Waterfalls and Walkways in Switzerland

Country number thirteen in our 52 countries in 52 weeks Great Global Adventure was Switzerland, and it truly lived up to its reputation. If you don’t know, I’ve taken my family on a year-long journey around the world, doing the best things, staying in the best places, and eating the best food, and Switzerland delivered on all three.

Zurich and Old Friends

We began in Zurich, where we reunited with Val, a family friend who had been an exchange student with us 20 years ago. Sharing stories over an authentic home-cooked cheese fondue was the perfect way to start our Swiss adventure. While in Zurich, we also stayed at one of the coolest hotels in the world, the Number One Art B&B. Each room had its own unique theme and eclectic decorations, quirky, wild, and completely unforgettable.

Lauterbrunnen: A Village Like a Postcard

From Zurich, we headed into the mountains to the world-famous town of Lauterbrunnen, and it did not disappoint. Our chalet sat right on the main road with views that looked straight out of a postcard. A waterfall cascaded just outside the village, and everywhere you walked, the beauty was impossible to ignore. One highlight was hiking the canyon trail built along the side of the river, absolutely spectacular.

The Via Ferrata Challenge

Then came the ultimate adventure. My daughter and I set out for the famous Via Ferrata in Mürren, a four-hour trail that clings to the side of a cliff 2,000 feet above the valley floor. With rented gear, we climbed, clipped, and edged our way along sheer drops, waterfalls, suspension bridges, and narrow ladders. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. Brianna handled it like a pro, and I couldn’t have been prouder.

Grindelwald and Mountain Carts

Meanwhile, my son Braden opted for a different thrill. In Grindelwald First, we took a gondola up the mountain, walked along a sky-high cliff path, and then raced down on mountain carts, an absolute blast with views to match. But watching his sister conquer the Via Ferrata left Brayden itching to prove himself. The very next day, we went back up, geared up, and he took on the cliffside challenge himself. Seeing him confidently snap photos for Instagram while dangling off a 2,000-foot drop was a proud dad moment I won’t forget.

Reflections on Switzerland

Switzerland is a playground paradise, filled with adventure, beauty, and thrills at every turn. It’s also very, very expensive, but worth every franc for the memories we made. We loved every minute, and from here, the adventure continues as we head to country number fourteen: Portugal.