Executive Summary
(13D12N Switzerland & Santorini for RM9.9k All Inclusive)
Refer to below links for more Switzerland April Spring trip blogs:
3. Day 2 (Interlaken): Day 2 (Interlaken) Blog
4. Day 3 (Thun): Day 3 (Thun) Blog
5. Day 3 (Bern): Day 3 (Bern) Blog
6. Day 4 (Jungfraujoch): Day 4 (Jungfraujoch) Blog
7. Day 4 (Lauterbrunnen): Day 4 (Lauterbrunnen) Blog
8. Day 5 (Zermatt): Day 5 (Zermatt) Blog
9. Day 6 (Lucerne): Day 6 (Lucerne) Blog
10. Day 6 (Lungern): Day 7 (Lungern) Blog
11. Day 7 (Bern): Day 7 (Bern) Blog
5. Day 3 (Bern): Day 3 (Bern) Blog
6. Day 4 (Jungfraujoch): Day 4 (Jungfraujoch) Blog
7. Day 4 (Lauterbrunnen): Day 4 (Lauterbrunnen) Blog
8. Day 5 (Zermatt): Day 5 (Zermatt) Blog
9. Day 6 (Lucerne): Day 6 (Lucerne) Blog
10. Day 6 (Lungern): Day 7 (Lungern) Blog
11. Day 7 (Bern): Day 7 (Bern) Blog
Wanderlust in Europe as part of our honeymoon trip, and we found ourselves lost in a beautiful country in the world namely Switzerland. It was our first visit to Europe and I was so looking forward to it. We have combined two preferred destinations by us throughout our 13 days trip, 1st stop is Switzerland (7 days) handpicked by le hubby and 2nd stop is Greece (5 days) handpicked by me. Now these two places in Europe have definitely raise up the bar and we genuinely feel that they are the most beautiful destinations that we have ever been to (hoping if traveling in Europe can be cheaper..😔). Any other place in the world that you feel is truly breathtaking, please let us know and we are hoping to venture them in future! 😎
During our Switzerland spring travel on April 2019, we have completed below bucket lists!
(Note: This post is solely on Switzerland, Santorini will be covered in another post)
(Note: This post is solely on Switzerland, Santorini will be covered in another post)
💜 First time see snow world by conquering snow-capped mountains such as First Mountain (Day 2 (Grindelwald) Blog), Jungfraujoch mountain (Top of Europe) (Day 4 (Jungfraujoch) Blog) and Rigi mountain (Day 6 (Lucerne) Blog).
💜 Fall in love with the beautiful scenery of Swiss villages with the two most favorite of the list being Grindelwald (Day 2 (Grindelwald) Blog) and Lauterbrunnen (Day 4 (Lauterbrunnen) Blog).
💜 Visit castle in Thun town (Day 3 (Thun) Blog).
💜 Have a romantic dinner as anniversary and honeymoon celebration in Kornhauskeller restaurant, the most luxurious underground restaurant in Bern (remarks: have seen this restaurant few year back in a travel show and left a strong impression, can't believe able to tick this off the list!) (Day 3 (Bern) Blog).
💜 Visit the hometown of 'Toblerone' chocolate mountain, Matterhorn mountain (Day 5 (Zermatt) Blog).
💜 Go for a lake cruise in Lucerne (Day 6 (Lucerne) Blog).
💜 First travel out of Asia to Europe and Completed our once per lifetime honeymoon vacation in Europe!
Thanks for the great weather, thanks for the great companion, thanks for everything.. as we are so blessed that our honeymoon holidays are so perfect! 💏
1. Flight 🛪
Airline Company: ScootAirFlight Route: Changi Airport (Singapore) - Athens Airport (Greece)
RETURN Flight Price (2 pax): SGD1630 (inclusive of 40kg luggage and meal on board)
Airline Company: SwissAir
Flight Route: Athens Airport (Greece) - Zurich Airport (Switzerland)
ONE WAY Flight Price (2 pax): SGD374 (inclusive of 46kg luggage and meal on board)
Airline Company: Easyjet
Flight Route: Geneva Airport (Switzerland) - Santorini Airport (Greece)
ONE WAY Flight Price (2 pax): SGD326 (inclusive of 45kg luggage and meal on board)
Airline Company: Ryanair
Flight Route: Santorini Airport (Greece) - Athens Airport (Greece)
ONE WAY Flight Price (2 pax): SGD194.71 (inclusive of 40kg luggage and meal on board)
2. Public Transportation 🚆🚍
Transportation Mode: Train, BusTransportation Duration: 7 days
Transportation Price (2 pax) for 8 Days Swiss Travel Pass: SGD985.18
Booking Platform: Klook (You can buy the pass by using the link HERE, which warrants you $5 as soon as you sign up!)
⭐Tips:
- Two most common types of pass card for consideration in Switzerland if you are planning to use public transportation, namely Swiss Half Fare and Swiss Travel Pass.
- With Swiss Half Fare, you need to queue and buy individual tickets every time with 50% discount.With Swiss Travel Pass, you can just hop on and off the train and bus as you like as it is free, just keep the pass with you and show the inspector when being checked.
- Refer map HERE to see the validity map of Swiss Half Fare and Swiss Travel Pass and price reduction for each area.
- Refer link HERE to have a clearer guide on Swiss Travel Pass coverage and link HERE on Swiss Half Fare coverage.
- If you plan to go for only short holidays in Switzerland maybe 3 days 2 nights, then can buy Swiss Half Fare, else it is recommended to get Swiss Travel Pass as it is more convenient and the more days spent on train ride, the more worth it is to get all inclusive Swiss Travel Pass.
3. Accommodation 🏡
Somehow things happened and we stayed in my friend's apartment and got our stay fully covered! Thanks to them so so much!⭐Tips:
- Recommended to stay in Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. It would be nice to wake up in a beautiful scenery and most accommodation have a breathtaking terrace view overlooking greenery with snow-capped mountains!
- For those who loves to view Matterhorn mountain ('Toblerone') can choose to stay in Zermatt.
- For those who loves to stay in city, can choose to stay in Lucerne, Bern, or Interlaken.
- I am the type of person that is prone to scenery than town view, the choice is up to you!
- The most famous hotel appeared all over in Instagram is called The Villa Honegg, if you can afford to splurge this is a great choice, the infinity swimming pool overlooking the snow-capped mountains is truly a luxury!
4. Area of Interest with Stars Rating ⭐ (Personal rating, may vary according to individual preference)
Besides that, I have further zoomed down into each point of interest and listed down all attractions for each area and give the star ratings respectively! Refer the star ratings guideline below (Note: Ratings based on personal preference, not a representative for all)
⭐Star Rating Guideline:
- Must Go (★★★★★)
- Recommended (★★★★)
- Worth to Visit (★★★)
- Can Skip if Time Constraint (★★)
- Not Recommended (★)
Note: Those mark with asterisk * below means we not able to visit during this trip, but it is the recommended tourist spot, and thus I have listed down below for your itinerary planning reference. For the star rating of this items marked with asterisk *, it is just solely based on online photos and impression, it does not represent the real experience of us.
Note: Those areas which I personally feel must visit if you are in Switzerland are mentioned specially below with remarks Personal Recommendation: Must Go! This is also indicated as red star on Figure 1 map as well!
a) Grindelwald (Personal Recommendation: Must Go!) : Day 2 (Grindelwald) Blog
Highlights: Snow-capped mountain, green valley, small dotted houses, scenic view, fairy tale village, mountain excursion, hiking, adventure, snow fun
Suits: Nature lovers, sports lover, adrenaline rush
- Grindelwald town (★★★★★)
- First mountain (★★★★★)
Day 2 (Grindelwald) Blog |
Highlights: City view, church, shopping, recreation park, picnic, casino
Suits: Sightseeing, shopping
- Hoheweg main street (★★★)
- Hohematte park (★★★)
- *Harder kulm (★★★★)
Highlights: Old town, castle, street photography, lake cruise
Suits: Nature lovers, town explorer, street photographer, sightseeing
- Thun old town (★★★)
- Thun castle (★★★)
Highlights: Brunch spot, luxury dinner spot, town view, shopping, city, church
Suits: Coffee lover, romantic dinner, city lovers, shopping lovers, sightseeing lovers
- Adrianos bar and cafe (★★★)
- Kornhauskeller restaurant, the most luxurious underground restaurant in Bern (★★★★★)
- Laderach chocolate store (★★★★★)
- Zytglogge clock tower (★★★)
- Cathedral of Bern (★★★)
- *Bundesterasse parliament building (★★★)
- *Rose garden (★★★)
- *Bear park (★★★)
Highlights: Snow mountain, glacier experience
Suits: Nature lovers, snow lovers
- Jungfraujoch Top of Europe (★★★★★)
- Alphine sensation tunnel (★★★★)
- Ice palace (★★★★)
- Sphinx observation deck (★★★★)
- Lindt chocolate store (★★★★)
Highlights: Waterfall town, scenic view, hiking trails
Suits: Nature lovers, hiking lovers
- Lauterbrunnen town (★★★★★)
- Lauterbrunnen - Stechelberg hiking trail (★★★★★)
- *Murren town (★★★★)
- *Schilthorn James Bond mountain (★★★★)
g) Zermatt (Personal Recommendation: Must Go!) :Day 5 (Zermatt) Blog
h) Lucerne (Personal Recommendation: Must Go!) : Day 6 (Lucerne) Blog
Highlights: Matterhorn mountain, scenic view, hiking trails
Suits: Nature lovers, hiking lovers
- Zermatt old town (★★★★★)
- Photopoint Riedweg (★★★★★)
- *Photopoint Le Petit Village at Murini (★★★★★)
- *Gonergrat mountain with Riffelsee lake and igloo village (★★★★★)
- *Matterhorn glacier paradise (★★★★)
- *Sunnegga 5 lake walk (★★★★)
Highlights: Mountain excursion, scenic view, hiking trails
Suits: Nature lovers, hiking lovers
- Lake Lucerne boat cruise (★★★★)
- Mt. Rigi (★★★★)
- Lucerne old town with Chapel bridge and Musegg wall (★★★★)
- *Mt. Pilatus (★★★★)
- *Mt. Tiltis (★★★★)
i) Lungern :Day 6 (Lungern) Blog
Highlights: Scenic view
Suits: Nature lovers
- Lungern town (★★★)
- Lake Lungern (★★★)
- *Schoenbuehel View Point (★★★)
- *Cantina Caverna, cave restaurant (★★★★)
5. Itinerary & Cost Breakdown 💰
I have tidied up and compiled the itinerary and detail cost breakdown for our 13D12N Switzerland & Santorini honeymoon trip. The first 7 days were spent in Switzerland and the rest were in Santorini, Greece. Both Switzerland and Santorini gave us different kind of feeling and experience, it was a truly memorable honeymoon journey for us! 👍Total Price: ~RM19800 for 2 people (inclusive of flight, transport, hotels, foods, souvenirs etcetera!)
Thus, RM9.9k per pax all inclusive for 13D12N Europe (Switzerland & Santorini) trip accomplished!
GROUPING
|
REMARKS
|
COST BREAKDOWN (2 PAX)
|
DAY
1 (FLIGHT ON BOARD) – 18/4/2019
|
||
Flight
|
Changi
Airport (Singapore) - Athens Airport (Greece)
|
SGD
815
|
Athens
Airport (Greece) - Zurich Airport (Switzerland)
|
SGD
374
|
|
Transportation
(Train/Boat/Bus)
|
Swiss
Travel Pass (8 Days)
|
SGD 985.18
|
Foods
|
Lunch
@ Athens Airport
|
EURO
6.30
|
Groceries
@ Zurich Airport
|
CHF
3.80
|
|
Dinner
@ Home
|
||
Accommodation
|
Friend’s
home @ Bern
|
|
Airbnb
cancellation
|
SGD
92
|
|
DAY
2 (Grindelwald & Interlaken) –19/4/2019
|
||
Transportation
|
First
Mountain return cable car (Grindelwald)
|
CHF
60 (Remarks: 50% off with Swiss Travel Pass)
|
Attractions
|
Grindelwald
town (Grindelwald)
|
|
Hoheweg
main street (Interlaken)
|
||
Hohematte
park (Interlaken)
|
||
Foods
|
Breakfast
@ Migros (Bern)
|
CHF
4.55
|
Lunch
@ Bebbis restaurant (Grindelwald)
|
CHF
44.80
|
|
Groceries
@ Coop (Interlaken)
|
CHF
0.70
|
|
Accommodation
|
Friend’s
home @ Bern
|
|
DAY
3 (Thun & Bern) – 20/4/2019
|
||
Attractions
|
Thun
old town (Thun)
|
|
Thun
castle (Thun)
|
||
Lake
Thun (Thun)
|
||
Foods
|
Adrianos
bar & café (Bern)
|
CHF
10.30
|
Groceries
@ train station (Bern)
|
CHF
11.30
|
|
Dinner
@ Kornhauskeller restaurant (Bern)
|
CHF
74
|
|
Accommodation
|
Friend’s
home @ Bern
|
|
DAY
4 (Jungfraujoch & Lauterbrunnen) – 21/4/2019
|
||
Transportation
|
Jungfraujoch
return train (Ascend mountain via Grindelwald and Descend mountain via
Lauterbrunnen)
|
CHF
274.80 (Remarks: 25% off with Swiss Travel Pass)
|
Attractions
|
Top
of Europe (Jungfraujoch)
|
|
Alphine
sensation tunnel (Jungfraujoch)
|
||
Ice
palace (Jungfraujoch)
|
||
Sphinx
observation deck (Jungfraujoch)
|
||
Lindt
chocolate store (Jungfraujoch)
|
||
Lauterbrunnen
town (Lauterbrunnen)
|
||
Lauterbrunnen
– Stechelberg hiking trail (Lauterbrunnen)
|
||
Foods
|
Breakfast
@ Coop (Bern)
|
CHF
3.05
|
Lunch
@ Aletsch restaurant (Jungfraujoch)
|
CHF
28.50
|
|
Dinner
@ Hotel Oberland restaurant (Lauterbrunnen)
|
CHF
53
|
|
Accommodation
|
Friend’s
home @ Bern
|
|
DAY
5(Zermatt) – 22/4/2019
|
||
Attractions
|
Zermatt
old town
|
|
Photopoint
Riedweg
|
||
Foods
|
Groceries
@ Migros (Bern)
|
CHF
2.30
|
Lunch
@ Du Pont Zermatt (Zermatt)
|
CHF
38
|
|
Accommodation
|
Friend’s
home @ Bern
|
|
Misc.
|
Pharmacy
|
CHF
7.40
|
Shopping
@ Laderach Chocolate Store
|
CHF
16.80
|
|
Souvenirs
|
CHF
10
|
|
DAY
6 (Lucerne & Lungern) – 23/4/2019
|
||
Transportation
|
Lake
Lucerne boat cruise (Lucerne)
|
Remarks:
Free with Swiss Travel Pass
|
Attractions
|
Mt.
RIgi (Lucerne)
|
|
Lucerne
old town (Lucerne)
|
||
Chapel
bridge (Lucerne)
|
||
Musegg
wall (Lucerne)
|
||
Lungern
town (Lungern)
|
||
Lake
Lungern (Lungern)
|
||
Foods
|
Breakfast
@ Migros (Bern)
|
CHF
7.90
|
Lunch
@ Made in Sud (Lucerne)
|
CHF
37.50
|
|
Groceries
@ Migros (Bern)
|
CHF
22.45
|
|
Accommodation
|
Friend’s
home @ Bern
|
|
Misc.
|
Pharmacy
|
CHF
14.15
|
DAY
7 (Bern) – 24/4/2019
|
||
Attractions
|
Zytglogge
clock tower
|
|
Cathedral
of Bern
|
||
Bern
old town
|
||
Foods
|
Breakfast
@ Migros (Bern)
|
CHF
5.50
|
Groceries
@ Migros (Bern)
|
CHF
8
|
|
Gelato
@ Bern town (Bern)
|
CHF
7
|
|
Accommodation
|
Overnight
@ Geneva airport (Remarks: Flight to Santorini the next morning)
|
|
Misc.
|
Shopping
(camera lens)
|
CHF
198
|
Souvenir
|
CHF
72.30
|
|
DAY
8 (Imerovigli) – 25/4/2019
|
||
Flight
|
Geneva Airport (Switzerland) – Santorini Airport (Greece)
|
SGD
336.04
|
Transportation
|
Bus
to airport to Fira
|
EURO
3.60
|
Bus
from Fira to Imerovigli
|
EURO
3.60
|
|
Attractions
|
Leisure in hotel (rainy weather)
|
|
Foods
|
Breakfast
@ Geneva airport
|
CHF
11.90
|
Dinner
@ Absolute Bliss Hotel
|
EURO
32.50
|
|
Accommodation
|
Absolute
Bliss Hotel
|
SGD
282.23
|
DAY
9 (Imerovigli & Firosteni) – 26/4/2019
|
||
Attractions
|
Hiking
trail along cliff side from Imerovigli to Firosteni
|
|
Anastasis church (Firosteni)
|
||
Agios Theodori Church/3 bells of Fira (Firosteni)
|
||
Foods
|
Dinner
@ Remvi restaurant
|
EURO
34
|
Misc.
|
Souvenir
|
EURO
24
|
Accommodation
|
Villa
Libertat
|
SGD
80
|
DAY
10 (Imerovigli & Firosteni & Oia) – 27/4/2019
|
||
Transportation
|
Bus
from Imerovigli to Oia
|
EURO
3.60
|
Attractions
|
Agios Theodori Church/3 bells of Fira (Firosteni)
|
|
Atlantis
bookstore (Oia)
|
||
3
blue domes (Oia)
|
||
Planagia
Platsani square (Oia)
|
||
Meteor
bar (Oia)
|
||
Kastro
restaurant (Oia)
|
||
Four
bells (Oia)
|
||
The
sunset windmill (Oia)
|
||
Byzantine
castle ruin sunset point (Oia)
|
||
Foods
|
Tea
time@ Melenio cafe
|
EURO
19.40
|
Dinner
@ Karma restaurant
|
EURO
41.90
|
|
Accommodation
|
Marcos
House
|
SGD
77
|
DAY
11 (Oia ) – 28/4/2019
|
||
Attractions
|
Leisure
walk in Oia
|
|
Leisure
in hotel
|
||
Foods
|
Lunch
@ Ammoudi Fish Tavern
|
EURO
31.80
|
Groceries
|
EURO
4
|
|
Accommodation
|
Atrina
Canava
|
SGD
511
|
DAY
12 (Oia & Fira & Pygros) – 29/4/2019
|
||
Transportation
|
Bus
from Oia to Fira
|
EURO
3.60
|
Bus
from Fira to Pygros
|
EURO
3.60
|
|
Taxi
from Pygros to airport
|
EURO
20
|
|
Flight
|
Santorini
Airport (Greece) – Athens Airport (Greece)
|
SGD
194.71
|
Athens
Airport (Greece) – Changi Airport (Singapore)
|
SGD
815
|
|
Attractions
|
Leisure
walk in Fira for souvenir hunting
|
|
Leisure
walk in Pygros town
|
||
Foods
|
Lunch
@ Mama house
|
EURO
24
|
Gelato
@ Fira
|
EURO
2
|
|
Dinner
@ Santo Winery
|
EURO
42
|
|
Misc.
|
Souvenir
|
EURO
41.25
|
TOTAL
|
Singapore dollar spending (SGD)
|
SGD 4562.16
|
Euro spending (EURO)
|
EURO 341.15
|
|
Swiss francs spending (CHF)
|
CHF 1028
|
|
GRAND TOTAL
|
1 EURO = 1.5264 SGD
1 CHF = 1.367 SGD
|
SGD 4562.16 + SGD 520.73 + SGD 1405.28 = SGD 6488 ~ RM19800 (2 ppl) à RM9900/pax
|
Summary of Cost Breakdown as below:
Flight
|
SGD
|
2534.75
|
Transportation
|
SGD
|
985.18
|
CHF
|
334.8
|
|
EURO
|
38
|
|
Total (SGD)
|
985.18 + 457.68 + 58 = 1500.87
|
|
Foods
|
CHF
|
374.55
|
EURO
|
237.9
|
|
Total (SGD)
|
512.01 + 363.13 = 875.14
|
|
Accomodation
|
SGD
|
1042.23
|
Misc.
|
CHF
|
318.65
|
EURO
|
65.25
|
|
Total (SGD)
|
435.6 + 99.6 = 535.20
|
|
GRAND TOTAL
|
SGD
|
2534.75 + 1500.87 + 875.14 + 1042.23 + 535.20 = 6488.19 (2 ppl)
|
Details for the above itinerary (only on Switzerland) are blogged in each link mentioned at the top or below of the page! Click in to get more tips and photos! Stay tune for next Santorini blogs (most beautiful place we have ever been)! 💜
Refer to below links for more Switzerland April Spring trip blogs:
3. Day 2 (Interlaken): Day 2 (Interlaken) Blog
4. Day 3 (Thun): Day 3 (Thun) Blog
5. Day 3 (Bern): Day 3 (Bern) Blog
6. Day 4 (Jungfraujoch): Day 4 (Jungfraujoch) Blog
7. Day 4 (Lauterbrunnen): Day 4 (Lauterbrunnen) Blog
8. Day 5 (Zermatt): Day 5 (Zermatt) Blog
9. Day 6 (Lucerne): Day 6 (Lucerne) Blog
10. Day 6 (Lungern): Day 7 (Lungern) Blog
11. Day 7 (Bern): Day 7 (Bern) Blog
5. Day 3 (Bern): Day 3 (Bern) Blog
6. Day 4 (Jungfraujoch): Day 4 (Jungfraujoch) Blog
7. Day 4 (Lauterbrunnen): Day 4 (Lauterbrunnen) Blog
8. Day 5 (Zermatt): Day 5 (Zermatt) Blog
9. Day 6 (Lucerne): Day 6 (Lucerne) Blog
10. Day 6 (Lungern): Day 7 (Lungern) Blog
11. Day 7 (Bern): Day 7 (Bern) Blog
⭐Follow me below:
Instagram: melon_journey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelonJourneyBlog/
💗 Author: Ng Mei Lian/ Adrian Yeoh Aun Hong
👉 Date: 18/4/2019 ~ 30/4/2019
I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. I wish one day I could come to visit. Thank for sharing.
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ReplyDeletethanks for the like, been to Switzerland & Paris, beautiful countries in Europe! :)
Deletevery informative articles and help a lot for my planning for my Switzerland trip. Thanks Melon for puttung such great efforts.
ReplyDeletethanks Frankie, glad it helps! Have a nice holidays in Switzerland! :)
DeleteVery detailed post.
ReplyDeleteIf you are planning for a Switzerland trip, explore the info:
A Weekend Getaway in Switzerland: Escape to Luxury