Miles & More in Switzerland: Day 1-2

From the magnificent Rhine Falls, we toned down the excitement in our hearts and scaled down the grandeur to find something more minimal. We continued our journey to the small, charming town of Schaffhausen on the banks of the Rhine. It would be strange to miss a visit to this town when in Switzerland, as it is included in every tour and every tourist wants to see it. I, too, was eager to experience its allure.

Crossing the Rhine from the new city district into this ancient village is like stepping into a fairytale. Small, charming, and peaceful, especially since we visited on a weekday, free from the hustle and bustle of tourists and tour groups. It was a delightful stroll.

The city's central well provides safe drinking water.

Stein am Rhein is renowned for its picturesque murals adorning the buildings surrounding Rathausplatz. A simple stroll with your head tilted upwards is enough to bring joy. It's no surprise that this town is a must-visit for anyone traveling to the dreamland of Switzerland. Though small, it has the power to significantly uplift one's spirits.

As I walked along the riverbank, I encountered these two creatures waiting to greet me.

Decorating the city for the upcoming Christmas festival

Adorable magnets, perfect souvenirs to collect.

There are also cookkoo clocks that have been made into magnets.

Victorinox souvenir folding knives are priced the same at all stores.

The gloomy sky and looming rain cast a shadow over our first encounter in Stein am Rhein, leaving a sense of disappointment. Was it fate's way of telling us to return for another visit? Perhaps so.

Driven by the allure of the iconic Swiss wooden bridge, we packed our bags and bid farewell to Stein am Rhein. Our destination: a quaint town nearby, where we would spend the night in anticipation of our upcoming adventure.

Emmetten was a randomly chosen destination, approximately 140 kilometers south of our booked accommodation. For seasoned road trippers like us, getting lost is an inevitable part of the journey. It adds a touch of excitement and keeps things interesting. After all, what's an adventure without a few unexpected detours?

The journey that was originally expected to take around 3 hours was extended by a slight detour due to an unexpected injury. It is understandable that on the first day of driving in Switzerland, there would be some challenges in finding our way to the accommodation, especially as it was getting dark and visibility was limited. We vaguely remember driving past a lake and ascending a hill, but the darkness obscured most of the surroundings. We tried to recall who had chosen this particular accommodation, but it was not the time for blame. Reaching our destination was the priority. By the time we arrived, it was dark, and our instincts told us that the path leading to the accommodation was a steep climb. The narrow and winding road, coupled with the darkness, made it difficult to see our surroundings. Our main concern was simply surviving the journey without falling off the mountain.

But when we arrived at the accommodation, our fatigue vanished. And this is our accommodation.

Everything was not only perfectly prepared for us, but the welcoming message, along with a small piece of chocolate and a refreshing drink, was a delightful surprise. This thoughtful gesture, despite its simplicity, dispelled the small doubts I had heard about the Swiss being unfriendly.

That night, we slept soundly, dreaming of nothing. No princes or princesses appeared in our dreams. We all slept like logs, probably exhausted from the excitement of our journey to this accommodation. We slept long and hard, only to wake up to the harsh reality that even with the break of dawn, we still couldn't see what our surroundings were like. The biting cold and the thick fog made it impossible.

This morning, we had an appointment with the owner to collect the accommodation fee. The conversation was warm and friendly. She was delighted that we chose to stay and offered us a discount card if we ever had the opportunity to visit again. We hit it off so well that she almost left the accommodation fee behind when she was about to leave. It seems she was so happy with our stay that she almost let us stay for free.

Today's plan is to visit the wooden bridge town and then move to another accommodation. We don't stay in one place for very long, we always have to travel. So, let's escape the thick fog and find beautiful skies to continue our journey... right?

Driving in Switzerland: A Convenient and Scenic Alternative

Driving in Switzerland offers a convenient and scenic alternative to train travel. Rental car companies provide a "Vingette" sticker for the windshield, granting access to motorways. This allows for seamless travel, minimizing travel time and maximizing flexibility. While Swiss roads may not surpass the quality of those in neighboring Germany, they remain in excellent condition. Exiting the motorway onto smaller roads brings you closer to your destination.

Choosing a car over a train allows for spontaneous exploration, leading to unexpected discoveries. Many charming towns and villages, often overlooked by tourists, can be stumbled upon, offering unique perspectives and experiences.

Beckenried: A Quaint Town for a Stroll

Beckenried, a charming little town, was the perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

Lake Lucerne

The morning remains peaceful.

I love this zebra crossing.

Although it is already winter, there are still some small colors to be seen.

In the next episode, we will follow Little Mouse on a trip to Lucerne, where she will visit the famous Chapel Bridge. Stay tuned to see what other adventures await us on our journey.

You can greet the eldest and youngest at.

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