Switzerland: Interlaken + Bern + Alps Snow Mountain Highlights 🇨🇭
🧳 Pre-Trip Notes ▪️ Transport: Train from Interlaken to Bern takes only 1 hour 🚂 ▪️ Money: Swiss Francs (CHF) are a must! Euros work in most places in Bern, but small shops in Interlaken only accept CHF. ATM withdrawal fees are high—better exchange CHF in China in advance 💰 ▪️ Accommodation: Stay near Hoheweg Square in Interlaken—you’ll be just steps from the Eiger (Maid of the Mountains) ⛰️ Best Time to Visit December to February: Perfect for skiers hitting the Alps slopes ⛷️ Day 1: Interlaken | Alps Snow Mountain "Wow Moment" ▫️ 8:30 AM: Eiger (Alps) Summit Adventure The train cuts through meadows, and riding the cogwheel train up the mountain is so cool! The meadows are covered in wildflowers, and you might even meet a cowherd who’ll smile and say “hallo” 🐄! A round-trip ticket to the Eiger costs over €230. At 3,454 meters above sea level (“Europe’s Top”), the area is covered in glaciers—stand on the observation deck and watch the snow-capped mountains spread out like a sea of peaks 🏔️ ▫️ 12:30 PM: Big Chicken Leg at the Mountain Top Restaurant The Eiger Glacier Restaurant is a must-try! The view outside the window is of thousand-year-old glaciers ❄️. Budget travelers: Bring your own sandwich and have a picnic on the observation deck for a more immersive experience 🥪 ▫️ 3:30 PM: Lazy Boat Ride on Lake Brienz The lake is so blue it looks filtered! Small wooden houses are hidden in the forests on both banks, and the wooden chairs by the lake are perfect for photos 📸 Day 2: Interlaken → Bern ▫️ 9:00 AM: Train to Bern It only takes an hour! Don’t sleep when the train passes through the forest— the wooden houses with snow-capped mountains outside the window look like illustrations torn from a fairy tale 📖 ▫️ 12:00 PM: Traditional Cheese Fondue Feast The classic cheese fondue bubbles and oozes—dip bread cubes in it for a salty, stretchy treat. Pair it with local white wine to cut through the richness 🍷 ▫️ 3:00 PM: Old Town “Treasure Hunt” Walk ▪️ Zytglogge (Clock Tower): At every full hour, little bear figures come out to ring bells and “dance”—arrive 5 minutes early to get a good spot 🐻⏰ ▪️ Bundeshaus (Federal Palace): Free to visit! The dome hall is magnificent, and you might even see MPs working (keep your voice down!) 🏛️ ▪️ Bärengraben (Bear Pit): Watch brown bears bathe and climb trees—walking along the riverside path to get there is super relaxing 💧 ▫️ 6:00 PM: Grindelwald Waterfall Visit Take a 40-minute train to Grindelwald—the Mürren Waterfall crashing down the cliff is breathtaking! Walk along the waterfall trail for 10 minutes to reach a “water curtain cave”—the mist on your face is refreshing (bring an umbrella!) 🌊 Grab an ice cream in Grindelwald, sit by the road and watch skiers race down the slopes. The sunset paints the mountain peaks gold 🌇—my last memory of Switzerland is the gentle warmth of the Alps. 📸 Photo Spots ▪️ Interlaken: Hoheweg Square for full views of the Eiger (morning light is perfect for photos) ▪️ Transport Gems: Window seats on the cogwheel train for forest/snow photos; boat deck on Lake Brienz for shoreline views 💣 Travel Tips to Avoid Mistakes ❌ Don’t buy full-price Eiger tickets! Book online in advance to save €20—Swiss Travel Pass holders get an even better discount ✅ Bring a windproof jacket! The Alps can have strong winds that make you shiver even in cold weather 🧥 #SwissTravel #InterlakenGuide #BernOldTown #AlpsHiking #EuropeFreeTravel