We arrived in Zurich and could feel the joy of the first day of summer. The weather was perfectly clear but not too hot. Zurich is an immaculate lakeside town with traditional buildings and beautiful gardens. Our new friend Nino said “this is not the real world, its something else.” After not seeing a park for 2 months in Sri Lanka, the kids immediately loved having some space, stopping at the many excellent playgrounds dotted throughout the city.

A ferry ride up the lake gave us a taste of how excited the locals were to see summer. Along the lake people were sun-baking and swimming in the many public jetties and fenced swimming areas and we immediately wanted to join them. We spotted a likely swimming area with a waterslide from the ferry, and headed there the next day. The water was crisp but far from the icy lake we were expecting and it consisted of fresh, almost drinkable water, so lovely and refreshing. While the kids enjoyed the slide we sipped a glass of wine and enjoyed the stunning view of the lake.

We spent some special time with friends, Sasha, Andrea and baby Tommy, enjoying a BBQ at their stunning apartment overlooking the lake. Sasha even took us out on his boat for some wake-boarding. A complete pinch yourself moment on the stunning lake Zurich with the alps in the distance, amazing!

Off on our first big train trip we headed to the fairytale town of Lucern. Walking the city wall and chapel bridge felt as if you had stepped into a childhood story. Switzerland is definitely all about transport, so Miles was in heaven with all of its modes.We took a day trip up Mount Pilatus, a bus then two cable cars to get up, a funicular to get to the bottom and a steam boat back to Lucern town. The view was incredible and the walk to the near peak was worth the heart pumping workout (we did it twice because of a forgotten backpack #parentlife). We enjoyed a lovely wine and cheese plate after and sat back and took in the view.

Little did the kids know that while we were rounding Mt Pilatus, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Chris, Aunty Lisa, Micah, Jasmine and Joshua were arriving in Lucern. We made a surprise visit to their hotel, without telling the kids what we were doing. Their faces were incredible when they saw everyone. It was a lovely reunion.

Our last day in Lucern was wet, so we all headed to the impressively big Transport museum. We started with a chocolate factory tour that explained the making process and then the exporting process of chocolate and of course a taste test. The museum was full of every form of transport you can imagine, old and new. Trains, cars, helicopters, planes, you name it was there. My favourite was going into a real size commercial aeroplane and walking right up to the cockpit and then enjoying the first class seats. The helicopter simulator was pretty cool too.

The mountains were calling so all eleven Laneys jumped on a train and headed to the the alpine village of Interlaken. For the next four days we used almost every form of transport possible and lot of leg power to explore this incredible Jungfrau region.

Derek and I had spent our first white Christmas in Grindelwald in 2005 with our dear friends, so from memory I knew it was beautiful and I was looking forward to seeing the alps in the summer. However when the train started moving through the incredible valleys, I realised the photos and even memories can never do justice and we were thankful to experience it again. It had me all but spinning in circles and singing “The Hills are Alive,” (Pearl and I may have done this, after watching Sound of Music in our cabin the night before).

Our favourite day was taking Gondola up to Grindelwald First top station, an incredible cliff walk that revealed a new found fear of heights for Miles and then incredibly fun mountain carts and scooters to the bottom.  I didn’t think you could get much better than skiing but zooming down the incredible mountain (at speed) through the villages, wild flowers and also stopping to play at the playgrounds in the beautiful sunshine and enjoy a cold beverage or ice cream was just so much fun.

What made this time so magical was that we did with the other Laneys. It was great to reconnect with Turkey based clan, who have lived abroad for 10 years and to see the kids play and hike together and be often out-walked by Grandma and Grandpa will be memories I hold close to my heart forever.

Derek says this is his favourite place on earth and I think he has a point. 

Beautiful Lucern and the church from The Sound of Music

A surreal day on Lake Zurich 

Checking out the alps
First dinner all together. Photo Credit: Chris Laney 

Our snack at Mt Pilatus 

One of the many Gondolas 

Our cabin in Interlakin was right on Lake Thun 

Wurst and Rosti for dinner after a massive day of walking

Grandma and Grandpa. Photo credit: Chris Laney 

Photo Credit: Chris Laney 

Pensive

Made it to the top of Kleiner Sheidegg

Me too

Same spot 12 years apart