Chasing dreams in the Swiss Alps!

Greetings fellow travelers! Welcome back to another adventure with HumSafars. Following the desert adventure of Oman, our next destination was a dream come true, especially for all Bollywood buffs out there (like us), Switzerland! The breathtaking mountains, picturesque scenes with crystal blue waters, and our first ever snowfall experience were just a few highlights of this amazing trip. We meticulously planned our itinerary, gathering quotes and must-do recommendations from fellow travelers and agents. Drawing from our previous experience in Europe, we decided to forgo any tour packages and rely on the well-connected and accessible public transport. Our trip was split between two cities, with exciting day trips planned to cover all the must-see locations. So, without further delay, let’s dive into this epic journey!

Day 1– Landed in Zurich around 8 PM, and took a train directly from the airport to our first destination, Lucern (courtesy Swiss travel pass, which gives you access to almost all public transportation). The way we had planned it, we ensured our hotel was only a short walk away from the station, so once we figured out the direction, we managed to enjoy the beautiful lake and scenery on the way before reaching our hotel to retire for the day after the long travel time.

Day 2– After a delicious breakfast, we headed back to the train station with a better idea of where we were going. Our next stop? Mount Titlis! It was our first official tourist spot on this trip, and we couldn’t wait to get there. I have to say (again), the train system in Europe is really something else, making it easy to get around. We hopped on a short train and an even shorter bus ride before reaching the cable car that would take us to the top. The view was already stunning with snow all around us! Our inner child couldn’t wait to get to the top and play in the snow.

Once we reached the summit, we were greeted with a whole range of activities to choose from. There was a Cliff walk, a Glacier Cave filled with intricate ice sculptures, an open chairlift known as the Ice Flyer, and even a snow park for those who just wanted to roll around and have some fun. Of course, we had to try everything!

We also stumbled upon a Bollywood-themed section with a cutout of SRK and Kajol from the iconic movie DDLJ. It was a popular spot for photos, and we couldn’t resist taking our own cheesy shots. But the highlight of our visit was when it started to snow and a group of middle-aged Indian tourist males around us broke into a duet from the movie while their respective partners were all weirded out and embarrassed (but visibly blushing). It was heartwarming to see these couples keeping the romance alive.

Apart from all the activities, there were also some adventure sports like skiing, snowboarding and paragliding, but we decided to stick to playing in the snow this time. And boy, did we have a blast! To top it all off, there were a few restaurants and cafes with gorgeous views, so we grabbed a spot and treated ourselves to some hot chocolate (with marshmallows, of course).

After our adrenaline-filled day, we made our way back to Lucerne and decided to top it off with an evening cruise. And guess what? It’s included in the Swiss pass too! This was no ordinary ferry though; the view was simply breathtaking – crystal clear blue water, lush green mountains, and a dreamy fog that made everything feel like it was straight out of a postcard. It was like living in a fancy mineral water commercial!

As we strolled back to our hotel, we stumbled upon a group of musicians playing by the lake. It was like a scene from a fairy tale. And to make it even more magical, a couple started slow dancing right there on the street. We couldn’t believe our luck – we were living out a movie moment! After taking in the beautiful sights and sounds, we headed back to our hotel for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. What a phenomenal day!

Day 3– Today was another exciting day as we were surrounded by snow once again. After indulging in a delicious breakfast, complete with warm and flaky croissants, we headed to Jungfraujoch- The Top of Europe!

The journey to get there involved a picturesque train ride called the Panorama Express and the route was incredibly scenic. As we gazed out the train window, we were in awe of the crystal-clear lakes, snow-covered mountains, and lush green landscapes passing us by. We couldn’t help but try to soak in all the beauty around us. There were moments when we were literally poking each other to look out the other side, even though our side was equally beautiful!

Like all good things, this train journey too came to an end as we reached the foothills of the snow-capped mountains and boarded another train that ran through tunnels in the middle of the mountains. Along the way, the train even stopped at a scenic viewpoint for us to capture more photographs. From there, it was a gondola to the peak. This experience was a bit different from the previous day as we stood in a gondola with ~20-25 people. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, with snow and wind, the view was still breathtaking. At the top, there were various tourist attractions, including an Ice Palace, panoramic viewpoints (duh!), a 360-degree cinematic experience, and even a small Lindt chocolate shop/factory. We spent some time exploring all the tunnels and taking pictures before braving the harsh weather once again to immerse ourselves in the snow as we couldn’t resist taking some pictures with the iconic Swiss flag waving in the background outside.

Honestly, it wasn’t much different than our experience at Mt. Titlis. Maybe we were just a little too excited the day before, so we soon decided to head back down and continue our adventure. Our next stop was Interlaken, the main station on the way back to Lucerne. We had heard so much about this town and were excited to explore it. Plus, it is a convenient base for visiting Jungfrau and Mt. Titlis and a good alternative if you don’t want to stay at Lucern. Also, this is a great spot if you are looking for some luxury shopping too!

As we strolled through the town, we couldn’t help but feel like we were in a romantic Bollywood movie. The emerald lakes, flower fields, and horse-drawn carriages added to the charming atmosphere. We even stumbled upon a bronze statue honoring the late Indian filmmaker Yash Chopra, who helped make Switzerland a dream destination for Bollywood fans. We spent the day wandering around, watching paragliders land in the open fields, and indulging in a steaming hot pot of Swiss cheese fondue. It was an unforgettable experience. As the day came to a close, we made our way back to Lucerne, feeling content and ready to call it a day.

Day 4– Today was another exciting day of our Swiss adventure as we said goodbye to our hotel in Lucerne and hopped on a train back to Zurich. Our plan for the day was to drop off our luggage at the hotel, do a little exploring, and then head to the pre-booked Rhine Falls and Stein tour.

The tour agency offered us an extra option – for a small fee, we could get up close and personal with the magnificent Rhine Falls by taking a boat ride. And of course, we couldn’t resist! After a short bus ride, we found ourselves at the falls and began our adventure with a group of around 15 people. The 30-minute boat ride was absolutely breathtaking, but also a little wet thanks to the powerful winds. For those who preferred to stay dry (comparatively), there were plenty of viewing decks to take in the beauty of Europe’s largest waterfall. We even saw some creative photo-taking happening around us!

Next up was the charming medieval fishing town of Rhein, which our guide had raved about. And it did not disappoint! With its well-preserved old town dating back to the 11th century, it felt like we had stepped back in time. We strolled through the narrow streets, admiring the typical old-style houses that we had only seen in movies. And of course, we couldn’t resist trying the famous ice cream from the recommended shop – it was simply delicious! With our cones in hand, we continued to explore the town, taking in the sights of the old museum and a picturesque lake.

After freshening up in our hotel room, we couldn’t wait to continue our adventure in Zurich. Our hotel was conveniently located across from the main rail station and right next to Bahnhofstrasse – the ultimate shopping destination in Zurich and the most expensive shopping street in the world! Naturally, we had to check it out. But first, we decided to take a stroll through the city, eventually crossing the picturesque Limmat river to reach the charming Old Town. As we wandered through the cobblestone streets, we stumbled upon countless adorable restaurants and cafes, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The atmosphere was lively and bustling, with people enjoying the beautiful weather and local music. We couldn’t resist stopping for a bite to eat and picking up some souvenirs before calling it a day.

Day 5– As our flight wasn’t until late evening, we had a good chunk of the day to explore on our own. And let me tell you, there was one thing that was non–negotiable on our must-do list (especially for me) – the chocolate factory! The journey there was already a treat, with a gorgeous lake on one side, but honestly, Switzerland just oozes beauty everywhere you look so I won’t ramble on about that.

After a quick train ride and a short walk, we arrived at the Lindt Home of Chocolate. And let me just say, my inner child was squealing with excitement when we saw the massive chocolate fountain at the entrance. We felt like Charlie from the famous book, all wide-eyed and eager to step inside. The shop was filled with all kinds of chocolates to take home, and they even had lockers so you could explore the tour with free hands.

The tour itself was a treat, with individual devices that could be tuned into multiple languages. We got to scan QR codes at each exhibit to learn about the history of cocoa and its connection to Swiss culture. But the real highlight was the chocolate tasting! They had Lindt chocolate fountains all around the room, with freshly produced chocolate that you could scoop up with a spoon. And let me tell you, they had all the flavors you could think of – we went a little crazy trying them all. They also had tubs filled with packaged Lindt chocolates that you could help yourself to. We tried to be polite, but we couldn’t help but notice others filling their pockets with as much chocolate as they could carry, and no one seemed to mind. Won’t lie, was extremely tempted to do the same, but just picked up a couple more as a consolation and made our way out.

After an incredible tour, we came across a giant vending machine. With a simple scan of our ticket, the machine set off a chain reaction of gears and levers that was mesmerizing to watch. And the best part? A delicious chocolate treat at the end. Despite already indulging in plenty of chocolates, the childlike excitement was still there as we watched the machine work its magic.

After that thrilling experience, it was time to head back to our hotel and sadly await our driver to take us to the airport. We couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness as our trip came to an end. But the memories and moments we shared will stay with us forever.

Important Pointers-

• Buy a Swiss pass in advance for sure, for the number of days you are there. Not only does it give you access to all the public transport, but there are also good discounts for entries and tickets (like Jungfrau, Lindt etc.)
• Kind of stating the obvious, but it was EXTREMELY cold, especially on the top of Mt Titlis, especially Ice flyer since its completely open. Even on the cliff walk or Jungfrau, if it starts snowing, the wind and snow combination really hits you like small sharp needles, so do dress accordingly!
• If you’re a chocolate lover like us, you can’t miss a visit to the Lindt House of Chocolate. This requires prior booking, and they are pretty strict with the slots you booked if there is a rush, so book in advance.
• Vegetarian food is not that tough to find, do try the Cheese fondue, Rosti and various Soups they have (and obviously Chocolates!)
• The official currency is Swiss franc, but many tourist places accept Euro or even USD. Cards are accepted at most places, but it is good to keep some cash handy.
• There were moments we felt jealous about looking out one side of the window because we are missing the other side, that’s how amazing everything was! One tip though, try and get a seat on the right side of the train from Lucern while heading towards Jungfrau, for a better view of the lakes.
• There are many more amazing places, which we considered but dropped later on. But if you like nature trails and adventure activities, plan for a stop at Grindelwald
• Switzerland is a very expensive country, so prioritize on where you want to spend. An overrated, over-the-top expensive hotel may not be what you want if you are going to be exploring the natural beauty the entire day.
• If you are planning a visit after reading this, bring us back some chocolates!

Cost of trip (all for 2)-

• Flight Tickets (From Dubai)- USD 2500
• Hotels, Swiss Pass and Rhine Tour- USD 2200
• Visa Costs- USD 275
• Jungfrau Tickets- USD 260
• Mt Titlis Tickets- USD 125
• Lindt House of Chocolate- USD 35
• Misc- USD 750

Hotels we stayed at

• Lucern- Hotel Drei Konige (Not too great, but got the work done)
• Zurich- St Gotthard

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