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Meeting the Matterhorn…

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

You guys… I don’t know that I’ve ever been so excited for one single moment… or so awed by one single sight…

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

After three days in Zurich, we took the most gorgeous, scenic train ride of my entire life to Zermatt, Switzerland

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Home of the breathtaking, legendary Matterhorn…

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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…

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

It was the moment I’d been waiting for…

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt… I have a crush on you.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

How amazing is this view from the rooms at Hotel Excelsior??

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

We wandered through the old town village of Zermatt where the pioneer homes are still standing…

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Everywhere we turned was just… stunning.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

So many beautiful homes!!

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Charming cafes and restaurants…

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Flowers everywhere!!

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

The main street is exactly what you want a mountain town main street to be.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Seriously in love.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Gruyere, Switzerland, the home of Gruyere cheese is close by… Of course we had to sample!


Hiking in the Alps

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

One morning I got up early and took the first train up the Gornergrat.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

I stopped at the second to last stop, Rotenboden.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

This turned out to be one of my favorite stops on this railway.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

The reflection of the Matterhorn in the Riffelsee Lake is amazing!!

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Definitely do this first thing in the morning when the water is still. Breathtaking!!

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

After Rotenboden, I hopped back on the train and took it all the way to the very top, to the Gornergrat station.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

While I was up there, I looked down and saw this vibrant, turquoise lake.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

I hiked down and was rewarded with another incredible view.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

I met another traveler here, and we offered to exchange these pictures of each other. ;)

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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!!!

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

I chose to go down. :)

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

It ended up being a LOT further than I was expecting….

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

I started at one of the highest points in Zermatt and hiked all the way back down.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

It was one of the most amazing, unforgettable things I have ever done.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

When I found out it was possible to go snow skiing in the summer in Zermatt, I immediately knew I had to do it.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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!!

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Getting ready to start! That’s the Matterhorn in the background!!

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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!! :)

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Here you can see breathtaking views of the highest mountains in Italy, France and Switzerland (and the Theodul Glacier) all in one spot.

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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!!

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

When we got back it was summer again! :)

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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!!

Bucket List Item!! Seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

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!! :)

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11 Responses
  1. Jessica

    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

  2. Nash

    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!

  3. Liz

    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!

  4. Rachel

    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!

  5. Linda

    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.

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Meet Kevin & Amanda

Kevin and Amanda

We love to travel and to eat! Here we share our favorite quick and easy recipes, plus travel tips and guides for our favorite places around the world. If you have any questions about what camera I use or how I edit my photos, check out my photography tutorials.

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