I am officially in love with Switzerland.
This whole country looks like it is right out of a postcard.
From Venice to Switzerland
After showering and blow drying my hair with a vacuum-looking hair dryer in Venice yesterday morning, my family and I joined our tour group for a quick breakfast before making the drive to Lucerne, Switzerland.
Yes, that is the hair dryer. Crazy, huh? It had a tube attached to it and everything! Thank goodness it didn’t suck up any hair because as thin as my hair is, I’d be bald.
Fun at Rest Stops
During all of our drives to new European cities with our tour group, our big bus makes a few pit stops for those who need to use the bathroom and want to pick up a bite to eat. We’ve been so impressed with the quality of the rest stops. They are totally different than the scuzzy American rest stops and offer gourmet foods and fun trinkets. My sister and I have a blast looking around at all the goodies at each one.
A bar of chocolate the size of an adolescent? Don’t mind if I do!
Diet Coke is Coca-Cola light!
Common Swiss names on mugs! Loving Hildegard. I think I just named my first born. 
The stuff at rest stops is seriously so cool. Yes, I am easily amused.
Lugano
During our drive from Venice to Lucerne, our tour took a break for lunch in Lugano, Switzerland where my family and I sat down at an outdoor café and ordered some pizza and grilled vegetables with cheese to share.
We stuck to ordering Italian fare because our tour guide told us that Lugano is largely influenced by Italy and the Italian food is still perfectly Italian.
Check out the ooey gooey cheese!
The cheese tasted like a mix between Swiss and brie cheese. I wish I could remember exactly what it was called because it was delicious. In fact, this whole meal was fantastic. It was great to finally sneak some vegetables into my belly again!
First Day in Lucerne, Switzerland
After another short while on the bus, our group made it to Lucerne. I think everyone on the bus was in awe as we gazed upon the beautiful Alps.
Once we checked into our hotel, my family and I wasted no time and changed clothes quickly before heading out to walk around Lucerne and explore some hot spots and shops before dinner.
We made sure to stop by Bucherer, the company that makes watches such as the oh-so-spiffy Rolex.
Of course we weren’t there to by a expensive watch. We were there to pick up some free tea spoons that we received as a gift through our tour group.
You just may see this little spoon pop up on the blog in the future in some breakfast posts!
Once we had our free gifts in hand, we headed out and walked down the cobblestone streets in search of a restaurant for dinner.
We knew we wanted to try traditional Swiss fondue and after stumbling upon a cute place with outdoor seating, we knew we found our place.
My family and I ordered fondue, raclette and pork sausage with rotsi, making sure to hit the trifecta of traditional Swiss dishes.
This meal was super cheesy which meant it was right up my alley. I was quite a fan! Through I’ve heard more than one joke about the lack of cookbooks that come out of Switzerland during our tour on this vacation, I must say I’ve loved every single meal I’ve had here so far!
And on that note, I’ve gotta go get ready for tonight’s dinner! I’ll be sure to be back soon with a recap of today’s fun.
P.S. The Fashion page was updated today!
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Looks like so much fun! My best friend lived in Switzerland for two years, and she’s said nothing but good things about it. I can’t wait until I get to visit it too!
I am so glad you are having such a fabulous time with your family. Speaking of which…your family is gorgeous. Every. Single. One. Of. You. GORGEOUS!
Wow, Switzerland is BEAUTIFUL! I don’t know much about Switzerland except that they make really good chocolate. 🙂 I do remember the European rest stops being so nice!
That pic of you and your dad is lovely. So great that you’re visiting all these wonderful places with your family.
I hope to visit Europe with Jason sometime. Those pictures of Switzerland are beyond gorgeous!!!
Julie these pics are amazing! and they make me want to plan a trip to Europe, stat.
Enjoy it all!!!!!! 🙂
BEAUTIFUL photos!! You and your family look like you are having a blast! Have fun and safe travels 🙂
Switzerland looks beautiful! That fondue made me jealous! Keep havin fun 😉
Those views are insane! Please tell me I can buy that giant Toblerone in the US. Hope you’re having an awesome time! Be safe!!
haha it was over $100!
Whoohoo! Cheese central 😉 don’t forget the excellent Swiss chocolate, Spruengli or something like that…
Raclette and rosti! Such awesome memories for me! I *heart* Switzerland! Great pictures 🙂 I am having a great time reading you posts as you travel to and through some of my favorite places! Thanks so much for sharing your travels with us 🙂
Oh, and Bircher Muesli for breakfast 😉
Aw I remember Lucerne fondly! 😀
It’s gorgeous there, I remember that lion too, it made me sad. BUT at Lake Lucerne at sunset, I had my first *real* kiss! Ha it was nice. A very gorgeous place!
Aw I remember Lucerne fondly! 😀
It’s gorgeous there, I remember that lion too, it made me sad. BUT at Lake Lucerne at sunset, I had my first *real* kiss! Ha it was nice. A very beautiful place!
me too. 🙁 it’s such a sad story, but a beautiful lion.
Oh wow, this is all too much! The food, the sights…just lovely. I love Switzerland so much, but it’s been ages since I’ve been. I know I’ve used a funny hairdryer like that somewhere, but can’t remember where. So space age. 😉 Keep enjoying yourself; you and your family members look so happy, and I can see why–what a fabulous trip!!
My faaaaavorite thing about Switzerland was their salads! Crazy, but true. They are just simple salads with little piles of different vegetables (carrots, beets, corn) and the most delicious dressing. I ate one every day.
I have been loving your pictures! I saw many of the same places in 2001 when I was there….oh I wish I could do that 3 week tour again. Keep the pictures coming!!
Wow, Switzerland looks INCREDIBLE! I have always always *always* wanted to go there! Can’t wait to hear more about it 🙂
You have to try the goulash while in Switzerland!
Those meals look incredible!!!
All of your pictures look like they could be post cards! I’m jealous!
Cheese. Bread. Perfection!
Adolescent sized Toblerone—YES please! lol 🙂
That Toblerone is AWESOME. American companies should get on that train…can you imagine a PB cup that large?!
I don’t know if you caught this yet, but one of your smoothie bowls is on the Shape Magazine website!
http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/eat-better-live-healthier/12-homemade-alternatives-to-the-ice-cream-truck
and by one, I mean all of them
I miss Coca Cola light! It is way better than diet coke!
Yep, Switzerland is the best 🙂 I did mention that before ya know. haha 🙂 SO glad you love it! It is true, it comes right out of a postcard<—I lived there when I was little, and my momma is Swiss, so it is MY country. he.
Love FONDUE!! Was the Cheese at lunch Gruyere? Or Muetschlie? Or Alpkaese? Just wondering 😉
Wow, gorgeous. I’ve heard many things about how good the chocolate is in Switzerland. I’ve never tried it, but you totally should!!
Switzerland is gorgeous! It looks like you are having so much fun 🙂 And I’m loving those Swiss names on the mugs! I have a great aunt Hildegard and Helga…yep, you can tell my family isn’t German at all 😉
The rest stops there are pretty cool! I remember learning about that when I went to Ireland. They’re pretty spiffy there too. 🙂
I loved Lucerne!! It’s the birthplace of hospitality. I have definitely been in that square before too, where you had lunch.
The paninis at the rest stops are so good. Wish our rest stops and gas stations in the states had that kind of food. I really hope you buy one of those gigantic Toblerones. Enjoy Switzerland!
Oh my daze, look at the size of that Toberlone! I’m obsessed the white choc Toblerone! Gorgeous views! Be sure to have bircher muesli for breakfast at least once- to.die.for.!
I love your orange shorts!
Lucerne is SUCH a cute town!! I visited there on a tour of Europe after college…loved it!
that picture of you and your dad is totally precious! and switzerland looks BEAUTIFUL! i’ll miss the pics of italy though 🙂
I am sooo jealous at you right now! My boyfriend is in Zurich, working. Switzerland really is wonderful. I hope you tried ice cream in Lugano, it tastes heavenyl!
Oh and yeah, if you find huge soft pretzels somewhere on the street, make sure you try them. Also delicious 🙂
That food looks amazing. I kept scrolling down thinking…I want to eat that, and that, and that…
Oh Julie, I’m living vicariously through you! Switzerland is near and dear to my heart, and Lucerne is probably my favorite city in the country! I’m so glad you were able to enjoy fondue and raclette! I actually bought a raclette maker while I was there, and have had a blast throwing raclette parties for friends every since! 🙂
I’m loving the pictures of you and your family! You’re all glowing!
Haha, Hildegard. Too funny.
Here in Germany, mostly great-grandmothers carry that name.
Glad you have fun!
On your next trip to Europe, you have to visit Germany as well!
I’m definitely living vicariously through your yummy yummy eats on this trip! 🙂
Plus, I think my next dog may be named Helga. 🙂
Hi – I live in Lugano & the name of the cheese you ate is Tomino – I love love it!
Julie I live in Zurich! Just moved here in January with my husband for his job. If you are in Lucerne you should take the ferry over to Weggis. It’s so small and beautiful and only a very short ferry ride. If you do, go to the Hotel Beau Rivage. It’s right on the water. I was just there with friends this past weekend because my one friend’s parents own it! How long will you be in Lucerne? Because I may be going back to Weggis this weekend!
Yum! All of that food looks good to me!!! 😀
Oh and Diet Coke is called Coke Light here, too! Except Brazilians pronounce it “Coca Light-y”.
OH girl… can you send me that life size Toblerone?!
Woah! That bar of Toblerone is huge!
I just moved back to Boston about a month ago after living in lucerne for three years and I miss it so much already! I love seeing your pictures, i can picture exactly where you are in each one. enjoy your time there it’s an amazing place.. You have to try a schoggibrotli from the pink bakery bachmann- there’s one right in schwanenplatz right next to the bucherer – it’s so good!
Hildegard Fagan has a nice ring to it I think. 😉
haha it’s better than hawk fagan, i guess. 😉
I’m just loving all the cheese and pizza deliciousness you are indulging in! Love the updates 🙂
Switzerland is beautiful! I had no idea that it looked like that there! The food looks absolutely wonderful too! You took really beautiful pictures! I really love the picture of you and your dad. That is such a cute picture. You should definitely frame it 🙂
I love how they have flags sticking out of the food. Wouldnt that be funny if all the burgers or fries came with american flags haha
Switzerland looks just like Montana! lol! Mountains, mountains and more mountains. That pizza looks AMAZING!