Happy New Year! How has your holiday season been? Filled with family celebrations, gifts galore, wrapping paper strewn here and there? Too much food, too many calories and too many leftovers?
But that isn’t everyone’s holiday. It certainly isn’t mine, nor my friend, Kathy’s. So what did we do instead? Travel. And travel we did, creating memories that will last longer than whatever the Amazon truck might deliver.
Switzerland, two weeks, criss-crossing the country by train. Wow. Every city we visited had their best face on to show off their holiday joy. Festive street lights, city decorations, and Christmas markets were a sensory delight. What a wonderful time of year to travel.
The trip was booked through a US company called Alpenwild, and this trip was Switzerland by Rail, the Christmas Edition. They specialize in small groups and we had seven, plus our outstanding guide, Lou. Small groups can be iffy, but we jelled immediately. Even when we had dinner on our own, we chose to meet as a group.
We stayed in five cities and each of the four-star hotels was within walking distance to the train stations. A great feature of this trip was that our luggage was moved from one location to another for us – no schlepping suitcases on and off the trains. We were often the only travelers in the first class cars. You’re right if you’re thinking I’m really soft, but at this age, I welcome the comfort and convenience.
The highlight of this trip of course, was the scenery, though don’t be fooled – Switzerland can be gray and rainy until winter finally arrives in January. When we were in the lowlands, we were surrounded by vibrant green fields but as we climbed, we were rewarded with breath-taking sights. Hills were covered with patches of snow that looked like a winter quilt. Horafrost clung to trees creating a textured landscape and wispy clouds threaded the mountians. And finally, there was snow! At times, I felt I was in a snow globe with flurries twirling around us. Every curve in the tracks brought another postcard view, and exhausted my list of adjectives to describe the beauty.
Meanwhile, small communities, each with a church steeple reaching heavenward, were nestled in the valleys.
Every city was a treat and brought its own delights. Basel, in the north, is graced by the Rhine River, and has the oldest Christmas Market in Switzerland. Lugano, near the Italian border, made me feel like I was in an Italian movie. I’d go back there in a heartbeat if I could speak Italian. Each of those were day trips from Lucern where we started.
Next up was Montreux, where our room overlooked Lake Geneva as well as the largest market in the country with 150 vendors strung along the lakeside promenade. French is spoken here. Finally, we had cheese fondue!
From there, Zermatt, and because it was a clear day, we hopped on a smaller train that transports skiers and sightseers to 13,000 feet, with panoramic views of 29 mountains including the Matterhorn. Along with all the ski runs, it was a feast for the eyes. Car-free Zermatt itself is filled with old-world charm once you look past the symbols of new money.
We were now in snow country and the fresh white powder stayed with us as we took the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, which drips with wealth, but lacks the charm of Zermatt. Some of the world’s best skiing is in Zermatt and St. Moritz, which is considered the home of winter sports. From there, we made our way to Zurich where we said good bye to our guide and new friends.
Now, about the Christmas markets. It was hard to find any hand-crafted items, much less those made in Switzerland. My hopes of finding a hand-carved creche were dashed, so if experiencing the tradition of European Christmas markets is your goal, I’d stick with Germany or Austria. On the other hand, there’s nothing better than Gluhwein, or hot mulled wine, to warm you as you stroll past the vendors.
As you consider Christmas next year or the year after, remember travel as an option for gifts that will be the wrong size or color. And, it can be the best gift you give yourself. It doesn’t have to be as extravagant as Switzerland, but rather a festively decorated resort or hotel. For me, this took care of my need to use the winter gear I moved to Arizona from Michigan over five years ago. But trust me, the heavy coat, boots, scarf, hat and gloves have been moved back to the rear of the closet again.
As you enter 2025, may your new year be filled with the highs of the Alps, the joys of the holiday markets, the smoothness of the silky chocolate we found in every city, and as fulfilling as the gooey cheese fondue.
This was so fun to read. Sending love.
Thank you, Jan. Glad you enjoyed it.
Loved it! Felt like I was there with you as saw Switzerland through your powerful words! Happy New Year to new and future travels!
Thank you, Brenda. I’m glad you ‘felt’ the experience – thats always my goal.
Amen to travel, Pam!! Cheers to creating memories and taking photos to reflect on in the future! I’ve already booked a little adventure for next Nov.-Dec. to make some more Holiday memories. This Christmas we made a memory with our “Grands” . . . we took a dog sled tour in the Utah Wasatch Mountains. We are all still talking about the Huskies and the cold fun we had together!
Thanks for sharing the Swiss adventures you and Kathy experienced! Nothing beats the education and memories acquired from traveling!
🥰❤️
Bev Pryor
Thank you, and your experience with the grands sounds and looked amazing. How fun. This trip though, has you written all over it. Simply magnificent.
Travel and other experiential gifts are the best, at any age, so we’ve been giving experiences to the grands for several Christmases. Christmas time in Key West was definitely different from your storybook settings! Here’s to a more peaceful and healthy 2025.
Thank you, Carol. You’ve been ahead of the curve providing those experiences -good for you. I’m sure your time in the Keys was enjoyable if not different. It’s always good to get away while we can.
I’ve always said if I won the lottery I’d grab my passport and immediately head to the airport. Travel is the best Your trip sounds amazing and I enjoyed traveling along with you. Wishing you good health and many more fun travels in the new year!
And when you win the lottery, I’ll travel with you! Happy New Year to you, as well. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond – you’ll always be one of my favorite “people Ive met on a trip” friends.
I felt as though I was with you! Best sentence “Hoarfrost cling to trees…….” was so descriptive! Loved reading all of it
Glad you liked it because you put the pressure on me! It was spectatular. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Fabulous! As my son and I exchanged gifts (which we both will need to exchange– again) and had a pleasant quiet dinner, we reflected on ways we could celebrate without playing the exchange/exchange game. We discussed volunteering and making donations, but I think we should add travel as an option. Yours sounded magical! Best wishes to you and Kathy in the year ahead! 😘
Thanks, Kate. Travel doesn’t have to be huge – you two could pick a city you’d like to do a long weekend for. But, you are the consumate traveler, so I don’t have to tell you the value of it.
You were right about the scenery! The photos are stunning. I felt that Heidi could pop right into the photos at any moment. So beautiful. Keep traveling! We love your trips. Happy New Year!!!
Thanks, Teresa. And guess what? I kept looking for Heidi as well. Happy new year to you. May you have a wonderful 2025.
I love traveling vicariously through you! Thanks for sharing❣️
Linda, thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I love taking you with.
What a wonderful trip! (And beautiful descriptions!)
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed reading about it – it was special.
So fun that your trip was amazing and beautiful and full of new friends. I’m glad to learn about Alpenwild, will keep them in mind. Your descriptions are as lovely as the landscapes!!❤️❤️
Beth, you must keep this group in mind. Thank you for your kind words.
Pam did a great travelog of our journey, but as a fellow traveler with her on our journey, I have to say that the people in our group (including our guide) was the icing on the cake! We “ooo-ed” and “ahhh-ed” at the scenery together, we laughed at each other’s jokes and peculiarities, we supported each other’s limitations that come with age and health issues, and we embraced learning about new cultures, vocabulary, and food. I’d travel with this gang again in a heartbeat. It was the gift within a gift.
Oh Bill, you are so right. Where beautiful scenery can be guaranteed on eery thrip like this, great tour companions cannot. Thanks to you and the others for making it even more special.
Thank you for this great description of your trip. I always enjoy that you take us all along for the ride. The writing and the pictures are beautiful . Happy travels in 2025
Thanks so much. I’m always glad when you and others want to go along.
Your travels inspire me to MOVE!!! Get out there and experience life !! Thank you for all of you pics and blog .
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. That’s a great goal, but it sure takes an effort.
Hi Pam, firstly we want to wish you and Kathy a belated Merry Christmas and all good things for the New Year.
Your trip to Switzerland sounds tremendous. Yet another amazing description of your travels. The photograph of the church steeple reminds me very much of our trip together in Norway.
You also made some lovely new friends in the group, which is how we also met in Norway. Still have great memories from that trip.
Where are you planning to travel next? Looking forward to hearing all about it.
Much love Carole and Willard xx
So great to hear from you, yes, another travel friend. Thanks! Lots of wonderful train riding coupled with ample free time. It was a great fit for us.