Been awhile since I’ve written anything. We now have a second kiddo on this journey. They are 4 (almost 5, she doesnt let you forget that) and the other little one is 19mo old now. We took a 12 day trip to Switzerland and Paris. Here’s what we did and what we learned.

We traveled from Bozeman to Chicago which is about 3hrs at 7:30a on May 10th. Once in Chicago we had a 6 hour layover. Note: don’t drink at an establishment that doesn’t have their pricing listed which many of you may know. We learned the hard way, you’re going to be over charged. We had two choices from here. Ride the train over to the international terminal and go through TSA again or take a bus that drives the tarmac over to the international terminal. We opted for the bus and got to drive around with all the taxying planes. That was very fun for the girls. It was finally time to board and begin the 9.5hr stretch of our travel day. We bought seat hammocks for the trip and a seat for both kids, toys, snacks, one ipad and sleep aids. For kid carriers we brought a GB Pockit Air, a Kelty TC 1.0 and a Kinderpack Preschool Carrier. Once we were in flight they promptly began dinner service and we gave the kids the sleep aids. Creekside Natural Therapeutic Children’s Sleep Aid for the 4yr old and Boiron Sleep Aid for the baby is what we used. They both fell asleep easily after food. We were all able to sleep awhile thankfully. It was 11am when we landed in Zurich and promptly got all our luggage before heading for customs.

5/11 to 5/14

Once we left the airport we got on a train and headed to Zermatt. That was a 4hr train ride with transfers but very manageable. When we arrived we waited to be picked up from the hotel shuttle. In Zermatt they’re only allowed to drive electric vehicles which I thought was neat. Our hotel was the Hotel Hemizeus & Iremia Spa. It was situated up on the hillside and our back deck had views of the Matterhorn (see the next photo). It was more of an apartment and had a full kitchen which helped save money. We were quite hungry at this point and the hotel was 20min walk from town. We were able to get some pizza snacks and wine from the front desk as it was shoulder season and the restaurant was closed. After snacking we took the baby and walked to town with the stroller. We found a place for burgers and beer which was $70 usd for the two of us. Switzerland is very expensive to eat out so we decided to grab food to cook at the Coop before going back. The hike was all up hill.

Our hotel included multiple kinds of saunas, a whirlpool, and a lounge room that viewed the Matterhorn. That was very relaxing and a great way to unwind from travel. Everyone went to bed smoothly that evening and the next day we were able to relax more and enjoy the scenery. It rained a bit and the clouds covered the mountains. We took a little hike and stopped at an overlook that has a sort of via ferrata trail in the river canyon that’s open only after June unfortunately for us.

The 2nd day there we were able to see the Matterhorn so we quickly got ready and took the cable car up to the Glacier Paradise which is the world’s highest cable car at 12,740ft. Children under 3 are not allowed to the top so here’s a photo below of the 4 of us at the mid-station. We traded trips to the top so the adults could at least see the views. If you come in the off season, gear for skiing must be rented in town before heading up. The skiing is open year round though and is an additional fee to the cost of the cable car.

5/14- 5/16

We headed to Lauterbrunnen. The hotel shuttle dropped us off and away we went. This leg was 3hrs with a transfer in Interlaken. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous on the train ride. We realized quickly this town had no taxis. We were traveling with my MIL who definitely needed some assistance getting around. Switzerland is very hilly and not the most disabled friendly. We hiked uphill to our hotel, Hotel Silberhorn. This room was a typical hotel room and had a view of the Staubbachfalls. The hotel served a buffet breakfast that is included with your stay. Dinner was okay at the restaurant but not for the price. The next day we took a trip up the canyon by bus and checked out the valley of water falls. Our 4yr old and I hiked all the way up the Trummelbachfalle which goes inside the side of the mountain with 10 different falls. This also has an age restriction of 3 or older and they don’t even allow kids in carriers. The rest of the crew hung out at the base and watched the paragliders.

My husbands brother returned that evening and we again ate at the restaurant to limit the hill walking for my MIL. The rain came in that evening and we decided to walk to the base of the falls while it was lit up with our oldest. She was so excited and tired.

5/16-5/18

We moved to the other side of the valley to Wengen but before checking into the Hotel Victoria-Lauberhorn we headed up the cable car to Grutschalp and then a train to Murren to another cable car that took us to Gimmelwald. Here we ate at the Mountain Hostel which had gorgeous views, a fantastic kid park and delicious food/beer. The town is also really cute and there’s no cars. From here you can go up to Schilthorn and it was to cloudy so we didn’t think we’d get the view of the Eiger and the other mountains.

Next we headed up another train to Wengen to check in. This hotel had a pool, hot tub and saunas also. Situated up on the hillside overlooking the Lauterbrunnen valley. The hotel also had a buffet included for breakfast, a decent restaurant, and a playground. It was very close to tennis courts, the Coop, and downtown. That night we got the kids to bed, left them with my MIL and headed next door to On the Rocks for some drinks. The bartender gave us a suggestion for a hike the following day and made some delicious cocktails.

The next day we set off on our hike while my BIL and MIL relaxed and explored town. The hike took us on the rim of the canyon up to Wengernalp (4.75 miles) which our oldest did all but a half a mile of. From Wengernalp we hopped on a train up to Kleine Scheidegg where we ate the best traditional Swiss food of the whole trip while at the base of the Eiger.

From here you can take a cog wheel train to Jungfraujoch the highest train station in Europe. Again, the clouds were not cooperating and we felt it would be a waste of money as those excursions aren’t cheap. While hanging out we had a cute fox pay us a visit which the girls thought was so fun. The baby so badly wanted to pet it. Finally we returned and took a much needed soak and swim.

5/18- 5/20

The next morning it was off to Luzern after breakfast. My youngest and I got up before everyone so we had breakfast together then checked out a swiss made store with the coolest Cookoo Clocks before departure. She got a fun handmade wooden puzzle set and we found some good souvenirs.

The train to Luzern meant going back to Lauterbrunnen, a transfer there, and then a transfer at Interlaken. Its a 2.5hr ride past some gorgeous lakes and mountains. Luzern we stayed at an art apartment airbnb, finally a kitchen again. We cooked meals for the next couple days and did some city stuff, like buy me a pair of Birkenstocks. This city is so cool, has a river going through it, and some great history. The art and architecture in the area is gorgeous.

On our 2nd day we took a trip up Mt. Pilatus. Be very cautious with what discounts you use for busses and other excursions. It’s very expensive if you mess up. They almost fined us for buying half fare bus tickets but took pity that I genuinely meant no harm. Apparently Euro-Rail passes don’t give a discount there. Once off the bus to Pilatus you take a gondola up to another gondola up to a cable car. You then can take a cog wheel train down and a boat back to Luzern but due to time and logistics we stuck to the gondolas. At the first station there’s a massive kids park, at the next station there’s a ropes course, a mountain coaster, and a Glider. Finally at the top which was our first stop there’s a couple hotels and food options plus hiking with gorgeous views.

We stopped on our way back down to do the Alpine Coaster and eat food. The coaster is technically 2 and up. The kids had a blast and so did the parents. The coaster was all we had time for so we didn’t get stuck walking back to town.

Once back at the airbnb we made dinner and went to bed as the next day it was off to Paris.

5/20- 5/22

This was another 4.5/5 hour travel day by train. Keeping the kids entertained was difficult at this point. We finally arrived and took a 40min taxi to the Airbnb. The driver brought a booster seat as a kid restraint. Not the most ideal situation. We were in close proximity to the Eiffel Tower which was awesome. My oldest loves the show Fancy Nancy and was the biggest motivation for going to Paris. Her face and reaction when she saw it was priceless. We walked over to it and she asked to go to the tippy top, so we did. Not worth the $80 but it was fun to say we did it. She enjoyed it and that’s what mattered most.

We then met my MIL and BIL for dinner nearby at Cafe Fleur. The service and food were phenomenal.

As 9pm approached my oldest was dying to see the tower light up so we sprinted to a better viewing place. As soon as she saw it sparkle she demanded we get as close as we can. Thankfully it sparkles for 5min. We took some photos and started back, intercepting the family on the way. We all took more photos and my oldest decided she wanted to watch it sparkle again and to show her little sister. We killed an hour walking around trying to find beer or champagne, which we never found haha. But we got to watch the sparkle again and this time the baby was up to see it. She was not as impressed. Finally it was time to go home for bed.

The next day was my birthday. We took the kids to Paris Disneyland while my MIL and BIL checked out Notre Dame. I was so excited because it was 1/2 the cost of going in California or Florida. From the Airbnb we grabbed a couple sandwiches and a box of pastries, took a metro to the RER A line and rode that all the way to Disney. It took about an hour and 15min. The first thing we did was watch a Disney characters parade. Very happy girls seeing all the princesses. From there we rode the carousel, did its a small world, then pirates of the caribbean, teacups, and ended with the cars ride. It rained on us but it was still warm so not a big deal. On our way out we got souvenirs and then hopped on the train to catch up with the family for dinner reservations at Le chalet des îles.

After a quick change and stuffing some food into the kids faces, we were in another taxi headed for dinner. Once there you have to take a short boat ride to the restaurant. Thankfully the baby passed out. The food was amazing and so were the desserts. It was a great way to turn 34.

The next morning was an early start, an hour taxi to the airport to head home. We had some hiccups with checking in due to the baby having a seat. They couldn’t find her or Ryan’s reservation. Eventually it worked out and we were able to head to security. This flight was definitely more challenging as it wasn’t a night flight. We landed in Chicago 8.5hrs later, exhausted and grumpy. This layover was 3hrs which was just enough time to declare our items, get our luggage, re-check it, take the train to the domestic terminals, go through TSA and grab a snack before boarding. We took a flight to Denver where everyone got some sleep, once there we got dinner and then boarded the plane to finally go home to Montana. We landed at 9:30pm and everyone slept okay that night. We woke up at 4am for the next few days but it was manageable.

I highly recommend taking your kids traveling. You won’t regret it.