Wengen, Switzerland
Mountains, quiet paths, and a village without cars.
From the moment we arrived, Switzerland took our breath away. We'd seen photos, but they just don't capture the grandeur and depth of the mountains and valleys. We were completely charmed by Wengen, with its quiet streets and distant cowbells.
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We had a free day here to wander, hike, and take in the views in every direction. With so much beauty to enjoy, it was the kind of place that made us want to stay longer and explore more.
Standout Moments
We weren’t exactly excited about the eight-hour bus ride to get here. But we quickly realized how wrong we were as we gazed out the windows, watching the scenery slowly shift from rolling farmland to Alpine mountains. While the kids did rely on their devices and snacks, the adults were glued to the windows pointing out every waterfall, valley, and tiny village that appeared. We were too enthralled to be bored!
Because Wengen is car-free, we left our bus in the valley and rode a train up the mountainside to reach the village. Our room had a balcony with a view we could hardly stop staring at.
Our free day took us across the valley by train and cable car, climbing higher and higher until Wengen looked like a tiny toy village on the far side behind us. From there we hiked toward the village of Mürren, and every turn in the trail revealed another unbelievable view.
In Their Words
FROM EVELYN
“In Switzerland there was a dog named Charlie, and he was the cutest! Switzerland had the best view.”
We were all obsessed with this dog.
FROM KAY
"I set off from Wengen on my own, taking the gondola up to Männlichen, doing the Royal Walk, and then following the Panorama Trail toward Kleine Scheidegg. What I expected to be beautiful became nothing short of mystical.
The weather shifted from just gray to drizzle to a downpour along the way. Instead of retreating indoors, I giggled my way through the wet and rainy trail. Far from ruining the walk, the rain sharpened every detail: wildflowers glistening, creeks rushing, mist weaving between the hills. By the time I reached Kleine Scheidegg, the peaks were hidden in fog, and I enjoyed lunch literally in the clouds— only for the sun to break through moments later, revealing more awe-inspiring views.
Not ready to be done, I found another trail and continued on a long descent back to Wengen. It was about six additional miles, with nary another human to be seen for about four of those. I wandered through fields where cows grazed just steps from the trail, their chorus of bells singing me down the mountain.
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Every time I thought I’d seen the view of a lifetime, I’d walk three steps and another breathtaking vista appeared. It was a long, glorious, magical day— one of the most spectacular experiences of my life— and no words, no photo could ever do it justice."
History and Culture
On our first night in Wengen, our group was welcomed with traditional Swiss music. Two older gentlemen, clearly longtime friends, played the alphorn and accordion while introducing songs from Switzerland’s four regions. They were warm, funny, and obviously proud to share this part of their culture. It was a wonderful way to begin our time there.
Tasting the Region
Our most memorable meal here was a multi-course fondue dinner shared on the hotel lawn. As the sun dipped lower and the mountains caught the golden light, we lingered over melted cheese, conversation, and the view.
