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Even if you have just 3 days in Rome, spending one whole day at the Vatican will be worth your time. The Vatican is not just the most revered institution for Christians throughout the world but it's also an architectural marvel. You will not find a better example of such a perfect amalgamation of Roman, Baroque and Gothic architecture in one monument. The stunning colonnade at St. Peter's Square, the iconic Dome that is visible from the River Tiber and the crowds that make this place come alive are sights that should not be missed. Close to 25,000 people visit the Vatican daily, giving this place an irresistible vibe. And the sheer grandeur of the place seems to overwhelm you. 5 Most important things that you need to know before visiting the Vatican... First, if you're living around the city centre in Rome, then the best way to get to Vatican City is by Metro Line A. Get off at the Ottaviano-S Metro Station just outside the Vatican and walk right in. In fact, you can walk to the Vatican from anywhere in Rome. Maybe that's how the popular saying 'All roads lead to Rome' was born. But remember, there is a lot of walking involved during the day within the Vatican itself, so save up your energy for that. Second, the Vatican is a separate country with its own flag and occupies only 0.49 square kilometres. Entry and Visa to the Vatican is free, although you must buy tickets for the museums and entry into St.Peter's Basilica. Do not depend on buying tickets at the last moment. The queues are really long, and mostly the tickets will be sold out for the day. You must buy them in advance. I am not a big fan of conducted tours, but in the case of the Vatican, I'd say not just tickets, you must also book a conducted tour in advance. We did not have a pre-booked tour and had to face a lot of commotion in the morning when we arrived. Third, the Vatican is the seat of the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church worldwide. Since it is a deeply revered religious institution, it is advisable to wear covered, modest clothing. I have heard that visitors who are not appropriately dressed can be refused entry into the chapel. There are restrictions on certain types of footwear, too. Please check their website https://www.vatican.va/   for more details and updates. Fourth, if you're keen on seeing the museums, then keep aside at least 4 to 6 hours for your Vatican trip. There are massive crowds and queues everywhere. The absolute not-to-miss attraction in the museum is the Sistine Chapel. Fifth, there are lots of attractions at the Vatican. So, knowing what you wish to see beforehand and planning your trip here is important . We wanted to see St. Peter's Basilica and the museums, but because of a massive surge of crowds that day, we ended up in the wrong queue leading to the tombs. Getting out of the queue and entering the relevant one took over 2 hours. I'm listing the must-see attractions at the Vatican for you so that you don't miss anything on your trip.. St. Peter's Square This is the entry point to the Vatican right outside St. Peter's Basilica. Access to the square is free with no restrictions on clothing, etc. If you have less time, then you can see the Vatican from the outside here. Its most distinguishing feature is the dome and the massive colonnade on the outer facade of the church. St. Peter's Basilica This is the seat of the Pope and Christianity. Since it's an active church, there are days for ceremonies and processions when it might be closed to the general public. Please check the official website https://www.vatican.va/ for updates before you plan your visit. Many artefacts and attractions inside the Basilica are very intriguing, with years of history behind them. In my opinion, the best way to see this is with a conducted tour or an audio guide to fully appreciate the beauty of this place. My Tip - As soon as you enter the Basilica, close to the entrance, is the sculpture of the Pieta. This beautiful sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of her son, Jesus Christ. This is the only sculpture to have been signed by Michelangelo. There are a lot of people struggling to see this artwork, so wait for your turn patiently. This is like watching the famous Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris. You just have to wait for your turn. Entry to the ground floor of the Basilica is free, but please mind the dress code. St. Peter's Dome The Dome, designed by Michelangelo is truly magnificent. One just can't stop looking at the intricacy of its design from the square below. If you wish to go to the top, then entry is paid, and it takes 300 steps to climb to the top. We gave this one a miss since we were short of time, but if you can, then I am sure it's worth its while. Vatican Obelisk The 25.5 m high obelisk is in the centre of St. Peter's Square and you can't miss it. It was brought from Alexandria, Egypt. What makes it special is that it is the only remaining standing obelisk in Rome since Roman times. Vatican Museums You must have read a lot about the Vatican Museums. There are a total of 54 galleries that are collectively called museums. The museums are massive, filled with jaw-dropping artworks full of colour and creativity. We spent almost 3 hours, gaping at the stunning art pieces and collectables the museums have to offer. There are artworks from across civilisations. The Raphael Rooms are also quite interesting. There are depictions of many important historical events here. The star of this trip is, of course, the Sistine Chapel. The chapel is stunning to say the very least. The fresco by Michelangelo of the Last Judgement on the chapel's altar wall is truly awe-inspiring. Most of us are just tourists and not connoisseurs of art, but the drama and colour of this fresco exude grandeur and richness that is sure to catch your fancy. The famous painting on the ceiling in the chapel is the depiction of God extending his hand towards Adam. We have all seen this artwork in the famous Hollywood movie '2012' when an apocalypse hits the world, and St. Peter's Basilica is shown crumbling down. You have to crane your neck to see this artwork. Anyone seeing this artwork will be amazed at its intricacy and delicacy. You will need at least 3 hours to go through the museums, including the Sistine Chapel. My Tip - Must book all your Vatican tickets in advance. Must take a pre-booked guided tour of the museums. Otherwise, though you can see the stunning artwork, you won't be able to comprehend its historical significance. Before I visited the Vatican, I thought guided tours were for history buffs only, but in the Vatican, you will not mind becoming a student of history for this one time. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the Sistine Chapel, so try to imprint as much as you can on your memory. We did see some tourists trying to take pictures and getting yelled at by the guards. The pictures pasted above are from an authorised portal. Vatican gardens If you have any time left after you visit St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, then you must visit the Vatican Gardens. They are massive and cover over half of the total area of the Vatican. They have stunning fountains, the Belvedere Courtyard and the perfectly manicured Italian Garden. Interestingly, a part of the Berlin Wall is also put on display here. This was a gift to the Vatican. Access to the gardens is paid. We had spent a greater part of the morning trying to figure out our plan at St.Peter's Basilica, so there was no time and energy left to see the gardens, but with better planning, this should be included in your Vatican itinerary. Our entire day trip to the Vatican lasted over 8 hours. Overall, it was a great trip. My only regret is that we should have gotten our history lessons from pre-booked conducted tours of the Vatican instead of spending over an hour planning our visit after reaching there! I hope this blog will help all those who are planning to visit the Vatican. Nonetheless, we came face to face with so much history, art and architecture that have all been kept alive in this smallest country in the world.

After spending 3 heady days full of excitement in the Italian capital, we headed to Pisa. Rome to Pisa is approximately 300 kilometres. The best and most scenic way is to travel by train, which takes about 4 hours from the Rome Train Station to Pisa Central. The train goes past beautiful coastal scenery as the entire track lies close to the sea. However, the cheapest way to travel to Pisa is by bus, which takes about 6 hours. Many people do day trips from Rome, too. But since our trip to Rome had come to an end, we left for Pisa with our bags packed. It's good to know a few basic things about Pisa... If you're not planning to stay overnight in Pisa and have plans for a forward journey, you can put your luggage in a locker at the station itself. This is what most tourists do, this is what we did, and it worked out to be quite convenient. The Piazza del Duomo, also called the Square of Miracles, with its Leaning Tower of Pisa, is very close to the train station, just a 20-minute walk. If you're interested in half-day or full-day guided tours of Pisa, then they are available from both Rome and Florence. Although reaching Pisa on your own is also fairly straightforward, and in my opinion, one doesn't really need a guided tour. The Leaning Tower is a part of the Piazza del Duomo, also called the Square of Miracles. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It houses the four important structures, the Cathedral, the Leaning Tower, the Baptistry and the Cemetery. Again, like everywhere else in Italy, the Square of Miracles is very crowded. If you want to go to the top of the Leaning Tower, then book your tickets in advance. A strict schedule is followed with a limited number of visitors allowed to enter the tower, so advance bookings are a must. Before booking tickets for the Leaning Tower, remember there are about 300 steps to the top on a spiral staircase. Once you reach the top with a tour group, you can spend about 30 minutes at the top to get beautiful views of the city and the cathedral. The Square of Miracles has beautifully manicured gardens around the stunning white marble buildings. Everything about this place is serene and peaceful. One can easily spend at least 3 to 4 hours at the site, even if one decides not to climb the tower. The Cathedral is also a not-to-miss attraction. The intricate stonework on the exterior facade of the structure is breathtakingly beautiful. It's so delicate that it almost looks like lacework on the bodice of the church. Like everyone else around, we just sat on the grass and kept looking at this mesmerising piece of architecture. The inside of the cathedral is equally beautiful. The famous marble pulpit is a delight to watch. I don't understand much of art, but the pulpit, the ceiling and the columns, everything is so stunning to look at. If you're a history buff, then read about this architecture beforehand to not just see but also comprehend the beauty of this monument and the way it was developed and maintained over the years. Entry to the cathedral is free, but you have to present the ticket and register for a timeslot beforehand, because, as I've mentioned multiple times in all my Italy blogs, there are huge crowds everywhere. If you have extra time on hand, then you must go to Borgo Stretto. This is a very happening street in Pisa. It's about a 10 to 12-minute walk from the Piazza del Duomo. The street is very busy since all the people who come to see the Leaning Tower come here too. The vibe on the street is amazing. There are shops and eateries. You won't even have to look up your Google map. Just ask for Borgo and someone will guide you there. If you want to explore the Tuscany region of Italy, onward from Pisa, with its rolling landscapes and olive trees, then Pisa can serve as a gateway to the Northern Tuscany region. There are trains at one-hour intervals to Florence, the capital of Tuscany, which makes travel very easy. And this is exactly what we did. We boarded a train to Florence! See you in Florence here - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-2-days-in-florence-the-city-of-architectural-marvels For more info on Italy, see the links below - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-top-10-things-to-remember-before-you-plan-a-vacation-to-italy https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-3-days-in-romantic-rome https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-day-trip-to-the-vatican-from-rome https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-2-days-in-florence-the-city-of-architectural-marvels https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-3-days-in-venice-the-queen-of-the-adriatic-sea

After seeing the ruins of ancient Roman civilisation in Rome and the stunning architecture of the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, Florence will beckon you with its Renaissance architecture and its many art galleries! You should plan to spend at least 2 days in Florence, to take in the sights and do some shopping, if you wish. After spending a better part of the day in Pisa, we walked back to Pisa Centrale to catch a train to Florence. There is a train every hour, and it takes anywhere from 1 hour to 1.5 hours to reach Florence. Florence is a city bursting with stunning architecture. We reached Florence in the evening from Pisa, so decided to just walk around to soak in the vibrance of the city, in every square and every corner. Day One Piazza del Duomo We started our day with a visit to the famous Piazza del Duomo. It is one of the most visited sites in Europe and the most frequented place in Florence. Entrance to the area around the Piazza is free. If you buy tickets for the Duomo Complex, then it will grant you admission to all monuments in the Piazza del Duomo. The Piazza has four very distinct monuments 1. Florence Cathedral or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore The cathedral is the fourth-largest church in the world. The exterior facade of the church is stunningly beautiful. The white, pink and green marble gives it a truly mesmerising touch. You can spend an entire morning looking at it from different angles. We had seen pictures of the cathedral, but standing in front of it, the beauty of this building looks surreal. Entry to the cathedral is free. You have to buy tickets to visit the dome, the Bell Tower and the Baptistery, though. Please check their website for more details on the type of ticket you wish to buy and the validity of the ticket. Guided tours of the cathedral are also available. I am not a fan of guided tours; there is too much history to swallow in a short time. But if you're interested, you will have to make bookings with tour operators. The interior of the cathedral is also nice, though not as stunning as the outer facade. You can easily spend an hour or so taking in the intricacies of its artwork. My Tip Walk up the steps (around 400) to the top of Brunelleschi's dome. The climb is quite strenuous but worth the effort. However, if you have trouble climbing steps, then don't attempt this one. You will be able to see the fresco of the Last Judgement closely and also get beautiful views of the city of Florence from the top. 2. Giotto's Bell Tower Adjacent to the Florence Cathedral lies the Bell Tower. It is considered to be a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. The tower is stunning and has the option of climbing to the top. My Tip If you have climbed the Cathedral Dome, then don't do this on the same day. It's going to be extremely tiring since there are again about 400 steps to the top. We skipped it; we had done our climbing for the day. 3. Baptistery of St. John Right in front of the Florence Cathedral lies the Baptistery of St. John. You cannot miss its octagonal structure and the beautifully intricate coloured marblework on its outer walls. My Tip The structure is as beautiful on the outside with its famous doors as is the inside of the Baptistery. But it is small, it won't take more than 20 to 30 minutes to see the inside too. We spent about 15 minutes inside. There is no dearth of beautiful statues in Florence; add this to the list! 4. Museum - Museo dell'Opera del Duomo Just about 3 to 4 minutes away from the Baptistery is the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. The museum is massive, and there are almost 20 rooms filled with beautiful sculptures and artefacts from the Medieval and Renaissance eras. My Tip The amount of time you wish to spend will depend on your interest, but still, you should keep aside at least 2 hours to walk through the museum. Like us, by the time most tourists reach this museum, they would have seen the museums in the Vatican. So, either their interest in history is piqued or they are done with museums. In our case, I think it was the latter. Now, we wanted to explore the outside of the city and its many delights. Piazzale Michelangelo Piazzale Michelangelo is a vantage point about 2.4 km away from the city and offers beautiful views of Florence. You can see the tops of churches, houses, and buildings in the city. From the Fratelli Rosella Bus stop, take a bus that will take you to the top of the hill. It takes 27 minutes. You can also walk up the mildly inclined hillside, but we were tired from all the walking during the day, so we settled for the bus. There is also a replica of Michelangelo's David right in the centre of the square. My Tip The best time to visit this square is around sunset, when you get panoramic views of the city of Florence against the backdrop of the sunset. Day Two After an enriching and not to forget, exhausting, Day One, we set out to see two other important landmarks of Florence. Vecchio Bridge Ponte Vecchio, the medieval stone bridge built over the Arno River, is the oldest stone bridge in Europe. This stone bridge has not only witnessed the destruction caused during World War II but also survived it. There is an unmistakable air of romance in the area around the bridge. It was customary in Italy to have shops atop bridges. So, this old bridge is also lined with goldsmith shops and luxury watch brands. It makes for a good walk and window shopping. My Tip Be prepared to find massive crowds on the bridge. If you walk a bit further down, you get the best views of the bridge. While on the bridge, just enjoy the crowds and the sights, and avoid shopping because the prices are exorbitant, as is the case with most touristy places. Uffizi Gallery Just a 2-minute walk away from Ponte Vecchio is the magnificent Uffizi Gallery. This treasure trove of Renaissance art in the form of ancient sculptures and paintings should be on your must-see list for your Florence trip. The most important thing to remember is to book your tickets in advance online. Tickets to the gallery sell out weeks in advance. If you're serious about seeing the gallery, get your tickets beforehand. We did not do so, since we were not sure whether we'd have enough time to see this gallery on our 2-day trip, and sadly, we had to forego this attraction. My biggest takeaways from our Uffizi visit are Make advance online bookings. If you don't, then be prepared to be disappointed since it's quite unlikely to get same-day tickets. Avoid weekends as they are super crowded. The Uffizi is one of the most famous museums in Italy and a coveted tourist attraction, as we could gather from the massive crowds waiting to enter the gallery. Try to reach early if you wish to see all the exhibits at leisure. The exhibition is spread over a whopping 13,000 sq m. Keep aside 2-3 hours to see all of it. Please don't forget to carry an ID. You will need to show it to enter the gallery. Piazza della Signoria A visit to the Uffizi Gallery proved to be a disappointment. Since this was our last evening in Florence, we decided to spend it at the Piazza della Signoria, considered to be the most beautiful square in Florence. The Fountain of Neptune Piazza della Signoria is like an open-air museum filled with statues and museums, including the Uffizi Gallery. Entry to the Piazza is free; you need to buy tickets for the Old Palace and the Uffizi Gallery. The most prominent buildings in the Piazza are... Palazzo Vecchio This is the Old Palace and is still used for offices of the Town Hall. There is a lot of history about the Medici Family of Florence here. At the entrance to the Old Palace is a massive replica statue of David by Michelangelo. Loggia della Signoria This is an open-arched gallery that was made to host public ceremonies. There are many beautiful sculptures here; the one to look out for is the marble statue of 'Rape of the Sabine Women'. The gallery is free and is open 24/7. Uffizi Gallery - Already discussed above. Fountain of Neptune This stunning fountain made out of white marble shows a huge statue of Neptune, the Sea God and his chariot driven by four horses. My Tip - If you have limited time, then you can skip going inside the Old Palace. There is a beautiful courtyard in the front, where you can hang out for free. As I always state in all my blogs, as tourists, one must always pick and choose the museums and monuments one wishes to see. With this, we came to the close of our 2-day trip to Florence. To sum up, I would say that if possible, you should keep at least 3, if not 4, days for Florence. The entire city oozes historical charm that needs ample time to be savoured. To learn more about other Italian destinations, please click on the links below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-top-10-things-to-remember-before-you-plan-a-vacation-to-italy https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-3-days-in-romantic-rome https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-day-trip-to-the-vatican-from-rome https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-10-things-you-should-know-about-pisa-before-you-go-visiting https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-3-days-in-venice-the-queen-of-the-adriatic-sea

There is no place like Venice! I fell in love with it the moment our train reached the train station Santa Lucia, and I saw the Grand Canal flowing right outside. The beautiful city of Venice is surrounded by the Adriatic Sea on all sides. There are about 118 small islands that are connected by canals and bridges that together make up Venice. Before I discuss the tourist attractions of Venice in detail, I'd like to address the many conflicting views that I'd read about Venice on various media platforms before our visit. You might also come across many such views. On the one hand, there are people like me who would swear by the sheer romanticism of the city....an entire city connected by canals! What could be more alluring for tourists who are always looking for picture-perfect backdrops? On the other hand, though, there are people who get too flustered by all the crowds that throng the city. Let me try to put this debate in perspective for you...and also share my opinion with you. Venice is highly touristy, so much so that you will hardly come across any locals except the ones working in restaurants or in other service-oriented fields. There are tourists everywhere; this comes with certain problems for everyone. The prices of all basic commodities shoot up, not to mention the massive toll such tourism takes on the fragile ecosystem of the city. More tourists obviously translates into more expensive hotels and restaurants. There are tourist traps everywhere in the form of restaurants that overcharge and shops that quote exorbitant prices. So, the only way to enjoy your stay in Venice is to have all your bookings in place with a clear-cut itinerary and keep extra time to navigate through all the crazy crowds. Most importantly, when to go to Venice is a pertinent question. The best time is the summer months of April to October, with July and August being the heaviest tourist seasons. If you want to go easy on your wallet, then going in winter, December to February, might be a good idea. But this time of the year, usually from October to March, the chances of Venice getting flood levels are high. This natural phenomenon of flooding, called Acqua Alta, has been happening for ages in Venice. Acqua Alta is a temporary phenomenon, and the water levels quickly recede, but it can affect transportation and the overall touristy experience of the city. So, your two options are One, Go in the peak season, April to June. You will have to pay more and rub shoulders with more tourists. But the chances of rain and flooding will be minuscule. The weather will be warm, so you will most certainly get to enjoy the canal experience. We went to Venice in June. As expected, there were too many tourists everywhere, but the weather was pleasant and everything fell into place. Two, go in the low season, September to November. You get to pay much less, and tourists will be fewer, but then you might have to settle for rainfall in September, which is the month with the heaviest rainfall. The canal will be less crowded, but the rain might take away the fun of the gondola ride and walking around the city. I hope this will help clarify some common concerns about Venice. And now our 3-Day Itinerary in Venice.... Day One St. Mark's Basilica Doge's Palace Grand Canal Gondola Ride Anyone visiting Venice for the first time is totally enamoured by the canals. There are boats parked in front of houses instead of cars, giving the city an out-of-this-world feel. So, on our first day, we spent time loitering around the canals and clicking pictures around the city. There are people everywhere, walking around, shopping in the narrow winding streets for glass jewellery and watches and not to forget, masks. I also bought some trinkets from the alleys only to discover later that the best place to buy glassware is Murano. We'll come to Murano later in the post. Keep walking along with the other tourists in the narrow alleyways, and you suddenly reach a big public square, called Piazza San Marco or Saint Mark's Square. There are hundreds of people in the square....we couldn't stop wondering how so many people could walk through the narrow streets to reach here. Entry to St. Mark's Basilica is free. But that really doesn't help because there are so many people waiting in the queue to gain entry. If you're keen on seeing this basilica, then a guided tour is your best bet. On the far side of the Basilica is a beautiful Gothic-style structure called the Doge's Palace. Doge, I learnt later, was the highest authority in the Republic of Venice, and this was his residence. Tickets to the palace are available at the main entrance ticket counter, but remember, you will have to show some ID to get access to the palace. We were not carrying our passports, so we could not go inside. The safest way to see the palace is to make advance bookings; you will also be able to beat the crowd. The square is a popular spot to take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. We had an interesting experience in Venice while hiring a gondola. You can read about it here - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/italian-delights-top-10-things-to-remember-before-you-plan-a-vacation-to-italy The ride was a memory worth cherishing. The gondoliers are all dressed up in traditional attire, the boats are spic-and-span, and the ride is accompanied by anecdotes of history. Our gondolier, I forget his name, was not just talkative, but he also hummed his way melodiously through the entire boat ride. My Tip The gondola ride is not to miss. Be very clear about what you have to pay at the end of the ride. We had an interesting experience that I've narrated in detail in the link pasted above. Day Two Island of Burano Island of Murano We started our second day in Venice with a visit to the beautiful islands of Burano and Murano, starting with Burano. Island of Burano The easiest and most common way to get to Burano is by Vaporetto, a Water Bus, which takes about 45 minutes to reach. The island is really small; you can see the entire island in about 2 hours. The charming seaside village of Burano will entice you with its rows of colourful houses and its shops filled with lacework. The village seems to belong to a different era; you will see elderly women making intricate patterns with lace, oblivious to the tourists watching them. The island is so beautiful that words fail me to describe it. We spent the first hour just ogling at houses; it seemed as if witches from some fairytale would fly on their brooms out of the chimneys atop these houses. The locals are friendly. On enquiring about the coloured houses, I learnt from a local shop owner that these houses were painted in bright colours so that fishermen could find their way back to the village even during thick fog. And then, the village came to be recognised by its colourful houses, so the tradition stuck. You can start your Burano trip by visiting Piazza Baldassare Galuppi, the square with the statue of the famous composer Galuppi in its centre. If you look around, you will see the local church, Saint Martin Bishop, and the Leaning Tower. Yes, Burano has its very own tower that leans. It's not as dramatic as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, though. There is a lace museum on the Piazza. If you have time, you can see the museum and learn about the history of lace in Burano. Piazza Baldassare Galuppi, Burano After loitering around Burano and seeing the beauty of this enchanting village, we headed back to the ferry point to go further to Murano. Island of Murano This trip takes about 25 minutes and is as much fun as the ride to Burano from Venice. Murano is world-renowned for its glassware. Murano greets you with a beautiful glass sculpture! The island of Murano is a group of 7 small islands connected by bridges. Again, we spent an hour just walking around this quaint island, past shops displaying fascinating items made of glass. There are some cafes also where you can sit and bask in the romanticism of this island over a snack or a cup of coffee. There is a Glass Museum in Murano that takes you on a tour of glass-making techniques and the history of glass-making in Murano. This was our second last day in Italy, and we'd had our fill of museums in Italy. We decided to look at the shops selling very interesting glass artefacts instead. You can even buy Venetian masks made of glass! Another beautiful structure to see in Morano is the Basilica di Santa Maria e San Donato. The church is known for its stunning mosaic floors and rightfully so! You can spend about 30 minutes to an hour inside. One of the most famous attractions of Murano is its glass factories. If you're interested, then you can book tours of these factories that include taking you around on a tour of the factory and glass-blowing demonstrations, depending on the tour you buy. My Tip If you have limited time, then wandering around this picturesque island is the best way to spend your time. The riot of colour is absolutely fascinating. If you do have more time, then you should explore the glass factories and book a tour. I've read some great reviews about them. We had experienced something similar on a tour of the porcelain factories of Meissen, Germany, some years back, so we gave this glass factory tour a miss. Day Three St. Mark's Campanile (Bell Tower) Bridge of Sighs Rialto Bridge Eating at a canal-side eatery We started our day with Saint Mark's Square again. We wanted to wander the streets of Venice one more time on our last day here. On our first day in Venice, we had not seen Saint Mark's Campanile. The Bell Tower is situated right next to St. Mark's Basilica. You can buy a ticket and go up the elevator to get scenic views of Venice. We also wanted to see the famous old baroque bridge, the Bridge of Sighs. Normally, tourists see this bridge on the gondola ride from the canal. I might have also seen it, but at that time, we were so enamoured with the ride itself that we missed the bridge. I'd read about this bridge and the many myths attached to it. Its name, the 'sighs', refers to the sighs of prisoners who must have passed over it since the bridge connects Doge's Palace to the New Prison. The myth is that if lovers kiss each other right under the bridge, then their love will become eternal. Don't miss the opportunity to do that on the gondola ride. The other good way to see it is from the Bridge of Paglia. This bridge is just behind St. Mark's Square, and you can see the Bridge of Sighs from here. From there, we went to see the iconic Rialto Bridge. It is only a 5 to 6-minute walk from Saint Mark's Square. You don't have to look for the bridge on a map or anywhere; the Rialto Bridge is like the central point of Venice, and you will see a lot of signage at various places in the city giving directions to the bridge. The Rialto Bridge is one of the oldest arched bridges in Venice, built over the narrowest point of the Grand Canal and the most frequented attraction in Venice. My Tip Very close to the Rialto Bridge is the Rialto Marketplace. A visit to this market will give you an interesting insight into everyday Venetian life. Here you can get all kinds of fruits and vegetables, and some amazing seasonal fruits. You can spend some time here rummaging through preparations with local herbs and spices. We got some ready-to-use Italian sauces, and they were amazing. Rialto Bridge is touristy and crowded. However, the view of the canal is stunning from here. You should plan to spend a day and an evening here. This was our last day, not just in Venice but also in Italy. We just wanted to soak in the vibe of this romantic city, stroll along its canals and eat at a canal-side restaurant. And that's what we did before wrapping up our trip to this beautiful, vibrant country!

A narrow strip of land tucked away in one corner of the European mainland and a cluster of small islands littered along the Adriatic Sea are hardly likely to catch your attention on the World map but a visit to the beautiful country of Croatia will make you reminisce about your trip with fondness forever. If you love the Sun and beach combo, then Croatia can be the vacation of your dreams. There are over a thousand islands, each one more enchanting than the other. We went to Croatia from India, changing flights from Frankfurt on a Croatian Airlines Boeing to Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. Your vacation starts the moment you board this plane. One can get a beautiful bird's eye view of the Dinaric Alps with their snow-laden peaks. The beauty of the Dinaric Alps from the top! Two important observations about Croatia Croatia is a sparsely populated country with a total population of about 4.2 million but this small country asserts its identity by way of its indigenous industry. Most prominent American/European brands for food chains, clothes, shoes, and bags are conspicuous by their absence. After initially looking for familiar names, we decide to grub on the local cuisine which is heavenly in terms of taste and cheaper in terms of price! The same applies to cosmetics, lifestyle products, and many other products found in supermarkets. They are cheaper than most known international brands and of very good quality. If you’re planning to travel to other parts of Croatia as well, then roadways are your best bet. The journey is comfortable, buses are cheap and ply on time, and the icing on the cake is the scenic views that you start to get throughout the countryside especially as you approach the sea. And now coming to our 12-day itinerary.... 2 days in Zagreb 3 days in Plitvice 1 day in Zadar 3 days in Split 3 days in Dubrovnik Zagreb The capital of Croatia is not your typical touristy European city but it has a charm that is hard to miss. Must-see attractions are Saint Mark Church and Zagreb Cathedral in the Upper Town. Saint Mark Church with its impressive colourful coat of Arms of Croatia on its rooftop and the Zagreb Cathedral, a massive Gothic building with its tall twin spires will instantly catch your attention as you reach the Upper Town. The Upper Town can easily be accessed by a funicular with the journey lasting barely 5 mins. My Tip - One can do a conducted walking tour to get a better understanding of the history of this place. Coming down from the upper town, one can see a variety of cafes and eateries lining both sides of the street, the names of which I find hard to remember. It is a pedestrian-friendly area with no dearth of places to sit and munch and watch the crowds go by. Plitvice After a comfortable bus journey of around 2 hours from Zagreb, we reach Plitvice around noon. Plitvice National Park is every traveller's dream destination. Its beauty has to be seen to be believed. We spent two full days in this park. I have written a detailed memoir about our visit in the link below - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/2-days-in-the-plitvice-national-park-croatia-s-own-garden-of-eden Zadar We packed our bags for the third destination in our itinerary. Zadar. Early morning the next day we take the bus from Plitvice to Zadar. The journey is only 1 hour 30 minutes and the scenery en route is breathtakingly beautiful. From Plitvice to Zadar by bus Zadar is a seaside town with most of all tourist activities happening along the sea coast, the most popular among them being the Sea Organ. We approach the sea coast from the old town square. Lined with loads of eateries and small shops, the paved narrow streets have something to catch your attention at every step. Trinkets, souvenirs, clothes et al on both sides beckon tourists. There are some boutiques with beautiful pieces of clothes displayed in the show windows, must check these out! The best part is some bargaining also works here .... These narrow streets lead to an open courtyard with a tower, some historical monuments and a picturesque view of the sea. There are cathedrals and churches aplenty if you have an eye for historical monuments. ‘Greeting to the Sun’ next to the sea organ right on the seafront is equally intriguing. This spherical glass bottom has 300 glass plates, all placed at the same level as the pavement. These solar plates get activated at night and produce a light show. Around the Sun, there are also planets made in proportion to the sun. The highlight of this evening outing is the Sea organ. Huge metallic pipes have been installed under the sea along the seashore. As water strikes against these wind pipes, a sound of mouth organs emanates out of nowhere. One can sit here for hours on end and listen to this melodious syncing motion of water. One must stay in this area till sunset to capture the illuminated sphere. This is the most popular hub for tourists at Zadar and rightly so. As dusk approaches, the waves become higher and the sound from the sea organ increases. The day closes with a spectacular sunset. If you have time just hang around a bit late till the crowds dissipate. You will be able to hear the sea organ more clearly. An overnight stay is enough in Zadar unless you want to come back to the Sea Organ the next day too. We’re tempted to do the same but we have our bookings in place for our next halt in Split. Split Split needs at least two full days of your itinerary. The most talked about attraction in Split is the 4th-century Diocletian Palace. The massive structure of the bishop Gregory of Nin right at the entrance to the palace sets the tone for your outing. It's huge and very impressive. The massive Gregory of Nin Touching the toe of Nin is believed to bring good luck, so tourists visiting the palace line up in front of the statue to rub its toe. As did I.... There are loads of eateries and shops in every nook and corner, the palace has also been converted into a hotel in some parts. It's lively and buzzing with activity. Inside is also the Cathedral of St Domnius housing the crypt and the Temple of Jupiter. My word of advice, just peep into the temple, don’t buy the ticket, the temple is small, only as far as the eye can see from outside. The Diocletian Palace can easily be a full-day outing with the last leg of the day at the seafront. Luka Split or the port of Split is at its liveliest best all day long! There are a lot of day trips from Split to many small islands in the Adriatic, the Blue caves and wine-tasting tours, you can pick your choice if you have a day to spare. We had dinner at Café Fife just along the sea shore, the taste of their fish delicacy is still making me salivate. Total value for money! Dubrovnik We are fast approaching the end of our journey with our last destination being Dubrovnik. We’ve allocated four days to this city called the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. The scenic route on the entire stretch from Split to Dubrovnik can actually make one envious of the people who reside here. The Scenic route from Split to the Dubrovnik Riviera The Adriatic Sea has been almost ‘customized’ to suit the needs of the local people, there are play areas for children, lounge chairs for the elderly, all kinds of boats, and personal swimming areas. Every nook and corner of the sea is being put to optimum use and the water is really clean. The moment we set foot in Dubrovnik, the touristy air of the place hits us. The air is moist and warm, people are swarming everywhere and the town is buzzing with activity. We moved into a beautiful apartment just facing the sea. Anything less than that would be a shame. The city is enlisted in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites and is every bit so. View from the top of the city wall The old city is a walled city overlooking the sea surrounded by a thick wall and an old harbour. A walk on this wall is a must-do attraction. It has refreshing views of the sea. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, then you will be able to identify some familiar sites along the wall too. Can you place this in Game of Thrones? What scene was shot here? One can easily spend at least 2 days just wandering and idling around in the old city soaking in the history or just doing some monument gazing. ‘Stradun’ or the main street can be fun both during the day and at night. It’s always crowded with tourists and connects the entire old city with lanes and by-lanes. Scores of shops and restaurants are lined up all along that serve local Croatian fish delicacies apart from conventional cuisines. Not-to-miss! Dubrovnik has a lot of islands all around that are favourites for snorkelers and water enthusiasts. We took a one-day cruise to the Elaphiti Islands. The cruise offers beautiful views of the sea, some island-hopping, and a lot of opportunities for water sports since the sea is so calm and shallow. If you're not a water sports enthusiast, then just splashing in the water can be fun. The highlight of the cruise is the seagull feeding done by the crew as they hold our little leftover grubs of food for the seagulls to devour. Out of nowhere, the birds flock to grab a bite. There is suddenly so much activity with all cameras going into a frenzy to catch that moment. Amazing! Yet another beautiful island that can be explored is ‘Lokrum’. The main attraction is the freely roaming peacocks and bunnies all over the island. The birds are so used to having humans around that they stay perched on the rocks while everyone is clicking their pictures. The island also has a monastery and a small salt lake aptly called ‘Dead Sea’. Both locals and tourists throng to this lake to soak in the sun and splash around in this lake that is absolutely calm, hence the name. The iconic ‘Iron Throne’ from ‘Game of Thrones’ is housed here in the museum, you can take pictures with yourself on the throne. Sitting on this throne was my teenage son's dream come true! Panoramic view of the sea from the edge of the cliff on Lokrum Island If you walk to the end of the island to a rocky cliff then you can get some mesmerizing views of the sea. Our Croatian vacation is all set to wrap up as we prepare to take a flight from Dubrovnik to Munich and back home. But this Croatia trip will be etched in my mind forever. The few things that stand out for me are the pristine beauty of this small country, the delicious local cuisine comprising of local fish variety and lastly, the warmth that people show towards tourists in general. After all, it’s the people that make all the difference!

Geneva is called the smallest big city in the world! Reason? This small city is only 6 miles across, but we all know that it is home to the headquarters of the United Nations, which gives it a very international appeal and a pure cosmopolitan vibe. But Geneva is more than that. It is also unmistakably French and very romantic. You realise it the moment you step into the Old Town and witness its 16th-Century architecture. Two days are enough to see Geneva, though one can easily spend a week in this beautiful city with its stunning vistas over Lake Geneva and the aesthetically carved architecture of the city. If you're looking for adventure, then a Boat ride on Lake Leman is also a good option. The simplest thing to do is to walk along the beautiful Lake Geneva. The lakeshore is over 20 miles, with beautiful parks and boulevards along the route. We were travelling with our two kids, so walking and hiking were out of the question; we opted for the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour instead. The tour covers most of the important attractions mentioned above, except the boat ride and hike to Mont Blanc. Or if you have the Swiss Pass, then go for local transport. You will have the unlimited option to board any tram, bus or shuttle boat too. Top 5 things to do in Geneva ... See the Old Town The Old Town is the most beautiful part of the city of Geneva. It houses St. Peter's Cathedral, the English Garden, Bastions Park, the famous Mont Blanc Bridge and the Museum of Art and History. Vehicles are not allowed into the Old Town. The Museum of Art and History is free to enter. You can stroll around the beautiful pedestrian squares lined with cafes and restaurants and spend an unforgettable evening in the area. Lake Geneva and Geneva Water Fountain - Jet d'eau Lake Geneva is the largest water body in Switzerland. The highlight of the lake is the massive Water Fountain in its centre, called Jet d'eau. This is the most famous landmark in Geneva. Water from the lake is thrown 140 meters high into the air. Sadly for us, at the time we reached Geneva, it was extremely windy, so the water fountain was not working. The Flower Clock The Flower Clock in Geneva is a must-see attraction. It's the largest outdoor clock in the World, located on the western side of Jardin Anglais Park, the English Garden. Palais de Nations-United Nations Office The Palais de Nations is the seat of the United Nations. This 12-meter-high Broken Chair is the iconic symbol of the UN in Geneva. The significance of this chair with a broken leg is to condemn the use of violence that is inflicted on people worldwide, especially the use of land mines that have the capacity to cripple innocent civilians. It's a call to the governments worldwide to protect their people. The UN is a working office; entry is permitted only on a pre-booked tour. You must carry your passport or any other valid ID as proof of identity to gain access. Tours are available all year round in multiple languages. The timings of the tours may change depending on the availability of UN offices, such as the General Assembly Hall. Please check the official website to cross-check the timings of the conducted tours https://www.ungeneva.org/en/visit Cruising on Lake Geneva There are a multitude of options to go cruising on Lake Geneva. You can opt for regular scheduled cruises that sail from the pier or hire a sailboat or a motorboat as per your preference. You will find many boat operators along the lakeshore. You don't need to make any advance bookings for scheduled cruises, but if you wish to go for something specific, like a dinner cruise, then booking in advance is a better option, especially in the summer. Entry to the Lake Geneva Beach is paid. You can buy the tickets at the pay station located close to the beach entrance. To sum up, I'd say that Geneva is a great place to be. Apart from these top 5 things to do in Geneva in 2 days, the city is a beautiful, romantic haven with a distinct French vibe, and it can serve as a great starting point for many day trips to the regions close to the French border. Our next destination was Zermatt. Up next...

The stunning town of Zermatt in the Swiss Alps lies at the foot of the Matterhorn and is a popular tourist destination for hikers and skiers. 3 days are enough to see this beautiful hamlet and experience all its scenic locales. From Geneva, we took a train to Zermatt. It takes about 3 to 4 hours through the scenic countryside. As I've mentioned in all my Switzerland blogs, trains are a blessing in Switzerland and the most convenient way of travel. First glimpse of Matterhorn from the balcony of our apartment in Zermatt Gornergrat Bahn and Matterhorn We quickly checked into our Airbnb and set out to see the top attraction in Zermatt, the Matterhorn. A cogwheel train called Gornergrat Bahn starts from Zermatt to Gornergrat train station at the top at an altitude of 3100 meters above sea level. The views along this journey are breathtakingly beautiful as the train slithers through snow-covered mountain sides. The sight of the Matterhorn from the train elicits gasps from tourists in awe of the pyramid-shaped peak. My Tips for your visit to Matterhorn Like all other attractions in Switzerland, the Gornergrat railway can get very busy, so it's a good idea to have advance bookings, but only after checking the weather forecast for your day of travel. We had not made any bookings because we had 3 full days in Zermatt and wanted to ensure that the day of our travel was sunny. Luckily for us, the day we arrived was bright and sunny. A few things to know about the Gornergrat Bahn are... If you have the Swiss Travel Pass, you will get a 50% discount on tickets. We had purchased the Swiss Family Card, so our younger son, aged 9, could travel free. The train ride to Gornergrat runs on a schedule every 25 minutes, and it takes about 35 minutes through stunning mountain scenery. Sit on the right side of the train to get the best views. The train passes through 4 scenic stations. With a Gornergrat ticket, you can easily get off at any station and then get on to continue your journey. Please check the official website of the Gornergrat Bahn before making bookings to check the latest prices and offers https://www.gornergrat.ch/en/the   A Gornergrat Bahn ticket gives you access to many fun things, like unlimited rides on the Gornergrat Bahn, unlimited rides on the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, admission to the Klein Matterhorn Glacier Palace, among others. A Gornergrat ticket will also give you free access to the E-Bus service within the town of Zermatt. Remember to carry your sunglasses; the glare from the sun's rays falling on pristine white snow has a blinding effect on the eyes. Sunnegga Paradise On Day 2, we went to Sunnegga, also called the 'Sunny Side of Zermatt', an open terrace offering splendid views of the Matterhorn. Sunnegga Paradise is a ski area and part of the Zermatt Ski Resort. A funicular runs from the Zermatt station called Sunnegga Blauherd Rothorn Funicular, and in just about 5 minutes, you reach Sunnegga. If you have the Swiss Travel Pass, then you get a 50% discount on this funicular. One can go further to Blauherd with a gondola from here and even higher to Rothorn with a cable car. There are hiking trails all around. My Tips for Sunnegga Paradise If you are travelling as a family with kids, then Sunnegga is a great place to spend a leisurely afternoon in the scenic background of the Matterhorn. There are loads of fun activities for kids like kick biking, a play area and wooden rafting on Leisee Lake Adventure Playground. One can easily spend about 2 to 3 hours here. You can walk back to Zermatt, it's downhill and takes about an hour. We took the funicular on the way back, too, since our kids were too tired to walk back. You could also hire a mountain bike on your way down from Sunnegga. Zermatt Town On day 3 in Zermatt, we decided to see this idyllic town on foot. Walking around Zermatt is an absolute pleasure since it is a car-free zone. One can also use horse carts serving as taxis to move around. The entire town is located around 'Bahnhofstrasse', a pedestrian main road bustling with shops and restaurants. The typical Swiss wooden chalets with large wooden windows lend an old-world charm to this hamlet. We spent the day strolling through the village to see traditional barns and later explored the Matterhorn Museum. Entry to the museum is included in the Swiss Travel Pass. Zermatt was the starting point of our 15-day trip to Switzerland after 2 days in Geneva, so we kept it relaxed so as not to tire out our kids for the many adventure-filled days ahead. Our next destination was Lucerne. We spent 8 days here and made 6 daytrips to many beautiful mountain peaks.

Which city should I pick as the base for my first trip to Switzerland? Zurich? Geneva? Lucerne? This is a pertinent question that pops up whenever you begin planning your Switzerland vacation. Let me put things in perspective for you.... Zurich Zurich has good connectivity, but it is more of a global business city and a prominent hub for banking and technology. A lot of travellers to Switzerland use it as an entry or exit point. Geneva Geneva is located close to the French border and can work as a great base for trips to the French-speaking regions of Switzerland. The city has a very efficient transport network, and the vibe you get is very cosmopolitan. It's a beautiful city with a lot to do and see. I've discussed our 2 days in Geneva in the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/top-5-things-to-do-in-geneva-in-2-days But it's not ideal for first-time travellers because you will not get the classic Swiss vibe in the city. Lucerne Lucerne is quintessentially Swiss! This charming, historic city is what a classic Swiss destination should feel like. Situated on the edge of Lake Lucerne, it is surrounded by amazing snow-capped peaks and offers great connectivity to a whole lot of places in Switzerland. What makes this city a hot favourite for first-time travellers is the warm, touristy, Swiss vibe the city exudes. There is a lot to do and see within Lucerne itself, and its central location makes it a perfect spot for planning day trips. It's closer to Interlaken and offers easy access to mountain peaks like Mount Pilatus and Titlis. We spent 8 days in Lucerne. In this blog, I've discussed the top things we did in Lucerne in the two days that we had allocated for local sightseeing. The remaining 6 days were for 6 daytrips that we did from Lucerne. Keeping Lucerne as the base point was the best decision ever, and we could avoid lugging our suitcases around. Chapel Bridge and Lake Lucerne   Chapel Bridge or Kapelbrücke is built diagonally over the River Reuss and takes its name from St. Peter's Chapel on the right bank of the river. It is the oldest covered bridge in Europe, built as early as 1333, to connect the Old Town with the New Town. It has a beautifully carved ceiling. The entire area around the bridge is very lively. Lion Monument The sculpture of a dying lion is carved into a large rock in remembrance of Swiss soldiers who died during the French Revolution. Entry to the monument is free, and a beautiful park on the outskirts of the Old Town surrounds it. Hofkirche (Catholic church) Very close to the Lion Monument, about a 7-minute walk away, is the Hofkirche. It's located on a small hill overlooking the Old Town and is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture with its intricately detailed facades and spires. The twin spires are visible from almost every corner of the city. Entry is free. Swiss Museum of Transport This expansive museum is a delight to visit with its vast collection of vintage cars and old means of transport. There are exhibits about the history of transport, innovations that have shaped modern transport and its evolution over the past century. Most attractions are interactive. Our children were thrilled to touch and get a feel of the old rail engines and helicopters. The museum has many themed areas, and you should plan to keep at least 3 hours to explore it. There is a planetarium and a short video exhibit, too, that you should not miss. My Tip If you're travelling with kids, you cannot miss the Swiss Museum of Transport. The museum is well-connected by trains and buses. If you're staying around the Old Town, you can walk along the Lakeside promenade for about 30 minutes to the museum. Swiss Travel Pass holders are eligible for a 50% discount. Please check the official website for the latest offers on groups and students before your visit https://www.verkehrshaus.ch/en/your-visit/besuch-planen/prices-and-tickets You do not need to make any advance bookings. We visited on a weekday and bought tickets on arrival. However, if you're going on the weekend, it's best to have pre-booked online tickets. 6 Not-to-Miss Day Trips from Lucerne As I've mentioned earlier in this blog, Lucerne is a great base to plan daytrips. We had planned a daytrip for each day and were able to see much of Switzerland with a Swiss Travel Pass. Please click on the links below to read more about the day trips we did from Lucerne. 1. Day trip to Mount Pilatus https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-mount-pilatus   A trip to Mount Pilatus brings a surprise in tow. It has the longest summer tobogganing track in the world. https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/tobogganing-at-mt-pilatus-switzerland-the-world-s-longest-summer-toboggan-run   2. Day trip to Brienz and Interlaken https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-brienz-and-interlaken   3. Day trip to Jungfraujoch https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-jungfraujoch   4. Day trip to Mount Titlis https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-mount-titlis   5. Day trip to Bern https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-bern   6. Day trip to Lugano and Swiss Miniature https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-lugano-and-the-swiss-miniature

En route to Jungfraujoch! Jungfrau is the highest point in Europe; anyone looking for information on Switzerland Tourism would have surely come across the image of its iconic Sphinx Laboratory, an imposing metallic structure jutting out from among the snow-clad mountain peaks all around. The peaks are Jungfrau and Mönch along the Aletsch Glacier. A visit to this spectacular landscape is a day tour full of thrilling moments on the train as you travel through different climate zones in a single day, ride through the tunnel and see the panoramic views of the mountain peaks all around. Things to remember if you're travelling with kids are - If your itinerary is flexible, then make sure to check the day's weather at Jungfrau before your start. Ideally, one should make this journey only on a sunny day to get clear views of the glacier and the peaks. - Carry light snacks to munch during travel. Although, once on top, there are restaurants aplenty. - It can get very cold and extremely windy once you reach the top if you venture outside. Carry a down jacket with hoods even in summer for small kids. It's best to dress in layers. - There is an Ice Palace on the top that houses beautiful snow sculptures. It's worth visiting but it can get pretty chilled inside. So, dress accordingly. - Also, a very important advice from me is to do all the outdoor activities as soon as you reach the top if the weather is sunny. The weather can be very unpredictable around here. It was warm and sunny when we reached but our kids got busy in the indoor attractions. By the time we came out, the weather had become extremely windy and cloudy. Getting to Jungfrau is time-consuming and expensive too. There are 3 ways to reach the top from Lucerne. Wherever you are travelling from, the starting point is Grindelwald Terminal. If you are coming from Lucern, then your route will be - - Train to Interlaken Ost from Lucerne Station over the Brunig Pass Start as early in the morning as possible. The ride is very scenic along the lakes. - From Interlaken Ost, train to Grindelwald Terminal Swiss Travel Pass is valid till this point. Kindly check for any latest updates or changes. After Grindelwald, there are 3 ways to travel ahead - 1. By Cable car from Grindelwald Terminal - Eiger Express tri-cable Gondola to Eiger Glacier Station - Jungfrau railway to Jungfraujoch This is the quickest route and takes about 50 minutes to reach to the top 2. Train from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg. Sit on the right for glorious views of the Grindelwald Valley and on the left for the North face of Eiger. - Train from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfrau. This is the final leg of the journey; most of it is through a tunnel, much to the delight of our kids. The train stops at 2 points along the route where you can get down and see panoramic views of the snow-clad peaks all around. We opted for the trains-only route because our kids wanted to make a long train journey through a tunnel and we had no say in the matter! This is the most conventional route and also the most laid-back one, takes 4 to 5 hours to reach Jungfrau as the train meanders through scenic mountains at a leisurely pace. If you have a full day on hand, then going by this route is an outing in itself. 3. Travel by train on the onward journey as in Option 2. On the return, however, opt for the gondola to save time. This is a good option because you can get the best views from the train and a joyride on the gondola too! At Jungfraujoch View from the top! The moment you reach the top and venture into the open terrace, a blast of cold mountain air hits you. And what hits you, even more, is the absolutely mesmerizing mountain scenery. There are huge mammoths of snow as far as the eye can see. Many activities are awaiting you at the top. - Ice Palace - Alpine Sensation - Viewing platform at the top to see the Aletsch Glacier are free and included in your ticket. Snow Park and Zipline are paid. A lift takes you to the Sphinx Laboratory 117 m high. Views from the top are entirely weather-dependent. On a clear day, one can get magnificent views of the Alpine peaks of Italy, France and Germany on the Aletsch glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps. My Tip - I have read forums where some people who have travelled to Jungfrau felt that it was overrated and very expensive. It is undoubtedly expensive for a lone day trip. But I contend that where else can you see a 23-kilometre-long glacier, the longest one in the Alps from a viewing platform that gives a front-seat view of the glacier, that too with your family and kids in tow? The infrastructure around the mountain is amazing, to say the least. Not to mention the journey on the cogwheel and the gondola, that precedes this stunning scenery. Jungfraujoch is an experience that is certainly worth your time and money! Travelling with kids to Switzerland? For more fun tips and things to remember, click on the links below - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/planning-a-family-vacation-with-kids-to-europe-go-switzerland 1. Day trip to Mount Pilatus https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-mount-pilatus 2. Tobogganing at Mt. Pilatus https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/tobogganing-at-mt-pilatus-switzerland-the-world-s-longest-summer-toboggan-run 3. Day trip to Brienz and Interlaken https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-brienz-and-interlaken 4. Day trip to Titlis https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-mount-titlis 5. Day trip to Bern https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-bern 6. Day trip to Lugano and Swiss Miniature https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-lugano-and-the-swiss-miniature

Mount Titlis is a fun day trip from Lucerne that involves far less travel time compared to Jungfrau. The resort is 35 km away from Lucerne. It's best to buy tickets in advance. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, then train tickets to Engelberg are included. How to reach Mount Titlis from Lucerne - Start your trip by taking a train from Lucerne to Engelberg. The journey lasts 45 minutes. - From Engelberg, take a gondola 'TitlisXpress' from Titlis Valley Station to Stand. There is a mid-station Trübsee, you should not get down here on the way up. On the way back, though, if you have time, you can get down here for exciting summer activities like snow tubing and rowing on Lake Trübsee. - From Stand, a revolving cable car 'Titlis Rotair' takes you to Mount Titlis. This is the first ever revolving cable car in the world that revolves as it moves up to give a 360-degree panorama. At the top.... 5 Fun Things to Do at Mount Titlis - Titlis Cliff Walk The 1 m wide and 100 m long suspension bridge is the highest in Europe. It's thrilling to walk on but you need nerves of steel to do so. Children can do the cliff walk. Included in the ticket. - Glacier Cave The ice in the cave never melts and the view inside is breathtakingly beautiful. Included in the ticket. - Ice Flyer The open-chair flyer flies over the glacier and gives a splendid view of the scenery below. Included in the ticket. - Glacier Park Thrilling activities like snow tubing and sledging on the snow add to the charm of this beautiful nature park. - Adventure Park You cannot miss the Adventure Park if you're travelling with kids. There are regular adventure sports like Trampoline and Bag Jump Tower but on snow! You can relax about the safety of your kids since there are trained personnel to ensure their safety. Included in the ticket. Apart from this, there are shops for souvenirs, eateries and even a photo studio. Tips to Remember - 1. The ticket price includes most of the activities at the top. So, keep your ticket secure. 2. Always dress in layers. As you go uphill, the weather might change dramatically. Keep gloves handy for kids to play in the snow. 3. The glacier park is massive with steep slopes. Wear shoes with a good foothold to avoid slipping on the slope. I faced this problem since my shoe would not stay on the snowy slope. 4. Wear sunglasses. The pristine white snow on a sunny day can have a blinding effect. 5. Mount Titlis is a full-day tour. Many tours might claim to do it in half a day but that can be extremely tiring if you have kids with you. Mount Titlis is a friendly, fun park and an absolute not-to-miss attraction in Switzerland and it's value for money. So, don't miss it! Travelling with kids to Switzerland? For more fun tips and things to remember, click on the links below - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/planning-a-family-vacation-with-kids-to-europe-go-switzerland 1. Day trip to Mount Pilatus https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-mount-pilatus 2. Tobogganing at Mt. Pilatus https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/tobogganing-at-mt-pilatus-switzerland-the-world-s-longest-summer-toboggan-run 3. Day trip to Brienz and Interlaken https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-brienz-and-interlaken 4. Day trip to Jungfraujoch https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-jungfraujoch 5. Day trip to Bern https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-bern 6. Day trip to Lugano and Swiss Miniature https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-lugano-and-the-swiss-miniature

Brienz Picture-perfect landscapes in Brienz and Interlaken Brienz and Interlaken are the most beautiful parts of Switzerland. Verdant mountain slopes in the backdrop of massive turquoise Lake Brienz leave you spellbound with their beauty! We took a train from Lucerne to Brienz. There are many direct trains and the journey lasts about an hour and a half. What to do in Brienz - Brienz has Ballenberg, Switzerland's only Open-Air museum and also its largest. One needs a full day to take a tour of the museum that houses historical buildings and architecture. There is obviously a lot of walking involved, if you're travelling with kids, give it a miss! - We roamed around Brienz, looking at its surreal beauty, had lunch at a small cafe near the station, and took pictures in the background of the lake before continuing on our journey ahead to Interlaken by boat. - The trip to Interlaken takes about 75 minutes. Round trips on Lake Brienz are also available. The boat goes around the scenic villages dotting the shoreline of the lake. - Along the route is the spectacular Giessbach Falls alongside many smaller streams flowing into the lake. Please note that boat cruises on Lake Brienz are included in the Swiss Travel Pass. Interlaken Nestled between the emerald blue waters of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, Interlaken is every bit touristy. It is the most popular tourist destination for adventure seekers for activities like river rafting, bungee jumping and many more and is the starting point for many day trips like the famous one to Jungfrau. Ideally, one should plan to stay here for at least 3 to 4 days to soak in the beauty of this immensely lively and beautiful city, cradled by mountain peaks on all sides. But like all hot tourist destinations, Interlaken is also expensive compared to cities like Lucerne, for example. In fact, it is considered to be one of the most expensive destinations to travel to in Europe. So, if you are travelling with small kids, then it would be wise to just plan a day trip to Interlaken. What to do in Interlaken - We reached Interlaken in the afternoon from Brienz by boat and started with a walking tour of the city. - After idling around the city for 2 hours, post-lunch, we took the funicular to Harder Kulm. A funicular leaves every 30 minutes and the journey lasts only 10 minutes from the Valley station. - This was a fun outing for all of us, especially the kids. After Pilatus, they seemed to have developed some fascination for funiculars. Although this was not as thrilling as the one on Pilatus, it offered some truly mesmerizing views of the Bernese Alps, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. - Interlaken has some great shopping avenues. The main street called Hoeheweg has some great watches and souvenir shops. I bought the famous Swiss cuckoo clock from here. Interlaken is so beautiful that you can lose yourself in the beauty all around you and never get tired of it but as I've said earlier on, one has to keep moving with kids around. We took a train on our return journey to Lucerne in the evening. Travelling with kids to Switzerland? For more fun tips and things to remember, click on the links below - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/planning-a-family-vacation-with-kids-to-europe-go-switzerland 1. Day trip to Mount Pilatus https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-mount-pilatus 2. Tobogganing at Mt. Pilatus https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/tobogganing-at-mt-pilatus-switzerland-the-world-s-longest-summer-toboggan-run 3. Day trip to Jungfraujoch https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-jungfraujoch 4. Day trip to Titlis https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-mount-titlis 5. Day trip to Bern https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-bern 6. Day trip to Lugano and Swiss Miniature https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-lugano-and-the-swiss-miniature

Mount Pilatus, or the Dragon Mountain, at an altitude of 2128 meters, is a must-visit on your trip to Switzerland. Once on top, you can get beautiful vistas of the Alpine mountains and lakes all around. Many vantage points on the mountain give stunning 360-degree views of the scenery all around. There are 3 ways to reach Pilatus from Lucerne in the Summer - Golden Round Trip - Silver Round Trip - Directly by road to the Gondola station Golden Round Trip The most popular one is the Golden Round Trip, unless you're really short of time. If you're going to Pilatus for the first time, then this is the way to go. This trip easily takes about 5-6 hours It starts from Lucerne with a scenic boat ride to Alpnachstad on Lake Lucerne The boat ride lasts 90 minutes with beautiful alpine peaks and quaint villages all along. After disembarking the boat, you get on the world's steepest cogwheel train with a gradient of 48%. It takes you right to the top of Mount Pilatus in less than 30 minutes. My Tip The steep climb up the mountain is absolutely thrilling as the mountain scenery starts to unfold in front of your eyes. No wonder there are massive queues for the cogwheel, so getting to the station early is better. Waiting in the queue for the cogwheel is worth it! Silver Round Trip This travel option does not involve any boats. You travel from Lucerne to Alpnachstad and back to Lucerne by train. From Alpnachstad, take the cogwheel to the top. My Tip The only advantage that I could see here is that you will get a lot of time to do activities at the top of Mt. Pilatus (believe me, there are many, especially if you're travelling with kids) since trains are more frequent and you are not depending on the last boat to Lucerne on your way back. On the flip side, you will miss the scenic boat ride on Lake Lucerne. Directly by road to the Gondola Station You can take a 20-minute bus ride from Lucerne to Krienseregg Further by gondola Dragon ride to the top. My Tip Here, the advantage is that this is the quickest way to reach the top and also the cheapest. If you're short of time, then you can cover Pilatus even on a half-day trip using this option. The downside is that you will miss out on the scenic boat ride and the cogwheel. Whichever option you choose, the moment you reach the top, glorious views of Alpine lakes all around greet you. However, to get views from a higher spot, you can climb a tall column of steps to reach these panoramic terraces with peepholes carved out of the mountains. There are many viewing platforms, hiking trails, observation decks, eateries and restaurants on the top. There is a Dragon Path and Dragon World that can be fascinating for kids. The weather was particularly kind on the day we were at Pilatus; it was bright and sunny, so we spent a great deal of time idling around and taking pictures. On the way back, there are two halts before you reach Lucerne. You take the cable car to the middle station at Fränküntegg Then a small bubble gondola to Kriens. From Kriens, you walk for 10 minutes to the bus stop to take Line 1 to Lucerne. Or else, at Fränküntegg, you can opt for the amazing summer sledge or Toboggan. This is the longest summer sledge in the world at 1350 meters long! This is a not-to-miss attraction, and one should plan to incorporate it into the Pilatus itinerary. Click on the link to learn about Tobogganing at Mt. Pilatus https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/tobogganing-at-mt-pilatus-switzerland-the-world-s-longest-summer-toboggan-run There is also an Adventure Tree Park with ropeways and fun things for kids here. Travelling with kids to Switzerland? For more fun tips and things to remember, click on the links below - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/planning-a-family-vacation-with-kids-to-europe-go-switzerland Day trip to Brienz and Interlaken https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-brienz-and-interlaken Day trip to Jungfraujoch https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-jungfraujoch Day trip to Titlis https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-mount-titlis Day trip to Bern https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-bern Day trip to Lugano and Swiss Miniature https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-lugano-and-the-swiss-miniature