Friday, August 21, 2015

Final Stop...An Alpine Adventure in Zermatt!

After spending a week and a half traveling through the hot and humid beaches of Barcelona and Southern France, we couldn't have been happier to breathe in the cool and crisp Alpine air of Zermatt, Switzerland. 





When we decided that Switzerland would be the final stop on our summer tour of Europe, I knew immediately that I wanted to visit Zermatt. 


Living in Southern California, I get to visit Disneyland regularly, and the magic of the Matterhorn has always captured my imagination. I promised myself I would see the real mountain one day...


And that day finally arrived!


While Jess rekindled her love for the beautiful city of Paris, my husband and I took a 12-hour train ride through France and into Switzerland. We passed trees that looked like stalks of bent asparagus planted in gold fields, rows of bright yellow sun flowers and light purple lavender, and rolling green farmland surrounded by craggy hills topped with white wind mills. The train ride was lovely, and the little Swiss village that greeted us at the end of our travel was unbelievably charming. 





Traveling Teddy thought so too...


We arrived just in time for the 150th anniversary celebration of the first ascent up the Matterhorn. We learned a lot about the expedition, and you can too by clicking here.    


Jess joined us on our second day in town, and we spent a lovely morning hiking the Matterhorn trails. We crossed wood and stone bridges spanning milk colored rapids...


fields of lavender and daisies in full bloom...


and historic huts built from wood logs and granite tiles. 


The cliff-side walkways of the Gorner Gorge offer an adrenaline rush for the daring hiker...




like Jessi!


I tell you there is nothing as satisfying after a long Alpine hike as a fresh grilled brat and a local craft beer. 


Of course, then it's time for a nap.


From the stunning natural beauty and Swiss village charm to the warm and inviting local residents, Zermatt surpassed all of our expectations and reminded us of the importance of taking risks in order to follow our dreams. 


What all of these experiences have in common is a balance of joy and fear that only travel can bring. Being outside your comfort zone, absent the defining bumpers of your daily life, forces a kind of humility and openness. 

It is precisely this vulnerability that, ironically, has the power to embolden you to overcome any number of fears—fear of not being able to communicate in a foreign language, fear of feeling like a rube, fear of being a tourist rather than a traveler. . . . 

That we get to break our own stereotypes of ourselves when we are in different places is perhaps the greatest pleasure of all. 

~ Pilar Guzmán, Editor-in-Chief, Conde Nast Traveler ~


Wishing you happy travels wherever your own journey through life takes you!
~ Nel ~

26 comments:

Blogoratti said...

Seems like a great trip, wonderful photos!

Teresa said...

I need time - which I don't have right now in me - to wallow in the beauty of the scenery and your always amazing shots.
So I'm just saying that - though I didn't think it was possible - you and your husband are looking more beautiful and happy day after day. Happiness and Love do that ahahahah
So Happy for you.
Don't mention hot and humid - it's been some L'ish days. Let me tell you - Europe is ready to learn the rain dance ;)
Your photos and photo stance are the epitome to the saying "if you're going through L keep going. Fun lays ahead..."

Dee said...

Wow, your pictures are stunning. I am just in awe of all the beauty surrounding you in your travels and I just added Switzerland to my bucket list... :)

Red Rose Alley said...

aahh, love that picture of Jess climbing the trail. Switzerland is wonderful, Nel. So glad you experienced it.

~mom

Linda said...

What a lovely time! Your photos are gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful tour!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Oh goodness, loving the photos. What an awesome experience. We have never been, but our friends lived there for 6 years. Love the nap pic, too funny. You have been busy taking in the sights and I have enjoyed it through your pictures.

Row homes and Cobblestones said...


Through your descriptive words and amazing photos Nel I felt like I experienced a journey if only in my mind's eye.
lovely post.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

What lovely photographs of the magnificent Matterhorn. My husband and I travelled through this area several years ago. It is filled with beautiful scenery and you have captured it! ♥

Carla from The River said...

Wow, what a trip. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I love the quote you shared.
Carla

Susie said...

Nel, Thank you for sharing your travels and wonderful pictures with all of us. What excitement. The Matterhorn, amazing. Yes, I would have cried seeing it. That's how I am ...I cry whenever I see things I have only read about. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ps. hello and love to your mom

Rue said...

Thank you for taking us with you on your travels to places I'll most likely never see in person. The real Matterhorn... wow!

Merlesworld said...

Wow, lovely countryside a real workout getting around.
Merle.................

Chronicles of Dolliedaydream said...

Beautiful photos - it looks like a wonderful trip. Even though we aren;t too far away in the UK I've never been to Switzerland. It's on my (ever growing!) bucket list. I have a happy hour to myself this morning so i will look enjoy catching up on your summer adventures - Keri xxx

Aida said...

Wonderful place captured in every photograph. What a lovely place to visit, captivating as well as breathtaking.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Nancy's Notes said...

What a trip! Thank you for sharing the beauty here with us, each photograph is just stunning! Love Switzerland and so want to go back!
Have a great weekend!
Nancy

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

You all are having such a fantastic trip ! What fun this is to travel with you! Love these photos, and your writing!
Xo
Jemma

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

What a great trip you have had and don't you just love all the walking and climbing you have to do? POOR JESS!

Lovely photos, Nel! Anita

LoveT. said...

Interesting Post ,the Pictures are amazing! What a fantastic Place!

lovely Greets from Austria :)

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

-happy sigh- Switzerland must be a fantastic place to visit. Thank you for taking me with you.

Tessa

Riitta Sinikka said...

♥ooo: SUPER! love your post! beautiful you! xxx Riitta

Lowcarb team member said...

Fantastic photo's and fantastic trip.
Thank you for sharing.

All the best Jan

onesnevertooold said...

Wow! Beautiful photos and wonderful post. Thanks for sharing as it truly inspires to plan for next summer. A-mazing!

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Happy Sunday Nel,
Thank you for taking me along! What beautiful photos. You and hubby look so happy, what a beautiful couple you make. And I love the photo of dear Jess climbing the trail. May I say that I just love that you take traveling Teddy with you!
blessings,
My best to your mom.
Penny

Dewena said...

What a beautiful trip you all have had! And the thoughts at the end of your post? What a challenge that is, one you have embraced.

Such great photos!

White Lace and Promises said...

What a wonderful diary of your travels. I wonder if I'll get out of the two little states that are home. Just never the money. I visit through blogs and books. That I enjoy. Can't imagine the beauty of seeing this for real! Wow!

Unknown said...

I've so enjoyed your travels, Nel. Italy and France are two of my favorite places. That last quote is perfection. After steamy, sunny travels and arriving at a coastline somewhere, my husband and I call it a windshower. It sounds like you had that by arriving in the cool breezes of Switzerland.
Fabulous post!
xx, Heather