Switzerland honestly felt like stepping into a postcard, everywhere I turned, there was something that made me pause in disbelief. Our journey started in Zurich, a city that immediately struck me with its calm energy, spotless streets, and that classic Swiss charm. One of our first stops was Café Henrici (@cafehenrici), tucked into Zurich’s Old Town. It’s the perfect place to cozy up with a coffee and people-watch, the vibes are immaculate. After fuelling up, we spent time wandering the city: walking along the Limmat River, visiting the Landesmuseum, and admiring all the beautiful churches and architecture around every corner. Zurich does a great job of blending the modern with the historic, and I loved getting a feel for both.
We made our way to La Pasta, a spot that we just happened to find and let me tell you, it delivered. Fresh pasta, cozy setting, and the kind of meal that hits just right after a long day of exploring. Another highlight was checking out ETH Zurich, it’s one of the most respected universities in Europe, and we stumbled across a cool student bar on campus. The whole area had such a fun and welcoming energy, plus the campus itself is gorgeous.
We stayed at the MEININGER Hotel Zürich Greencity, just a little outside the city core, and it was a great find. The hotel was super clean, well-connected to transit, and had everything we needed. We were a group of five and booked a 6-person mixed dorm, which ended up being perfect, we had the space to ourselves and it worked out to be affordable.
From Zurich, we made our way to the mountains, and honestly, this part of the trip felt like a fairytale. The journey to Gimmelwald was an adventure in itself: train from Zurich to Interlaken, then on to Stechelberg, and finally a series of gondolas to reach this tiny village nestled in the Swiss Alps. The entire time, the views just kept getting better and better.
Gimmelwald is a place I’ll be thinking about forever. We stayed at the Mountain Hostel (@mountainhostel), which might go down as one of the coolest places I’ve ever stayed. Picture this: a rustic lodge perched on the edge of a mountain, with homemade pizza, friendly faces from all over the world, and some of the most breathtaking scenery I’ve ever seen. I literally found myself taking my glasses off and on, trying to decide if I was actually seeing what I thought I was. Spoiler: I was – and it was jaw-dropping.
The whole vibe of Gimmelwald was magical. We wandered over to the Honesty Shop, a tiny little store with no staff – just a notebook, a cash box, and a whole lot of trust. We hiked up to Mürren, a neighbouring town that feels like it belongs in a Hallmark Movie, and saw the famous Schilthorn, where some James Bond scenes were filmed. There were cows with bells, cats that followed us on trails, waterfalls crashing down the cliffs – it was everything you picture when you think “Swiss Alps,” but somehow better.
I truly can’t recommend Gimmelwald enough, it’s peaceful, untouched, and absolutely unforgettable. After a few dreamy days, we headed back down the mountain and set off for Italy, still buzzing from our alpine escape.
Throughout Switzerland, I was using my Eurail Pass, which made getting around super easy, especially for the major train routes. For more remote areas like Gimmelwald, we had to piece together gondolas and local transit, but that just added to the fun.
All in all, Switzerland left a big mark on me. To be frank (lol), Switzerland is quite expensive. From food and drinks to activities, the costs can add up quickly, but in my opinion, it’s 100% worth the splurge. The natural beauty, the peaceful atmosphere, and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences you’ll have there make every franc feel well spent. It was serene, stunning, and felt like a deep breath for the soul. If you ever get the chance to go, take it. You won’t regret it.
Halfway to Somewhere 