- Colleen Fossett
- Nov 1
- 23 min read
Updated: Nov 10
Chapter 1: The Spark
It all started so simply—an idea that kept me from falling asleep. I had just turned 55, and my eldest daughter was about to turn 26. We shared a birthday week. It also happened to coincide with Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. I felt like the universe was giving me a little wink-wink. That tiny spark of an idea planted itself right there in my heart—and before long, it began to grow. And once I get something in my head… oh boy.
Quickly, I pulled up Google Maps, tracing my finger across the borders of Germany. My eyes widened. Wait a minute… Switzerland is right there. And Austria—just a scenic drive away. I went from one country to three countries in seconds. My head exploded with ideas- all night!
I guess now would be a good time to introduce myself. My name is Colleen, and I am a self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast, momma multi-tasker and well, to be honest, probably a bit much.I have two daughters: Chloe, 26, who lives in Philadelphia, and Sophie, 25, who lives in New York City. I’m writing this because I don’t want to forget. Not even a little. I want to capture it all before the details of the memory slips away. So here it is my attempt to freeze time. To capture laughter, curiosity and connection.
The date was secured: September 24 to October 1 2025—that would cover both of our birthdays and based on my research, the second week of Oktoberfest, which is apparently the best time to go. I should mention I am not a fan of flying. I fly frequently, so I’ve found (medicated) ways to deal with it, but eight hours… gulp. I went on Google-flights and spotted a direct flight from Newark, New Jersey to Zurich, Switzerland for under $600 per person, I quickly put down my 20-oz Wawa coffee, double-checked the date, and before I could change my incredibly impulsive mind, I typed in the CVV code and hit confirm. DONE and DONE.
Christmas became the big reveal. I wrapped up three dirndls—a dirndl is an authentic Bavarian dress (more on that later, because they were from Amazon) I added a framed picture of beer steins, and well… yep. Smart kids. Grateful and excited, they simultaneously yelled “Oktoberfest!” At least the flight was booked.
My next move? Exactly what any curious, slightly impulsive, and maybe a little too excited chick-a-dee would do—I called Natalie Matthias. My dear friend. Seasoned globe-trotter. Human compass. Travel agent supreme over at Holiday Road. Oh, and casual side note—she also happens to be the Mayor. I spilled the plan: three countries, three women, eight days, and a bucket list begging for checkmarks. She paused, arched one eyebrow, gave a slow head shake, and said—
“Colleen, it’s too much for most people.”
But then she smiled. “You’re not most people.”
From there, the wheels were set in motion. Natalie helped narrow down hotels with beautiful clarity—A, B, C, or D. No overwhelm. No chaos. Just choices. Now, let me tell you—booking rooms in Europe for three adults is no small feat. It’s the land of twin beds and tightly packed quarters. But with a bit of digging, a sprinkle of luck, and a lot of trust in Natalie, we found our stays: cozy, clean, and each one perfect in its own way.
Within 24 hours, our accommodations were locked in. And just like that—I never doubted for a second that this trip was going to be something extraordinary. Winter, Spring and Summer came and went and as we dipped into the Fall of 2025 our bags were packed, itineraries shared on google drive and hearts full of anticipation.
And so, with passports in hand (for the LOVE OF GOD- do not lose your passport Mom), a little bit of nervousness and a whole lot of excitement, we were ready. Europe was calling and the Fossett family was ready to answer.
Chapter 2: The First Wins—From Parking Lots to Swiss Skies
The adventure hadn’t even officially begun, and we were already, as Charlie Sheen famously said, “winning.”
Our first little travel victory came thanks to a magical app called Spot Hero. If you don’t know it, jot it down. It allows you to reserve your parking spot in advance for far less money. I found a secure, covered spot in Elizabeth, NJ for just $12.99 a day! It was at the Hilton hotel, and within seconds of parking, a shuttle scooped us up and zipped us straight to Newark Airport. No stress, no hunting for spots, no dragging suitcases down dark alleys. Win #1: nailed it.
Then came Win #2, courtesy of our in-house travel ninja, Super Sleuth Sophie. Somehow—don’t ask me how—this 25-year-old managed to get herself a platinum Amex, which includes concierge perks for Swiss Air international flights. While Chloe and I were mentally preparing for pre-boarding chaos, Sophie sashayed through the airport to the Lufthansa Lounge like she owned the place.
But wait—there’s hope for us commoners. For just $30 (if you’re flying Economy Plus), we discovered a hidden gem: access to Newark’s full-service lounge. Listen to me: top-shelf cocktails, full buffet, speedy Wi-Fi, real seating, and enough peace and quiet to make you forget you’re at an airport. We made that $30 back in cocktails and light bites before they even called boarding. Everyone needs to know about this perk! Oh, and free candy too. I love candy.
Our flight was at 9:50 p.m.—a red-eye (ugh). While I’d love to tell you, it was eight hours of blissful sleep, Swiss chocolate, and warm towels, the truth is… there were twin crying infants behind us. Not just crying—screaming like tiny banshees with jet lag. I popped in my ear plugs and binge-watched Love is Blind. Time suck.
Somewhere around 11:30 p.m., we all drifted off, and the next thing we knew… we had landed in Germany. Cue adrenaline.
Win # 3-Rental car pick-up at Enterprise? Smooth as butter. I’d done enough pre-trip research to earn an honorary PhD in European Car Rentals, and all signs pointed to one golden rule: GET THE MAXIMUM INSURANCE. It turns out the stories are true—skip the insurance, and you might be blamed for a fingerprint on the windshield. So, we went full coverage.
That said, I’m still not entirely sure what kind of car we drove. At the counter, they told me what I’d reserved wouldn’t fit three carry-ons (did I mention only two out of three of us stuck to carry-on plans?). So, we upgraded. We crammed two carry-ons and one checked bag into a European-sized trunk like we were playing Tetris at the Olympics. Our personal items? Jammed in the back seat. It was tight, but we were rolling.
Windows down, hearts open, GPS set, Taylor Swift blasting. Autobahn, here we come.
Chapter 3: Lucerne, Switzerland—Fairytale Hills & Four-Course Swiss Feasts
Night 1 – Wed 9/24
After a surprisingly smooth flight (minus the background baby choir), we landed in Zurich—groggy but giddy. Just knowing we were on European soil for the first time was enough to override any jet lag.
Destination: Lucerne, Switzerland. About 60 minutes later, we arrived to light rain and gray skies—but who cared? Because our hotel? Château Gütch... WOW! This place was straight out of a movie scene—perched high on a hill like a crown, reached by funicular. We dropped our bags in the room and, like seasoned travelers (or at least pretending to be), headed straight out to explore. Rain jackets on, sneakers laced, adrenaline flowing.
Lucerne’s Old Town was like walking through a storybook—narrow cobblestone streets, timbered buildings, and flower boxes on every window. We strolled across the Chapel Bridge, admired the swans gliding along the river, and wandered all the way to the hauntingly beautiful Lion Monument. Late September is the off season so it was not crowded. The temp was perfect and very similar to late September in the United States.
Dinner that night? Worth every second of planning.
I had researched this restaurant like it was my job—cross-referencing TripAdvisor reviews, food blogs, and Google Maps like a detective with a craving. The chef created a new menu each day, and you simply chose four, five, or six courses and surrendered to the culinary gods.
The name of the restaurant was Grottino and it was the perfect way to kick off our European adventure. Two Hugo Spritzes each (cheers!) and five courses later, we were blissfully happy.
The bill? 300 CHF= $377 USD Translation: about 25% more in U.S. dollars. Sneaky. No regrets. It was our first European dinner, and it was fabulous.
Fun fact: Most servers in Switzerland are paid a living wage ( ~ $30 per hour) which means tipping isn’t expected the way it is back home. Out of pure habit (and vacation euphoria), we tipped anyway—probably more than they were used to.With full bellies, jet-lagged bodies, and hearts bursting, we fell into bed—tucked into the château like royal travelers.
Tomorrow? BIG DAY. Oktoberfest, here we come!
Chapter 4: Oktoberfest—Dirndls, Liter Beers & The Spin of Death
Day 2 and 3- Munich Germany
We woke up early and said goodbye to our little castle in the clouds. Coffee in hand, we hit the road around 9:00 a.m., ready to take on the legendary Autobahn.
Now listen—those online travel blogs had hyped the Autobahn like it was something out of Fast & Furious.“No speed limits!” “It’s madness!” “You’ll fear for your life!” “Are you crazy? Take the train!”
But I’m from New Jersey. I’m in sales, and my territory covers the Mid-Atlantic. I drive 295, 76, 276, and the Schuylkill Expressway at rush hour. Plus, with a daughter in New York, I’ve conquered Manhattan traffic more times than I can count. So this big, bad Autobahn?
Child’s play. Smooth lanes, respectful drivers, actual turn signals—it was downright civilized. Honestly, it was a pleasure to drive.
By 1:00 p.m., we cruised right into the Hotel Mercure, smack in the heart of Munich—less than half a mile from the Oktoberfest fairgrounds.
Mission #1: Dirndl Pick-Up
Remember the Christmas dirndls? The ones I ordered in a fit of holiday optimism from Amazon. They were promptly returned after realizing we looked like festive milkmaids.
Shortly after Christmas, I joined not one but three Oktoberfest Facebook groups and became an expert overnight. Here’s what I learned—the do’s and don’ts of Oktoberfest:
DO
✅ Wear an authentic dirndl (or lederhosen)
· ✅ Tie your dirndl bow correctly: left = single, right = taken, center = innocent, back = widow
· ✅ Arrive early — seats fill up fast!
· ✅ Say “Prost!” and make eye contact when you clink mugs.
· ✅ Pace yourself — those 1-liter beers hit hard.
· ✅ Drink water between beers. (ps- There is NO water in the tents)
· ✅ Bring cash (euros). Many tents are cash-only.
DON’T
· ❌ Expect to find a seat at 5 p.m. without a reservation.
· ❌ Try to outdrink the locals. You will lose.
· ❌ Go on the carnival rides (especially “The Spin of Death”) after a few liters.
· ❌ Bring only cards — you’ll need cash.
· ❌ Count calories — Oktoberfest doesn’t believe in them.
· ❌ Rely on Uber — it’s chaos. Take the train.
· ❌ Miss the chance to people-watch — it’s world-class entertainment.
So, off we went to Bavarian Outfitters to pick up our pre-ordered attire. And oh, the choices! Fabric, color, apron style—it was like a couture fitting, if couture involved corsets and cleavage.
And by “fitted,” I mean shoved in, hoisted up, and zipped within an inch of my life. The woman assisting us smiled sweetly and said, “As long as you can breathe, you’ll be fine.”
Chloe gave me side-eye. Sophie laughed. I just prayed the zipper would hold through one beer stein lift.
Turns out, they were perfect—slightly constricting, yes—but in that charming, traditional, “bring-on-the-beer” kind of way. Plus, renting meant less to pack- for some of us anyway.
We were ready. Munich was ready. My birthday crown was perched on top of my nest of hair, and Oktoberfest was about to meet some very excited Jersey girls.
Day 1 – Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
(a.k.a. Dirndls, Beer Steins, and The Spin of Death)
What I imagined in my head—and what I’d seen in videos—did not prepare me for what I was walking into. It was 3:00 p.m., and we were joining a steady, excited stream of people heading toward the Oktoberfest fairgrounds. A moving line of anticipation for this world-famous event… and believe it or not, it’s free to enter.
Yes—no admission charge. You simply walk right into the world’s largest beer festival. .
The grounds stretch across hundreds of thousands of square feet with 17 massive beer tents and 21 smaller ones. Each tent is uniquely decorated, buzzing with live music. Inside? Endless rows of long wooden tables, the kind that practically demand you make new friends.
And here’s the beauty of it: every tent serves exactly
one beer—their own
one size- one liter (33 ounces)
one price.
Your options are simple—drink the beer or don’t.We understood the assignment.We drank the beer.
It’s all light lager—crisp, smooth, and deceptively easy to drink. We never actually checked the alcohol content (which, in hindsight, might’ve been a rookie mistake). But honestly, the vibe was too good to stop for girl math.
Our first stop was the Hofbräu-Festzelt tent. I’d stressed about this for months—reading forums, rearranging travel days to avoid weekend chaos—but it turned out to be easy peasy. We walked right in and found a table. Within minutes, we were joined by two men from Scotland, two from South Korea, and two from France. Two minutes later, we had our five pound - one liter steins in hand, clinking and trading stories about everything from travel to Taylor Swift.
In Germany, you say “Prost!” But there’s an art to it—you must make direct eye contact. No lazy cheers here. You look deeply into your new drinking buddy’s eyes, say “Prost,” clink, and then sip. We were schooled quickly and nailed it by round two. “The Prost Thing” very serious.
After a few hours, we stumbled (gracefully, thank you very much) back outside into the golden Munich evening. The sun was still shining, the air smelled like roasted almonds, and the energy was electric. But one thing became clear—water was desperately needed.
Here’s the thing: they don’t sell water inside the tents. You have to buy it from outdoor vendors. So we wandered the fairgrounds, which—for my fellow Jersey folks—felt like Wildwood on a Saturday night, if Wildwood had quadruple the rides, served pretzels the size of steering wheels, and everyone wore lederhosen.. oh and they have been drinking since 10 am.
Once rehydrated, we heard another tent calling our names—Paulaner. Inside we went, right back into the madness. Within seconds, we were standing on benches, belting out “Country Roads” by John Denver, prosting with strangers, and fully embracing our Oktoberfest alter egos. And then, as if pulled by some gravitational German force, we noticed the rides.Was this a good idea at 8:00 p.m., after liters of beer? No. Absolutely not.But common sense had long left the building.
Suddenly, we were in "thrill ride alley". There were looping rollercoasters (bad idea), sky high swing carousel (amazing idea) spinning cars (terrible idea) fun houses and haunted houses.
Then came The Spin of Death (officially known as The Devil's Wheel.
Picture a 1950s carnival fever dream: a massive spinning wheel, a cheering crowd, and brave (or foolish) souls flinging themselves onto the platform as it starts to spin. The goal? Stay on as long as possible. The twist? Giant inflatable balls and ropes get thrown at you to knock you off.
When the announcer shouted, “Next round—50 and over!” I squealed. My time had come.I ran onto that spinning wheel like it was my Olympic debut. My daughters had their cameras read or mortified- not sure. I positioned myself next to a sturdy-looking stranger.
The music started: YMCA.
Spin. Spin. Spin.Faster. Faster.
And then—lift-off.I was airborne. I flew into the wall, followed seconds later by a lederhosen-clad man who landed squarely on top of me. That was it. My brief, shining moment of Oktoberfest athleticism had ended in a heap of laughter and bruised pride.
By 9:00 p.m., we were ready to call it.Well—almost.We passed an outdoor bar with a live band and were instantly swept into a conga line.
The 25-year-old me would’ve shouted, “Let’s get another round!”The 55-year-old me looked at my girls and said, “Let’s save it for tomorrow.”
Fifteen-minute walk home. Dirndls on the floor. Asleep by 11:00 p.m.
Day 2 – Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
(A Slower Spin)
We woke up—heads pounding, mouths parched, and stomach muscles sore from laughing. As we tried to piece together the night before, one question lingered: were our headaches from the beer… or from those violent twists and turns on the amusement rides?
Between groans and giggles, we replayed everything we’d seen—
Cigarette packs with photos of tracheostomies (appetite suppressant, perhaps?)
Mysterious little white“heart” powders that we were sure were cocaine… until we
learned it was German snuff and totally legit
Country Roads and Sweet Caroline on repeat
Passout Hill (with many participants)
Deep conversations with strangers about American politics.
Dancing on tables with way too may people
The endless search for bathrooms.
Inviting random people to come visit us in New Jersey
Euros everywhere
Somewhere between laughter and wincing from a headache I asked, “Are we actually going to make it to Day 2?” Then, channeling my inner coach, I clapped my hands and said, “Come on, Fossetts—we got this!”
Our well-laid plan to be in the tent by 11:00 a.m. came and went. We barely made it to breakfast (well… two of us did), then set out to explore Munich. We walked over 20,000 steps that day—through cobblestone streets, stunning architecture, and peaceful parks. We wandered into old churches, touched the holy water, and lit candles for loved ones. But as we walked north, hundreds of dirndl-clad women were walking south—and our FOMO kicked in hard.
We had to go back. Quick outfit change, dirndls back on, aprons tied appropriately and off we went for Round Two.
It was Friday, and we decided to try the more “mature” section of Oktoberfest called Oide Wiesn—the “Old Oktoberfest.” This area celebrates tradition with folk music, waltzes, and steins of beer mixed with lemonade (a shandy!). They also serve beer and water at the tables, which honestly felt revolutionary.
Oide Wiesn was exactly what we needed. Calmer. Kinder. And mercifully slower. The rides were gentler too—mostly for kids—but that didn’t stop Chloe and Sophie from hopping on the biggest seesaw I’d ever seen.
Later, we returned to the main fairgrounds. The tents were packed—lines, bouncers, chaos. We grabbed a table outside and soon found ourselves chatting with a lovely group from Istanbul (which instantly added “visit Turkey” to my future travel list). Feeling bold again, we knew we had to squeeze in one last dance on a beer hall table before calling it a night.
Common sense returned just in time to whisper, “You’ve got a long week ahead.”So, we made the responsible choice… and went to McDonald’s.
We mistakenly grabbed the wrong order. The fries tasted the same.
End of Day 2: The Fossetts survived Oktoberfest—barely, but stylishly.
Chapter 5: Austria, Autobahns, and Taylor Swift
Day 4- Salzburg, Austria
Driving out of Munich was like being dropped into a video game—traffic circles, honking, chaos, signs in German, and everyone coming at you from all directions. Not for the faint of heart… but lucky for us, I’ve got nerves of steel and a Jersey license. We adapted quickly.
Now would be a good time to mention that the ONLY thing we listened to in the car this entire trip was Taylor Swift. No idea how it happened, but somehow the Eras Tour made its way into our road trip playlist and never left.. There was also a lot of discussion about her new album that was coming out on October 2, 2025- Life of a Showgirl.
THEN.IT.HAPPENED.
FLASHING. ELECTRIC. BATTERY. WARNING.
WHAT. IN.THE. HELL.
I suddenly remembered the 90-second car briefing back in Zurich. There had been zero mention of electric anything. Was this thing a hybrid? A full EV? A rolling laptop? I had no clue. Chloe, sitting shotgun, was visibly spiraling.
“We need to figure this out.”
Yes, Chloe, yes we do—but step one is figuring out what type of car we are even driving. We punched “gas station” into the GPS. It was close—great! Until we hit more circles, missed three turns, and somehow ended up entering a parking garage, complete with ticket gate and confused stares. Oops.
We finally found the gas station and I did what any mother with a car full of women and no clue what she’s doing would do: I started pumping regular gas and prayed to the travel gods.
Then, out of nowhere, an Australian guy pulls up next to us. Naturally, I ask him if I’m going to blow up the car. He says, “You should be fine.” That was good enough for me.
Back on the road. More Autobahn. More Swift. Some sketchy weather brewing in the distance. And we were cutting it close—we had to be in Salzburg by 1:30 for the Sound of Music tour.One word we learned in german quickly was Ausfahrt= Exit. We saw a lot of those signs.
We arrived just in time, pulling into our adorable little hotel tucked away on a charming side street. As I sat staring at the narrow road, wondering where to park, a skinny man popped out like a helpful Austrian leprechaun.
“You park? I help.”
I dropped off the girls, got five different sets of directions, shrugged, and eventually found a spot a quarter-mile away… where my leprechaun magically reappeared to guide me in.
The hotel was lovely—loft room for the girls upstairs, cozy spot for Mama downstairs. Quick change, and off we went: Sound of Music, here we come! Shit. We are late.
Chapter 6: Salzburg, Austria —Do-Re-Mi and Schnitzel Dreams
I booked this tour in advance through Viator, and it was a non-negotiable. If we were in Salzburg, we were doing it.
The tour was everything you’d hope for—classic, scenic, utterly charming. We saw the Von Trapp house, the gazebo, the wedding church, and yes, we sang “Do-Re-Mi” on the bus.
The history behind the movie’s success in Austria is fascinating. It wasn’t actually well received there—too many reminders of the horrors of the Nazi regime. It found far greater success in the U.S., where it became a beloved holiday classic. Our tour guide even explained that the real Von Trapp family couldn’t have climbed over the mountains from Salzburg, Austria to Switzerland—because the Alps weren’t in that direction, and Switzerland was, well, kind of in the way. But that’s Hollywood for you.
At one point, our guide broke out a little lamb puppet—yes, the one from “High on a hill was a lonely goatherd…” and proceeded to yodel. (“Layee odl, layee odl, layee oo!”) We were impressed. And slightly delirious. Truth be told, after two full days at Oktoberfest, we were running on fumes and pretzels. Should’ve added a spacer day between beer tents and bus tours. Lesson learned.
Fun fact about Salzburg: it’s also home to the Red Bull headquarters! Red Bull launched in 1987, first targeting the trendy, upscale ski resorts of Austria—high prices, high altitude, and a brilliant bit of branding. It entered the U.S. market in 1997, and depending on the country, the caffeine content actually varies. (“Red Bull gives you wings”—and possibly heart palpitations.)
Back in Salzburg, we explored both sides of the city—Mirabell Gardens and the Old Town across the bridge, full of cobblestone streets and fairytale charm, and the New Town where we stayed, buzzing with shops, restaurants, and cafés. It was after 6 p.m. on a Sunday, so most shops were closed, which was fine with us. We grabbed a surprisingly good Italian dinner and called it an early night.
Did I mention we were tired?
Because next up… Innsbruck.And I had done zero research.
Chapter 7: Innsbruck, Austria —Alps, Schnitzel, and Postcard Moments
Day 5 - Innsbruck, Austria
Drive time: 2.5 hours | Hotel: Schwarzer Adler
So here we are, rolling into Innsbruck with no expectations and completely blown away. Our hotel, Hotel Schwarzer Adler, was perfection—two separate rooms, smack dab in the middle of everything, and views of the Alps just beginning to rise around us.
Innsbruck looked like Harry Potter set up shop in the Alps. Cobblestone streets, magical air, crisp mountain breeze. Everything charming.
We immediately found a café, ordered schnitzel and Hugo Spritzes, and soaked it all in. This was what I’d dreamed of when planning this trip. Me, with my daughters, in a little Austrian village, a bicycle city by day and very well-dressed people at night (Austria is fancy). A highlight was catching the mountains turn pink in the sunset.
We didn’t have much time—one day—but we were determined to make it count. We explored the streets like locals on a Sunday stroll. Families everywhere. Cyclists zipping by. Musicians playing in the square. We stopped on a beautiful bridge for a full-blown photo shoot—you know the Pinterest houses: pastel-painted rows with snow-capped mountains behind. Photographer’s dream. Memory locked.
I had big plans to take the funicular up the mountain and visit the Alpine Zoo… which sounded great in theory. But we didn’t realize it included a three-mile downhill hike—in dresses. Not exactly hiking gear. It was fine. We laughed through it, skipped through the zoo and regretted now going to the Olympic Ski Jump instead. Darn.
We went back, grabbed our jackets, and just wandered. It was a Sunday night, so the town started shutting down early—which was fine with us. We had an early bedtime ahead and what would turn out to be my favorite stop of the trip: Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.
Chapter 8: Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland — Waterfalls and Wallpaper Reality
Day 6-8- Interlaken Launterbrunnan Wegnan and Murren
This is all being typed straight from my heart.
When I first started planning this trip, it was all about Oktoberfest… but then I saw one TikTok. A couple stood in front of a waterfall in the Swiss Alps, looking like they’d stepped into a screensaver, and said—“You HAVE to come here.”
I practically shouted back at the computer screen “I’M ON MY WAY!”
That’s how my Oktoberfest trip slowly turned into a Switzerland trip—specifically the Jungfrau region, and more specifically, Lauterbrunnen.
Honestly? Imagine turning a corner and coming face-to-face with the most breathtaking mountain you’ve ever seen… and realizing it’s real. That’s Lauterbrunnen.
I went all out for this part of the trip. I booked the most charming little Swiss house right in front of one of the country’s most iconic waterfalls. I was on Viator like a kid in a candy store—planning every moment with things I knew we’d love.
The drive from Innsbruck to Lauterbrunnen was pure magic. Tunnel after tunnel, each opening up to something even more breathtaking: towering mountains, crisp bluebird skies, bright green pastures, and cows (yes, actual Swiss cows!) just doing their thing with huge bells around their necks. I swear, I teared up. I’ve never seen anything like it.
We checked into our sweet little Airbnb and were greeted with a bottle of wine and Swiss chocolate—a good omen, if you ask me. This place? A dream for outdoor lovers: hiking, cycling, paragliding, kayaking… all of it. Boutique hotels, mountain restaurants, postcard views. Two days. We were going to make the most of them.
The name Lauterbrunnen literally means “many fountains,” and there are seventy-two of them. Seventy-two waterfalls! You could practically stand in one spot, spin around, and spot half a dozen. The most famous, Staubbach Falls, spills nearly a thousand feet from a cliff that towers over the village—and it was directly behind our Airbnb. Unreal.
Chapter 9: E-Bike Adventures and Alpine Magic
First stop? The bike shop. We rented e-bikes—such a good call! Within minutes, we were cruising along the dirt roads of Lauterbrunnen: waterfalls to our right, cows to our left, and the girls just beaming.
Sophie, fearless, led the way—beep, beep! Speedster coming through.Chloe, ever thoughtful, brought up the rear. Me? Right in the middle, soaking in the moment—completely aware of how lucky I am.
This might have been my favorite excursion of the entire trip—the beauty surrounding us was a full 360 degrees of magic. After about two hours of cycling, we did a quick change and hopped on a train up the mountain to Wengen—a car-free village nestled high in the Alps. Ski resort in winter, pure heaven the rest of the year.
I tried explaining this part of Switzerland to my friends later. It’s almost like a vertical fairy tale: the bottom valley is Interlaken, above that is Lauterbrunnen (where we stayed), and perched even higher are the ski villages—Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. We didn’t make it to them all, but what we saw was unforgettable.
We found a cozy little restaurant, had an amazing meal (and a few more Hugo Spritzes, obviously), and ended the night in a private karaoke room—windows open, cool Swiss air wrapping around us like a blanket.
Chapter 10 :The Big Leap — Paragliding Over the Alps (and Overthinking Everything)
The next morning? Big day. Our last day. Paragliding.
I had checked every safety record I could possibly find—but at the last minute, my brain went full-on “mom meets medical journal.” Did I read the right reviews? Were they biased? Who published them? Is there a p-value? I successfully wigged myself out, then flipped that switch off and turned on the YOLO part of my brain. We were literally driving up the side of a mountain with the plan to jump off it. Game on.
It was a loooong, windy drive up the mountain. We picked our instructors, got geared up, and strapped in with GoPros. Then came the inevitable question: “Do you want photos and videos?” Did we want to spend an insane amount of money for them? Absolutely.
And then—suddenly—we were soaring. Gliding through the Alps, twirling, dipping, floating. I lost sight of the girls for a few minutes but felt a deep, steady peace. Just us, the mountains, the air, and this massive, quiet joy.
Did I maybe come a little too close to the Alps? Did I panic for one second? Yes.
We landed softly in the Interlaken valley, said our goodbyes—and then it was TikTok time. 😂 A few videos later (some planned, some chaotic), one of them somehow racked up over 1,000 likes in a single day. I have no idea how it works, but if you want to see it… here it is.
Chapter 11: Fondue, Wine, and Heart Full
Fondue Finale
Our final adventure? A fondue cooking class. Which turned out to be so much more—a full wine and cheese tasting plus a hands-on fondue experience. Two kinds of cheese, potatoes, fresh bread, tomatoes, pickles, onions—the works. We met the loveliest couple from Hong Kong and instantly wished we’d had more time with them.
I found the class through the (cheesy) Swiss Tourism site, and it did not disappoint. We started with a wine tasting: mostly light, fruity, all white wines. The challenge? Guess which wine was which. (Spoiler: I was confidently wrong.) Then came the cheese tasting—hard and soft varieties, same guessing game. By that point, we already had a belly full of wine and cheese… and we hadn’t even made it to the fondue part yet.
To make fondue, you need a special pot called a caquelon. You rub the inside with a clove of garlic, shred your cheese (we used Gruyère and something called Vacherin—basically Swiss heaven), and mix about a handful of each with 12 ounces of white wine and a touch of cornstarch. It’s a slow, deliberate stirring process that must be served immediately.
You know that day when you eat so much cheese and you said I am done- no more cheese? That was that day. But wait—the best was yet to come. The toasted crust of cheese that coats the bottom of the pot is the prized delicacy. I think they called it something like “la religieuse,” but my cheese-fogged brain remembers it as “grandma.” Either way, despite being stuffed and mildly nauseated, I ate it too.
Bellies full, hearts full, we wandered home under the stars to our little house. In bed by 10. Tomorrow is traveling day—and Chloe’s birthday. which will be being spent on an airplane, but at least she’ll be home in time to see her boyfriend- I figured that might be a pretty good gift.
Chapter 12: The Final Chapter. The Good Stuff.
And in the words of Taylor Swift herself: “Oh, darling, don’t you ever grow up, don’t you ever grow up… it could stay this simple.”
But of course—they do grow up. They have grown up. Soon enough, my daughters will be building their own families, and planning adventures that may or may not include their mom. And that’s exactly how it should be. But for one magical week in Europe, it was still this simple. Just the three of us—me and my two city princesses—laughing our way through mountains and moments.
It’s not lost on me for a second that what I wrapped up last Christmas as their big gift turned out to be one of the greatest gifts I could have ever given myself:
The gift of them — two daughters who are not only sisters, but truly best friends.
The gift of time — real, undistracted, and unplugged (thank you, six-hour time difference).
The kind of trip you look back on and think: That was it. That was the good stuff. I need to remember this. I need to write about it.
And I did — because someday, when the details blur and the photos fade, I’ll still remember how it felt to be in the middle of the world with the two people who mean the most in mine.
THE OFFICIAL ITINERARY
✈️ Flights $600 Per person round trip
Outbound Flight:
Airline: Swiss Air
Depart: Newark Liberty International Airport (Terminal B)
Date/Time: Monday, Sept 23, 2025 @ 9:50 PM
Arrive: Zurich Airport
Flight Duration: 7 hours 45 minutes
Airline: Swiss Air (Direct Flight)
Baggage Allowance:1 carry-on (max 18 lbs, 55x40x23 cm) &1 personal item
Includes: Breakfast
NOTES: This was great! We fell asleep overnight. Food was yummy. We were over on the weight for the carry ons and they did not charge us extra.
🚗 Rental Car
Company: Enterprise (Zurich Airport)
Pick-up: Tue, Sept 24 @ 1:00 PM -Return: Wed, Oct 1 @ 1:00 PM
Note: Get all insurance. Also check with credit card for coverage.
Note: No tolls at all on the roads. Needed a vignette (decal for car) for Austria
Note: Way cheaper to rent round trip. To pick up and drop off in another country is very expensive (thousands of dollars)
🗓 Night 1 – Wed, Sept 24: Lucerne, Switzerland
Hotel: Château Gütsch (so beautiful)
Drive from Zurich Airport to Lucerne: ~50 minutes
Activities:
Relax & explore Old Town
Suggestions: Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, cobblestone streets
Excellent chef' choice upscale dinner @ Grottino1313
🗓 Nights 2 & 3 – Thu, Sept 25 & Fri, Sept 26: Munich, Germany (Dirndl Day)
Drive: ~4 hours from Lucerne (leave @ 8:00 am )
Hotel: Mercure München City Center (traditional hotel but great location and free breakfast)
Activities:
Pick up Oktoberfest outfits @ Bavarian Outfitters
Head straight to Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest (2 days of tents and fun!
No other plans. Go with the flow
🗓 Night 4 – Sat, Sept 27: Salzburg, Austria
Drive from Munich: ~1 hour 25 minutes (leave at 10:00 AM)
Hotel: Altstadt hotel Wolf-Dietrich (amazing location, minutes from everything)
Activities:
2:00–6:00 PM: Sound of Music Tour (Viator)
Explore Salzburg Old Town in the evening
Check out @ 10 am and head to Innsbruck
🗓 Night 5 – Sun, Sept 28: Innsbruck, Austria -Drive from Salzburg: ~2.5 hours
Hotel: Hotel Schwarzer Adler ( big, beautiful hotel- got a family suite, two rooms)
Activities
Funicular to Alpine Zoo
Olympic Bergisel Ski Jump
Explore Old town. Visit the Mariahilf colorful houses
🗓 Nights 6 & 7 – Mon, Sept 29 to Wed, Oct 1: Lauterbrunnen / Interlaken/ Switzerland . Drive from Innsbruck: ~5 hours (leave at 8:00 AM)- BEAUTIFUL DRIVE. So easy too.
Lodging: Airbnb- Swiss Chalet directly in front of a waterfall
Link: Airbnb Listing
🗓 Sept 29 (Mon):
Activity: E-Bike Rental (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
RIDE around waterfalls, short hikes, lunch
Company: Imboden E Bike Rentals
Take the train to Wegnen
Dinner and Karoke
🗓 Sept 30 (Tue):
Activity:
Interlaken Paragliding @ 9:30 am – 12 noon
Fondue Villa Cooking Class (wine and cheese tasting too) Interlaken @ 1:30 PM
Squeeze in a funicular to Murren.
Would love to visit Grindenwald
Return to Airbnb and relax
🗓 Oct 1 (Wed):
Drive back to Zurich (~2 hours)
Return rental car at Zurich Airport @ 1:00 PM
Flight 17:20- 20:10 (5:20- 810 pm) 8 hours! Ugh
Drive back from Newark- Should have stayed in hotel- I was 3-4 in the morning to us.
