Bern | The Most Relaxed Moment Was Washing Feet in the Aare River
đŚ To start with: We chose Switzerland for our honeymoonâa 12-day deep dive (oops, 11 days? Whoâs counting?) into this alpine paradise. Here, Iâll share my raw, personal travel diary and practical tips for fellow free spirits planning a similar adventure [cheerful]. Getting There & Staying: A Mix of Chaos & Charm Our journey began in Geneva, where we touched down via China Easternâs brand-new direct flight from Shanghai (July 7 local timeâperfect for jet lag adjustment!). Since Genevaâs main sights felt too crowded for our âslow travelâ vibe, we headed straight to Bern, Switzerlandâs understated capital. đ Train Tips: Bernâs trains have strict first/second class divisionsâdonât mix them up! We nearly got kicked off (or worse, fined!) because of a last-minute ticket mix-up, but our conductor was so nice (maybe he took pity on our confused tourist facesâŚ). Phewâwe survived, and even scored a sneaky first-class photo to prove it [grateful]. đ¨ Accommodation: We opted for a hotel a few bus stops from the stationâquieter, greener, and way better value than downtown spots. It was the perfect intro to Bernâs âchillâ lifestyle. Day 1? A masterclass in navigating public transport (and embracing chaos!). Exploring Bern: Slow, Sweet, & Slightly Chaotic 1ď¸âŁ Rosengarten (Rose Garden) đš Perched high above the city, this garden is the spot for panoramic views of the Aare River winding through Bernâs red rooftops. We took the steep path down, laughing at tourists huffing and puffing their way upâtotal genius move to start our adventure here (if I do say so myself). 2ď¸âŁ Old Town Stroll with a Side of Surprise đŽ Our plan? A leisurely old town walk. But Bern had other ideasâthere was a parade (turns out, âthatâs just Bern,â as our hotel clerk said). We ignored the warnings about disrupted bus routes, only to realize too late⌠and ended up hiking that epic hill anyway. Classic Bern: unpredictable, but always worth it. 3ď¸âŁ Zytglogge Clock Tower â° This 13th-century icon is magicâevery hour, mechanical figures pop out, chime, and even⌠crow like a rooster? (Yes, really.) We stood there, grinning like kids, as the crowd cheered. Pro tip: Arrive 5 mins early for the best view of the âshowâ! 4ď¸âŁ Fountain Fun & Swiss Parenting Lessons â˛ď¸ Bernâs public fountains are legendary. At one, we watched a toddler teeter on the edgeâno one batted an eye. Turns out, Swiss parents trust their kids (and the fountainsâ shallow depths) to play safely. We followed suit, letting our inner kids splash and laugh. 5ď¸âŁ Einsteinâs Humble Abode đ§ Tucked on Kramgasse 49, Einsteinâs former home is a tiny museum packed with his desk, chalkboard (half-written equations included!), and personal trinkets. We felt like we were stepping into his worldâeven bumping into a Black man who asked, âIs he still here?â (Spoiler: Maybe in spirit⌠and in fridge magnets!) 6ď¸âŁ Bear Park & Aare River Bliss đťđŚ The pièce de rĂŠsistance: Bear Park, nestled by the Aare River. We waited until sunset (bears are napping in the heatâsmart!), then joined locals for a barefoot dip. The water was warm, the current gentle, and everyone was just⌠happy. No phones, no rushâjust pure, unfiltered joy. This? This is why I travel. Bern isnât about ticking boxesâitâs about living. From the chaos of missed buses to the serenity of river dips, itâs a city that wraps you in warmth. And that moment, washing feet with strangers under the golden sun? Thatâs the heart of Switzerland. Honeymooners, free travelers, or anyone craving slow magicâBern will steal your heart. Just⌠maybe pack extra snacks for those hill hikes. đ #Switzerland #SwitzerlandTravelTips #Bern #HoneymoonTravel #RelaxedTravel #TravelDiary #AareRiverMagic