In June 2010, I traveled to Switzerland with my mom and her friend. It was our first visit to this beautiful Alpine country, and from the moment we arrived, Switzerland impressed us with its stunning scenery, efficient transportation, and picture-perfect towns.
Our journey began with a flight from Riga, Latvia, to Zurich on Air Baltic. Rather than staying in Zurich, we headed straight to the train station and boarded a train to Lucerne (Luzern), our first destination. Before the trip, we had purchased Swiss train tickets, which allowed us to travel conveniently throughout the country by rail.
One of the things that makes Switzerland such a wonderful destination is its excellent train network. The trains were clean, comfortable, and always on time, and many of the routes offered spectacular views of mountains, lakes, green valleys, and charming villages. Traveling by train became an experience in itself rather than simply a way to get from one place to another.
Lucerne
Lucerne proved to be the perfect introduction to Switzerland. Nestled on the shores of Lake Lucerne and surrounded by mountains, the city combines natural beauty with a rich history. As we stepped out of the train station and caught our first glimpse of the lake and the surrounding peaks, we knew we were in for an unforgettable adventure.
Our first stop in Lucerne was the famous Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), one of Switzerland’s most recognizable landmarks. Built in the 14th century, the covered wooden bridge stretches across the Reuss River and is decorated with historic paintings beneath its roof. The bridge’s distinctive octagonal Water Tower stands beside it, creating one of the most photographed scenes in the country.
As we walked across the bridge, we admired the colorful flower boxes lining its sides and watched boats glide along the river below. The surrounding waterfront was lively and picturesque, with historic buildings, cafés, and mountain views in the distance. It was easy to see why Lucerne is considered one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities.
After exploring Chapel Bridge and the surrounding waterfront, we decided to take a cruise on Lake Lucerne. The lake was every bit as beautiful as we had imagined. Surrounded by mountains and dotted with charming lakeside villages, it offered postcard-worthy views in every direction. I remember being struck by how clean and orderly everything seemed. The green hills, snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance, and crystal-clear water created a landscape that looked almost unreal. As we stood on the boat’s deck, it was hard to stop taking photos. Around every bend of the lake, there seemed to be another view worth capturing.
One of the highlights of our stay in Lucerne was a trip to Mount Pilatus. We reached the summit aboard the famous red Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. The train climbed through forests, green meadows, and rocky mountainsides, revealing increasingly beautiful views with every turn. The journey itself was just as exciting as reaching the summit. The steep incline was unlike any train ride I had experienced before, and it was fascinating to watch the railway climb what seemed like impossibly steep slopes. By the time we reached the top, we were rewarded with breathtaking views across central Switzerland.
From the summit, we enjoyed sweeping views of Lake Lucerne, the surrounding valleys, and the distant Alpine peaks. After riding the famous Pilatus Railway to the summit, we continued our adventure aboard one of the red gondolas, enjoying even more breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps.
After returning from Mount Pilatus, we spent the rest of the day exploring Lucerne at a slower pace. We wandered through the charming streets of the Old Town, browsed local shops, and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere along the waterfront.
Before leaving the city, we visited the famous Lion Monument, a moving sculpture carved directly into a sandstone cliff. Created to honor the Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the French Revolution, the monument depicts a wounded lion and is considered one of Switzerland’s most important landmarks.
Bern
The next morning, it was time to continue our Swiss adventure. We boarded another train and traveled to Switzerland’s capital, Bern. As always, the journey was comfortable and scenic, with rolling green hills, charming villages, and mountain views accompanying us along the way.
Bern welcomed us with its beautiful medieval Old Town, elegant sandstone buildings, and relaxed atmosphere. It was quite different from Lucerne, but equally charming, and we were excited to begin exploring another side of Switzerland.
One of our stops in Bern was the BearPark (BärenPark). Since the bear is the symbol of Bern, visiting the city’s famous bears was a must. We were lucky to see both the adult bears and playful bear cubs, making it one of the most memorable moments of our visit. Watching the bears roam their spacious riverside enclosure was a fun experience, and it was easy to see why they have become such a beloved symbol of the Swiss capital.
Our journey then continued south through some of Switzerland’s most spectacular mountain scenery. As the train climbed higher into the Alps toward Zermatt and the Gornergrat, we watched deep valleys, rushing streams, and snow-capped peaks pass by our windows.
Gornergrat
From Zermatt, we took the Gornergrat Railway up to Gornergrat, where we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the snow-covered Alpine peaks. It was incredible to stand surrounded by glaciers and towering mountains, taking in the scenery from above. We were even able to catch a glimpse of the iconic Matterhorn rising in the distance, making the journey to Gornergrat one of the unforgettable highlights of our trip through Switzerland.
Zermatt
After returning from Gornergrat, we spent the rest of the day wandering through the charming streets of Zermatt. With its traditional wooden chalets, flower-filled balconies, and peaceful atmosphere, the village was a wonderful place to explore on foot. Everywhere we looked, we were treated to beautiful views of the majestic Matterhorn towering above the rooftops. It was the perfect ending to a memorable day in the Swiss Alps.
Lausanne
Our Swiss adventure continued with another scenic train ride to Lausanne, beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Geneva. With its steep streets, historic buildings, and sweeping lake views, Lausanne had a character all its own. We enjoyed strolling through the city, exploring its charming neighborhoods, and taking in the beautiful scenery along the waterfront. Fun fact – Lausanne is known as the Olympic Capital, as it has been home to the International Olympic Committee since 1915.
Montreaux
Our next stop was the beautiful French-speaking town of Montreux, nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva. From the moment we arrived, I was blown away by how beautiful it was. Thanks to one of Switzerland’s mildest climates, palm trees and colorful flowers flourish along the elegant lakeside promenade, creating a setting that felt almost Mediterranean. Combined with its charming streets and breathtaking mountain backdrop, Montreux looked like something out of a postcard. It quickly became one of my favorite places in Switzerland.
