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OUR TRAVELS · THE ALPS

Switzerland & France

A journey together, framed by mountains.

OUR ALPINE ADVENTURE

The view is even better together.

We flew into Zurich, made one hotel our home base, and let the weather help decide which mountain views to chase each day.

Two bronze hikers together in an Alpine town with mountains behind them
A reminder to keep exploring together.
Snow-covered peaks on the French side of the Alps beneath a blue sky
The French side of the Alps.

OUR JOURNEY

Five days, one Alpine home base

Staying in Champéry for the whole trip meant we did not have to pack up and change hotels each night. We could shift our day trips around the forecast and catch the mountains when the views were best.

  1. Arrival · Zurich to ChampéryWe flew into Zurich and, with time before hotel check-in, stopped at Lake Lucerne. Then we continued to Champéry and settled in.
  2. Lake Geneva and VeveyOur next day took us to Lake Geneva, with a stop in Vevey.
  3. Chamonix, FranceWe crossed into France to see Chamonix and the remarkable Aiguille du Midi.
  4. Zermatt and the MatterhornWe rode the train up for breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, then hiked downhill for part of the way.
  5. Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen and St. Beatus CaveOn our last day, we explored all three before wrapping up our Alpine adventure.

WHERE WE STAYED · CHAMPÉRY

Hotel National Resort & Spa

Tucked into the Alpine village of Champéry beneath the Dents du Midi and Dents Blanches, Hotel National felt like a hidden gem on our journey. We recommend staying here: the service was wonderful, and the views from the hotel and our balcony were fabulous.

Nightly price example: from about $220 for two adults
Expedia's September 5, 2026 snapshot for a September 14 stay, including taxes and fees. Rates change with dates and availability; check your dates for the current price.

See Hotel National rates on Expedia ↗
Hotel National's outdoor pool and terrace with a mountain view in Champéry
Hotel National Resort & Spa's pool and mountain view.
Our photo of the exterior of Hotel National Resort & Spa in Champéry
Outside Hotel National in Champéry.
Breakfast beside the windows with mountains in the distance
Breakfast with a view.
A glass of wine overlooking Champéry and the surrounding mountains from our balcony
A glass of wine with a view from our balcony.

MORE FROM OUR JOURNEY

Scenes along the way

Our Lucerne and Lake Geneva photos come first, followed by the chapel and Matterhorn from our Zermatt day. More scenes from the trip follow.

Buildings along the waterfront in Lucerne

Lucerne by the water

A stroll beside Lucerne’s waterfront pairs easily with the Old Town and Chapel Bridge.

Fast-flowing River Reuss and bridges in Lucerne

Lucerne’s River Reuss

Another view from our stop in Lucerne before we checked into the hotel.

Jet d’Eau fountain rising from Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva

The lakeshore was part of our next day's outing, along with a stop in Vevey.

Small chapel in the mountains on our way toward the Matterhorn

A chapel on the way to the Matterhorn

We passed this small chapel during our mountain outing from Zermatt.

The Matterhorn reflected in an Alpine lake

The Matterhorn

One of the breathtaking views from our Matterhorn day, after the train ride up and a little downhill hiking.

Historic church beside a Swiss lakeside village

A village church

Slow down for the village streets and a look inside the church when it is open.

Blue lake between green Swiss mountains

A blue Swiss lake

A lakeside walk or a boat trip can make an easy, unhurried day between mountain outings.

Vaulted stone interior of a Swiss cathedral

Inside a cathedral

Step inside to appreciate the vaulted stonework, then wander the surrounding old streets.