Switzerland: Unveiling the Stunning "Crash Landing on You" Film Locations! 🇨🇭🎬🎥
Following up on my 5-day Swiss adventure! 🇨🇭 This was country number three on my epic European escapade – England 🇬🇧, France 🇫🇷, Switzerland 🇨🇭, and Italy 🇮🇹. In previous posts, I spilled the tea on my itinerary and travel hacks between countries and cities.
Switzerland 🇨🇭 – the land of legendary banking and iconic watches! Before this trip, that's pretty much all I knew. Truthfully, I wasn't aware of all the incredible sights it had to offer. It doesn't boast the architectural grandeur of France 🇫🇷 or Italy 🇮🇹, so it wasn't initially on my radar. But all that changed after binging "Crash Landing on You." Those landscapes? Breathtaking! 😍 Switzerland instantly earned a spot on my bucket list. Plus, it's conveniently nestled between France and Italy, making it a perfect pit stop to avoid travel fatigue. At first, I just wanted to explore the filming locations, but after experiencing Switzerland firsthand, I vowed to return again and again!
After visiting Switzerland 🇨🇭, I truly understand why it consistently ranks among the best countries for quality of life. Its political neutrality plays a big role, alongside its impressive GDP per capita, even surpassing the US 🇺🇸. If it weren't for the high cost of living and strict citizenship policies, Switzerland might truly live up to the "American Dream" hype. Witnessing the picture-perfect scenery of Interlaken and the harmonious blend of modern and classic European architecture in Swiss cities felt like stepping into a movie. I'm still pinching myself! 😴
Everywhere I went, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and security. The people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. The air is crisp and clean, and the water is so pure, you can drink straight from the tap! Hotels proudly advertise this, which is a welcome change! 👍 (Pro tip: save money on bottled water in Switzerland and Italy 🇮🇹 – tap water is your friend!).
Interlaken's natural beauty is simply mesmerizing, with charming villages boasting modern infrastructure. Picture-perfect wooden houses dotting lush green hills – quintessential European countryside. The hiking trails are easily accessible, and the mountains are nothing short of majestic. A visit to Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe" in the Alps, is an absolute must. It's a stunning filming location for blockbusters like James Bond! The turquoise rivers, lakes, and streams, combined with autumn foliage, create a true masterpiece. Zurich is more vibrant and bustling, yet retains its classic European charm. Lucerne is adorable and quaint, while Bern, the Swiss capital, exudes tranquility.
The Swiss public transport system is next-level! 🚞 Buses 🚌 and boats are modern, clean, and incredibly efficient. The trains are speedy, technologically advanced, and so comfortable. Imagine spacious, plush velvet seats, and large fold-out tables – talk about traveling in style! Each train ride is a scenic adventure, with breathtaking views at every turn. Trains reach almost every city, village, and even the base of mountains! If you want to reach the summit, cable cars whisk you away effortlessly.
My 5-Day Swiss Itinerary: Following in the Footsteps of "Crash Landing on You"
This itinerary focuses on the "Crash Landing on You" filming locations in Zurich and Interlaken, making it perfect for fans of the show:
- Zurich (1 day) - Interlaken (3 days) - Lucerne and Bern (1 day).
Day 1: Zurich Arrival
Taking the train 🚊 from Colmar, France 🇫🇷, to Zurich, Switzerland 🇨🇭 takes just over two hours, with a quick transfer from the French TGV to the Swiss SBB train at Basel, the border between the two countries. Upon arriving at Zurich HB station in the evening, I checked into my hotel, enjoyed dinner, and took a stroll along the river near the Münsterbrücke bridge. My centrally located hotel was a short walk to the bridge and a 10-minute Uber ride from the train station.
Day 2: Exploring Zurich
I devoted a whole day to exploring Zurich's famous landmarks featured in "Crash Landing on You": the Münsterbrücke bridge over the Limmat river, the Fraumünster Church with its iconic green spire, and the Grossmünster Church, a symbol of the city. I hiked up Lindenhof hill for panoramic views of Zurich and wandered through the charming old town along the river. Afterwards, I browsed the luxury shops on Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's bustling main shopping street.
Day 3: Interlaken Bound!
In the evening, I took a two-hour train from Zurich HB to Interlaken West, with optional stops in Lucerne or Bern. Consider visiting Lucerne or Bern on Day 2 before heading to Interlaken to save time!
Day 4: Iseltwald & Lake Brienz
After arriving at Interlaken West, I checked into my hotel near the station and dedicated the next day to visiting Iseltwald and Lake Brienz, both featured in "Crash Landing on You." I hopped on bus number 103, which conveniently stops near my hotel and at Interlaken Ost station. The ride offers stunning views of Lake Brienz; feel free to hop off at any bus stop along the lake for a photo opportunity. Iseltwald is breathtaking and worth a visit for its tranquility and picturesque wooden houses along the hillside. I waited in line to walk on the wooden pier where the male lead played the piano – a truly enchanting experience! I then took the bus to Interlaken Ost station and planned to take a boat trip on Lake Brienz, but unfortunately, the boats were out of service in early November.
Day 5: Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen & Jungfraujoch
I spent a day visiting Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, two of the most beautiful villages in the Interlaken region. Two convenient train lines depart from Interlaken Ost station to these villages. From there, cable cars transport visitors to the base of the mountains, where a mountain train takes them to Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe". Buy your ticket for the top of Jungfrau and decide if you wish to stop off at Murren and Wengen for a visit when travelling from Lauterbrunnen.
Day 6: Lucerne & Bern
From Interlaken Ost, I took a train to Lucerne and Bern, spending about three hours in each city before returning to Interlaken West to prepare for my trip to Italy 🇮🇹. In Lucerne, I visited the Chapel Bridge and took a scenic boat tour on the lake, complete with an elegant restaurant and an open-air deck. In Bern, I explored the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visited the Zytglogge astronomical clock, the picturesque bridge over the Aare river, and the Bern Cathedral near the train station.
Food in Switzerland 🇨🇭
Unfortunately, Swiss cuisine didn't quite win me over. (Perhaps I was too busy sightseeing to try enough dishes!) I sampled cheese fondue, which I thought would be amazing but underwhelmed me. To save money, I picked up ready-made sandwiches, sushi, and salads from Coop, a supermarket chain found everywhere in Switzerland. If you're staying in an Airbnb with a kitchen, Coop is an excellent place to buy groceries and cook your own meals, which will be both tastier and more affordable.
Next stop: Italy 🇮🇹! Stay tuned for my experiences in Italy 🇮🇹.
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