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I’m not sure a trip to Switzerland would be complete without a visit to the Alps. I grew up less than two hours away from the mountains and I have vacationed several times in the Rocky Mountains, but those mountains have nothing on the Alps! I’m not sure if there are enough adjectives to describe the beauty of the Alps. If you ever have the opportunity to take a trip to Switzerland, I’d highly recommend visiting Schilthorn.

Visiting Schilthorn: What to Expect

Weather

I visited Schilthorn in the summer, and I was not prepared for the change in weather from the base of the mountain to the top. When we boarded the cable cars at the base of the mountain temps were in the mid 70’s F. By the time we disembarked at the summit, temperatures were in the mid 30’s F. I would highly recommend taking a jacket with you.

Photographs

Be patient, very patient. There are a lot of people at the top of the mountain, so if you want pictures sans other tourists, be prepared to have some patience. You will also need patience for the cloud/fog that rolls in fierce and fast. These clouds/fog will also roll out just as fierce and fast, so be willing to wait for the sky to clear for your photo opportunity.

Bond, James Bond

This mountain peak also served as a James Bond filming location. In this scene from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, you can see sweeping views of the summit. While visiting Schilthorn you can explore the small James Bond museum complete with a couple of interactive exhibits.

Gorgeous Views

Words do not do the views from Schilthorn justice, so enjoy the photos in this post. And plan a trip to visit.

Visiting Schilthorn: How to Get There

Visiting Schilthorn gives you the opportunity to use a number of different modes of transportation. The Schilthorn summit can only be reached by cable car, which departs from the town of Mürren.

•Regardless of where you begin your journey in Switzerland, you’ll want to first make your way to Interlaken. The rail journey will quite certainly provide beautiful views and you’ll want to take a window seat to take in the scenery.

•From there, you’ll change trains and head to Lauterbrunnen. In Lauterbrunnen you can board the bus to ‘Stechelberg Schilthornbahn.’ My recommendation on the bus, as it can be quite crowded in the summer, is to head for the rear of the bus and board there. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious you can hike all, or part, of the bus journey.

•In Stechelberg you’ll board the first of four cable cars and begin your ascent to Schilthorn. In just 30 minutes you can ascend the 2108 meters (or 6916.01 feet) and be treated to stunning views along the way. You also have the option of hiking these segments, although some require serious preparations. On my next visit I plan to hike the second segment. When you switch from one cable car to another you can also get off and explore at that particular station, just be mindful of the cable car timetable.

Literary Connections

While not specifically set on Schilthorn, Beneath a Scarlet Sky takes readers on a journey through the Alps. Visiting Schiltorn gives you an idea of how perilous the journey was during WWII.

You can also read On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and picture Schilthorn while you read.

Interested in visiting other European destinations? Here’s a look at my recommendations of what to do, see, eat, and read on your next European adventure.

As with most of my posts, some links may be affiliate links. This means at no additional cost to you, I may make a small commission on anything you buy through the links.

For most people traveling to Belgium, Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp usually top the itinerary. But someone recommended visiting Bruges, so I booked an Airbnb, boarded the Eurostar in London and set off for the “Venice of the North.” The city, known for its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings, was an absolute delight.

Market Day

Every Wednesday there is a food market in Market Square from 8a-1:30p. If you’re able to time your visit to be in town on a Wednesday, I would highly recommend a stroll through the market for some delicious, locally sourced food.

Walking Tour

I had an absolutely amazing experience with Legends Tours. Our guide was entertaining, incredibly informative, and I appreciated his tips on where to take the best photos in Bruges. If you only have 48 hours in Bruges I can’t recommend taking this tour enough. You’ll be able to see all the highlights, learn the history of the city, and get an idea of which places you want to go back and visit later in the day. Without my guide, I might not have found the Rozenhoedkaai quite so quickly. The Rozenhoedkaai is arguably the most picturesque spot for photos in Bruges.

Belgian Waffles

Even if you only have 48 hours in Bruges, I recommend eating Belgian waffles more than once. Because it doesn’t get more authentic than Belgian waffles in Belgium! My first stop was in Burg Square for waffles from the little waffle truck, Arlecchino By John. This might be the best waffle I’ve ever had in my entire life. But one waffle is not enough when you’re in Belgium, so I also stopped by Lizzie’s Wafels. These waffles are known for being extra-large and they come with delicious toppings…like caramel and white chocolate shavings!

Frietmuseum

An entire museum devoted to french fries? Count me in! You might assume french fries were invented in France based on the name, but they were actually invented in Belgium. So a made a visit to the Frietmuseum, complete with a batch of hot, fresh french fries. This is the first and only museum in the world dedicated to potato fries and it was a fascinating look at the history of fries…including the fact that they weren’t actually invented in France!

That’s Toast

Oh. My. Word. This avocado toast was a culinary delight that I’ve been dreaming of ever since. Breakfast is served all day and this is the perfect way to start a day in Bruges.

Belfry of Bruges

I always recommend climbing to the highest point possible in a city to take in the birds eye view of the city. The Belfry of Bruges houses 47 bells and the 366 steps lead you to the top of the 272 ft tower. The Belfry was built in the Market Square in the 1200’s, which is absolutely mind blowing for this California girl who grew up around buildings that were less than 50 years old.

Choco-Story

I’m not sure a trip to Europe would be complete without visiting at least one chocolate museum. And when you visit Frietmuseum, you get discounted tickets if you also buy tickets to the Choco-Story. There were chocolate tastings, demonstrations, and a look at the history of chocolate.

Belgian Chocolate

On our walking tour our guide pointed out these little signs indicating which chocolate shops are part of the Bruges Chocolatiers Guild. If a shop doesn’t have this little placard by the door then the chocolate could be imported from anywhere. A resident recommended a stop at Olivier’s for a chocolate tasting and it did not disappoint.

Travel Tips

If you’re planning to travel internationally without data on your phone, I highly recommend downloading Google Maps before you head to a new destination. The maps will work even when you’re off wi-fi! Downloaded maps helped me navigate

Ask the locals for recommendations. I popped into a shop to buy stamps and asked the clerk for his recommendations of the best things to do with 48 hours in Bruges. He recommended exploring the windmills and this helped me discover parts of the city I didn’t even have on my itinerary.

Literary Connections

Admittedly, there are not many books set in Bruges. However, if you want to read one, Bruges-la-Morte, although a bit dark, is probably your best option.

Interested in visiting other destinations in Europe? Be sure to head over here to see where else I’ve traveled.

What is your favorite European destination? What is at the top of your European bucket list?

As with most of my posts, some links may be affiliate links. This means at no additional cost to you, I may make a small commission on anything you buy through the links.

The first stop of my Europe 2019 trip was in Bath, England. With only about 24 hours in Bath, I knew I needed to make the most of my time! Fortunately I didn’t really have any jet lag so I could pack in the sights, sounds, and tastes for a memorable 24 hours in Bath, England.

When I arrived I took a quick walk around town to get a little fresh air after two flights and a bus ride from LA to London. I grabbed a quick dinner at Franco Manca, courtesy of a suggestion from an England based blogger. (Travel Tip: Try to follow some local bloggers while you’re planning your trip for suggestions beyond the typical tourist spots.)

Beechen Cliff

I have learned while traveling that there are quite a few advantages to being an early bird, and gorgeous views without crowds is pretty high on the list. I started my morning with a hike to Alexandra Park and the views from Beechen Cliff. Being able to see the whole city from above, really allowed me to really see the distinctive coloring of the city. This coloring is one of the reasons Bath is a World Heritage City, not just one site being labeled a World Heritage Site, but the whole city collectively labeled a World Heritage City.

Roman Baths

When I think of the Roman Empire I think of the Mediterranean, but I forget that the Romans expanded all the way into the south of England. The Roman Baths are probably the most well-known attraction in Bath, so if you only have 24 hours in Bath, I would highly recommend a visit. Built by 76 AD, the Roman Baths are remarkable when you think about just how long they have been there. And no visit would be complete without tasting the spa water…I can’t say I liked the taste, but I can at least say I’ve tasted the water! One of my favorite views at the Roman Baths was from the corner where you could also see Bath Abbey.

Sally Lunn’s Eating House

I’m not sure a trip to Bath would be complete without eating a world famous Bath Bunn. There are countless blog posts arguing the merits of several different options in town, but I decided to go with Sally Lunn’s Eating House. As one of the oldest houses in Bath I figured this would be a good look at the history of Bath, and I was not disappointed. There are both Sweet and Savoury bunns and I went savoury because my brother would be so disappointed with me if I passed up a chance to have bacon.

Mayor of Bath’s Free Walking Tours

There are two things I like to do whenever I visit a new city, preferably early in my stay…(1) Take a walking tour and (2) climb to the highest point in the city. This plan helps me get the lay of the land, learn history I wouldn’t learn by just walking around on my own, and then seeing the landmarks from a bird’s eye view. Bath is unique in that there is truly a free walking tour available. The Mayor of Bath’s Free Walking Tours depart every day from The Roman Baths and the incredibly knowledgable volunteer guides are a wealth of information. Every tour is just a bit different so I will definitely do this again on future visits but I enjoyed visiting the Royal Crescent, Royal Victoria Park,

Bath Abbey

Climb the 212 steps to the top of the tower of Bath Abbey for an unrivaled view of the city. Throughout the climb we stopped to learn about the history of the tower, sit behind the clock’s face, and learn about the 10 bells in the tower. One of my favorite views at Bath Abbey was the reverse of my favorite view from the Roman Baths. Once you climb the Abbey you can see a great bird’s eye view of the Roman Baths.

The White Hart Inn

Dinner at The White Hart Inn came at the recommendation of my Airbnb host which meant it was outside the main tourist part of town…which I love! I feel like this gave me a chance to eat with locals instead of other tourists. My goat’s cheese, cheddar and chive souffle with rocket & parmesan salad was delicious and this meal began my summer-long love affair with rocket & parmesan salad. I also learned that it is easy to find a table without reservations if you are dining solo and willing to eat at 6p. Since I prefer to be up early, instead of out late, eating dinner at 6p works for me! Also, please note the iconic telephone booth…my British loving heart was happy!

Literary Connections

Frankenstein was written in Bath in 1816-1817 by Mary Shelley.

For fans of Jane Austen, Bath is a must-visit. The Jane Austen Centre is a small museum all about the life of Jane Austen, where you can also stop for tea in the Regency Tea Room.

To see more of my European adventures head HERE and I’d love to hear…have you been to Bath? If you’ve never been, what looks most interesting to you? Have you visited a city similar to Bath that you’d recommend?