An alpine style stay in a tranquil, car-free town at the base of the Matterhorn.

We kicked off our adventure by flying into Geneva, where we spent our first night at the Woodward Oetker Collection. It was, without a doubt, the most luxurious hotel we’ve ever experienced. Looking back, we wish we’d extended our stay for at least another night to enjoy an afternoon on Lake Geneva. However, after a delightful breakfast the next morning, we set off for Zermatt, making a scenic stop in Montreux along the way. Zermatt’s car-free town was a refreshing change, with its crisp air and charming streets. In just a couple of days, we were able to take in all the must-see sights.

Overlooking Lake Lucerne, this hotel hosts one of the best spas in Europe. This hotel is part of a resort founded in 1873.

Staying at the Bürgenstock Hotel was an unforgettable experience, perched high above Lake Lucerne with stunning views. The spa’s infinity pool, offering a bird’s-eye view of the lake, was the perfect place to unwind. We spent our first afternoon simply relaxing and soaking in the fresh mountain air. I’m already looking forward to a return visit, with more time dedicated to exploring Lake Lucerne.

The mountain activities you often see on TikTok and Instagram are in Interlaken, about an hour away. We had a private driver take us there and back. Since we visited on a weekend, it was quite crowded, and tickets can sell out quickly, so I recommend arriving early to secure your spots. This is where you’ll find the First Flyer, First Glider, Mountain Cart, and Trottibike. The First Cliff Walk was absolutely breathtaking, and watching the paragliders gracefully float through the sky was mesmerizing!

This Austrian hotel is in a unique, secluding location surrounded by breathtaking views. It sits between Innsbruck and Tyrol.

If I could redo this trip, I would have skipped this part of our journey and added Salzburg to the itinerary instead. The Sound of Music holds a special place in my heart, and everyone raves about Salzburg’s charm, so I can’t wait to take the girls there someday. Our hotel in Telfs was lovely, but with all the effort of packing up and moving around, these weren’t my favorite days of the trip. My husband also struggled with the lack of air conditioning in a few hotels—a common occurrence in the area. If you tend to run hot, it might be wise to pack a travel fan, especially if your hotel doesn’t have one available.

By the time we reached Vienna, we were relieved to finally arrive at our last hotel after nearly a five-hour train ride from Innsbruck. Hotel Sacher was delightful, and the entire city was buzzing with Taylor Swift excitement. As you know, the concert was canceled, which left my kids devastated, but they still made the best of it by dressing up, attending a few parties, and trading bracelets in the streets. We filled our days with cooking classes, shopping, and sightseeing. With the extra downtime, I added a visit to the Albertina Museum to catch the Picasso and Monet exhibit. In hindsight, the trip might have been a couple of days too long for my mental well-being, given how busy everything was. But with so much to see and do, it was hard to fit it all in without staying for that exact length of time.