You guys… I don’t know that I’ve ever been so excited for one single moment… or so awed by one single sight…
After three days in Zurich, we took the most gorgeous, scenic train ride of my entire life to Zermatt, Switzerland…
Home of the breathtaking, legendary Matterhorn…
As soon as we stepped off the train, I ran out of the station, threw my head to the sky, and swung around in every direction until I spotted it…
It was the moment I’d been waiting for…
The first thing we did after checking into the hotel was a scenic walk through Zermatt. We took the elevator at the Sunnegga Express express station and walked back down the hill to town with gorgeous panoramic views along the way.
Zermatt… I have a crush on you.
How amazing is this view from the rooms at Hotel Excelsior??
We wandered through the old town village of Zermatt where the pioneer homes are still standing…
Everywhere we turned was just… stunning.
So many beautiful homes!!
Charming cafes and restaurants…
Flowers everywhere!!
The main street is exactly what you want a mountain town main street to be.
Seriously in love.
Gruyere, Switzerland, the home of Gruyere cheese is close by… Of course we had to sample!
Hiking in the Alps
One morning I got up early and took the first train up the Gornergrat.
I stopped at the second to last stop, Rotenboden.
This turned out to be one of my favorite stops on this railway.
The reflection of the Matterhorn in the Riffelsee Lake is amazing!!
Definitely do this first thing in the morning when the water is still. Breathtaking!!
After Rotenboden, I hopped back on the train and took it all the way to the very top, to the Gornergrat station.
While I was up there, I looked down and saw this vibrant, turquoise lake.
I hiked down and was rewarded with another incredible view.
I met another traveler here, and we offered to exchange these pictures of each other. ;)
I stopped here for breakfast courtesy of our hotel! They packed me a fabulous breakfast box which ended up lasting me through breakfast and lunch. Not a bad breakfast view!!!
From here, I could have either hiked back up, which would have been about a 20 minute hike, straight uphill, or I could keep going down.
I chose to go down. :)
It ended up being a LOT further than I was expecting….
In total I did about 8 miles. I hardly saw a single soul all morning. I cannot tell you how amazingly peaceful and revitalizing this hike was.
I started at one of the highest points in Zermatt and hiked all the way back down.
It was one of the most amazing, unforgettable things I have ever done.
Stopped here for lunch with this spectacular view. I have never been more grateful for the breakfast box from the hotel!!! :)
Skiing in the Summer
When I found out it was possible to go snow skiing in the summer in Zermatt, I immediately knew I had to do it.
I may never have another opportunity to go skiing in the Swiss Alps, so I knew I had to take the chance while I had it!!
Getting ready to start! That’s the Matterhorn in the background!!
When you get to the top of the lift, you are technically in Italy… So I can say I skied from Italy to Switzerland. :)
Press Play Below!!
Skiing in the Swiss and Italian Alps!! :)
After a morning of skiing, we walked over to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. It’s right there at the lodge where you start skiing, you just take an elevator up.
Here you can see breathtaking views of the highest mountains in Italy, France and Switzerland (and the Theodul Glacier) all in one spot.
After a day in the snow, we made our way back down the mountain. I think I could’ve just ridden the trains and cable cars all day in Switzerland!!
When we got back it was summer again! :)
We just so happened to be in Zermatt during the Swiss Food Festival. We got to try all the most popular dishes from all the best restaurants and hotels in Zermatt. Such an incredible (and delicious!!) evening!!
Here’s a peek at where we stayed — the Hotel Ambassador in Zermatt. We had a view of the Matterhorn right out our window!
Be sure to keep a lookout for my next post from Zermatt… I had a seriously once-in-a-lifetime, life changing experience!!!!! :)
Stay tuned!! :)
Love your travel post and lovely photos! May i know which week of august that you travel to Zermatt?
Very helpful and your pictures are beyond amazing. I am on my way to Zermatt in the next week. I hope we will get as beautiful of weather as you had here.
All my Best,
Jess
loved your post! and those pictures are breathtaking! which was the scenic train ride you took from zurich to zermatt? how long did it take to travel? im trying to figure out how to travel within switzerland..any suggestion would help!
Which part of the month did u go to ski
I was there in August, but you can ski year round. It’s much better in the winter of course! :) Here’s my post from when I went in February: Skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland
You’ve made me SO excited for our trip. I’m going to send your Switzerland posts to my travel agent. She’ll love them!!! THANKS!
All of your Switzerland posts are making me want to go there!! Great pictures. I really hope I’m able to have a similar experience someday!! Italy and Switzerland might have just topped the UK on my to-do-list!
Love your travel posts!
These are the most gorgeous photos ever! I want to go there! I feel as if I am able to travel the world with you. Looking forward to the next post.
Enjoyed this post! Weren’t you cute when you were skiing. :)
What an amazing amazing trip! Those views are stunning!!!