OLOI MEDIA journalist Katerina Christofi traveled to Switzerland and discovered winter landscapes that look like a fairytale.
Hi there! I’m Katerina from @Travel_Escapers_, and together with Christos, we travel to live experiences that last forever. If you’re thinking of visiting Switzerland for Christmas or a winter holiday, let me tell you about our experience. This winter, Switzerland wasn’t in our plans… until we found cheap tickets and decided to live a winter fairytale amidst mountains, waterfalls, and snowy villages.
Switzerland was always on our bucket list, not for its luxury or famous cities… but for nature. Waterfalls. Mountains. Landscapes that make you feel small in front of them. When the tickets popped up, I didn’t think twice. As usual, we decided to save up and go on a big winter Christmas trip. And let me tell you… it was different. Slower. Calmer.
Everyone says that Christmas in Switzerland is something else. And yes—it’s true. But even as we walked through the snow and lights, we already knew we wanted to return in the spring, when the country will be full of color and life.
Preparation and Budget
Yes, Switzerland isn’t cheap, and we were on a strict budget. Transport for ten days cost us about €500–600, accommodation €1,800, food in restaurants €170, while supermarket shopping was around €300. As always, we tried to live the experience without overspending. A little pre-trip stress? We hadn’t booked train tickets from Basel to Lauterbrunnen. We even considered car sharing but found no available options. We eventually booked them the day before. And something important we learned: on Swiss railways, prices are fixed and tickets are point-to-point—you can hop on any train to your destination. No stress. No rush.
Basel: A first taste of Christmas
Our first stop was Basel. The city is organized, full of lights and Christmas markets. The atmosphere makes you feel the Christmas spirit immediately. I really loved the church and the moment we wrote a small wish letter in the city’s huge “wish book”—it was like being kids again for a while.
Another surprise was the Basel University Botanical Garden—quiet, peaceful, and full of life. But to be honest, Basel felt like a city. Nice in photos, but if we return, we won’t stay there. It’s ideal as a base to explore France or Germany, but we are nature lovers.
The Train: Breathtaking Passages
And then came the train. Switzerland has one of the most impressive railway networks in the world, and this trip proves it. As the city fades behind us, the mountains rise, the valleys deepen, and the snow begins to appear. The train wasn’t just transport—it was the transition.
Lauterbrunnen: The Magic of Nature
And then… Lauterbrunnen. A valley of 72 waterfalls. A place so quiet you can hear your own footsteps. This village seems untouched. No rush, no noise. Just nature doing what it always knows how to do. We spent hours walking among rocks, snow, and falling water. It was peaceful, grounding, like stepping into a fairytale that breathes.
We also visited Wengen, a car-free mountain village, and Grindelwald, where we did the First Cliff Walk—a path where you stand above the Alps and understand just how small you feel, in the best possible way.
We didn’t ski, nor did we chase activities. We just walked. And often… that is enough. The snow alone creates the magic.
Interlaken: The “Gateway” to Nature Between Two Lakes
During our trip, we also made a stop in Interlaken—even though it was low tourist season and the snow patches had already started to dwindle.
What to know:
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Interlaken is located between Lakes Brienz and Thun, overlooking the imposing Alps and the trio of Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger mountains—an excellent spot to breathe alpine air and see beautiful landscapes.
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The town acts as a “gateway” to the Bernese Oberland region, with easy access to activities, trails, camping, and mountain excursions—even if major outdoor activities are more popular in winter.
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Although Interlaken is better known as a summer destination for hiking, lake beaches, and extreme sports, in winter the streets are quieter and ideal for slow travel, coffee with a view, and short walks.
Although it wasn’t a “fairytale village” like Lauterbrunnen for us, Interlaken is ideal as a base for exploring natural wonders and walks around lakes and mountains—especially if you are traveling to the region for the first time.
Bern: The Medieval Capital
Our trip couldn’t miss Bern, the cultural capital of Switzerland, with an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re going back in time.
What to know:
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Bern has a medieval city center declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with picturesque alleys, cobblestones, and arcades that remind you of a fairytale.
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Dominated by the Zytglogge in the heart of the city, a historic clock tower dating back to the 13th century, while the Bärengraben (Bear Pit) is one of the most popular attractions for young and old.
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The bells, the squares with fountains, and the view of the Aare River give Bern a tranquility and romance that is hard to forget.
What We Learned About the Budget
Switzerland is expensive. But we adapted. We shopped at supermarkets, cooked at our Airbnb, and invested only in experiences that fulfilled us. Next time, we’re thinking of renting a camper van—it combines home and transport, both financially and emotionally.
If you’re thinking of going to Switzerland for Christmas 2026 or living winter adventures, we hope our video gives you a small taste of what to expect. From Basel to the magic of Lauterbrunnen valley, to the picturesque mountain villages of Wengen and Grindelwald – each place has its own story and charm. Switzerland reminded us that travel doesn’t need to be loud to be unforgettable. Sometimes, the quiet places stay with you forever.
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WHO IS THE TRAVEL BLOGGER
Katerina Christofi is a travel blogger and creator of @travel_escapers_, and she works at OLOI MEDIA. In her 20s, she views travel as a way of exploration and personal growth, not as a luxury. Together with her partner, Christos, they travel low-budget, proving that authentic experiences don’t need a big wallet. Through images and stories, she inspires more people to travel meaningfully, even when time or budget is limited.
