Swiss Summer Holiday

Jo's 3 month probation at work was successfully finished and she was owed some holiday time. We were sick of the rainy British summer and headed to Switzerland for some sun. Starting in the French city of Geneva, through the mountains of the Bernese Oberland, the stunning city and lake of Lucerne and ending in the German city of Zurich, it was a 6 day whirlwind tour with some awesome and varied scenery and culture.

We landed in Geneva and had a couple of hours exploring before catching the train to Interlaken. The most prominent landmark in Geneva is the Jet d'Eau a massive 140m fountain in the lake, visible from the plane when landing.

Jet d'Eau from Cathedrale de St-Pierre in Geneva

From Interlaken, we walked to Grindelwald in the heart of the mountains. Well, walked with a little mechanical assistance, first with a cog-wheel train up to Schynige Platte, and finishing with a gondola descent into Grindelwald. An easy way to get amongst some stunning scenery.

Jo on the walk to Grindelwald

Steve high above Interlaken

The Buchalpsee with the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn and Finsteraarhorn behind.

Jo relaxing at Bachalpsee

The Eiger, with Grindelwald below

Grindelwald is an amazing town. We could look right out the front of the hostel across at the North Face of the Eiger, the subject of so much mountaineering history and literature, which I had read so much about. It was great to finally see in the flesh. Must say it is not the most appealing climb I have ever seen, so often shrouded in cloud when everywhere else is fine, but part of the appeal is in the challenge it presents, and part of the notoriety is in the public spectacle its challenges provide.

A relaxing breakfast under the Eiger Norwand

A little sore from our days walk (oh the woe!) we took the easy option the next day with a train and gondola ride to the resort of Murren. A stunning spot on pastures high above the valley.

Looking back over Murren to the Eiger, as usual, sheathed in cloud

From here we used the excellent network of trains to get to our next stop of Lucerne. Another beautiful town on the edge of another beautiful lake. Yeah you probably get the idea, but we really liked Switzerland. We had the luck of arriving with a free summer concert happening down at the waterfront.

Lucerne from the old town wall

We had the luxury of two nights in Lucerne (oh the extravagance) so the next day we cruised up the lake on an old paddle steamer, took the cutest little funicular railway up a hill (see the recurring theme?) and then walked to the top for some fantastic views over the lake.

Paddle steamer on Lake Lucerne

Jo looking over Lucerne

From Lucerne we travelled to Zurich, which we explored at a more relaxed pace, swimming and sunbathing in the lake, exploring the old town and enjoying a Bavarian style beer hall. A quick stock up of chocolate before jetting home. Sweet.