Located on the Italian border, (the Matterhorn is a shared border with Italy) I arrive in this small town nestled between some of the Europe's tallest peaks. This includes the pyramid, almost bent backwards peak of the Matterhorn which is the area's main attraction.
Zermatt itself is a ski resort town, and extremely expensive with limited lodgings and high demand due to the natural beauty of the area.
the best shot I have the Matterhorn- an unusually clear day it was I tells ya!
Looking to save, I don't know, a few thousand bucks, I book an AirBnb "just" outside of Zermatt. Yes, technically it is less than 2 miles away, but unfortunately, I didn't take into account the mountains. I literally had to carry my gear after a long train ride up an incredibly steep trail.
But honestly I don't mind. It is so quiet and peaceful up there, a kind of upscale of upscale hostel where I have a private room for $90 a night or so.
The nature surrounding is magnificent. While not quite as astounding as Barriloche Argentina, with her huge bodies of water, if you enjoy nature, this is an absolutely exquisite place to be. I am only here for two days due to my pricey Swiss Rail Pass expiring and wanting to get to Italy, but in retrospect, I wish I had stayed longer.
Below you find some photos and videos of this amazing area of the world.
Video: Why you Absolutely MUST Visit Zermatt, Switzerland
there are a few very small (less than 100 residents) in the mountains around Zermatt
the trail with wildflowers around the 5 Lakes
Video: hiking the 5 Lakes trail around the Matterhorn
the rugged mountains- would look better in snow I am sure
the Swiss Alps
sitting by the lake on a warm Swiss afternoon
the blue lake (of the 5 lakes)
Video: the Matterhorn from different angle
a beautiful blue flower in the summer
an alpine stream running down the mountain
the glacier around Zermatt
a stream leads down the forested mountain to Zermatt
hard to be mad here, it is so beautiful
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it's a sight to behold
a fast moving stream rushes down the mountain slope
many colorful alpine flowers lined the Alps in summer
rugged summer scenery
lots of these mountain streams. Feel free to refill your water bottle
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on the trail to Hotel Trift- another hour + away from desolate lodgings
Hotel Trift- 2+ hours steep hike from Zermatt, the quietest place you'll ever stay
the Swiss flag up by Trift where I say my goodbyes to Switzerland
Lucerne is an idyllic town in the Swiss Alps, located a little more than 50km from Zurich. As I spent but one night, in a hotel which was formerly a jail (which, while not the most comfortable was both very cheap for Switzerland @ $70 and served as a useful reminder to stay out of trouble) both days I was there I explored the nearby mountains named Pilatus and Rigi which you get to most quickly by boat across Lake Lucerne.
Below are photos and two videos of the beautiful area.
a view back on this idyllic Swiss town from Lake Lucerne
the ferry passes by downtown Lucerne
looking across the lake
video: The Center of Beautiful Lucerne, Switzerland
downtown Lucerne
mansion/ castle atop the hill
the bridge across the lake in the center of Lucerne
the famous flower bridge
a swan keeps me company at the edge of the lake
the train station in Lucerne- beautiful building
flowers in Lucerne
Here are photos (and a video) of the the Swiss mountains around Lucerne. Look how green. The area is incredibly tranquil and quiet, and has a calming effect on the soul as opposed to the hustle and bustle of the big cities of the world.
video: views of Lake Lucerne and areas around Mount Rigi and Pilatus
flowers at the edge of a mountain ledge
a friend sits next to me on the mountain bench
beautiful alpine flowers in the Alps
a cow rests atop Mount Rigi
a look down at Lake Lucerne
atop Mount Rigi! Great wooden carved statue :)
you can see the path through the Alps, a long way down
large Swiss flag
On the whole the area is beautiful and well worth seeing for a day or two.
Switzerland has long been, per capita, one of the world's wealthiest nations. While a tiny country like the United Arab Emirates, with its vast oil reserves ranks higher, the Swiss have thrived despite having virtually no naturally resources, unless you count snow.
So how does this small, central European nation stay atop the charts? Yes, Switzerland's national pride, her labyrinthian banking system which hides trillions of dollars each year from the tax-man, earns the good Swiss citizens a nice commission. Plus there's chocolate.
Then there's the billions in annual royalties Rolex and Cartier earn from the country's invention of time. It should be noted, not every region of the world cuts a check when Switzerland's intellectual property department invoices. The entire continent of Africa scoffs at time even being "a thing," which explains why, in Ghana, some people are still waiting for the second party to show for meetings scheduled for November 4, 1998's.
But being the inventors of time, being leaders in banking and insurance, points to a larger cultural gestalt and that's the Efficiency of Swiss society. Everything in Switzerland operates with absolute precision from the ornate mechanical watches still produced, to the cities and countryside being kept sparkling clean.
Another manifestation is the Swiss railway system. Yes, like all things in this wealthy nation it's expensive, but the sun has missed more days rising than trains in Switzerland have arrived late. And the mode of travel is a pleasure, and an expedient way to visit the idyllic towns which line the sides and valleys of the Alps.
video: The train ride through the Alps on the way from Bern to Zermatt
In interest of keeping society running smoothly, rule breakers are heavy penalized. Boarding a Swiss train without a ticket is guaranteed to earn you a hefty fine. To boot, ticket inspectors here are not only extremely efficient, but sadly, non-bribable; unlike their Eastern Europe counterparts who will gladly throw in a massage.
On the whole, it makes Switzerland an incredibly easy place to visit and live. A wealthy country, where things on to do lists, both governmental and private, get done promptly, where people are reliable and socially conscious.
On the other hand, it is true that the Swiss have been voted the world's most boring people (source Richipedia 2016,) even beating out Saudis who at least develop and incubate some of the world's top terrorists.
So despite its dullness and being ridiculously expensive, it's still a beautiful country, and well worth seeing. "Ticket please."
My stay in Bern was a hurried one, as I needed to quickly catch my train for Zermatt (the Matterhorn area) as I desired to get there before dark. Nevertheless, I had some time to sprint around the city center. This post will be unusually light on dialogue, and, hopefully, much more "picturesque."
Kultur Casino Bern
a little summer color
city clock of Bern
the city of flag of Bern is Da Bear
video: a look around Bern, Switzerland
my favorite piece of art I saw in the city of Bern
children playing in the fountains
a beautiful government building of Bern. I think? (The Bundeshaus in fact)
like clockwork baby!
Switzerland's pied piper
beautiful street near the center of Bern
a lookout over Bern
nice architecture- adding flavor the flags and floral balconies
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