This month, Regatta Bay resident, Susan Young, shares with us her story of finding adventure with her best friend across the Swiss countryside and mountain regions. After hearing her story, a visit to Switzerland is definitely on my bucket list! Take it away Susan…

It has been decades since I last visited Switzerland, yet it has always held a magical memory in my heart. When our local friends, Chris and Michele Poate, invited us to their beautiful daughter Antonia’s wedding in Germany, it created a fabulous opportunity to do a side trip beforehand to explore Switzerland.

I invited one of my best friends, Susanne Gaddis, to join me on an unforgettable adventure with a spectacular itinerary. We meticulously planned our route to optimize our time, allowing us to fully experience the charm and beauty of Switzerland’s most captivating destinations in only seven days.

We began our journey in Zürich, strolling through its historic old town and enjoying a boat tour on Lake Zürich. The following day, we drove to Lucerne, where the iconic Chapel Bridge, cathedrals, and serene lakefront captivated our hearts, and fondue captivated our palettes.

On our third day, we stopped in Brienz, a picturesque village known for its woodcarving tradition. The turquoise waters of Lake Brienz and the surrounding mountains made for a perfect backdrop.

Once we reached Grindelwald, we rode to the top of a mountain in a cable car to enjoy panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Breathtaking! From there, we drove to Lauterbrunnen, a valley with 72 waterfalls. The Trümmelbach Falls, in particular, left us in awe when we went inside a mountain to view ten waterfalls! Once our waterfall tours ended, we drove to the train station to park our car. We took a steep train ride up the mountain to the car-free village of Wengen to spend the night, arriving at sunset. After such a big day, our quiet hotel provided a peaceful retreat amidst towering peaks.

On our fourth morning, we drove through Interlaken. The adventure capital of Switzerland did not disappoint with its breathtaking scenery and lively atmosphere.

Continuing our journey, we visited Spiez, a town boasting a beautiful castle and vineyard-lined hills along Lake Thun. We next ventured into the charming village of Gruyere. Our final destination for the day was Montreux, along the sparkling shores of Lake Geneva.

The next morning, our adventure led us to Bellagio, Italy, known as the “Pearl of Lake Como,” where we spent our last two nights enjoying Italian gourmet and sunsets. Bellagio’s charming streets and stunning lake views were the perfect end to our whirlwind tour.

As our adventure came to an end, we went in separate directions. Heading north across the Alps, I began the next leg of my journey and headed to Heidelberg for the most beautiful and extraordinary destination wedding of dear friends.