Croissants, vintage markets, cafe hopping, train rides, hikes, architecture, nature that looked like it belonged in fairytales, and of course, a lack of AC. Over the past several years, the “European Summer” has gained traction – and for good reason. The idea of a slow-paced vacation, or the expanse and thrill of experiences, appealed to many, including my family. Our long-time dream of visiting Switzerland became true for 10 days this summer – and an additional bonus of visiting Paris, the City of Love. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to stop raving about this trip… so, I’ve found myself an excuse to talk (or write) your ears off about my experience. From paragliding in Grindelwald to ambling along museums in Paris, here are my personal favorite “postcards” from my trip in Europe.
Postcard #1: Hiking in Zermatt and Grindelwald
Before going to Europe, I rarely hiked, save for an occasional team-bonding activity with my cross country team. In Switzerland, it was my goal to get out and admire the beautiful nature and landscapes of the country. In Zermatt, the hotel that my family stayed in – the Riffelhaus 1853 – had a beautiful view of the Zermatt, where we hiked around to see the peak of the mountain turn golden at sunrise. My personal favorite hike was in Grindelwald, where we took a gondola up to a certain distance and then did a two mile hike to Lake Bachalpsee. This trip, I really wanted to see the beautiful blue-green hue of water in Switzerland, and this lake was perfect for that. Breaking a sweat on the way to such beautiful destinations, while listening to the ringing of cowbells, made the experience so much more meaningful.
Postcard #2: Paragliding in Grindelwald
Paragliding was a last-minute decision – and honestly, the highlight of my entire trip. Before takeoff, I was thrilled but intimidated by what seemed like an unexpectedly steep hill. All of my nerves melted away when my guide had strapped on all of the necessary equipment and we were quickly taken up by the wind. Feeling the breeze against my skin, I looked up to find arguably the most jaw-dropping and unreal scenery in the world. I felt free and the whole experience was cinematic.Â
Postcard #3: Museums in Paris
Unfortunately, my family was unable to clear enough time in our schedule to spend a lengthy amount of time in the Louvre, and unlike the recent thieves, I did not return home with a new collection of jewelry. However, I did admire the architecture outside of the Louvre and paid the Musee d’Orsay a visit. It was nice to calm down and quietly ponder upon the wide variety of art in the Musee, although I’m not sure I had the artistic eye to catch hidden meanings and styles. In Paris, I learned to slow down and absorb art in person.
Postcard #4: The Streets of Paris & The Eiffel Tower
I was pleasantly surprised by the state of the streets in Paris. Being warned that the streets would be dirty and filled with pickpocketers, I was actually a little scared to enter the city. My family was blown away by the beautiful, off-white buildings across the city and the little beauties in each arrondissement. We entered cafes, saw the Eiffel Tower shimmer at midnight and explored markets throughout the city.
When I was going to Europe, I was excited for the romantic setting, the food and all of the famous landmarks – especially big tourist attractions in Paris like the Eiffel Tower. Upon returning, I find that the moments that are the most fond to me are the small instances that were more personal – whether it was taking in Lake Bachalpsee or flipping through old postcards in the flea markets in Paris. These snapshots will forever dwell in my memory, and I hope that this article will motivate you to slow down and take in everything around you, no matter where you are in the world.