Swiss Family Adventure

Ever wondered what it’s like to chase mountains, swim in turquoise lakes, and eat your body weight in cheese—all in one week? This summer, we did exactly that on a whirlwind family trip through Switzerland. From Lucerne’s sparkling lake to the dizzying heights of the Schilthorn, from Bond-inspired adventures to Gruyère’s cheesy delights, here’s the story of our unforgettable Swiss adventure. This summer, my partner and I took our youngest son on a trip to Switzerland. I met them at the airport in Zurich and we travelled by train using our Swiss travel passes to the beautiful city of Lucerne where we stayed for the first 3 three nights. The following day we used our passes on the ferry across Lake Lucerne from Lucerne to Vitznau. The views along the way were incredible. Once we arrived, we took the cogwheel train up to the top of Mount Rigi, known as the “Queen of the Mountains.” The slow climb gave us plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, and the views from the top - jagged peaks, green valleys, and the lake below - were well worth it. After exploring Rigi Kulm, we walked down to Rigi Kaltbad, taking in more of the stunning surroundings, then rode the cable car down to Weggis. It was the perfect mix of activity and relaxation. On our third day in Lucerne, we visited Mount Pilatus by catching a ferry from Lucerne to Alpnachstad and then riding the cogwheel train to the peak. The views from the top were spectacular, with the lake glinting below and the surrounding mountains stretching as far as the eye could see. Our next stop was the town of Interlaken where we stayed for another three nights. Our first stop there was Harder Kulm, a viewpoint 1,322 meters above sea level. The funicular ride from Interlaken Ost only takes 10 minutes, but the queue is another story. Once at the top, the view of Interlaken and the surrounding mountains made the wait worthwhile. The following day we took a train and bus from Interlaken to Stechelberg and rode the world’s steepest cable car up to the Schilthorn. At 2,970 meters, the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant was a highlight, especially since it was featured in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. We explored the Bond World exhibition, including movie clips and the 007 Walk of Fame. On the way back, we stopped in the mountain village of Mürren before heading to Grindelwald for a beer and schnitzel - a relaxed end to a big day. On our last day in Interlaken we caught a steamboat across Lake Brienz, to the town of Brienz and spent the morning swimming and relaxing in the turquoise water. It was a nice chance to just enjoy the mountains from a different perspective. After Interlaken, we travelled by train to Montreux on Lake Geneva for our final two nights. We took a boat across the lake to Lausanne and visited the Olympic Museum, where we happened upon an international pole vaulting competition—unexpected, but fun to watch. Our final full day was spent in Gruyère. We visited La Maison du Gruyère cheese factory to learn about cheese production, and had a fondue lunch paired with some local wine. The afternoon included a wet walk around the town and a visit to the HR Giger Museum, which showcases the works of the Swiss artist Hans Ruedi Giger, best known for his work on Alien. We had planned to visit the Maison Cailler chocolate factory too, but by that point we were soaked and decided to skip it. Switzerland was everything we hoped it would be—beautiful scenery, interesting towns, and plenty of memorable experiences. From mountains and lakes to cheese fondue, it was a week full of exploration, fun, and time together as a family.