Embarking on a road trip from Basel, Zürich, Lucerne to Grindelwald in Switzerland is a journey filled with breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and unforgettable moments. Switzerland's picturesque scenery provides an ideal backdrop for any photography enthusiast. My husband did a quick 2-day road trip with us in week 11 of our Europe trip to celebrate my birthday, before my Turkey trip with kids.

We started out from Wiesbaden, Germany, and stayed in an airbnb in Zürich. However we spent the bulk of our time in Grindelwald and Lucerne. This is the second time we entered Switzerland during this summer trip, see our first visit in Lake Constance two months earlier in July.

As usual, I’ll share my favorite photo spots along the way.

Fünfschilling, Germany

We made an early dinner stop at a farm shop / restaurant called Fünfschilling in a countryside near the German-Swiss border. It was a small gathering for my husband and his friend.

The restaurant was very spacious, and had a relaxing vibe. I don’t remember much about the food, but our kids enjoyed running around and hanging out with other kids in the front yard playground. It was a family friendly place.

Basel, Switzerland

We continued onward to enjoy sunset by the Rhine River in Basel, with Basel Minster (Basler Münster) in the backdrop. This iconic Gothic cathedral we visited 5 years ago with our kids dominated Basel's skyline with its twin towers. We were glad to come back to see it again.

Zürich, Switzerland

I visited Zürich (and Lucerne) 16 years ago, and enjoyed its unique blend and balance between urban sophistication and natural wonders. We only spent two nights here due to my husband’s time constraint.

Our airbnb host was so kind to offer me a bottle of wine as birthday gift. Together with the two bottles my husband pre-ordered, I had three bottles of wine to consume.

It turned out I only had a small sip from one bottle and had to leave everything behind, as I had something more exciting: flying to Istanbul with my kids after Switzerland.

Grindelwald, Switzerland

Nestled in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, Grindelwald is a stunning alpine village surrounded by majestic peaks. Despite its size, Grindelwald was an international hub for tourism. We saw tourists from many different countries, and heard many different languages. There were obvious reasons: the view was more than gorgeous!

First Cliff Walk

Located on the First mountain, the Cliff Walk is a suspended walkway along the cliffs. It provides awe-inspiring views of the surrounding peaks, including the Eiger. The thrilling experience is complemented by the beauty of the Swiss Alps.

Grindelwald First Gondola

Take a cable car to Grindelwald First, the starting point for many outdoor adventures. You can enjoy hiking trails, mountain biking, and the stunning scenery.

The gondola ride was probably the most expensive cable car ride I’ve ever taken, but the view throughout the ride was totally worth it. The whole ride took about 25 minutes, and had several stops.

You can get off at any stop and explore the surroundings, and then continue onward with the same ticket. One stop has a kid’s playground. Imagine sitting on a swing with magnificent mountain views surrounding you. What a heavenly experience!

Interestingly, in the middle of our 25-minute gondola ride, it started to drizzle. Then the drizzle turned into shower. As we ascended, temperature dropped. We experienced almost 3 seasons within a gondola ride.

We hung out at the cafe on the top station, and eventually had to cancel any hiking plans and headed back earlier. It was an uneventful day trip.

On the flip side, we saw a rainbow on our drive back. It was the first rainbow we saw since the beginning of our trip more than 10 weeks ago.

Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne, nestled amidst the Swiss Alps and along the shores of Lake Lucerne, is a picturesque city with a rich history and stunning landscapes.

Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke):

The Chapel Bridge is one of Lucerne's most iconic landmarks. This wooden bridge, adorned with a tower, spans the Reuss River and offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.

Water Tower (Wasserturm)

Connected to the Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower is a medieval tower that once served as a prison and water reservoir. It adds historical charm to the city's skyline and is a popular subject for photography.

Jesuit Church

A Baroque masterpiece, characterized by its stunning architecture and ornate interior. Dating back to the 17th century, the church boasts a rich history and offers visitors a serene atmosphere for reflection, with its intricate stucco work, impressive frescoes, and a sense of timeless elegance.

If you take a leisurely stroll along the shores of Lake Lucerne, you will inevitably see this church. Very likely, it will be part of your photos. The lake, the surrounding mountains, and the vibrant atmosphere of the promenade next to the church are all part of the beauty to be enjoyed and remembered.

Old Town (Altstadt)

Lucerne's Old Town is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and charming squares. Stroll through this area to discover medieval architecture, local shops, and cozy cafes.

After our sunset walk around Lake Lucerne, we got another round of shower. We picked Izakaya Nozomi, a Japanese restaurant in the old town of Lucerne for dinner. The restaurant offers authentic and innovative izakaya-style dining, combining traditional flavors with modern culinary creativity in a chic and inviting atmosphere. It was a perfect birthday dinner after a simple weekend with breathtaking views.

This wrapped up our short trip to Switzerland, and the last evening of my five decades of life. Interestingly, I wrote an article about “50s and Fabulous” in my 30s. I revisited that article recently and still resonated with it.

On the second day, my husband went back to Germany, and I continued my travel with kids to Turkey.

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