This 11days trip is like a dream to me. In a glimpse, I am back from this charming Fairy Tale Land. How can time flies so fast?!
Switzerland, you are too charming and too amazing!
In this summary post, I will include some small tips that you can take note (if you want). Then, later on I will expand the stories by days or area, putting up more photos. There are too many to talk about the journeys; some were quite adventurous and some were really tiring but fun, or we call it 刺激 or exciting. Self-planning trip to Switzerland is doable if you study more and plan the route well.
I am glad to I have my brother and Esther to do the planning; and I just zoom myself over. LOL. Many thanks to them for taking me on this trip; to Switzerland, my first ever Europe trip.
You will see most of our lunches were COOP’s bread or pastries cos we were always on the go during the trip, so we kept some bread and pastries in our backpack every day and munched on them when we were hungry; be it in the stations, on the railway, or taking a break at some mountains, picnic-ing.
Supermarkets in Switzerland close quite early, but Zurich one closes at 10pm. We too, brought along some Maggi Cups over in case we ran late back to where we were staying, when we were unable to get breakfast or supper.
Also, do take note, do not follow exactly my itinerary if you are travelling with kids or elderly as my itinerary can be quite a hectic one; wake up early in the morning, catching bus catching train as their bus and train schedules are very on time. And instead of café hopping or area hopping, what we did is … Mountain Hoping. LOL. Yep we went up to a lot of mountains and we love it. Pick only on what you feel like doing, where you feel like visiting.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SWITZERLAND?
This should be the most frequently asked question. If you google, I think most of the answers will be SUMMER and WINTER or from April to October, somewhere around there.
In summer, you can go for hiking, mesmerize the greenery beauty of the grassland and perform many fun activities like mountain cart, flyers, glider, Trottibike, toboggan ride. And yet you may still be able to have some snow fun too as high altitude mountain such as Jungfraujoch has snow all year rounds.
In winter, you can do many winter sports such as skiing or enjoy the snow (weather can be really cold though).
During spring months, you get to see alpine blooms, flowering trees while in autumn, you will get the romantic autumn colours.
We were there in end of September; it is slightly off peak where summer peak was over. Weather gets a little chiller and more comfortable. From what we found, September seems to be the month with lesser rain but luck was not with us. LOL
My experience:
Weather changed quite drastic as compared to early September. There were rains on some days, heavy and some days drizzling all day long; some days were windy. We relied quite a lot on our umbrella. Also, we brought along rain coats (but we didn’t use).
There were also sunny day but for a short while only. Sun came out for a short period of time, and then the mountain was covered with mist. We were lucky to get many important picturesque views of the mountains when the sun was out. We’d tried our best to chase after the sun.
TRANSPORTATION
To drive or take railway?
Railway system in Switzerland is very extensive and also one of the densest. It offers a very punctual service (same like Japan!) and has very spectacular views where you get to enjoy while taking the train.
It is pretty easy and convenient to travel by train. All you need to do is to plan your route ahead, download this SBB Mobile App onto your smart phone. This super app will lead you on how to get to your destination.
Continue reading 11D10N Switzerland: The Magical Fairy Tale Land