A Snippet of Switzerland: Sample Itinerary

Interlaken and Lake Geneva: A short and simple winter weekend itinerary featuring snow-capped sights, Swiss sweets, and Christmastime charm.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Even though my trip to Switzerland was only one weekend long, it provided me with memories that will far outlive the two full days I spent there. Here's how I spent the most magical weekend exploring the land of chocolate and cheese with new and old friends alike:

Montreux, Lake Geneva, Switzerland

My Itinerary at a Glance

Friday – Interlaken Arrival & Alpine Views

• Arrived in Interlaken during a fresh snowfall

• Explored the town center + chocolate shops

• Rode the funicular to Harder Kulm for lake + mountain views

• Enjoyed a classic Swiss fondue dinner in the evening

Saturday – Bern, Montreux & Christmas Market

• Took a morning train to Bern + visited the Cailler Chocolate Factory

• Afternoon exploring Montreux: Lake Geneva, Fort Chillon, and the holiday market

• Returned to Interlaken by evening

Sunday – Final Morning & Departure

• Early morning walk to around Interlaken

• Checked out + departed for Florence mid-afternoon

Day 1: A Snowy Arrival in Interlaken

We arrived in Switzerland under cover of darkness (play that song!)—and snow. Lots of it. As our bus crept along at what felt like 5 mph through the first major snowfall of the season, I stared out the window wide-eyed and a wee-bit worried. As a southern girl who’d rarely seen more than a dusting of snow, I couldn't tell whether to gawk or get out.

Eventually, we made it safely to our hostel in the early hours of Friday morning and crashed for a quick 3-hour nap before launching into our first day.

The view from our hostel

Once up, we wandered into town, our first stop being the Funky Chocolate Club, where we warmed up with chocolate-covered strawberries and cappuccinos. Nothing like a good dolce colazione to kick off the day. But before I could go any further, I had to face an unfortunate reality: that my slick, smooth-sliding leather boots were not-so-snow-friendly. So, I made a crucial purchase—faux UGGs (aka “fuggs”)—from a shoe store. Fashion took a backseat to function, but in all honesty, I couldn't tell the difference (and now I had a Swiss souvenir!). Take it from me: pack some snow shoes in advance.

Funky Chocolate Club, Interlaken, Switzerland

We then grabbed lunch at Hooters (sorry not sorry... it was the only budget option in sight), then took the funicular up to Harder Kulm. At about $44 USD, it wasn’t cheap, but wow was it worth it for the view awaiting. From the mountaintop platform, we looked out over Interlaken's namesake lakes, with a panoramic sweep of snow-blanketed Alps. We slid down the mountaintop playground slide (equal parts thrilling and terrifying), grabbed some hot cocoa to warm our frost-bitten fingers, and waited until sunset to watch as the twinkle lights brought to life the valley below.

On top of Harder Kulm

After taking the final funicular down, Cami and I built a snowman named Ralph (R.I.P. Ralphie) and made snow angels before heading out for a classic Swiss fondue dinner at Bebbis with the rest of the crew. Truth be told, the fondue was just fine—but the show? Definitely the star.

Day 2: A Swiss Fairytale with a Friend

While my friends stayed behind for their paragliding adventures, I set out solo on a train to Bern, where I reunited with my friend Natalie—a lady I met while doing a cross-island hike in Santorini.

Natalie, a native to the area, showed me around her home on her personally planned adventure. First stop: the Cailler Chocolate Factory (one of the original Swiss chocolate franchises, now partnered with Nestlé). Upon touring the facility, I was taught about the chocolate-making process, all the while sampling enough sweets to feed the Swiss army.

Lake Geneva, Switzerland

From there, we headed to Montreux, on the shores of Lake Geneva. There, we visited the Montreux Christmas Market, where I sipped hot mulled wine, tried my first churro, and was serenaded by a singing Santa who was suspended above-head on his sleigh. We wandered over to Fort Chillon, an old WWII military bunker where Natalie’s grandfather was once stationed underground for seven months without seeing daylight. Being able to hear Natalie's family histories attached to these sights added a whole new layer of significance to seeing Switzerland.

Picturing: the singing Santa

Adding to the memories of Montreux, Natalie even gifted me some Swiss soap and chocolate, and we talked about traditions, languages, love, and life in Switzerland before saying our bittersweet goodbyes. Being able to learn about different lifestyles from a person's personal perspective is one of the many things that is utterly unforgettable about traveling.

Meanwhile, back in Interlaken, my friends adventured airborne over the Alps and came back with windswept stories of adrenaline and awe. We met up that evening and swapped tales before crawling back into bed.

Day 3: Final Mornings & Farewells

On Sunday morning, we checked out of our hostel and took a final stroll through Interlaken’s snowy streets. Some of us snagged a few more photos around Interlaken, where we made last-minute snowmen with some strangers. Around noon, we boarded the bus back to Florence, hearts and stomachs full, and backpacks piled with chocolate.

Final Thoughts

While it began as just a winter weekend stop, Switzerland left a mark on me that seeps far deeper than a simple checkmark on a bucket-list. It’s not always about how many places you see; it’s about how connected those places make you feel. This short and sweet alpine escape gave me all of what I'd wished for and more:

A true sample of Switzerland!