Scenic Switzerland

 

1. What country and city did you travel to?

I went to Switzerland and spent my time in Lucerne.

2. What time of the year did you travel? 

I went in July, which is their summer.

3. Where did you stay? 

I stayed at the Astoria which is in the heart of Lucerne. It was very clean, modern and was in walking distance from everything.

4. What was your favourite location?

Mount Titlis has to be the most spectacular location I visited. It was a very surreal location as when I went to Europe they were experience a freak heat wave so it was roughly 30-40 degrees every day. However once we reached the peak of Mount Titlis which is about 10,000 feet I was surrounded by an abundance of snow. It was truly breathtaking and a nice break from the heat!

Bottom of Mount Titlis = Heat wave

Top of Mount Titlis = Snow

5. What was your favourite activity? 

Walking through the streets of Lucerne, there was so much culture and the souvenir shopping was amazing. When in Switzerland make sure you get an authentic Swiss Army Knife they have so many to choose from.

6. Name a song that framed your trip? 

Every time I hear the theme song for the TV show ‘The Simpsons’ it reminds me of my time in Switzerland. I remember I turned on the TV and The Simpsons came on, we got all excited thinking finally a show in English, but we wrong it was in German. It was very odd watching a familiar show in another language.

7. List the 5 words you need to know in that country? 

In Switzerland they mainly speak German, so here are five words that will help you during your travels:

Good morning – Guten Tag

Good evening – Guten Abend

Thank you – Danke

Yes – Ja

No – Nein

8. Words of Warning 

Food can be very expensive so before you eat make sure you check the prices on the menu so you don’t end up with a humongous bill like I did!

9. List 3 essential clothing items

Due to the diverse weather it is wise to pack

-Summer clothes as it can get quite hot

-Warm jacket and pants for when you visit the Alps

- Comfortable walking shoes, I suggest both open and closed in shoes

10. List 3 essential personal items

-Your camera

- European power point adaptor

- Money!

11. Currency convertor 

The main currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc however they also accept the Euro in some places.

1.00 AUD = 0.962862 CHF

1.00 AUD = 0.787861 EUR

12. Name one thing that is highly recommended by you which is great value for money.

I would highly recommend visiting Mount Titils and taking a trip on the Mount Titlis Rotair. The Rotair is cable car that slowly rotates to give you a 360 degree view of the mountain as you make your way to the top. It only cost me 65 Euros and once I reached the top there was a nice cafeteria with amazing views. For an extra 6 Euros I took the ski lift further up the mountain to where I could go snow tubing and muck around in the snow. I do warn you that because you are at 3020 meters above sea level you can’t stay up there for too long due to the altitude and its side effects. 

13. Traditional food that you recommend to try 

If you want to try traditional Swiss food I would go to the Stadtkeller Swiss Folklore Restaurant. There Rostii which is shredded potato sautéed until golden brown is delicious. However the best part is that while you enjoy your three course traditional feast the restaurant puts on a show full of yodeling, cow bells, traditional costumes and flag throwing.

14. Something to push your boundaries 

If you want to be adventurous you have to go snow tubing on Mount Titlis. This may not seem like something that would push your boundaries but it does, I guarantee that when you do it your adrenaline will be pumping. It’s not just a causal slide down the mountain, it is fast pace and just when you think you are going to slide off the mountain their is a sharp turn that leaves you just centimeters from the cliffs edge.

Written for you – by Hannah

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