Yeah! So off course Switzerland is beautiful, and the cheese and the wine make it even more amazing. That is old news. And yet, this is exactly what I wish to begin with.
My trip to Switzerland was not regular in the sense that it was not a leisure trip but rather I happened to be travelling with the husband, who was on a business trip. The good part though was that his work involved travelling across cities, towns and villages. And so while I probably did not do the usual touristy stuff, I still think that I did manage to see the best of Switzerland.
Gstaad:
After landing in Zurich, we immediately proceeded to Gstaad. We decided to take the train (Dilwale Dulhaniya hangover). The first class tickets did cost quite a lot besides the fact that train travel from Zurich to Gstaad meant changing trains thrice and we did realise that we should have researched on that and should have taken the cab instead.
But then once we arrived at the Gstaad Palace, all the travel weariness, was worn off. The place has this subtle elegance around it. No doubt, that it has been a firm favorite of celebrities ranging from Elizabeth Taylor to Paris Hilton to Kareena Kapoor's of the world.
I loved walking around the small and obviously well-to-do town of Gstaad.Rows of beautiful chalets covered with thick snow, high-end brands dotted shopping centre and joggers in their singular layer of clothing (with me covered in layers and layers) made for an interesting sight.
Interlaken:
The taxi drive from Gtaad to Interlaken took around 2 hours and was beautiful to say the least. At Interlaken, we checked in Victoria Jungfrau, another firm favorite of Bollywood biggies. A chunk of Dilwale Dulhania was shot here. The hotel is all about old hollywood glamour and a dip in the swimming pool which is nicely ensconced amidst the snow covered peaks, is an experience to be not missed.
Btw, just for disclaimers, since the husband was busy at work, my touring was mostly about pedestrian walks across the city and hotel leisure.
Grindelwald:
The big Harry Potter fan that I am, I could not help but chuckle at the obvious inspiration that the town has been for crafting the name of one of the characters in the series i.e. Gellert Grindelwald.
That apart, one step into the town and we were cursing under our breath for not knowing 'skiing'. The place is a ski-lover's delight. Just a look at the ski-infrastructure that the swiss have created made us go all wooh-wooah-wow!
Aeschi
One of the swiss business associates of the husband had suggested us to squeeze out time and go to 'Chimney Hut' - a local favourite swiss restaurant. So on a sunday afternoon, after a long drive from Interlaken to the sleepy town of Aeschi (just for the restaurant :)), we reached the restaurant. And bingo! we were taken aback by seeing the number of families that were there (given that the Swiss don't seem to be numerous). It definitely looked like a very popular place. The fact that we did not know German or ate non-vegetarian food did complicate the ordering process. But the food was oh so yummy! I totally understand why it's so famous. Totally worth the drive.
Mt. Titlis
Truth be told, apart from the 'hindi script' instructions at various junctures, I did not enjoy this place much. Reason no.1 - biting cold and reason no 2- the fact that I was constantly ruing the fact that I did not know how to ski, in that skiing paradise.
Rhine River Fall:
Just a little detour on our trip from Interlaken to Lucerne, this fall is as pretty as they come. Waters- crystal clear, glacier blue hued, descending straight with all their gusto into the river down below. I have always loved looking at the water, and this was an experience to relish.
Lucerne
Lucerne is what I have always thought of Europe to look like. It is a shopper's delight ( and a husband's nightmare:)), quaint (at least the old town part) and picturesque. I did love watching the swans forever, as they merrily danced around in the icy cold lake that separates the old town and the new town.
Zurich:
I chose the 'Wellenberg hotel' in the old town for the night over stay. Nothing very fancy, but nice and functional and most importantly quite in the midst of all places I did want to go to. What I loved most about Zurich- the trains, the dinner at the all-veg upscale restaurant 'Hilti' and the walks on the streets of Zurich, with a lot of window-shopping thrown in for good measure.
I was staring hard at the Swiss franc 1900 Christian Louboutins strap sandals when a fellow window-shopper quipped- ah! those shoes are exquisite. They are so you. I moaned-just so slightly!
Walking down the Gstaad Palace
Some more of the Alpine forests
Lucerne
Grindelwald
Rhine Falls
More of Lucerene
The majestic swans
Walking down the streets
My trip to Switzerland was not regular in the sense that it was not a leisure trip but rather I happened to be travelling with the husband, who was on a business trip. The good part though was that his work involved travelling across cities, towns and villages. And so while I probably did not do the usual touristy stuff, I still think that I did manage to see the best of Switzerland.
Gstaad:
After landing in Zurich, we immediately proceeded to Gstaad. We decided to take the train (Dilwale Dulhaniya hangover). The first class tickets did cost quite a lot besides the fact that train travel from Zurich to Gstaad meant changing trains thrice and we did realise that we should have researched on that and should have taken the cab instead.
But then once we arrived at the Gstaad Palace, all the travel weariness, was worn off. The place has this subtle elegance around it. No doubt, that it has been a firm favorite of celebrities ranging from Elizabeth Taylor to Paris Hilton to Kareena Kapoor's of the world.
I loved walking around the small and obviously well-to-do town of Gstaad.Rows of beautiful chalets covered with thick snow, high-end brands dotted shopping centre and joggers in their singular layer of clothing (with me covered in layers and layers) made for an interesting sight.
Interlaken:
The taxi drive from Gtaad to Interlaken took around 2 hours and was beautiful to say the least. At Interlaken, we checked in Victoria Jungfrau, another firm favorite of Bollywood biggies. A chunk of Dilwale Dulhania was shot here. The hotel is all about old hollywood glamour and a dip in the swimming pool which is nicely ensconced amidst the snow covered peaks, is an experience to be not missed.
Btw, just for disclaimers, since the husband was busy at work, my touring was mostly about pedestrian walks across the city and hotel leisure.
Grindelwald:
The big Harry Potter fan that I am, I could not help but chuckle at the obvious inspiration that the town has been for crafting the name of one of the characters in the series i.e. Gellert Grindelwald.
That apart, one step into the town and we were cursing under our breath for not knowing 'skiing'. The place is a ski-lover's delight. Just a look at the ski-infrastructure that the swiss have created made us go all wooh-wooah-wow!
Aeschi
One of the swiss business associates of the husband had suggested us to squeeze out time and go to 'Chimney Hut' - a local favourite swiss restaurant. So on a sunday afternoon, after a long drive from Interlaken to the sleepy town of Aeschi (just for the restaurant :)), we reached the restaurant. And bingo! we were taken aback by seeing the number of families that were there (given that the Swiss don't seem to be numerous). It definitely looked like a very popular place. The fact that we did not know German or ate non-vegetarian food did complicate the ordering process. But the food was oh so yummy! I totally understand why it's so famous. Totally worth the drive.
Mt. Titlis
Truth be told, apart from the 'hindi script' instructions at various junctures, I did not enjoy this place much. Reason no.1 - biting cold and reason no 2- the fact that I was constantly ruing the fact that I did not know how to ski, in that skiing paradise.
Rhine River Fall:
Just a little detour on our trip from Interlaken to Lucerne, this fall is as pretty as they come. Waters- crystal clear, glacier blue hued, descending straight with all their gusto into the river down below. I have always loved looking at the water, and this was an experience to relish.
Lucerne
Lucerne is what I have always thought of Europe to look like. It is a shopper's delight ( and a husband's nightmare:)), quaint (at least the old town part) and picturesque. I did love watching the swans forever, as they merrily danced around in the icy cold lake that separates the old town and the new town.
Zurich:
I chose the 'Wellenberg hotel' in the old town for the night over stay. Nothing very fancy, but nice and functional and most importantly quite in the midst of all places I did want to go to. What I loved most about Zurich- the trains, the dinner at the all-veg upscale restaurant 'Hilti' and the walks on the streets of Zurich, with a lot of window-shopping thrown in for good measure.
I was staring hard at the Swiss franc 1900 Christian Louboutins strap sandals when a fellow window-shopper quipped- ah! those shoes are exquisite. They are so you. I moaned-just so slightly!
