior before heading into the side. The stairs here will take you up and out to the roof. Some of them hang over the edge of the church and can be a bit challenging for those with a fear of heights. If you can stomach them, however, you’ll have the most stunning views out across the lakes and Lugano town.

    Linger Over Lunch at Porto Bello!

    Back down the hill, and a short bus ride away, you will find Porto Bello! (The exclamation mark is part of the name, I’m not just yelling at you). This is a wonderful spot for lunch as it sits on the end of a canal leading to the lake. There is a lively inner room but if you can, book a table in their outside space. If it’s chilly, they roll down the windows, keeping it warm and dry. If it is warm and sunny, it is all opened up and you have a lovely lake breeze accompanied by the gentle tinkle of mast lines. It’s very atmospheric.

    Porto Bello offers a menu full of fresh, delicious Swiss Italian fare. They are especially well known for their super fresh seafood prepared to perfection. Tender octopus with crispy edges adorns salads, frutti de mare is bursting with fishy goodness and even the burgers are juicy and delicious. Start

    Plus, they make great spritzes!

    Take a Post-Lunch Stroll in Parco Ciani

    From Porto Bello, head west across the bridge and into the lush greenery or Parco Ciani. This pretty stretch of green is lined with neat flowerbeds and is full of people taking in the relaxing ambience. The edge is licked by lake water and the Congressional Palace sitting proudly at its centre gives it a rather regal feel.

    Continue along the promenade and you will encounter more strolling citizens as well as those who are out for some healthy competition at the giant chess board, or sitting on one of the myriad benches, taking in the view across the lake.

    Explore the Lake with SNL

    After seeing the water from above, and walking along its edge, there is no doubt that it is time to get out onto its shifting surface. Pick up a ticket at Lugano Centrale and hop on the next boat that comes by. You have a few options including stopping at one of the famous grotto restaurants by the lakeside, just enjoying the sights without disembarking or hopping on and off at different stops. If you stop anywhere, we recommend the gorgeous little town of Gandria.

    Gander at Gandria

    Gandria, is a charming village at the bottom of Monte Bre, on the shores of Lake Lugano. Its stone buildings and cobbled streets haven’t changed for over 100 years and so it is an evocative spot for a wander. Have a nosy inside the Chapel of San Rocco, which dates back to 1645, check out the Swiss Customs Museum (open 12-5 Tuesday to Sunday) and explore the lakeside cemetery. La Bottega di Gandria has a lakeside terrace right by the boat stop so it is a nice place to wait with a beverage for your return boat. You could also choose to walk back along the Olive Trail but at 12 miles, you would ideally need to head out here in the morning and skip San Salvatore.

    Sip on a Spritz

    The aperitivo culture in Lugano is strong and so why not indulge in a spritz or two before dinner? Caffe Caruso in the corner of Piazza della Riforma does a great Aperol spritz, a slightly cheaper but equally yummy Hugo spritz and has a very healthy wine list. If you are here for an apertitivo, you may be treated to some accompanying nibbles (a la Venetian ciccheti). Going to the bathroom here is an adventure into the bowels. It is worth noting that they take cash only and if you pay in euros, you will get a rather unhappy exchange rate and the change will be in Swiss francs. Best to bring francs in the first place.

    Do a Spot of Shopping on Via Nassa

    Just around the corner is Via Nassa, a 300m long shopping street full of luxury goods under pretty porticos. Shops shut at 18:30 or so which means, after a spritz or two, you have just enough time to make a slightly unwise decision, picking out a fancy handbag or piece of sparkly jewellery. Of course there are some souvenir shops too if your budget doesn’t stretch to the likes of Swiss timepieces. (If yu are visiting on a Sunday, all of these shops will be shut).

    Savour a Piece (or 8) at Pizzeria del Sole

    For the best pizza in Lugano, you need to head up the hill to Pizzeria del Sole. I wanted to show you how good the pizza was but we all demolished our pizzas before remembering to take any pictures. Instead, here is a link to their menu. All the ingredients are super fresh with the seafood being prepared exceptionally well, even when its on top of a pizza! It is incredibly popular so we recommend booking in advance.

    Pizzeria del Sole is a 20 minute bus ride on the number 7 bus which stops right outside. Alternatively, you could take the 5 or 461 and make your way up the hill by foot for another 10 minutes. If you are taking a Milan to Lugano day trip then you don’t need to take the trip up the hill for this pizza as there is plenty in Milan. However, if you are taking a day trip from elsewhere in Switzerland, then it is worth the pilgrimage.

    Final Thoughts on this Lugano Day Trip

    As our train skirted the edge of Lake Lugano, the sun glinting on the water, we were sad to leave. Even with the sneaky two days we had, it didn’t seem like long enough. We hope this will help you make the most of your Lugano day trip and that you have a wonderful time in this most exciting mix of Swiss and Italian cultures, all played in the most gorgeous location.

    Rosie xx

  • Reaching the Top of Europe – Jungfraujoch with Best of Switzerland Tours

    Reaching the Top of Europe – Jungfraujoch with Best of Switzerland Tours

    When researching Switzerland, there is a huge bucket list of places to visit and things to do. When I learned about Jungfraujoch it leapt straight to the top of mine! Of course, on a train adventure, we had to visit the highest train station in Europe. We are happy independent travellers but sometimes, it is nice to have the extra layer of information, care and simplicity that a tour offers so we decided to travel as part of a group, with Best of Switzerland Tours. Join us as we go up, into the clouds to the Top of Europe, Jungfraujoch.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    Best of Switzerland Tours

    When debating our options within Switzerland, we were taken with Best of Switzerland Tours. They have over 20 years of experience, have multilingual guides and offered just the itineraries I was thinking of. It was a no-brainer. For our Jungfraujoch tour, we had arranged to be picked up in Interlaken and then to travel all the way to Zürich with Best of Switzerland Tours that evening. This is always such a great way to move from one spot to another so check to see if they do multiple pick ups or drop offs on your chosen tour. The large coaches have room for bags underneath so no drama!

    Pick Up in Grindelwald

    All of the Best of Switzerland Tours adventures start from the front of the Interlaken Outdoor Shop. There were a couple of seats but we all huddled when it started drizzling. Luckily, it didn’t last too long and our guide took us around the back to the car park. We passed our big bags over to the driver and then head up the coach stairs to find some seats on the top deck. This gave us super views as the bus wound its way through the valley to gorgeous Grindelwald. Along the way, we had some interesting commentary and important information from our guide, Regula over the coach’s loudspeaker.

    The Eiger Express

    We were given a short bathroom break after everyone disembarked from the coach and then we all gathered together, ready to board the Eiger Express. To reach the first stop, Eigergletscher (Eiger Glacier) everybody used to take the train but in December 2020 a huge new cable car opened. This lovely, modern cable car whisks you up in just 15 minute whilst affording some rather nice views.

    The group had their tickets handed out and we were all told emphatically not to lose them. These tickets aren’t cheap and if you lose it, you are paying your own way back down! We scanned through the ticket barriers and divided into two gondolas. We all had a great view as the cable car whooshed out of the station and over the lush green fields of the Bernese Oberland.

    About five minutes into the ride, we rose into the clouds and rain. Drops gently caught the windows and the photographers of the group started to look nervous as they tried to capture the evergreen forests below. Just two minutes after, however, we had bypassed the rainy spot and instead emerged into a world of white snow and dark rock. The beautiful icy vistas continued until we piled out at our second station stop.

    Eigergletscher Station – 2,320 m

    We had a short break once again to explore Eigergletscher Station or run for a wee. We wandered out onto the snowy plateau, excited to see the snow falling but sad that it was whiting out lots of the view. There were some people up there that had never seen snow before and watching the children, especially, discovering the joys and chilly wetness of it was so much fun. I wonder how many people have had their first experience of snow here in the last 125 years.

    Of course, I dropped and nearly lost my important ticket and so had a quick rethink about where I kept it.

    Jungfrau Cogwheel Railway

    Once back together, the group took the escalator down to the platform for the iconic cogwheel railway. We were all given a pretend Swiss passport which had loads of info about Jungfraujoch and a space to get it stamped at the top. We decided to have a quick flick through it on the train ride.

    The cogwheel railway has been running for over a hundred years and has two tracks. This one took us up and then we hopped on the other to come the other way. The cogwheel (or rack) railway works by combing a toothed wheel and a grooved middle rail. It makes a rather unique noise as it sets off and rattles its way up the hill. Well, actually it is through the hill. This railway actually travels steeply through the mountain in a long tunnel. There isn’t much of a view but it is very novel.

    Halfway up is a stop that it usually pauses at, we were told that we were not going to be stopping there but soon, the plan changed and we found we were actually going to get the chance to see Eismeer Station.

    Eismeer Station – 3,159 m

    The main idea of Eismeer is to give everyone a view of Ischmeer (Ice Sea). We weren’t so lucky. Everyone rushed off the train, with calls of, “Only five minutes” ringing in our ears. Sadly, the fog/cloud had completely obscured any view and it was like the blinds were shut on the other side of the glass. We giggled at our bad fortune, took a photo or two and ran back to the train.

    No, this isn’t a broken picture…this was the view
    So excited

    Touching the Top of Europe, Jungfraujoch – 3454 m

    The next station was the big one, Jungfraujoch! The whole train emptied out, everyone following their respective tour guides. Regula took us straight through the cafe, explaining that we would be meeting back there and the specified time. Half of our group didn’t seem to be listening so I was curious to see how that would go.

    Jungfraujoch – The Sphinx

    Our first stop was a group trip up The Sphinx. This rocky overlook holds the name of The Sphinx, as does the astronomical observatory on top. The public can head out onto the open metal platform and take in the view of the three main mountain peaks visible from here; Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. At least, that was what we were hoping for but we were greeted by a wall of grey. Tourists stood around taking photos of each other against the dull backdrop and of the Sphinx building, the only visible landmark. We did the same but when t started snowing, decided to duck back inside for the indoor activities on offer. (After scoffing our pretty poor packed lunch and waiting for our feet to warm up).

    Another stunning view
    Catching snowflakes
    Jungfraujoch – The Alpine Sensation Exhibition

    The group dispersed as some decided to go through the exhibition and others bypassed it. We wanted to see as much as possible so we head on in. This was a fun museum detailing the building of the railway and Jungfraujoch. I loved the section all about the old hotel which once stood up here that sadly, burned down. It would have been phenomenal to stay up here. Mr Fluskey particularly loved all the old black-and-white photos of the construction years with workers and their families looking so smart. We thought that the moving walkway was a nice touch for those that struggle with mobility but we walked back to take a longer look at the exhibits.

    Jungfraujoch – The Ice Palace

    I had seen photos of the ice tunnel that forms the entrance of the Ice Palace but I never knew the whole thing was frozen!? I guess it makes sense as this has been carved inside the glacier. Everyone half walks, half ice skates along the thin ice tunnel, giggling and trying to skid whilst hanging onto the railing for dear life. It was great fun. We traversed this corridor before arriving at an ice museum. There were some really cool ice carvings and we made ourselves laugh far too hard at the ice bar, (no vodka on offer here though). Sadly, Mr Fluskey’s boots were so good at gripping that he couldn’t skate very well, whereas I loved slipping and sliding through the attraction.

    Jungfraujoch – The Plateau

    We head up three floors and felt a cold wind blowing in. This was the exit to the Plateau. The snow was whipping in and it was a steep little climb out to the wide section of exposed mountain. We saw everyone taking photos over by a big Swiss flag so of course we went and waited our turn. As we did, the snow stopped and it began to brighten up a little.

    As the sky was a little brighter we walked past this mildly cleared section and found knee-deep, untouched snow. It was really tempting to make snow angels but it seemed like a bad plan with no change of clothes. I nearly fell face forward into the drifts as we struggled across. Then, all of a sudden, a cloud shifted, the sun broke through and we could see the mountain peak behind, edged by blue sky. I mildly freaked out with excitement. Finally, a view…and it lasted for three whole minutes. We made our way back down the slope slowly and carefully, deciding to head back up the Spinx just incase we had another glimpse of sky.

    Jungfraujoch – Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven

    The Lindt shop is the highest in the world and so we couldn’t skip it completely but we did rather rush through it. There were two rooms, one which seemed like a little museum and then a smaller, very, very busy shop stuffed with delicious Lindt chocolate. We dashed through, mouths watering and thank goodness we did because, on the way out, an extremely kind cashier gave us a Lindt ball each. After our dry sandwich lunch, this was a real treat.

    Jungfraujoch – The Sphinx 2 (Electric Boogaloo)

    We stormed back down the stairs and up the long stone corridor to the Sphinx lift. I could see sunshine as the door opened and ran to the door for the outdoors. There, still hazy but distinctly visible compared to before was one of the three peaks. It was so crazy to see what that grey cloud was hiding, majestic mountains covered in pretty snow. I was far too happy! Soon enough the peak disappeared again but as the clear spot travelled across the mountains, the other peaks made their own cameo in our day. All in all, we got about ten minutes of glorious sunshine and stunning views. I am so, so glad we made our mad dash.

    Jungfraujoch – The Cafe

    As the cloud moved in again, we checked our watches and realised we had about 30 minutes left before the meeting time. We decided to go down to the cafe, wait and warm up. Plus, if they had some sort of delicious boozy hot chocolate to sip while we waited, I was all for it. Sadly there was no Baileys hot choccy to be had but we did find a nice table by the window. I was a little tempted by the schnapps but thought better of it. Giving up on the view, we stamped our pretend passports and waited for our group to appear. At the meeting time, Regula, our guide, and two other people had gathered. She gave everyone five more minutes but the train was leaving whether they were there or not so off we went.

    The Cogwheel 2 – The Descent

    Everybody ran and managed to make the train in time and we all settled in for our cogwheel journey downhill. We had a nice chat with some fellow group members who had discovered a bar. It was out by the area with the adventure sports. I was a little jealous but just at that moment, a lovely train conductor came through and gave us all a little Lindt chocolate bar. Two free choccies in one day!

    The Final Train

    The train came out of the tunnel and into a flurry of snowflakes. The snow we’d seen thus far was light and small but this was real snow, falling in big, insistent flakes. We had a 20 minute change at Kleine Scheldegg and everyone crammed into the warm, dry ticket office.

    The final train of the day took us back into the world of green grass and tourist accommodation. We chugged down the sides of steep slopes through open-sided concrete tunnels and under ski slopes. Train wound down towards and around the car-free village of Wengen where the train filled up with people on their own day trips. The final leg took us through the beautiful town of Lauterbrunnen and its iconic waterfalls. We didn’t actually have any time to sightsee here so i was really glad we saw it the day before.

    The Coach to Zürich

    Everyone walked straight from the train station to the coach park where I ran for a bathroom stop and then back to the coach. We settled into our red leather seats, plugged in our phones and prepared for a comfy three-hour ride to Zürich. We picked the wrong side for the nice views but caught a few pretty vistas. Mr Fluskey slept for quite a bit of the way but just as my eyes started closing, we got some commentary about Zürich. I perked up as it meant Zürich was approaching and we were soon driving through the city streets. We pulled into the main bus station and grabbed our bags, ready for the fifteen-minute walk to Krone Zurich Pop Up Hostel.

    Final Thoughts for Our Day at the Top of Europe, Jungfraujoch with Best of Switzerland Tours

    This day tour was a long day but it flew by and I loved nearly all of it. Of course, I was very disappointed when I thought that we wouldn’t see anything but the pure serotonin hit when the sun came out was divine. I wonder if we had still been up there if we hadn’t been on Best of Switzerland’s timeline? Either way, it was really nice to relax and be guided for the day after organising a month of interrailing. Leave the logistics to someone else and take it all in!

    I can’t help it, I am a bit of a box ticker when it comes to Europe and I just couldn’t leave Switzerland without seeing the top of Europe, Jungfraujoch. Next stop, Tanggula Mountain Railway Station (the highest train station in the whole world).

    Rosie xx

  • A Bed in Montreux – Tralala Hotel Review

    A Bed in Montreux – Tralala Hotel Review

    Montreux sits on the edge of Lake Geneva and is the gateway to the Vaud Alps. Once a year the town is converted into a music lovers’ paradise with a huge jazz festival and Tralala Hotel is all about that celebration of music. Read on for our full Tralala Hotel review.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    Tralala Hotel Location

    Tralala Hotel is located up the hill from the lakeside and can be reached with a steep climb up some pretty backstreets or a more gradual main road that runs from behind the train station. Its about 10 minutes from the station and 15 from the lake. The high vantage point gives a nice view out towards the lake and hills beyond. Our room had a balcony and we loved the view!

    Speaking of our room…

    Our Room

    We were staying on the second floor in a lovely bright room. Now I am not cool enough to know who the picture was outside our room but I still loved the art! Plenty of light came in from the big glass door and lit up the white walls. On the wall was a picture of yet more musicians and opposite, a mirror with a thick dark frame. It matched the dark entrance to the room and was a fab contrast to the clean white sheets of the bed. Each side of the bed had a lamp on which was good but I had to unplug mine to use the wall plug. We each had our own duvet, something we found all over Switzerland, and a big, square pillow. I don’t really like these super soft, larger pillows but they seemed to be everywhere so I just went with it.

    In one corner was a small hanging rail (hidden behind the red curtain in the photo) which was high enough to try and straighten out one of my silly maxi dresses. In the other, we had a desk with a TV and a safe. We made use of the safe but ignored the TV in favour of my iPad when we enjoyed our room picnic dinner on the second night. We brought in a chair from the balcony so we could both sit and share the table.

    The Bathroom

    Our bathroom was compact but functional with plenty of towels and a decent hairdryer. There was a nice shower with both a rainfall head and a handheld smaller head. I particularly loved the toiletries we were provided with. The sweet tobacco scent was luscious and very unisex so great for everyone. I slathered myself in the body lotion and the rest was added to my washbag when we left.

    Our Balcony

    Outside we had the most lovely balcony. It was a real shame that the weather was a bit iffy for ost of our stay in Montreux because we would have loved to have sat out here for dinner. When we arrived on the Sunday afternoon, the cafe opposite had live music and it was wonderful to listen to the guitar and gaze down to the water. There was one plastic lounger-type chair and one regular chair so we would have had to swap for sunbathing but seeing as t was mostly raining, this wasn’t an issue.

    Dining

    The restaurant was giving serious French bistro vibes with red hues, warm wood and quirky decor. Looking around you will see some gorgeous old jazz posters and musical instruments galore. There was a raised stage in the corner with just enough room for a singer/songwriter or solo performer to give a great show. Downstairs, the toilets were labelled with more huge wall art and a trail across to the relevant doors. So cool!

    A Welcome Drink

    We were very hot and clammy from the uphill walk with our backpacks when we arrived at the reception. This made the offer of a welcome drink especially welcome. We head upstairs and dropped our bags before coming back down and asking shyly for an Aperol Spritz. Well, we thought the cheeky request might be too much but it was absolutely fine and we soon had two bright orange glasses of summer to sip. As we sat, another couple checked in and happily slurped down a glass of wine and a bottle of beer. What a lovely touch that you don’t often see in a city hotel.

    Breakfast

    When we originally went down to breakfast, it seemed like there wasn’t much for breakfast but it just wasn’t laid out in a long line. There was actually a great selection. It was a continental breakfast with perfectly buttery, flaky croissants as my star of the show. The fridge had some of the area’s famous cheeses and uber creamy yoghurts, if you love dairy, you will adore these yoghurts! There was one particular cheese that had a delicious pong but it wasn’t the soft cheese as you’d expect. I’m not sure what it was but I do know that it was delicious! The only hot offerings were a self-serve situation. You could pop some bread into a toaster or an egg into a little egg cooker thing. I was perfectly content with my cold selection so didn’t bother. On the bar was a fruit bowl, some delicious homemade cake and some whole fruits that we took with us for a snack later in the day. Drinks-wise you could have a coffee from a cappuccino machine or orange juice. So, orange juice and orange for the afternoon, that’s more vitamin C than I remember to have at home!

    Final Thoughts for this Tralala Hotel Review

    Montreux is often seen as a slightly dull town, which we refute. The Tralala Hotel with its exuberant decor and French-Swiss vibes must buck the trend because it was so cool. Our huge room, delicious breakfast and thoughtful welcome drink speak of a property which has bags of personality. It would most assuredly be our choice if we were to return, especially for the music festival!

    Rosie xx