Switzerland

We visited Switzerland at the end of August and it has now rocketed to the top of my favorites list. There was so much to explore and it seemed like there was always an adventure waiting for us around each corner. I can't recommend it enough- it is such a wonderful family destination and especially great for young children!

Not a bad view to wake up to each morning!

We visited the Jungfrau part of the Bernese Oberland region and stayed in Wengen since it was more centrally located. I would recommend staying more up in the mountains as opposed to Interlaken. We only booked 3 nights and I was kicking myself because we definitely could have spent at least another 2 nights there. Everything is very expensive including food and the trains, but well worth it!

By staying 3 nights, that really only gave us two full days to explore. 

Our first day, we woke up very early and took the first train  (6:40am!) down from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen. The plan was to go up to the Schilthorn and then work our way back down. Its always best to go up to the highest peaks first for the best views and smaller crowds. The mountains can get very cloudy as the day goes on, so the earlier the better! We practically had empty trains and cable cars going up, but it was definitely crowded coming down.

The view from Schilthorn

Our first stop was the Schilthorn. A James Bond movie was filmed here in 1969 and there is a revolving panoramic restaurant that is very popular too. We enjoyed the views from here, but our favorite spot was Birg. 

Me and James Bond

Birg is where you transfer cable cars to go up to the Schilthorn. I highly recommend stopping here on the way back down. We really had no idea what to expect so just got out and explored. We found the Skyline Walk and it was so fun! It is a glass and metal walkway that is suspended on the side of the mountain with incredible views. It is full of surprises and challenges. We each took multiple turns climbing through the tunnel- the kids LOVED it! My mommy heart was only a little bit nervous!

Rowe was completely fearless- he ran across no problem!

 My turn!

Snacks and amazing views- two of my favorite things!

After Birg, we headed down to Murren, grabbed some lunch and then took a funicular up to Allmendhubel. There is a fantastic playground at the top- one of the best I have ever seen. There is also a Children's Adventure Trail that you can hike back down to Murren, but it was not very well marked and we didn't realize it until too late. 

Our second day, we woke up early again to take the first train up to the Jungfraujoch- The Top of Europe! The Jungfrau Railway is the highest altitude railway in Europe and goes through quite a long tunnel to reach its destination. We were very cold even with our winter jackets so make sure you pack the layers. It took about 2 hours to make it to the top. The Jungfrau station is a little over commercialized with the Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven but there is a Snow Fun area where you can pay for play time in the snow. 

Our ride to the top!

 A view over the Glacier- gorgeous! 

Once we made it back down to Kleine Scheidegg we grabbed lunch at a restaurant with a playground and an incredible view. The food was pretty great too. Every now and then we would hear a rumble like an earth quake and realized that it was snow falling off the side of the mountains!

 Normer visited with some of the local residents. 

After lunch we hiked from Kleine Scheidegg to Mannlichen. The hike is supposed to take about 1.5 hours and I think we all made it in under 2. This was also one of my favorite things we did. I just wished we had packed sun screen. I completely didn't think about bringing any and it cost $17 to buy a tiny bottle so we just went without it. We were all so sun burnt after this hike though. Normer had the bright idea to put a t-shirt on his head to block the sun and I only called him Ali Baba the rest of the day. :)

Ali Baba and his 3 Thieves

The boys did so well on the hike, only a few little complaints. We kept encouraging them that there was a playground up ahead and that helped! I just can't get over these amazing views. I wish all playgrounds in the world could be this pleasurable!

Two happy boys

From Männlichen there is a short little hike called the Royal Walk which ends at a golden crown lookout. After this hike, the boys were exhausted so we took a short cable car ride back down to Wengen and called it a day!

The hills are indeed alive

Things I wish we had time to do: 

First- Cliff Walk

Grindelwald

Apple Fritter Trail- Children's hiking trail that goes from Holenstein to Brandegg. 

I love you Switzerland and will be back one day soon!!

Contact me at stacee@beckylambtravel.com to plan your next getaway!!