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Day 1: Arrival in Geneva
We arrived in Geneva early in the morning, excited to start our Swiss adventure.
After a quick Uber ride to our hotel, we took some time to refresh and let the kids nap. In the evening, we headed to Parc Gustave & Léonard Hentsch, the coolest playground spot for families.
The kids had a blast on the tubular climbing structures, shiny steel slides, and artistic swings.
The park also boasts water features, green spaces, and cozy seating areas, making it a perfect place for both kids and grown-ups to relax and have fun.
Day 2: Geneva to Interlaken
Our day began with a peaceful stroll around Bastions Park where they have large size chess boards and a visit to the iconic Jet d'Eau. After soaking in the sights of Geneva, we took a train to Interlaken. Our Airbnb in Interlaken West was adorable and conveniently located near restaurants and grocery stores.
While Interlaken was lovely, we quickly realized that staying in Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen would have been more convenient, especially without a car. Transferring between trains and buses often tired us out. Alternatively, renting a car while staying in Interlaken would have eased our travel. That evening, we visited Migros, a large supermarket chain in Switzerland, to pick up essentials like fruits, snacks, milk, bread, and water for the kids. We spent the rest of the evening settling in.
Day 3: Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe
Morning: Checking the Weather
We started our day by checking the official Jungfraujoch webcams for weather and visibility updates. With cloudy predictions for our entire stay in Interlaken, we were lucky to spot a brief window of visibility and decided to head out.
Journey: Cable Car Ride
The cable car ride up to Jungfraujoch was an exciting adventure for our 6-year-old and 3-year-old. They loved the thrill of ascending the mountain, and the views on the way up were spectacular.
At the Top: Disappointing Views
Unfortunately, once we reached the top, the clouds rolled in, obscuring the breathtaking views we had hoped to see. On a cloudy day, there's not much to see at Jungfraujoch, so I would recommend skipping this trip if the weather isn't clear.
ICE PALACE: The Only Attraction
Due to the weather, many attractions were closed. We managed to visit the ICE PALACE, the ice sculptures fascinated the kids, but it wasn't enough to make up for the lack of views.
Day 4: Exploring Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen
Morning: Grindelwald and Bort Station
We decided to explore Grindelwald, known for its stunning views. On our way up, we stopped at Bort station and found a charming alpine playground. The kids had a great time playing, and the scenery was beautiful.
Afternoon: Rainy Day Challenges
Unfortunately, our visit was cut short by a sudden downpour. We found shelter and enjoyed our packed lunch, hoping the rain would stop. However, the weather only got worse, so we decided to return to our Airbnb.
Evening: Clear Skies in Lauterbrunnen
Around 6:30 pm, the skies cleared, and we seized the opportunity for a hike in Lauterbrunnen. This turned out to be the highlight of our time in Interlaken. The hike to the stunning waterfalls was truly breathtaking. The kids were enthusiastic about the hike and enjoyed the spectacular views as much as we did. It was a magical experience, and we felt truly fulfilled by the end of the day.
Tips for Families
Check the Weather: Always check the Jungfraujoch webcams for real-time weather updates before planning your visit. Visibility is crucial for a worthwhile experience.
Be Flexible: Mountain weather can be unpredictable. Have backup plans and be prepared to change your itinerary if needed.
Explore Lauterbrunnen: If the weather permits, don't miss a hike in Lauterbrunnen. The valley and waterfalls are incredible and offer a perfect family-friendly adventure.
Days 6 - Travel from Interlaken to Braunwald
Pit Stop in Zurich: Lindt Chocolate Factory Tour
On our way from Interlaken to Braunwald, we made a stop in Zurich to tour the Lindt Chocolate Factory. The kids loved sampling various chocolates, and we learned about the history and process of chocolate making through fun, interactive exhibits. The highlight was the tasting session, where we tried an array of Lindt chocolates, leaving with bags full of our favorites. Day 7-8 - Braunwald, Märchenhotel The highlight of our trip (the kids' favorite!) was staying at the magical Märchenhotel in Braunwald. We traveled from Interlaken to Linthal Braunwald by train, followed by a cable car ride up to Braunwald.
The hotel offers complimentary transportation to pick you up and take you to the hotel. Our stay there was enchanting. Stay tuned for a review on the hotel.
Days 9 - We left from Hotel Marchenhotel early afternoon and got to Lucerne early evening. We just spent the evening shopping for chocolates to take back for friends and family.
Day 10 - Exploring Mt. Pilatus
Morning:
- Cable Car Ride to Mt. Pilatus:
We began our day with a cable car ride from Kriens to Mt. Pilatus. Instead of going all the way to the top, we made stops along the way to enjoy the various kids' attractions.
- Fräkmüntegg:
One of our stops was Fräkmüntegg, home to the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland, which was on our bucket list. After getting off at the cable car stop, we hiked up a bit to reach the starting point. Note that the minimum age for the toboggan run is 2 years old. Although the lines looked short, we waited about an hour for our turn. There is a small shop at the starting point that provides free belt phone holders upon request, as holding your phone during the ride is not allowed.
Safety Tips:
- Ensure your kids are seated properly with you to avoid accidents. My husband and our 6-year-old, Moksh, experienced an imbalance and flipped over at a turning point. Fortunately, they got back on safely, but the next coaster bumped into them, causing my husband's phone to fall. Luckily, it fell nearby and he quickly retrieved it. To prevent such incidents, try to keep children younger than 6 seated with you and when you first get seated, be sure to make any adjustments to make sure you both are comfortable and the kid is not sitting on anyone's lap, but in front of you.
Afternoon:
- Krienseregg:
After the toboggan run, we headed to Krienseregg and spent about 1.5 hours in PILU-Land, a playground with picnic tables. It was a great spot for the kids to play and for us to relax and have a picnic lunch.
Evening:
- Return to the Hotel:
After a fun-filled day, we returned to the hotel to rest and recharge. Skipping the top of Mt. Pilatus turned out to be a good decision as it allowed the kids to fully enjoy the attractions on the way up.
Day 11 - Swiss Museum of Transport
For our last full day in Lucerne, we decided to take it easy and visit the Swiss Museum of Transport. The museum had a vast array of exhibits, including steam engines, submarines, cars, motorbikes, tractors, planes, and even spacecraft.
While my kids enjoyed seeing all the different vehicles, they didn't stay engaged for very long. The heat didn't help either, as the museum didn't have air conditioning.
The highlight of our visit was an exhibit simulating a helicopter landing with wind blowing from all directions, which was refreshing given the hot weather.
Overall, I would recommend this museum for parents with older kids who might appreciate the exhibits more.
Day 12 - Travel from Lucerne to Geneva
We traveled from Lucerne to Geneva since our return flight was from Geneva. We spent the afternoon packing and organizing our bags and chose a hotel near the airport for convenience, as our flight was early the next morning.
For our last evening, we took a leisurely walk around Geneva, exploring Bastions Park. We then headed back to the hotel and went to bed early to ensure we were well-rested for our flight.
Day 13 - Fly back to New York
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Arrival in Geneva
- Arrive in Geneva
- Refresh at the hotel
- Visit Parc Gustave & Léonard Hentsch playground
Day 2: Geneva to Interlaken
- Morning stroll in Bastions Park
- Visit Jet d'Eau
- Train to Interlaken
- Settle in Airbnb, grocery shopping at Migros
Day 3: Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe
- Check weather via webcams
- Cable car ride to Jungfraujoch
- Visit ICE PALACE
Day 4: Exploring Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen
- Morning visit to Bort station playground in Grindelwald
- Return to Airbnb due to rain
- Evening hike in Lauterbrunnen
Day 6: Travel from Interlaken to Braunwald
- Stop in Zurich for Lindt Chocolate Factory Tour
Day 7-8: Braunwald
- Stay at Märchenhotel in Braunwald
Day 9: Travel to Lucerne
- Afternoon arrival in Lucerne
- Evening shopping for chocolates
Day 10: Exploring Mt. Pilatus
- Cable car ride to Mt. Pilatus
- Visit Fräkmüntegg for toboggan run
- Play at PILU-Land in Krienseregg
Day 11: Swiss Museum of Transport
- Visit Swiss Museum of Transport
Day 12: Travel from Lucerne to Geneva
- Afternoon packing and organizing
- Evening walk around Geneva
Day 13: Fly back to New York
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