Amy: Our latest trip began with a flight from Denver to Zurich on Edelweiss Air. Booking Economy Max proved to be a good choice, as the cabin was surprisingly empty, allowing some space to stretch out on the overnight journey.
Our adventure kicked off as we landed in Zurich, Switzerland’s vibrant financial hub. It was an easy train ride from the airport to Zurich Hauptbahnhof (HB), the city’s main station. Once outside the station, we headed straight to a rooftop for an afternoon snack. Sitting above the city streets, we enjoyed views of Zurich from above. Feeling a bit refreshed, we took a leisurely stroll along the Zurich canal. The water reflected the old buildings lining the banks, and we spotted a few swans. It was a fairly brief walk, but a great way to experience a taste of Zurich.
Next up was a train and bus ride to Vaduz, the capital of the small country of Liechtenstein. The highlight there was a hike up to Vaduz Castle, which overlooks the town. The views from the top were glowing, with rolling hills and the Rhine Valley stretching out below. It was a perfect blend of history and nature.
As the sun began to set, we recalled that most places in this part of Europe close early on Sundays, so we grabbed some take-away from Coop Pronto mini market. It was a convenient stop for sandwiches, beers, and our favorite paprika chips to enjoy at the Vaduzerhof Hotel.
In the morning, we combined bus travel and a scenic train ride from Vaduz to Innsbruck, Austria. The journey treated us to stunning alpine views. We picked up a rental car in Innsbruck for the next leg of our trip, a drive to the waterfront town of Zell am See. We visited Zell am See in 2015 during our year long travels. This was the first place we’ve revisited since our world travels.
The evening in Zell am See was delightful. We wandered through the charming town center, enjoying the fresh mountain air and quaint alpine architecture. Dinner was a highlight. Jon, a schnitzel lover, was quite happy at Grüner Baum where we enjoyed crispy schnitzel paired with a tangy potato salad, fries, and cranberry sauce.
The next day was packed with activity. We started off from our hotel Seevilla Freiberg with a drive to Kaprun, then took the cable car up to the Kitzsteinhorn, a 3,203 m mountain, with panoramic views of other large peaks. From there, we headed back to town and hopped on the Schmittenhöhebahn in Zell am See, another cable car that brought us to vantage points over the lake and mountains. Lunch at the Berghotel, at the top of the gondola, brought back happy memories and more fantastic mountain scenery.
We ended the day with a relaxing boat tour around Lake Zell, soaking up the serene blue waters framed by towering peaks. Thanks to the Zell am See Summer Card, all these activities were expense free, making the experience smooth and budget-friendly.
We were eager for the evening’s main event, the Magic Lake Show. This enchanting spectacle featured a display of lights and water fountains choreographed to iconic movie soundtracks. Watching the colorful water dances set to unforgettable music was truly a treat and the perfect way to cap off our busy day.
From city rooftops to mountain peaks and lakeside charm, this leg of our trip was a wonderful mix of culture, nature, and memorable experiences to revisit.
Dates: September 1-5, 2025
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