Switzerland

I have a new favorite place on the map: SWITZERLAND. We recently traveled overseas to enjoy a week of sightseeing, relaxation, and adventure in Switzerland, and today I’m going to blab all about it. If you have a taste for breathtaking scenery and outdoor excursions, today’s post is for you!

Our First Stop: Lake Lucerne

Never have I ever been in a place quite as stunning as Lake Lucerne. Picture this: crystal blue water surrounded by a mountainous peaks, rolling green pastures, and quaint waterside villages. It’s like something out of a magazine. We flew directly into Zurich and took an hour-long car ride from the airport to our lakeside hotel, Park Hotel Vitznau. This 5-star hotel features only a handful of luxury suites, all arranged in a historic castle-like building on the edge of the lake. The view alone was worth the trip, but the hotel continued to impress me on all accounts. Service was excellent, the hotel restaurants were delicious and the spa was spectacular (more on that later!).

We began our stay at the hotel with a morning of recuperating from jetlag by the lake. Chairs with umbrellas dot the edge of the water and are just in front of the hotel’s indoor/outdoor pool. From the pool you can swim up to the spa facilities which are available to all guests. Equipped with saunas, a steam room, a solarium, tepid pools, and even relaxation room with a floor-to-ceiling aquarium, this spa was beyond anything I’ve seen in a while. We also popped over to the hotel gym and an astroturf tennis court that is available to hotel guests.

There are three dining options on hotel property, but we took time to visit off-property restaurants as well. While Switzerland may not be known for the cuisine, I found the fresh ingredients and comforting flavors to be wonderful. We also managed to have a cocktail in the hotel bar each evening. The setting is wonderful, and with only a few guests on site, it was a peaceful (and delicious!) way to wind down the day.

My favorite activity on Lake Lucerne was a private morning of boating that the hotel arranged for us. The boat’s skipper toured us around the lake, explained the history of the area, and paused for a quick lunch and a few swims. Without question, this is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been, but we didn’t stop there! We also enjoyed a ride to the top of Mount Pilatus, a glass blowing tour, and a bit of souvenir shopping in Lucerne’s old town. Check out our complete list below!

Where We Ate on Lake Lucerne

Grill Restaurant and Lake Terrace Hotel dining lakeside with spectacular views and casual bites.
focus ATELIER Michelin-star dining in a castle-like hotel.
Restaurant Beaufort Our lakeside lunch favorite with fabulous local menu and personal service.
Restaurant Bündnerland Lucerne This tavern is one of the oldest buildings in Lucerne. Enjoy pints and fondue in a classic Swiss setting!
Pilatus Kulm This restaurant located on the top of Mt. Pilatus has incredible views and a great casual menu, too.
Restaurant Riva am See Enjoy fresh-caught fish in a lakeside setting!

What We Did on Lake Lucerne

Private Costa Brava Boat Tour Leisure tour on what might be the prettiest lake in the world!
Mount Pilatus Golden Tour Lucerne’s landmark mountain is explorable by cogwheel train, funicular, and hiking! We opted for all three in a day of sightseeing and adventure.
Glass Blowing Glasi Hergiswil is a museum, store, and hands-on experience all wrapped in one!
Explore Lucerne’s old town by foot, including the historic Chapel Bridge.

Next Stop: Gstaad

One thing I learned and loved about Switzerland is that their train system is incredibly sophisticated. We were able to travel via a beautiful scenic train from Lucerne to Gstaad in less than two hours. The trip is dotted with glacier lakes, mountainous views, and little villages at every stop. It’s truly a treat for your eyes and such a worthwhile way to get from point A to point B. We finally arrived at our mountain resort, Alpina Gstaad. This “chalet chic” hillside spot boasts panoramic views of the Bernese Alps and Saaneland valley. In a word: BREATHTAKING.

We had an action-packed itinerary for our time in Gstaad, so on check-in day, we opted to explore the hotel grounds, pool area and spa. The pool is set in a garden area and has adjacent restaurants and play areas for children. We enjoyed poolside snacks and cocktails before heading to the water and spa facilities. While on property, we also enjoyed the bar, multiple restaurants, and a fabulous breakfast setup. While the hotel grounds are phenomenal, my favorite part was the kind and energetic service provided by the staff- so many kind people to speak of!

We planned to make the most of the outdoors while we were in the mountains. With a scheduled hike, hot air balloon ride, complimentary hotel bikes, and even a World Cup polo match happening 10 minutes away, we weren’t bored for even a second. Here is a list of our favorite things we ate and did while visiting Gstaad.

Where We Ate in Gstaad

Rössli Feutersoey One of our favorite meals of the trip. A family-run restaurant serving excellent farm-to-table cuisine in a garden setting.
Megu Switzerland’s top Asian restaurant just happened to be in our hotel!
Posthotel Rössli Alpine dining in the oldest hotel in the area!

What We Did in Gstaad

Private Hike: I think I’m still sore from this 5-hour trip arranged through our hotel concierge. The views were absolutely worth it.
Hot Air Balloon Ride: View the alp from the sky!
Shopping in Saanen: While Gstaad offers a number of luxury shopping options (think Hermes and Louis Vuitton), we opted to explore a neighboring city with locally owned stores.

A Taste of Switzerland

With views like the ones I saw in Lucerne and Gstaad, I came home feeling INSPIRED. Here are a few Swiss-inspired finds for your home, closet, and more. Happy Shopping!