Episode 121: Winter In Switzerland: Highlights And Tips From My Recent Swiss Vacation

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Planning to travel to Switzerland in winter? Join me in this episode as I share my highlights and observations from my recent winter trip to Switzerland.

Whether visiting the Christmas markets in Switzerland, sledding or skiing, or enjoying scenic winter train rides is top of your itinerary wish-list, you’ll get plenty of helpful advice.

I share my thoughts on the Montreux Christmas market (widely regarded as one of the best Christmas markets in Switzerland), visiting the beautiful cities of Zurich, Lucerne and Basel during winter, and why sledding is a great activity to try during winter in Switzerland.

When Christmas is over, there are plenty of things to do in Switzerland in January, too. From mountain excursions to museum visits and visiting festivals like the LILU Light Festival in Lucerne, I cover them all in this episode.

If you’ve been wondering what there is to do in Switzerland in winter for non-skiers, this episode is for you!

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Show Notes

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• My Swiss winter itinerary
• Highlights of my winter in Switzerland vacation
• Tips for planning your trip to Switzerland in winter

Places and activities mentioned in this episode

>> Montreux is located in the west of Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva. During my two-night stay in Montreux I visited the Christmas market and watched Santa Claus and his reindeer fly across the sky, and took the cogwheel train to Rochers-de-Naye to visit the Home of Santa Claus.

I also visited Queen: The Studio Experience exhibition at Montreux Casino, and enjoyed a delicious Fondue Chinoise at Tube a Fondue at the Mona Hotel. I stayed at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic which overlooks Lake Geneva. The Montreux Riviera Tourism website has lots of great info about visiting the region.

>> Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and is home to numerous Christmas markets and activities. I had only one night in the city on this visit but was able to visit the markets at Zurich train station, at Sechselauten (in front of the Opera House) and in the Old Town.

I loved seeing the ‘Lucy’ lights around Bahnhofstrasse and a performance by the Singing Christmas Tree choir was a special experience. My evening finished on a perfect note with a soak in the thermal pools (including the rooftop infinity pool) at Hurlimannbad & Spa which adjoins the beautiful B2 Hotel where I stayed.

>> Grindelwald, in the Jungfrau Region, was the perfect destination for a ‘winter wonderland’ experience. Whilst staying in Grindelwald, I enjoyed a ride on the world’s steepest cableway from Stechelberg to Murren and then continued on to Birg (part of the Schilthorn cableway), went sledding for the first time, took a day trip to Thun, visited Mannlichen and Lauterbrunnen, walked the Cliff Walk at Mt. First and enjoyed some winter hikes.

I stayed for 6 nights in a 2-bedroom apartment at Chalet Carve and, when we returned to Grindelwald, I spent 2 nights at Glacier Hotel. The hotel’s wellness centre – which includes an outdoor whirlpool with mountain views – is an added bonus for guests.

>> Lucerne – I always love visiting Lucerne so I made sure to include a 2-night stay in the city on this trip. My visit coincided with the annual LILU (Lucerne Light) Festival and I loved seeing some of the city’s famous landmarks illuminated at night. I also enjoyed an excursion to Mt. Rigi – the views were spectacular. In Lucerne I stayed at the Hotel des Balances which overlooks the river and the Jesuit Church.

>> Basel – My first visit to Basel didn’t disappoint. I climbed the tower of the Minster for incredible views of the city and the Rhine River, and wandered the streets of the Old Town to see the many attractive buildings including the Town Hall, the Spalentor and the colourful houses in the winding alleyways. My ‘home’ for the night was Volkshaus Basel, a lovely hotel just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town.

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Special offers mentioned in this episode

✔️ Book a stay at B2 Hotel in Zurich and receive complimentary entry to the Hurlimannbad & Spa and a glass of wine when you use the promo code HTSWISS. Get all the details here.

✔️ Save 5% on a range of Swiss travel services from our partners including itinerary planning, rail packages, self-drive packages, group and private tours. Get the details and promo codes here.

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