Photos Taken / Written by JENNIFER MAHON  |  This post was read 816 times

Lungern

DAY 15...OF 19 
Our final destination today is Montreux, however, since we're driving through Switzerland, we ended up stopping quite a bit along the way....in Lungern, Interlaken, Spiez.... and a completely unplanned, scary as f*ck drive through one of Switzerland's highest mountain passes - the Jaunpass. 

LUNGERN
About 40 km (only a 30-minute drive) from Lucerne, we turned a curve in the road a came across Lungernersee - one of the many beautiful lakes in Switzerland. The picturesque villages of Lungern and Schönbuel are nestled along the shore, and the picture-perfectness is complete with the lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. We really only stopped for about 20 minutes, just to sit and take in the view!

Map showing this insane Euro road trip

Map showing this insane Euro road trip

Gorgeous little spot - Lungern

Gorgeous little spot - Lungern

The colour of the lakes here are unbelievable

The colour of the lakes here are unbelievable

Makes for great driving when you have scenery like this!

Makes for great driving when you have scenery like this!

INTERLAKEN
Another 30 km (30-minute drive) from Lungern and we arrive in Interlaken. Situated betweek Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, this small scenic town has incredibly picturesque views of the Alps and snow-capped Jungfrau Moutain. We parked by Höhe Matte, kind of like Interlaken's own version of Central Park - a huge green field smack dab in the middle of the town - a place for people watching, and is the main landing zone for para-gliders in the area. A quick walk about to see the shops, cafes and gaze at high-end watch shops and off we go in the little Fiat again. 

Another quick stop in Interlaken

Another quick stop in Interlaken

Le Grand Guetteur sculpted by Nicolas Lavarenne

Le Grand Guetteur sculpted by Nicolas Lavarenne

A zoom in on Jungfrau - viewed from Interlaken

A zoom in on Jungfrau - viewed from Interlaken

Popular spot for para-gliding

Popular spot for para-gliding

However, gambling doesn't seem that popular here

However, gambling doesn't seem that popular here

Shopping IS popular here - especially for tourists

Shopping IS popular here - especially for tourists

Surprisingly not too pricey restaurants

Surprisingly not too pricey restaurants

More para-gliders - I guess it offers an amazing view of Jungfrau

More para-gliders - I guess it offers an amazing view of Jungfrau

Kind of scary to see all these para-gliders a concentrated area...

Kind of scary to see all these para-gliders a concentrated area...

If I had more time, would have loved to go to Bond World....

If I had more time, would have loved to go to Bond World....

I guess it's ok I didn't go to Bond World since I've got the real Mr. Bond with me

I guess it's ok I didn't go to Bond World since I've got the real Mr. Bond with me

SPIEZ
Only 20 km (20-minute drive) from Interlaken we stop in Spiez (which I had never even heard of before), but the complete gorgeousness of the place made it a must. Located on the south bank of the Thunersee (Lake Thun), are only stop here was the Schloss Spiez (aka Spiez Castle) and the Romanesque Schlosskirche (Chapel Church). We didn't go inside the castle (just felt the entrance wasn't worth it for such a small building), but we were more than content with the views from here. The castle boasts the most amazing setting on a promontory that juts out into Lake Thun - so the views of the lake, mountains, vineyards and the harbour are simply stunning!

Enjoying the views of Lake Thun during yet another stop....3rd stop of the day!

Enjoying the views of Lake Thun during yet another stop....3rd stop of the day!

Spiez Castle

Spiez Castle

Loving the view from Spiez Castle gardens

Loving the view from Spiez Castle gardens

Niederhornkette Mountains - viewed from Spiez Castle

 Niederhornkette Mountains - viewed from Spiez Castle

Look the other way, and you get to view a bit of the Swiss Alps

Look the other way, and you get to view a bit of the Swiss Alps

Look around some more...at the gorgeous vineyards

Look around some more...at the gorgeous vineyards

The Romanesque Schlosskirche or Castle Church of Spiez

The Romanesque Schlosskirche or Castle Church of Spiez

Picture perfect setting for the chapel, overlooking Lake Thun

Picture perfect setting for the chapel, overlooking Lake Thun

I cannot get enough of this view!

I cannot get enough of this view!

Spiez Castle from the inner courtyard

Spiez Castle from the inner courtyard

Residences beside the castle and chapel - I could totally live there

Residences beside the castle and chapel - I could totally live there

Unknowingly ending up driving the Jaunpass - elevation 1509 metres!

Scary as f*ck driving up here, but totally worth the view!

Scary as f*ck driving up here, but totally worth the view!

A good spot to pull over (the road is a little wider here!)

A good spot to pull over (the road is a little wider here!)

I think I parked in front of someone's house

I think I parked in front of someone's house

Enjoying the beauty, and feeling a little lightheaded due to the altitude!

Enjoying the beauty, and feeling a little lightheaded due to the altitude!

Jaun PassThat's the supposed 2-car lane- between the dashed white line and the little wooden sticks with string acting as the guardrail

That's the supposed 2-car lane- between the dashed white line and the little wooden sticks with string acting as the guardrail

Bye-bye Jaunpass!

Bye-bye Jaunpass!

LIKE THIS? YOU MIGHT WANNA CHECK THESE OUT:

• MONTREUX: A Lakeside Secret
• UNTERWASSER: The Shining
• LIECHTENSTEIN: Follow the Yellow Brick Road
• ZURICH: Overrated & Overpriced