four days in switzerland -...
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four days in switzerland: an ode to the swiss rail December 16, 2012 · by Lazy Travelers · in the lazy travelers take switzerland, true life: bern , true life: geneva, true life: lausanne , true life: montreux , true life: verbier Back in October when we booked our trip on an OMG-I- NEED-A-BREAK- FROM-WORK whim, we didn’t have much of a plan. Shocking, right? Though a mutual return to Paris was very tempting (and, quite honestly, almost won), we looked at a long list of cities and finally settled on Geneva, with the plan to explore the surrounding region. We had no idea just how much we would be able to see. Switzerland Tourism very generously offered to sponsor our Swiss Passes during our stay. Armed with a 4-day, first class pass, we were able to see the countryside in serious style. Though we hadn’t slept more than a few hours during our journey to Switzerland (ahthankyou screaming toddlers and chatty teenagers surrounding us on the plane), it was impossible to close our eyes to the Swiss countryside as we made our way up the mountains. And like, we don’t mean to brag, but… we planned a pretty killer itinerary for our short stay in the Lake Geneva region. Day One: Verbier Immediately upon arrival, we boarded the train to snowy Verbier. Though we later debated its position in our itinerary (more on that later), Verbier was, undeniably, the perfect introduction to Switzerland at Christmastime –complete with picture perfect views from the converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
Transcript of four days in switzerland -...
four days in switzerland: anode to the swiss railDecember 16, 2012 · by Lazy Travelers · in the lazytravelers take switzerland, true life: bern, true life:geneva, true life: lausanne, true life: montreux, truelife: verbier
Back in Octoberwhen we booked ourtrip on an OMG-I-NEED-A-BREAK-FROM-WORK whim,
we didn’t have much of a plan. Shocking, right?Though a mutual return to Paris was verytempting (and, quite honestly, almost won), welooked at a long list of cities and finally settledon Geneva, with the plan to explore thesurrounding region.
We had no idea just how much we would be ableto see.
Switzerland Tourism very generously offered tosponsor our Swiss Passes during our stay.Armed with a 4-day, first class pass, we wereable to see the countryside in serious style.
Though we hadn’t slept more than a few hoursduring our journey to Switzerland (ahthankyouscreaming toddlers and chatty teenagerssurrounding us on the plane), it was impossibleto close our eyes to the Swiss countryside as wemade our way up the mountains.
And like, we don’t mean to brag, but… weplanned a pretty killer itinerary for our shortstay in the Lake Geneva region.
Day One: Verbier
Immediately upon arrival, we boarded the trainto snowy Verbier. Though we later debated itsposition in our itinerary (more on that later),Verbier was, undeniably, the perfectintroduction to Switzerland at Christmastime–complete with picture perfect views from the
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train and gondola required to reach the town.On the way there, we were told our passescovered the gondola ride, but on the way downthere was some confusion and we ended uppaying. It was only 10 CHF/person, but difficultto tell which was correct–something to keep inmind.
Where we stayed: Hotel Ermitage. Yeah,this was the view from our room, sooo…:
Lazy Travelers approved.
Where we drank: Après-ski is clearly anotherbeast in Switzerland, and we absolutely loved it.We met our new friend Isabelle for drinks atFer a Cheval, which was chock full of skiersfresh off the slope. Warm cozy tables + hugepints of cold Carlsberg = perfection.
Where we ate: Dined on raclette and trufflefondue at Le Caveau, breakfasted at Le MilkBar before departing the very next morning.Both absurdly delicious.
Day Two: Lausanne & Montreux
We literally missed the train to Lausanne by aMILLISECOND, but it was ok because theschedules are fairly consistent. We also got tosee these guys while we waited:
Once we arrived, we realized that Lausanne isvery pedestrian friendly, but also very, veryhilly. The French influence was immediatelyapparent and completely charmed us.
Where we stayed: BnB Lausanne, wherewe had another picture perfect balcony and ourfirst experience with muesli. Need to learn howto make that and STAT.
What we saw: Two of our must-seedestinations fell on Day Two — Chateau deChillon and the Montreux ChristmasMarket.
Where we ate: We very stupidly didn’t factorin time to eat between breakfast in Verbier anddinner in Montreux, so by the time we got to thefestival, we rushed into the first place we saw toget warm and fill up on something delicious.Biggest mistake. This was for sure our mostforgettable meal, aaand not even sure its worthgiving a name credit to the restaurant. However,back in Lausanne, Cafe de Grancy saved theday with a late night cheese plate and one of themost delicious chocolate deserts ever to beconsumed. We’d post a picture but we ate it toofast for such nonsense.
Day Three: Lausanne & Geneva
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On our third morning, the LausanneTourism Board treated us to a walking tour ofthe city, which required beaucoup de exercise.The medieval city is built on a section of hillsand valleys, but the view from the Cathedralde Notre Dame at the top of the city is worththe hike.
After our morning walk, we hopped the train yetagain to head to Geneva, which was an easy andscenic hour’s ride from Lausanne. We spentSaturday night walking around Vieille Ville (theoldest part of Geneva) and taking in all theFête de l’Escalade craziness.
Where we stayed: City Hostel Geneva.That’s all we have to say about that right now.
Where we ate: In Lausanne, we warmed upwith a pint and light lunch (you know, if lightmeans blocks of goats cheese and potato soup)at Brasserie Bavaria. For dinner in Geneva,we waited in a long line to dine at the famousRelais de l’Entrecote. HEAVEN. There mayor may not have also been a can of Pringles thatcame into play back at the hostel, thanks to themany glasses of wine consumed throughout thenight.
Day Four: Bern & Geneva
Because our Swiss Passes made hopping fromcity to city so easy, we decided on Sunday thatone more day trip was in order. We settled onthe Swiss capitol of Bern and left Geneva brightand early since we thought the journey mighttake a while. We were pleasantly surprised tofind the first train we got on went directly toBern, stopping only in Lausanne and Fribourgalong the way. Having gotten used to the Frenchinfluence along Lake Geneva, we werecompletely blown away by the more Bavariancity of Bern.
We spent the morning and afternoon walkingaround the perfectly picturesque and extremelyquiet streets (Europe on Sundays…interesting).We eventually (and somewhat sadly) hoppedthe train back to Geneva just in time to catch theculmination of Fête de l’Escalade.
Where we ate: We were in search of Bavariandeliciousness in Bern, but ended up in an Italianrestaurant near the Marktgasse. Our food wasabsolutely delicious, but the highlight ofPizzeria Molino FOR SURE was theItalian/Turkish/Swiss/?? waiter who kept uslaughing throughout the entire meal. For dinner,we escaped the Fete de l’Escalade to hide out in
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14 Responses
@mrsoaroundworldDecember 17, 2012 at 07:18 · Reply →
You ladies had fun indeed! You actually have
inspired me to go back to Switzerland and discover a
bit more. I am going to give Geneva another go and
will go back to Zurich, which I loved.
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..Sweets for
my sweet – Photos of the Week
Lazy TravelersDecember 17, 2012 at 09:19 · Reply →
the wino LOVES zurich. try and stop in bern on
your way from geneva to zurich–absolutely
adorable!
Lazy Travelers recently posted..four days in
switzerland: an ode to the swiss rail
@mrsoaroundworldDecember 17, 2012 at 12:59 · Reply →
Can I stop on the way? And just get out?
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..A step closer
to heaven… in Val d’Isere, France
Lazy TravelersDecember 17, 2012 at 13:05 · Reply →
yes, if you have the swiss pass you can get on and
off in any city . it’s on your way and i know you and
lola would love!
Lazy Travelers recently posted..four days in
switzerland: an ode to the swiss rail
FionaDecember 17, 2012 at 08:36 · Reply →
Great write-up about your whistle-stop tour of
Switzerland. I need to go back in 2013 I think, it’s
been too long! Also, the photo of the huskies in the
snow is too cute
Fiona recently posted..Christmas Shopping in
Dublin
Sharethis:
Au Carnivor. Shout out to our waiter whofinally solved the mystery of Escalade–whichwe will gladly detail in a future post dedicatedsolely to the extravaganza.
Day Five: Au revoir, Switzerland!
After another quick, easy train ride fromGeneva to the airport on Monday morning, wesaid our sad goodbyes to snowy Lake Genevaand hello to the Emerald Isle.
xo!
the romantic & the wino
- Though Switzerland Tourism sponsored ourSwiss Passes, all opinions are 100% our own.We swear it.
Tags: four day s in switzerland
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Lazy TravelersDecember 17, 2012 at 09:22 · Reply →
let’s meet there! would go back in a heartbeat. the
huskies may have something to do with it.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..four days in
switzerland: an ode to the swiss rail
Nathan NehmerDecember 17, 2012 at 13:39 · Reply →
The photos are absolutely amazing! It is such a
beautiful place, even with all that white stuff that i
am not a huge fan of. It sounds like you had so
much fun on your much needed break from work.
Nathan Nehmer recently posted..Alaska
Wilderness by Sea
Lazy TravelersDecember 17, 2012 at 13:43 · Reply →
thanks nathan! the snow was perfect right before
the holidays, but once christmas is over, we’ll be
ready for spring fo sho.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..four days in
switzerland: an ode to the swiss rail
Traveling TedDecember 17, 2012 at 22:11 · Reply →
Looks like an action packed beautiful stay in
Switzerland with lots of delicious food and of course
booze. Looks like a perfect trip. Would love to sample
Swiss après ski.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Five OMG
adventure travel experiences from 2012
Pola (@jettingaround)December 17, 2012 at 23:16 · Reply →
Ladies, not only did you put Costa Rica on my
bucket list, now you’re bumping Switzerland up!!
You had me at chocolate desserts. And pretty much
the first picture of snow. And I don’t even like
winter…
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Photo of
the Week: Boats in the San Diego Harbor
KieuDecember 18, 2012 at 10:12 · Reply →
That looks like the perfect winter Swiss getaway..
lov ing the snow covered rooftops, so pretty !
Kieu recently posted..Tasting Hungary in
Budapest
Lazy TravelersDecember 18, 2012 at 10:37 · Reply →
it was absolutely picture perfect!
itinerary reflections: 4 days inswitzerlandJanuary 6, 2013 at 22:03 ·
[...] extra time in some places (and less in others).
One thing that wouldn’t change? Making use of the
Swiss Pass, which was our saving grace when it
came to seeing as much as we did. The train
systems are [...]
european highlights: one week inswitzerland & irelandJanuary 7, 2013 at 22:01 ·
[...] feel completely at ease riding through the
countryside from city to city . We’ve mentioned our
Swiss Passes more than a few times around here, so
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