The Tullmann Travels The Tullmann Travels

Switzerland

2025

The Bernese Alps

Mürren · Lauterbrunnen · Grindelwald — 19 days, July 2025

Nineteen days exploring the peaks, paths, and pastries of the Bernese Oberland — a family at the foot of the Jungfrau.

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The trip in brief

A family at the foot of the Jungfrau

July 2025 · 22 entries

Where we went

Nineteen days in the Bernese Oberland, based in car-free Mürren high above the Lauterbrunnen valley — with days out to Grindelwald and the Bachsee, the Schilthorn, the Eiger Trail, Interlaken and Ballenberg, before trading the mountains for Lucerne and Mount Pilatus to close it out.

Why it mattered

Our slowest, fullest family trip yet — a mini-retirement in motion. We let Jonas set the pace, did hard things for epic payoffs, and learned that the best days were the unhurried ones.

Favorite moment

Summer snowball fights on the climb to the Bachsee, the Wetterhorn looming over a mirror-still alpine lake — the day everything clicked.

Jonas highlight

Jonas out front on the Eiger Trail — kids leading, stone giants overhead, surprise July snowballs — and the now-legendary “boldest slug hug in the Alps” up on the Schilthorn.

Coffee & fondue

Morning flat whites in Mürren became the daily ritual; the trip signed off with a riverside fondue and sausages grilled over an open fire.

The photo essay

Switzerland 2025, in pictures

Bachsee
Bachsee
Crowns & Cows
Crowns & Cows
Waterfalls
Waterfalls
Peaks & Petals
Peaks & Petals
The Eiger Trail
The Eiger Trail
Schilthorn
Schilthorn
Farewell fondue
Farewell fondue
Rain & revelation
Rain & revelation
Lucerne & Pilatus
Lucerne & Pilatus

The journal

Every day of the trip

22 entries · oldest first

000 The Day Before
Day 0
The Day Before
July 4

Packing light, flying far—our 19-day Swiss adventure begins with carry-ons and excitement.

001 Departure & Luggage
Day 1
Departure & Luggage
July 5

Packing light, saying goodbye, and setting off on a 19-day carry-on adventure.

002 Arrival & Trains
Day 2
Arrival & Trains
July 6

From California to Mürren: 24 hours, 6 transfers, and one unforgettable journey into the Alps.

003 Jet Lag & Swiss Cheese
Day 3
Jet Lag & Swiss Cheese
July 7

Foggy walks, alpine snails, and a grocery store adventure powered by ChatGPT.

004 Boat Rides & Waterfalls
Day 4
Boat Rides & Waterfalls
July 8

A rainy day turns magical with misty lake views, roaring waterfalls, and raspberry soda.

005 Bachsee & Brass Bands
Day 5
Bachsee & Brass Bands
July 9

Alpine hikes, snowball fights, and a solo night of schnitzel and Swiss folk music.

006 Pizza & Playgrounds
Day 6
Pizza & Playgrounds
July 10

A restful day filled with laughter, espresso, and a mountaintop water maze.

007 Trust & Trails
Day 7
Trust & Trails
July 11

A peaceful day of play, scenic hikes, and honest moments in Mürren and Gimmelwald.

008 Crowns & Cows
Day 8
Crowns & Cows
July 12

Epic views, joyful hikes, and alpine playgrounds made this our most adventurous family day yet.

009 Rain & Revelation
Day 9
Rain & Revelation
July 13

Rainy-day detour to legendary caves, dragon playground fun, Interlaken gelato, and a sunset double rainbow.

010 Peaks & Petals
Day 10
Peaks & Petals
July 14

Panoramic hikes, alpine blooms, and playful moments on a Tolkien-worthy trail above Interlaken.

011 Ballenberg & Bravery
Day 11
Ballenberg & Bravery
July 15

A rainy day turns magical with hands-on history, mountaintop slides, and dinner worth the wait.

012 Slugs & Spycraft
Day 12
Slugs & Spycraft
July 16

Spy thrills, alpine chills, and the boldest slug hug in the Alps — our Schilthorn adventure paired with a restful return.

013 Stone Giants & Snowballs
Day 13
Stone Giants & Snowballs
July 17

Alpine drama, surprise snowballs, and the joy of letting kids lead — the Eiger Trail gave us a hike to remember.

014 Reflection & Rest
Day 14
Reflection & Rest
July 18

A slow day in Mürren — flat whites, alpine flowers, and bullet journaling that helped it all sink in.

015 Farewells & Fondue
Day 15
Farewells & Fondue
July 19

Our last day in Mürren brought mountain mist, goodbye tears, and a dinner that didn’t go as planned — but still brought us together.

016 Mountains & Metros
Day 16
Mountains & Metros
July 20

Leaving Mürren’s alpine calm for Lucerne’s city energy brought bittersweet goodbyes and new adventures.

017 Dragons & Cobblestones
Day 17
Dragons & Cobblestones
July 21

A day of contrasts: from misty Pilatus dragons to the music and flavors of Luzern LIVE, with Old Town magic in between.

018 Cowbells & Clouds
Day 18
Cowbells & Clouds
July 22

Fog at the summit, sunshine by the lake — a day of shifting skies, cowbells, and simple joys.

019 Fondue & Farewells
Day 19
Fondue & Farewells
July 23

Flying dragons, grilling sausages, and a riverside fondue — our last full day in Switzerland mixed adventure, redemption, and quiet goodbyes.

020 Goodbyes & Goals
Day 20
Goodbyes & Goals
July 24

One last coffee, one last train — we left Switzerland behind, carrying home the real treasure: time together.

021 Time & Treasure
Day 21
Time & Treasure
August 20
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