Wedding Blog
isn’t until another 2 months but here are some photos I found by Googling. We’ll be traveling around Germany/Switzerland then joining our friends (I am her MOH) on Lake Constance for their wedding.
Here’s our tentative itinerary. We’re still tweaking it, adding adventures and picking hotels, so it’s a work in progress. We’re working with Lydia Jaeger from Belle Vue Travel (Certified Switzerland Specalist). She’s great and really knows Switzerland / Germany well.
We plan to do some hiking, visit local museums, and eat some hearty meat and potatoes!
Thursday - depart USA
Friday - arrive in Zurich
Saturday - wedding on Lake Constance. My friend will be getting married in one of the famous castles on Lake Constance. Something similar to this castle:
The interior of Lake Constance - look at those quaint cities. So cute.
Sunday - St. Gallen
Monday - visit Stein am Rhein then travel to Basel
Tuesday & Wednesday - travel to Lucerne
Thursday - travel to Chur
Friday & Saturday - take Glacier Train to Zermatt - Do you see the Matterhorn?? -)
Sunday - travel to Interlaken
Monday - Interlaken - Jungraujoch
Tuesday - travel to Lausanne
Wednesday - Chocolate Train to Bulle
Thursday - Lake Geneva Region
Friday - Return From Geneva via Zurich to USA
We purchased a Swiss Rail Pass so we could travel within Germany and Switzerland during our trip. These trains offer spectacular and scenic views through the countryside. They also have these cool “panoramic views” which offer huge windows that sweep halfway across the ceiling for better views.
(photos via flickr, Google, and this site)
Has anyone been to Switzerland/Germany? Any recommendations?
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Share this post: Our Swiss Alps Honeymoon
It’s been 6 years since I was in Switzerland… but the four days I spent in Lucerne were some of my favorite vacation days ever. I think part of it may have been that it was the perfect place to wind-down from the heat of Italy… but it was such a magical little area! Very reminiscent of a smaller European Lake Tahoe. 
One tip… don’t put bags in the really tall bag holders on the train. Even with my height, I forgot packages on Swiss trains TWICE!
i’ve been to geneva and lausanne — it’s so beautiful and idyllic. the one recommedation? EAT! lots and lots…especially the fondue and the chocolate yum! the flower clock and the jet d’eau are a bit overrated, but still worth seeing.
That looks incredible!
Yes I’ve been to most of the places you mentioned. If you have time be sure to check out the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Very fun. My family would summer in Interlaken each year. It’s wonderful!
oops, that’s actually a cathredal on Lake Constance not a castle. Pretty anyways!
A couple years ago my fiance had a business trip in Chur so we went up a week before his work stuff and traveled. It’s so cute there! And the chocolate is amazing You also have to try a fondu place, and another Swiss food specialty called raclette -yum!
Out of the cities you are going to, we were in Lucerne and Chur. Lucerne is a really pretty city, very scenic, with fun shopping. We did a day trip from there to Engleberg to go up Mt Titlis, which was fun.
Chur honestly doesn’t have a whole lot to do but it is a good place to get a non-touristy, authentic Swiss experience. There’s some decent hiking there, and we took a car ride up to a nearby town Arosa, which at the top of a mountainy hill… it was a really crazy drive up windy roads, in our stick shift minivan (the car rental place screwed up and ‘upgraded’ us to a minivan - not the easiest thing to navigate on the little swiss roads but made things interesting!).
hope that’s helpful! I’m sure you’ll have a great time!
I still long for genuine Swiss roesti–a shredded potato cake which I can’t seem to duplicate over here. I suspect they use a special shredder to get the perfect texture on the potatoes.
Lucerne has, mysteriously, a mirror maze. I love mazes, so this was great fun. It’s decorated in Moorish style, and I honestly have no idea what it has to do with Switzerland or the Swiss, but it’s cool, so if you have a spare hour and like mazes, check it out!
I was there a couple of years ago, and one thing you have got to try is a dry luge. We did one near Newschwanstein (that’s definitely spelled wrong), and it was a blast! Also, the castle (in Newschwanstein) is beautiful and definitely worth a look. I loved Lucerne–make sure you try their “spagetti ice cream”!
In Interlaken, check out Trummelbach Falls, a series of glacial waterfalls inside the mountain. When in Lausanne, I would check out Ouchy, the area on the lake. The view across the water is spectacular on a clear day. The cathedral is really nice, too. Definitely have some fondue. The wine region is right next to Lausanne, so I would try to sample some, as most does not leave the country. Some wineries that give tours are only a 10-minute train ride away. I used to live in Lausanne, and it’s a great place to be
It’s been about 10 years and I was only 13…so my recollection of names and places is rather…dim…
I would recommend the castles (all of them are worth a visit - pretty or historical aspects)
I want to say I really enjoyed a city call Rothenberg - old walled city. The wall itself is almost gone in places and shaky in others. Brick roads. The town square has a giant coo-coo clock. There’s also a medieval museum, filled with torture devices. I just remember the town being filled with welcoming people.
Dachau is also worth a visit. Although it may not be the best option for a honeymoon. Dachau is the site of a internment camp during WWII. It’s rather depressing, but leaves a mark on you that I have yet to shake. (A good mark, changed my way of thinking)
Eat, eat, eat. Chocolate is obvious, plus roesti (in Zurich, if possible), and the cheese-based dishes (fondue and raclette). The oldest chocolate company in Switzerland is Cailler, and surprisingly their chocolate is not even a little expensive, and available virtually anywhere.
Try to get to a Sprungli store in Zurich (there are several, including in the train station). They have these great little merengue sandwiches called Luxemburgli, and a type of cake (with a “peaked roof,” although I’ve forgotten the name) that allegedly travels really well.
There’s an awesome chain of handicraft stores called Schweizer Heimatwerk. I wanted everything there, but it ain’t cheap. Also, different stores stock different things, so there’s no shame in visiting more than one.
If you have time in Lucerne (and there’s something that sounds good) try to get to a concert or other performance in the KKL. It’s a really spectacular space. I can’t even describe it–”architecturally and acousitcally innovative” is what the fancy people say, but “really cool” is also appropriate.
I just spent a couple days in March with my bf. We flew into Geneva and then took the train to (stopping in Gustad was a highlight as well, a posh ski town where Paris Hilton vacations) Interlaken and then up to the Jungfrau. It was an amazing experience and one I would definitely recommend. Definitely try to take one of the dogsleds up at the top if you go, we didn’t get to since it was still too cold at the glacier for them. But the ice palace carved in the glacier is stunning and not to be missed. The country is absolutely beautiful and it is awesome to be able to kick back and see it from a train window.
And eat, eat, eat while you are there! The food (especially the chocolate is to die for!)
Have a great trip! I can’t wait to go back myself!
Oh, and from Zurich it only takes about 4 hours total to take a train to Vaduz, Lichtenstein, get your passport stamped, and return. It’s a huge stamp, and fun to show off!
I lived with two Swiss families for 6 weeks in high school. It was a wonderful experience. As everyone else says - eat! Everything is yummy. My two favorite places are your Monday stop - Stein am Rhein and Basel. Stein am Rhein to me was more impressive than Niagara falls - take the boat out to the rock in the middle. Basel was impressive with its collision of old and new. Go up to the bell tower in the cathedral.
Have an amazing time. It’s a beautiful country.
If you have time, try to check out Heidelberg. It’s known as a “college town” because of the University of Heidelberg, but it is absolutely beautiful and in my opinion, pretty romantic. And Sarah is right, eating chocolate is a must! Enjoy
the pics look amazing!!
Wow! I live in Geneva, a block away from the jet d’eau (water fountain). I can give you tips and addresses if you like, just send me an email! Ps. You’ll looooove it here!
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Mrs. Apple, Dallas
Age and Occupation in '07: 28, Entrepreneur
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Police Officer
Engagement Date: Easter Day 2006
Wedding Date: May 27, 2007
Blogging Since: September 28, 2006
Venue: Marie Gabrielle Restaurant & Gardens
About Me: I'm in the midst of trying to plan a "perfectly beautiful" wedding and decorating my new home. It's been exhausting but totally worth every minute of it. Ironically, I was never the type of person to want to get married but now that I'm engaged, I get giddy over anything that is wedding related! I'll try my best to give you all unique and practical ideas.
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