Sunday - October 6, 2024
Dropped our luggage at the front desk (we were using a service called Swiss Traveling Bellboy that handles moving our luggage from hotel to hotel, on the same day!). Took an Uber to the train station with just our backpacks.
Boarded an hour-long train to Chur where we boarded the Glacier Express. Train had big, giant windows all around. We had window seats next to Lynn & George, a nice couple from Texas who were living in Frankfurt. It was about a six-hour ride to Zermatt with many tunnels, bridges, and lush valleys, plus snowy peaks, really spectacular. Along the way, we talked quite a bit with our seatmates about their experiences traveling and living abroad.
Arrived in Zermatt just after 6 p.m., then were taken to Tradition Julen Hotel by electric shuttle. There are no cars in Zermatt; everything is done by small electric shuttles and trucks. As we had eaten pretty late on the train, we decided to just go for a walk in town and then had a glass of wine at an upstairs bar. Back in the hotel, we watched a bit of TV (Survivor) and then went to bed.
Monday - October 7, 2024
Awoke to blue skies with a few clouds, perfect! Breakfast at the hotel, then walked over to the Gornergrat railway station. It's a cog railway line that runs up to the top of the mountain.
Had seat reservations which allowed us to be first on the train. A group of young girls from the UK were seated around us; they were training to be ski guides for the season and seemed very excited. The train climbed very steeply up to the top where we left the train. Headed inside the hotel(!) at the top and made lunch reservations.
Walked up to the observation area at the very top for some views and pictures of the Matterhorn. Walked back down to the restaurant where we had great seats for a tasty fondue lunch. Our waitress Kristina took great care of us! Took the train back down to town. Talked most of the way down with Dean & Lori, a nice couple from Philadelphia who were also enjoying their time in Switzerland.
Back in town we stopped for some chocolate and then sat at a nice café for some people watching. Walked back to the hotel and relaxed and napped. At 6:30 we walked about a block to a small pizza restaurant. Then it was back to the hotel for a chill night.