Our journey from LUCERNE to INTERLAKEN was memorable and incredibly scenic, and a wonderful way to re-live the joy of my train journeys from my childhood.
The train journeys across Switzerland are an experience in excellence, with the train displaying the entire route and what time you will reach each station down to the minute, given the Swiss penchant for precision that is truly commendable. And get this, if they are delayed by over a minute, they will actually apologize to their passengers on the PA system – is it any wonder that they are amongst the richest countries in the World and a benchmark for precision, efficiency, and excellence across the world!
INTERLAKEN (“Land between two Lakes” in German) lies in the Bernese Oberland, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and is surrounded three majestic mountains, Eiger, Mönch and JUNGFRAU. Interlaken is located on the Golden Pass panorama route from Montreux on Lake Geneva past the luxury holiday resort of GSTAAD (where Dilwaale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge was shot extensively) to INTERLAKEN and from there across the Brünig Pass to LUCERNE.
INTERLAKEN is indeed the adventure capital of Europe. The town has built an incredible reputation for having a little something for everyone! It’s not difficult to see why when you consider that INTERLAKEN is a vibrant and charming Swiss town sitting between two huge lakes and surrounded by many of world’s greatest mountains. BRIENTZ is a little town on the outskirts of INTERLAKEN with a landscape straight out of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
From INTERLAKEN, we rode the cogwheel trains to the apex of the JUNGFRAUJOCH, the highest point on Europe at almost 3,500 feet above sea level. Icy air streams across your face, snow crunches under your feet, and the view nearly takes your breath away: on one side the view of the Mittelland up to the Vosges, on the other the Aletsch glacier, bordered by four thousand-meter peaks.
Standing on the Jungfraujoch 3,454 meters above sea level, is indeed a goose bump inducing, overwhelming experience and arguably the nearest you can physically get to Heaven before we make the eventual celestial journey, and one that I will never forget! All that I dreamt of as a kid of getting to the top of the Swiss Alps was fulfilled and how!
INTERLAKEN (“Land between two Lakes” in German) lies in the Bernese Oberland, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and is surrounded by three majestic mountains, Eiger, Mönch and JUNGFRAU. Interlaken is located on the Golden Pass panorama route from Montreux on Lake Geneva past the luxury holiday resort of GSTAAD to INTERLAKEN, and from there across the Brünig Pass to LUCERNE.
This is a picture-scape from the little yet enchanting Alpine town of BRIENTZ on the outskirts of INTERLAKEN, which is surreal and breath taking!
The picturesque canal as viewed from our hotel room in Interlaken which is like a picture book brought to life.
Paragliding is a popular sport in Interlaken – lucked out in capturing this coveted shot of this Paraglider against the snow covered peaks of the Jungfrau, as a fantastic backdrop!
This man made canal that runs across Interlaken lends to its distinct character and makes for some really compelling picturescapes!
Gorgeous Swiss Hotel with the mountains of Eiger as backdrop in downtown Interlaken.
Horse carriage with the canal as backdrop, as seen from our hotel suite in Interlaken.
The picturesque panorama of the enchanting town of Interlaken as seen from our hotel suite!
The cowbells of Switzerland are works of art, and are a must have souvenir to bring back home!
Vignette of downtown Interlaken with an amber hued Lamborghini lending color to this very archetypical Swiss street scenario!
Photo taken from our running train window between Lucerne and Interlaken. Particularly interesting were the turquoise water from the lakes, unlike the blue waters of the Aegean Sea in Santorini and Mykonos, in Greece!
People of Indian origin will take pride in that Bollywood’s “Raja of Romance” YASH CHOPRA (whose iconic films we have been raised on) was officially anointed as ‘Ambassador to Interlaken’ and recognized for his yeoman contribution to Swiss Tourism with a bronze bust in the center of the city, which attracts visitors from all over the World!
The gardens surrounding the Casino Kursaal in Interlaken, are visually spectacular and present many a photo-op for visitors!
My humble tribute to Mr. YASH CHOPRA, whose iconic body of work (Bollywood films) was an inextricable part of my formative years, growing up in India!
Uma and Sanchita paying their tribute to the legendary film maker in Interlaken.
The gardens surrounding the Casino Kursaal in Interlaken, are visually spectacular and present many a photo-op for visitors!
The cog wheel trains that take you from Interlaken to the peak of the Jungfrau, and present some breath taking scenery along the journey!
The classic ‘Swiss Chalet’ which are characteristic of the Alpine regions of Europe, are true icons of the Swiss heritage and are seen across the landscape, on the cogwheel train ride up to the Jungfrau!
The classic ‘Swiss Chalet’ which are characteristic of the Alpine regions of Europe, are true icons of the Swiss heritage and are seen across the landscape, on the cogwheel train ride up to the Jungfrau!
The classic ‘Swiss Chalet’ rendered with panache at this hotel that was a magnet for Japanese tourists.
JUNGFRAUJOCH is the highest point on Europe at almost 3,500 feet above sea level. The experience is so spectacular that this should be on every nature lover’s bucket list!
Alighting from our cogwheel train at the top of the Jungfraujoch – an amazing train journey that we would love to re-experience for sure!
Goose bump inducing vistas from the JUNGFRAUJOCH, the highest point on Europe at almost 3,500 feet above sea level. Icy air streams across your face, snow crunches under your feet, and the view nearly takes your breath away: on one side the view of the Mittelland up to the Vosges, on the other the Aletsch glacier, bordered by four thousand-meter peaks.
Standing on the Jungfraujoch 3,454 meters above sea level, is indeed a goose bump inducing, overwhelming experience and arguably the nearest you can physically get to Heaven before we make the eventual celestial journey, and one that I will never forget! All that I dreamt of as a kid of getting to the top of the Swiss Alps was fulfilled and how!
Panoramic vistas of the the Aletsch glacier, bordered by four thousand-meter peaks, from the Jungfraujoch. This will likely remind you of the fjords of Norway, and Glacier Bay in Alaska , the difference here is the spectacular ‘Bird’s Eye View’ from the top of the mountain, which is hard to come by.
The Shutterbug who prefers to stay behind the lens, could not resist having this portrait taken at the peak of the Jungfraujoch!
Compelling shot of this Helicopter encircling the the Aletsch glacier, bordered by four thousand-meter peaks, as seen from the Jungfraujoch!
Standing on the Jungfraujoch 3,454 meters above sea level, is indeed a goose bump inducing, overwhelming experience and arguably the nearest you can physically get to Heaven before we make the eventual celestial journey, and one that I will never forget! All that I dreamt of as a kid of getting to the top of the Swiss Alps was fulfilled and how!
A helicopter looms large over the peaks of the Jungfraojoch, presenting a breath taking spectacle!
The classic ‘Swiss Chalet’ which are characteristic of the Alpine regions of Europe, are true icons of the Swiss heritage and are seen across the landscape, on the cogwheel train ride up to the Jungfrau!
The classic ‘Swiss Chalet’ which are characteristic of the Alpine regions of Europe, are true icons of the Swiss heritage and are seen across the landscape, on the cogwheel train ride up to the Jungfrau!