Planning our family vacations brings me so much joy. I love everything about it — the research, discovering special places, finding unique experiences, and imagining what it will feel like to finally see them with my own eyes.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit Switzerland in the summer before, but this time was different. I was going to experience it with my family, creating new memories with Flávio and Maia. And that made the trip even more special.
For me, the adventure begins long before we pack our bags. I love exploring maps, reading about places, and finding those little gems that make a trip feel unique. There’s something so exciting about planning an itinerary, imagining the experiences we’ll have together, and then finally seeing everything come to life.
A different side of Switzerland
When people think of Switzerland, winter often comes to mind first: snowy mountains, ski resorts, cozy chalets, and magical Christmas markets. And while that all sounds wonderful, Switzerland has so much to offer beyond the winter season.
Having visited in summer before, I already knew there was something special about experiencing the country during the warmer months. This time, I wanted to explore different regions and create a trip that would let us enjoy its beautiful landscapes, charming towns, lakes, and outdoor adventures together as a family.
I imagined green mountain scenery, crystal-clear lakes, scenic train rides, and long summer days filled with opportunities to explore. I wanted a mix of beautiful places, fun experiences, and moments when we could simply slow down and enjoy being together. And there’s SO MUCH to do with kids there, but I’ll leave the details of what we did and the full itinerary on the next posts.
And that’s what makes travel so special to me: even when you’ve visited a destination before, there’s always another way to experience it. A different route, a new place, or simply sharing it with the people you love can make it feel entirely new.
Three regions, so many possibilities
For our summer adventure, we chose to explore three distinct regions: Zurich, Ticino, and the Bernese Oberland.
Each offered a different reason to fall in love with Switzerland, and together they created the kind of varied itinerary I love planning.
Zurich offered a lovely combination of urban charm, lakeside scenery, and opportunities to explore beyond the city.
Ticino, in southern Switzerland, brought a different atmosphere, with Italian-speaking culture, beautiful lakes, and Mediterranean influences.
And the Bernese Oberland offered the dramatic alpine landscapes, green valleys, turquoise lakes, and breathtaking mountain views that make Switzerland so unforgettable.
What excited me most was combining these different experiences into one family trip. I love finding destinations that complement one another and creating an itinerary that feels varied, personal, and full of possibilities.
Discovering it all over again
There’s something wonderful about returning to a country you’ve visited before, especially when you’re experiencing it with your family.
You might recognize the landscapes or remember the feeling of being there, but the experience changes when you’re sharing it with the people you love. You notice different things, create new traditions, and collect memories that belong to this chapter of your life.
For me, this trip was about more than revisiting Switzerland in summer. It was about discovering new places, sharing beautiful experiences with Flávio and Maia, and enjoying the excitement of planning an adventure that would become part of our family story.
And perhaps that’s one of the greatest joys of travel: the same destination can give you a completely different experience every time you return.
Switzerland will always be beautiful in winter, but exploring its summer landscapes and different cultural regions with my family reminded me that there’s no single way to experience a place.
Sometimes, all it takes is a new perspective — and the people you bring along — to make a familiar destination feel wonderfully new. 💛
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