After my trip to Switzerland in high school, I made it a priority to come back. This time, I traveled with a tour agency, Bus2Alps, to Interlaken. This company was great- the package included transportation to and from the airport, a stay at a hostel, and a variety of weekend adventures. Unfortunately, due to the French air strikes, my 1.5 hour flight from Barcelona to Geneva turned into a 13 hour journey from Barcelona to Interlaken. Besides this hiccup, this trip was absolutely amazing. I traveled with my usual group from Barcelona, but I was also lucky enough to be able to meet up with my friend from high school who is studying in Prague. After our arrival early friday morning, we hiked in Grindelwald which provided some amazing views. I spent saturday checking off an item on my bucket list- skiing the swiss alps. Sunday, I explored the small town of Interlaken before departing back to Barcelona.
The hike in Grindelwald was only about a 4 mile hike to Bort, but it included a 2,000 foot elevation gain.
The lack of sleep, surprisingly warm temperature, and steep hike took a lot of energy out of us. Once we got to the top, we relaxed at a lodge, then took the gondola back down the mountain.
The town of Interlaken in surrounded by views of the Swiss Alps.
Interlaken had some amazing sunsets. This picture shows the sunset, taken about 15 minutes after the photo above.
While the hike in Grindelwald was beautiful, I wanted to reach higher altitudes in the Alps. I skied at Jungfrau Mountain, otherwise known as “The Top of Europe.” This specific photograph is taken from the highest lift (and my favorite trail) at Jungfrau. The views were absolutely stunning.
In downtown Interlaken lies Lake Brienz, a beautiful glacial lake surrounded by the Alps. This photograph was taken just after sunrise and, although it is beautiful, it does not do the lake justice. This lake is bright blue due to its many minerals, and the snow capped mountains only further enhance its beauty.
Foods and Drinks
The food in Switzerland was very unique. Unfortunately, my busy itinerary and limited budget did not allow for as much time to eat and explore the local gastronomy.
Everything in Switzerland was expensive- even a meal at McDonald’s cost the equivalent of $15 USD. To avoid these prices and allow for spending on other experiences (like skiing), I brought granola bars and nuts to eat during the day.
The first day I spent in Switzerland, my friends and I finished our hike at a lodge in Bort. There, we rewarded our efforts with an Aperol Spritz, enjoyed on an outdoor deck with 360° views of the Swiss Alps.
I enjoyed traditional swiss bratwurst and rösti, or sausage and hashbrowns. This dish was delicious and much deserved after a day of skiing Jungfrau Mountain.
Not Pictured:
Probably the most famous Swiss cuisine- swiss chocolate! I purchased two chocolate bars in Switzerland- one that was rich milk chocolate with crushed pretzels on the bottom, and the other with a cream/biscuit filling. Needless to say, these bars did not make it back to Barcelona as planned.
About Abroad 