The Full Story
Best of Switzerland in 12 Days
My Grandma is very passionate about traveling. Over the years, she has been on many Rick Steves Tours; she finds the tours to be her favorite way to travel. I am incredibly grateful that my Grandma started the tradition of gifting a tour to each of my siblings as a high school graduation gift. Because I graduated in 2020, my tour got postponed to the Summer of 2022. I was lucky enough to visit and explore Switzerland on the "Best of Switzerland in 12 Days Tour" through Rick Steves with my Grandma.
Itinerary
Over my 12 days in Switzerland, I was able to visit the following areas: Luzern, Appenzell, Ebenalp, Lugano, Zermatt, Lausanne, Lake Geneva, Murren, Gimmelwald, Gruyere, and Bern. Each day was packed with activities and sightseeing. We learned about the history of each area and hit the major tourist destinations. But, we also met many incredible local business owners and community members. This is the most beautiful country I have ever seen.
Highlights
The Rick Steves Tour was a great way to explore a new country. We were in a group of about 20 other travelers, and I was the youngest member by far. I was able to meet and get to know amazing people from all over the US, and bond over our shared experience of exploring the beautiful country of Switzerland. I am incredibly grateful that I got the chance to spend this time with my Grandma, who shares with me the love and passion of travel.
Reflection & Takeaways
The Rick Steves Switzerland Tour was an incredible introduction to traveling and exploring a new place. Something I learned throughout this trip was how important it is to "live like a European" when visiting different places in Europe. Rick Steves and Cameron Hewitt actually have a book titled "The Temporary European", and they discuss the way they like to travel. Instead of seeing yourself as just a visitor or tourist, try to understand and get to know the local area. Be respectful and absorb as much information as you can. A nice example of this said by Hewitt, "This is a good example of merak. Merak is one of those words that you cannot directly translate into English. It means, basically, enjoyment. This relaxed atmosphere among friends. Nursing a cup of coffee with nowhere in particular to be — savoring the simple act of passing the time of day." Instead of rushing through the day and worrying about what comes next, embrace and indulge in the moment. It was so sweet to see so many people throughout this trip sitting at coffee shops and just hanging around, rather than the go-go-go mentality in the US. Another thing I learned about myself is that I like to have a bit of freedom in my travels. I was very grateful to be guided throughout the beautiful country of Switzerland, not having to think about accommodations or what to do next. But, I appreciate a sense of freedom in getting to choose what to do and seeing where the day takes me. I think that relates back to living like a European as well. A challenge that I faced throughout this trip was feeling uneducated. I realized how much I truly did not know about the world and especially about Switzerland. I felt internally that I was being disrespectful in not researching and learning about the country before visiting. At times throughout, I had an internal conflict where I was angry with myself for not knowing more. The tour does make it very easy to come in knowing nothing because they give you so much information, but this has definitely taught me a lesson. Switzerland is the most beautiful country that I have been to, and I am incredibly grateful that I got the opportunity to travel there with my Grandma and spend quality time together. Throughout the tour, I found myself appreciating the European way of life and yearning to learn much more.