A Vignette for Driving in Europe

Previously:

Zermatt - Switzerland

The next place we stay for this Europe trip was Austria.  That day's drive was one of the most challenging parts of the trip.  The fog was incredibly thick - the kind where you can barely see what's in front of you.  Felt like we entering into a spooky mystical world. 

When you cross certain borders by car in Europe, like from Switzerland to Austria, you need to buy a motorway pass called a vignette.  We paid CHF 12.96.  Though, it depends on the duration and you can usually buy it at petrol stations near the border.

Super foggy day

Love this picture - It likes heaven peaking through from the clouds

We stopped at this Shell petrol station what seemed like the last petrol station along the Autobarn, hoping to buy the vignette there.  Unfortunately, they didn't sell it, but the stop turned out to be worth it anyway because I found something unexpectedly delicious.

At the resting area, there was a Marche restaurant and we ordered the kalbsbraten or roast veal.  It came with gravy and was incredibly tender - slightly fatty but in the best way possible.  Honestly, it was so good.  Their sausages were also really tasty.

Another little travel tip: toilets at many European service stations usually require a small payment.  But here, if you buy something from the food court, you get a toilet voucher that allows two people to use the restroom, which is a nice bonus.

In the end, we continued driving and managed to buy the vignette at the last petrol station before the border, just in time before crossing into Austria.  Before heading to our next hotel, we stopped for a few hours in a Medieval country that is often overlooked.  Curious what it is? See you all in my next post 🛫

Stay tuned for the next blog in Liechtenstein:

Zermatt - Switzerland

Previously:

Grindelwald and Lunch at Hirschen, Switzerland

We set off from Interlaken today on a little mission: find the famous Toblerone peak, better known as the Matterhorn, in Zermatt.  As usual, we did a bit of research before heading out, but once we plugged the route into the GPS, something felt a little off... After driving for more than half hour, we figured it out why (thanks to our bro who was ahead of us).  We returned to the correct way, such a detour.

We should have set the way via the Lotschberg car transport tunnel.  Instead of driving the long way around the mountains, cars can actually board a train that carries you through the mountain.  The car shuttle runs between Kandersteg and Goppenstein, takes about 15 minutes and costs CHF 31 for a standard car. 

You can only drive and park your car in Tasch.  Then catch the train into Zermatt since the village is completely car-free.  The train runs frequently and takes about 12 minutes. 

Ticket locket for car transport tunnel

Car transport tunnel

Matterhorn terminal - Tasch

Unfortunately, the weather had other plans for us.  The sky was overcast and light snowing too.  The Matterhorn was completely hidden behind the clouds.  No Toblerone peak in sight today!!!

Still the trip was far from a waste.  The alpine scenery around Zermatt was beautiful as expected, even under the moody sky.  We wandered around, took in the atmosphere and warmed up with a rich Lindt hot chocolate and freshly baked pretzel from a local Backerei.  Honestly, sometimes those simple moments - warm drinks, mountain air, good views and lovely companions - make the whole trip worthwhile.

Matterhorn or not, it was still a pretty lovely day in the Swiss Alps.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Swiss:

A Vignette for Diving in Europe

Grindelwald and Lunch at Hirschen Restaurant, Switzerland

Previously:

Tom Yum Kung and Chasstubli, Interlaken - Switzerland

That day, we took a scenic train ride to Grindelwald, and it was incredibly convenient.  From our hotel, it was just a 5-minute walk to Interlaken West Station.  The train ticket from there to Grindelwald costs CHF 29.60 for an adult and kid is half price.  The journey itself takes about 35 minutes in total.  Depending on the schedule, some trains are direct while others require a quick change at Zweilutschinen Station.  Still, it's so easy even when travelling with kids.  The entire ride is breathtaking, with panoramic views of snow-covered mountains and charming Swiss villages along the way.

Grindelwald is a picturesque alpine village nestled in the Bernese Oberland region.  It's famously known for its stunning views of Eiger North Face, attracting both skiers in winter and hikers in summer.  During winter, everything is blanketed in white snow, transforming the whole village into a magical winter wonderland.  The scenery was absolutely beautiful.  The kids were especially thrilled.  We found a quiet little snowy spot where they could freely play and simply enjoy the soft powdery snow.

 

For lunch, we dined at Restaurant Hirchen.  We ordered the German-style pizzas, also known as Flammkuchen.  A thin, crispy flatbread topped with delicious ingredients.  It was so light and thin that we could easily eat 10 slices without feeling too full!  The taste was fantastic, simple yet flavourful.

Mushroom and bacon flammkuchen CHF 22.50 (around AUD 41)

Original flammkuchen with bacon, onion and cream cheese CHF 19.50 (around AUD 35.50)

Raclette (comes with potatoes and four type of pickles) CHF 29.50 (around AUD 53.70)

We also tried Swiss raclette for the first time, and we were so excited about the experience.  Raclette is such a fun and interactive dish.  We melted the raclette cheese on a small heated pan at the table, sprinkled it with spices to our liking.  Once it reached that perfectly gooey consistency, we poured it generously over steamed potatoes.  Paired with tangy pickles on the side, it was pure comfort food - warm, rich and satisfying, especially in the cold weather.

Apfelstrudel CHF 12.50 (around AUD 22.80)

To end the meal, we had apple strudel - a buttery, flaky pastry filled with sweet apple filling.  The warm strudel paired nicely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which complimented the dessert perfectly.

Initially, we had planned to visit Lauterbrunnen, but the lady at the ticket counter advised us not to go as there was a ski competition happening and it would be extremely crowded.  Looking back, we were glad we stayed in Grindelwald instead.  It turned out to be a wonderfully relaxed and memorable day surrounded by snow, mountains and good food.  It was truly a well-spent day in this charming Swiss village.

Hotel Restaurant Hirschen - Grindelwald

Dorfstrasse 135

3818 Grindelwald

Ph: +41 33 854 8484

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Swiss:

Zermatt - Switzerland