When planning our trip across Europe I decided to choose countries that lined the Mediterranean coast due to my love for the ocean and ease of travel. However, when looking at the map I simply couldn’t resist the opportunity to see the high peaks, calm valleys and vast lakes that make up the iconic Swiss Alps. So without hesitation I traded in sparkling seas for the majestic mountains of Switzerland, and that’s when the true adventure began.
Drive
Once we landed in Geneva, our Sixt rental car was booked and ready to take us through our 2 1/2 hour journey to Adelboden. I do recommend a renting a car because a drive through Switzerland will be one of the most scenic road trips you’ll ever take and makes getting around much easier. Tip: If you decide to drive take the toll roads to avoid adding hours to your route.
Of course make sure you keep your camera charged and ready because you’ll want to film most if not the whole ride. As you draw near your destination, the mountains multiply and the landscape becomes more and more unreal, like staring at a green screen.
STAY
The Cambrian Hotel
Location: Adelboden, Switzerland
Adelboden is a small mountain village full of friendly locals, skiing and panoramic views of the alpine scenery. I discovered this town during my search for a place similar to the luxurious boutique hotel, Villa Honegg. The 5-star getaway is known for their breathtaking outdoor infinity pool (shown below) that overlooks Lake Lucerne, however, the $700-$1000+ per night cost was just not in our budget. Instead, the Cambrian design hotel provided both stunning postcard views and an outdoor pool facing a gorgeous mountain backdrop for a fraction of the price.
Peaceful haven are the two words that come to mind when thinking of the Cambrian. Despite being completely booked the quiet boutique feel of this hotel made it seem like we were the only two there. Each morning we would awake to surreal views of snow-caped mountains and map out our adventures for the day.
DINE
They say don’t believe everything you see on the internet, and I now understand. After a long day of exploring, we did quite a bit of restaurant hopping just to find out that the closing times listed on google were incorrect and many were not open for late dinner (9-10pm). If you get caught up in the day like us, I suggest calling earlier to confirm hours and availability.
Cambrian Restaurant and Axe Bar
The Cambrian hotel offers one fine dining restaurant and an alpine lounge bar, however, with only two days to soak in the GLORIOUS (yes it’s worth all caps) outdoors of Switzerland, food was the last thing on our minds. Busy days led to never dining at the Cambrian Restaurant so the Axe Bar became our go-to. The menu had some excellent options made with local ingredients and the bartender was nothing short of a pro, as the cocktails were amazing.
One thing I cannot stress enough (because it caused me stress) is everything closes early in Adelboden. I must be spoiled by 24-hour Wal-Marts and Miami bars open until 5am, because the local grocery stores closing at 6:30pm, the Cambrian Restaurant closing at 9pm, and the Axe Bar closing at 11pm, was a tad frustrating. My advice is to purchase any necessities when first heading out for the day, and while activity planning try not to forget eating before midnight is fun too.
Auberge de Savièse
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Cheese Lovers Only: If when in Geneva you are looking to taste a bit of authentic Swiss cuisine then Auberge de Savièse is a great choice. The traditional restaurant specializes in family style cooking and are known for their delicious selection of fondues and raclettes. Similar to one another, the raclette dish consists of slices of melted cheese accompanied by boiled potatoes, pickles and onions. Fondue is made of melted cheese served in a hot pot with a side of bread, boiled potatoes and if you’re extra like me, grapes and apples as well.
EXPLORE
Day I
YES! YES! YES! Now for the fun section. Switzerland is the ultimate adventureland, so if you visit and don’t end up jumping out of a plane or skiing down the world’s steepest slope while riding a moose did you really even go? Alright maybe our adventures weren’t that insane but we did enjoy having our own car to chase waterfalls, discover lakes, and ride up massive mountainsides until we reached snow. I grew up around mountains my whole life but nothing like this, nothing compares to the pure freedom you feel here. But let me stop before I start crying and writing Swiss poetry.
Day II
The next day, we were ready to head out a bit further to a popular resort town named Interlaken. Once we arrived after an hour drive, we noticed this area was livelier and more modern, yet still offered that rustic mountain feel that we love about Adelboden. This tourist destination is packed with any and all types of adventure from toboggans, skiing, sledding, cruises, rafting, but most importantly our bucket list adventure paragliding, which is exactly what we came to do.
There are SO many paragliding companies to choose from but after careful research I decided to go with Paragliding Interlaken GmbH due to their great reviews and fair prices. Once parked we walked to the meeting point and awaited a bus to take our small group up the mountain. The 20-minute ride was spent filling out a quick form, being briefed on safety and randomly selecting our pilots. During the drive it was interesting to learn how Switzerland attracts people from all around the world, as not one of us was visiting from the same country.
Finally, we reached the top and prepared for takeoff with our pilots. I took as many last-minute pictures and videos as possible before having to put away my phone. Only pilots can use their Go Pros for photos and video which is an additional 40 Swiss Francs (similar to $40US). If unsure whether you want the package, you do not have to make a decision until after the flight when they show you the footage for review. Now it was time for me to run off the edge of a cliff and soak in the sights from a bird’s eye view. The 20-minute flight was utterly amazing and I loved every moment. The art of being a paragliding pilot is a talent within itself; I was so impressed as we maneuvered around mountains and soared with the wind all while he taught me about the area and snapped the best action shots with a Go Pro. I asked how he came to be a pilot and he simply replied his friends were, so he decided to too (I need friends like his).
Once our feet reunited with land, we grabbed a quick bite at Café de Paris, and began our 4-hour drive back to Geneva to spend the next two nights.
NEXT TIME
Tobaggan Ride
The Rodelbahn Oeschinensee mountain coaster was a BIG to-do on our list after paragliding, but with a late start to the day we just could not make it before the 5pm closing time. I am depending on all of you to visit Switzerland and do this bucket-list worthy adventure so that I may live vicariously through you (no pressure).
Ski / Snowboard
Raised in the Pennsylvania mountains I began skiing when I was seven and switched to boarding when I was 10, but once I went away to college I just didn’t have the time and then I moved to the most anti-snow place, Florida. However, if I were to pick a place to dust the rust off my board it would have to be the winter wonderland of Switzerland. The Tschentenalp and Lenk Bergbahnen ski resorts are a couple top rated choices around the Adelboden area.
Ride the Red Train to the Top of Europe
The Jungfraujoch (don’t ask me how to pronounce it) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Europe’s highest train station at over 11,000 feet above sea level. Here you can enjoy panoramic views, an ice sculpture palace, Swiss chocolate heaven, hiking trails and much more!
If you have any questions or would like to share your Switzerland adventures please comment below!