Making Each Day Count

On an overcast morning, D and I set out from our cozy accommodation in Interlaken, making our way to Interlaken Ost to catch the train to Lauterbrunnen. The light drizzle added to a serene ambiance as we boarded the train for the 20-minute ride. The journey was quite scenic, with the train winding through green valleys and lush forests.

Upon arriving in Lauterbrunnen, we were immediately captivated by the sight of cascading waterfalls visible from the train station. Lauterbrunnen, though a small village, is often called the “Valley of 72 Waterfalls.” Its cliffs, green meadows and quaint wooden houses make us feel like we were in a scene straight out of a storybook. We leisurely strolled toward Staubbach Falls, one of the most iconic waterfalls in the region. No words could capture the grandeur and beauty of the water tumbling down the cliff. The falls simply mesmerized us. I saw it first in social media, and it was absolutely so much better than what I saw online.

Continuing along a quiet road, we passed fields where sheep and cows grazed peacefully, their bells chiming softly. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of wet grass and woodsmoke curling from the chimneys of nearby homes.

A little further along, we came across Spichbachfall, a lesser-known but equally beautiful waterfall. Unlike the towering Staubbach, Spichbachfall is more intimate, its delicate streams weaving through rocky outcrops.

After admiring the falls, we made our way back to Lauterbrunnen village, where we stopped for lunch at Hotel Horner. The cozy reataurant was made even warmer by the presence of a friendly dog, a regular at the restaurant, who trotted around with his dad. After lunch, we wandered through the village’s souvenir shops before heading back to the train station for our return to Interlaken Ost.

From Interlaken Ost, we hopped on a bus for a 20-minute ride to Iseltwald, a picturesque lakeside village on Lake Brienz. I first learned of Iseltwald from the K-drama Crash Landing on You, where its iconic pier served as the backdrop for a memorable scene with the main lead playing the piano. The pier was bustling with tourists queuing to take photos (for a small fee), but D and I were content to skip the line. Instead, we stood by the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz, watching others capture their moments.

Iseltwald’s quiet streets, lined with charming wooden houses, felt untouched by time. With few shops and cafés, tranquility was the village’s greatest charm. We wandered slowly, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere before returning to the bus stop for our ride back to Interlaken Ost.

Our second day in this region in Switzerland was filled with nature’s splendor and fresh mountain air. From the cascading waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen to the serene shores of Iseltwald, this was exactly what we came for, and I’d say was a highlight of our recent Europe trip. I pray we get to visit it again someday.