Switzerland was completely different than I imagined. I’m not sure exactly what I was picturing, but I had no idea what to expect. We started in Pratteln, located in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. There are 26 cantons, or member states, in the country of Switzerland.
As we drove through Pratteln, I noticed that it was very industrialized. The area around our hotel lacked the cute shops and eateries that had surrounded our previous destinations. Most of the facilities within walking distance were gas stations and warehouses. Needless to say, I was a little bummed at the scarcity of scenery. I had conjured up an image of the majestic Swiss Alps, standing proudly in front a vivid blue sky.
Nonetheless, I vowed to enjoy this change of environment. We stayed about a block from the nearest train stop, so getting around was extremely convenient. During the first couple of days, we spent our time navigating the downtown & even found some amazing theatres and restaurants. But to our amusement, the highlight of Pratteln was actually located directly next to our hotel. Enter Aquabasilea: one of the coolest establishments I’ve ever been to. The interior of this place was mind-boggling. The building had a swim-up bar, 7 saunas, a state-of-the-art gym, a full-service spa, and a gourmet restaurant. Not to mention the indoor water park on the surface level…complete with heated pools, a lazy river, and towering water slides.
During the middle of the week, we packed up and headed to Zurich: our final stop. As the largest city in Switzerland, it offers several attractions and things to do. There wasn’t a hop-on, hop-off bus to take, but we found a trolley that got the job done. It was a fun way to see the city and learn a little more about the country’s history.
Before Zurich, however, we took a minor detour. We stopped off to spend a day in Lucerne…what a gorgeous place! Remember that image I had conjured up, with the majestic Alps and the vivid blue sky? Let’s just say that the actual thing was a whole lot better.
In terms of dining, Lucerne has many options, from high-rise cafes to floating restaurants. We ate lunch on the water – it was funny to get back onto a boat after just getting off of one. Afterwards, we walked down one of the main shopping streets and noticed people renting paddle boats. I know what you’re thinking…more boats?! But the air was hot and humid, so cooling off sounded nice. We ended up choosing a motorboat – it enabled us to go faster, so we got to see more of Lake Lucerne. As we sailed, I photographed the gleaming buildings sitting on the pier. The sunlight shone upon the clear turquoise water flawlessly :)
Consistent with the title of my very first blog post, I truly did have a European adventure. I encountered new experiences & saw amazing places that broadened my perspective. After all of that, it’s hard to believe that I’m finally headed back to the States. As I sit on the plane and write, I can’t conceal my disappointment that this trip is coming to an end. But you know what, Collegiettes™?I am confident that this is not the end of my journey. Because I can already say with one hundred percent certainty that I’ll be back…and I can’t wait!
That’s all for now, everyone. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog posts. I’ve enjoyed sharing my experiences with you over the past few weeks. I sincerely hope that they entertained & inspired you in some way or another. As I conclude this blog, I leave you with one final thought…
There’s an amazing world out there, just waiting to be explored. So let yourself get bitten by the travel bug. And be sure to pass it on – it’s highly contagious. Now take a risk, seize that opportunity, and go have an adventure!