Switzerland had been on our family bucket list for years, and it did not disappoint. In just 5 days, we hiked through breathtaking alpine trails, rode a variety of funiculars, swam in pristine green glacial lakes, and indulged in chocolate and cheese to our hearts’ content.
While Switzerland was the heart of our journey, we also squeezed in memorable side trips to France, Italy, Austria, Monaco, and Liechtenstein—because when you’re that close, why not? If you’re planning a European summer adventure with teens or a multi-generational group, this itinerary offers a mix of natural beauty, flexibility, and unforgettable experiences.
How We Afforded This: Travel Hacking with Points
Before you assume this kind of trip is out of reach, hear me out. We booked our flights and several hotel stays using travel points I’ve earned through travel hacking (yes, even the Switzerland portion!). It’s one of my favorite ways to make big adventures more affordable for our family. If you’re curious how I do it, or want to start doing it yourself, I put together a simple guide you can check out here. You don’t need to be a frequent traveler or have a huge budget. You just need to know how to play the points game smart.
For those that travel hack (or want to) I was able to use points to cover all of our flights (20,000 on Air France per person to get there and 29,000 per person to come back on United). And then 75% of our stays there in hotels and AirBnB. From what I hear, in the 20k range one-way is considered a good deal.
I calculated that I spent about $3000 total for the trip (10 days, we stayed in France also), mostly food and activities, as well as our rental car (& gas).
A Perfect 8-Hour Layover: Eiffel Tower + Notre Dame
We kicked off our adventure before it even officially began. I intentionally booked an 8-hour layover in Paris so we could squeeze in just enough time for a magical peek at the Eiffel Tower. After landing, we grabbed our bags, hopped on the hour-long train into the city, and made the most of our two hours in Paris—snapping photos at the Eiffel Tower and swinging by Notre Dame before catching the train back. It was quick, slightly chaotic, and totally worth it. If you ever have a long layover in a city you’ve never visited—plan it out, build in buffer time, and go for it. (See instagram video here). Heat wave in Europe that week and pretty sweltering, even for us Texans as we troped around Paris.
Scroll to the bottom to see our top 4 must NOT miss, favorite locations!
Day 1: Floating the Aare River in Bern, Switzerland – A Thrilling Local Adventure
We began our Switzerland adventure with something totally unexpected—and unforgettable. After visiting the Switzerland LDS Temple just outside of Bern, we met a family inside visiting from Seattle, who invited us to join them for a float down the Aare River, a fast-moving, glacier-fed river that winds through the heart of the city. It’s a favorite summer activity for locals, and we quickly saw why. The current was strong and exhilarating, with views of the old town and even people surfing the rapids in sections! It was such a fun and unexpected way to start the trip, and a beautiful reminder of the magic that happens when you meet kind strangers in a foreign land and say yes to spontaneous adventure.
I had heard about this in my research before, but wasn’t sure about logistics, and I’m so glad our friends scoped it out in advance, and brought us along. We parked near “Bear World” which actually had live bears roaming in an enclosure. Someone asked about floating devices, we didn’t have any, but lots of people had what looked like pillows, an “aarebag” that held their clothes that is waterproof that they used as a floating type device. I believe you can purchase them at shops along the river.
See my Instagram video on this adventure.
We then drove the rest of the way to our airbnb outside of Interlaken in the quaint village of Giswil. The village we stayed in, we fell in love with, and the host was amazing, a quiet village, and about an hour drive to each place we went. Welcome to the winding mountainous roads!
Day 2: Lauterbrunnen, Staubbach Falls & Mürren – Exploring the Most Magical Valley in Switzerland
If there’s a place that feels like stepping into a postcard, this is it. Day 2 brought us deep into the heart of the Bernese Oberland, where every direction you look feels impossibly scenic.
Lauterbrunnen: The Valley of 72 Waterfalls
We started our morning in Lauterbrunnen, a peaceful alpine village nestled in a deep U-shaped valley surrounded by towering cliffs and dotted with traditional Swiss chalets. Waterfalls gush down from the cliffs on either side—it’s no wonder this area inspired Tolkien’s Rivendell. It’s small, walkable, and breathtaking at every turn. We just spent one day here, but we could have stayed longer. I preferred this town over the crowded Grindelwald.
Staubbach Falls: Nature’s Power on Full Display
One of the most iconic sights in Lauterbrunnen is Staubbach Falls, a nearly 1,000-foot cascade that plunges straight off the cliffside into the valley below. We walked up to the base and could feel the cool mist spray across our faces. Though it’s impressive, the walk up got our hearts racing, but the end spot was forget-able, and anti climactic (see below). We thought it might take us to a cooler view of the waterfall or above it, but just the side of it. Nice view of the valley below though.
Mürren: A Car-Free Mountain Village with Epic Views
From Lauterbrunnen, we took the tram and train up to Mürren, a cliffside village that’s completely car-free and bursting with charm. (We debated walking the trail but it was so stinkin’ hot. A friend told me they rented e-bikes and rode up, that’s what I’d do if I went again). The views from up here are unreal—panoramas of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks that feel close enough to touch. We wandered the quiet streets, snapped a ton of photos, and just let ourselves be in the awe of it all. Mürren has a slower pace, and we loved that contrast after the adventure of the river the day before. We even took a nap on the grass at the top. THIS SWING made for a fun photo opp.
Paragliding in Grindelwald – Soaring Above the Alps
If you’re up for an adrenaline rush, paragliding in Grindelwald was something my kids were super excited about. I didn’t have it in my plans, but decided to join to be a fun mom! I’m not afraid of heights, it just wasn’t on my radar, but it was fun. Launching from higher altitudes than many other Swiss spots (thanks to the unique alpine wind patterns), flights here tend to be longer, smoother, and more scenic, with sweeping views of the Eiger and the lush green valley below. I almost booked a glide over Interlaken for the lake views—which also would have been stunning—but I’m so glad I went with Grindelwald for the dramatic mountain backdrop. (See my instagram video here).
We also considered the mountain carts there in Grindelwald (which looked like a blast!), but between activities and costs adding up, I stuck with just paragliding—and it was 100% worth it. The line and crowds were quite evident here, glad we booked the paragliding in advance, but the mountain carts you can only get the day of, and early is ideal.
Day 3: Stoos Ridge Hike & Running Across 3 Countries – Switzerland, Liechtenstein & Austria in One Day
This day was the definition of memorable adventure. We started with one of the most stunning hikes in Switzerland and ended with a spontaneous cross-border sprint that my kids will never forget.
Stoos Ridge Hike – The Most Accessible Alpine Ridge Walk in Switzerland
We took the funicular up to Stoos, a charming mountain village high above Lake Lucerne—and home to one of the steepest funicular railways in the world. From there, we hiked the Stoos Ridge Trail, and it instantly became one of our favorite hikes of the trip. Plan on a full half day here.
What made it so special is that in the U.S., hikes with views like this often require hours of switchbacks. But here, the funicular does the heavy lifting, so you’re immediately rewarded with sweeping alpine views and narrow ridgelines that feel both thrilling and surreal. The path follows dramatic curves and offers jaw-dropping photo ops at every turn.
To top it off, we met a friendly solo traveler from Dubai who joined our family for the hike—just another reminder of how travel brings people together in the most beautiful ways.
See the Instagram video here.
Running Across Liechtenstein to Austria – 3 Countries in 30 Minutes
After the hike, we drove to Liechtenstein—because how often do you get the chance to check off another country in less than an hour? My kids had the wild idea to run across the country (from Switzerland into Liechtenstein and on to Austria), and once we mapped it, we realized it was totally doable: just under 4 miles at the narrowest point.
This is the course my son mapped out from the Coop Supermarket in Haag (Switzerland) to the L61 77 spot in Austria, running through Liechtenstein:
They took off running while I “crewed” in the car, cheering them on and videoing the whole thing. I jumped in for the final half mile so I could cross the finish line with them (I’m not a runner, so this felt like a mini victory in itself!).
We started in Switzerland, crossed Liechtenstein, and ended in Austria—all in about 30 minutes. It was spontaneous, a little silly, and something we’ll be talking about forever.
Watch the full video here
Day 4: Exploring Switzerland’s Most Beautiful Lakes – Thun, Brienz & Lungern
Switzerland isn’t just about mountains—its lakes are just as unforgettable. On Day 4, we explored three stunning alpine lakes, each with its own unique charm. From mountain reflections to crystal-clear swimming spots and hidden waterfalls, this day was peaceful, playful, and absolutely breathtaking. Look up the lake and “lido” in Google Maps to find spots to enter to swim. Many are associated with campgrounds.
Lake Thun – Calm Waters and the warmest
Our first stop was Lake Thun, a deep blue lake on the western side of Interlaken, surrounded by snowcapped peaks and dotted with historic castles. Though we didn’t linger long here, the views from the shoreline were worth the stop—especially if you love photography or want a quiet picnic with mountain scenery. We stopped by a pizza place, and it even had a changing spot and ladder to get into the lake as an option. Heard this lake is 2 degrees warmer than it’s “twin sister” Lake Brienz. In July, both had a crisp chill upon entering, but swimmable for a while after we got used to it.
Lake Brienz – Turquoise Water & Lakeside Fun
Just on the other side of Interlaken is Lake Brienz, and we were obsessed with the glacial turquoise color of the water—it almost didn’t look real. We stumbled upon a lakeside campground with a castle in the distance, that had a public diving board straight into the lake, and it made for such a fun, spontaneous swim stop. This lake quickly became a family favorite for both its beauty and its “you can actually play here” vibe. (This was a favorite spot with a diving board and the view of the castle in the distance, see Instagram video here)
Lake Lungern – Waterfall Swimming & Scenic Loop Hike
Further off the beaten path, Lake Lungern felt like a hidden gem. We hiked a 6-mile loop trail that wraps around the lake, offering a perfect blend of peaceful shoreline, shaded forest, and mountain views. Not too far from where we parked, we discovered a small, swimmable waterfall tucked into the trail—one of our favorite surprises of the whole trip.
The greenish, crystal-clear water of Lungern felt otherworldly, and even though it was chilly, it was too magical not to jump in, and we got used to the temperature quickly. This lake made a permanent mark on our memory.
Day 5: Exploring Old Town Lucerne – Medieval Charm & Travel Truths
Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most popular cities for good reason—it’s charming, easy to navigate, and full of postcard-perfect architecture. But like any destination, not everything lives up to the hype.
Wandering Through Old Town Lucerne
We spent the morning exploring Old Town Lucerne, a well-preserved medieval district with painted facades, cobblestone streets, and one of Europe’s oldest wooden covered bridges—the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke). It’s a pedestrian bridge lined with flower boxes, spanning the Reuss River, and it’s definitely worth a stroll. The town feels vibrant and full of history, and it was a fun shift from the natural landscapes of the days before.
Lucerne’s Swimming Spot – A Skip for Us
In the afternoon, we mapped to a lakeside swimming spot that turned out to be our least favorite of the trip—brown water, super crowded, and not the peaceful swim we were hoping for. Locals recommended we take a boat cruise along the lake, which might be more your speed if you enjoy sightseeing from the water. For our family, though, it just didn’t appeal. That’s the beauty of travel—trying things, skipping others, and making it your own.
Grocery Shopping in Switzerland
We had heard that Switzerland is expensive, and with a kitchen at our AirBnB, we shopped at the Lidl in Interlaken and then the Co-op grocery stores in Giswil near our house, and around many other small villages, and it saved us a lot of money. We got fondue once at a fancy restaurant (which we didn’t love) and ice cream and snacks out, but ate most of our big meals at the house. Those grocery stores also had fresh bread daily: croissants, baguettes, and pain au chocolate. Along with some pre made sandwiches, yogurt, and the most delicious muesli I’ve ever had (like overnight oats).
Our overall favorite 4 stops:
- Floating the Aare River in Bern
- Stoos Ridge Hike
- Swimming in Lake Brienz
- Hike/Waterfall/Swimming Lake Lungern
The Swizterland Temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bern (near the Aare River)
Thanks for reading til the end, feel free to message me on Instagram or email me (kristen AT kristenduke.com ) with any questions, happy to help out!
