Toddler in Switzerland

We take our toddler to my favorite country in the whole world, a place with beautiful snowcapped mountains, massive forests, numerous lakes and even amazing food and people — picturesque Switzerland! Together with my toddler, it’s an absolute pleasure to be back!

Zurich

We first paid a surprise visit to one of my very best friends, Sarah Stucki-Pfister, her husband Andi and new baby Elyn (one month old at time of visit) at their family home. It was wonderful how my little one had someone new to look after and play with, that was a night to remember!

The most exciting Swiss Family Centre in town has got to be a place called Kindercity, where babies to adults play with science in a very fascinating and family friendly atmosphere. There are different themes from factory to outdoor, which includes express trains and cars (children even get their own driver’s license). It’s a wonderland for children here!

Zurich happens to have the most famous toy shop in all Switzerland, called Franz Carl Weber, a dream by the man himself, established in 1881. A must visit! Located in the city’s Bahnhofstrasse.

You can’t miss Zurich Zoo with a child in tow! A walk through their natural habitats were the highlights which are the snow leopards, Indian lions, Amur tigers, 19 different monkey species and the Masoala rainforest hall. Or go to the Zürcher Spielzeugmuseum for a marvelous display of historic toy collections from the 18th century onwards.

 A family friendly restaurant with a typical Swiss atmosphere has got to be the Adlers Swiss Chuchi located in the Old Town. Best known for absolutely amazing cheese and meat fondues, raclette and sliced veal. Zurich style, ofcourse!

And a visit to Sprüngli is a must! An emblem of Zurich, they serve the best and the most original light and airy Luxemburgerli (known to many as a French macaron). This is a specialty that was first brought to Switzerland many years ago by a young Luxembourg confectioner, Richard Sprüngli. Made fresh everyday using only the finest ingredients and exquisite fillings, there’s just nothing like it really. You will find Sprüngli all over town even with eyes closed!

Home to the finest premium chocolates in the world, no visit to Zurich is complete without spending lots of time at the famous Lindt factory outlet! This is certainly every chocolate lovers place to be, young or old! Serving the public since 1845, you will find products that aren’t even sold outside of the factory so that’s what makes it very special. Prices are also lower in comparison to products being sold commercially. Children (and adults) would just love it here. Look out for their free samples!

Bern

Strolling through the old town and hearing the melodic dialect of the Swiss Capital, Bern is no doubt characterized by the Zytglogge (the clock tower and one of Bern’s most prominent landmarks since 1530).

Since bears are truly Bern’s symbol, a visit to Bear Park, located at the bank of the Aare River, is a must visit. At 6,000 square meters of space, there is plenty of room for these animals to run around freely, but with a big audience watching them, of course!

An attractive city (this includes the traditional cellar shops) that has so much to offer, toddler couldn’t go wrong with just window shopping, even if it was just watching an electric train go by and looking at some exquisite wooden toys at a shop called the Chlätterbär, through the glass windows. Even a visit to the park for my little one to run around freely, enjoy the great views, chatting with the locals and even having the experience to listen to an alphorn (a long wooden horn used in Switzerland) playing music were truly amazing moments. The sounds of the horn caught toddler’s attention and so he walked very close to satisfy his curiosity, which was just too cute!

We went to visit a Catholic Church called Christkatholische Kirche St. Peter and Paul. Unlike majority of churches, this is an independent church related to the Vatican.

Another highlight in Bern is the Granary (Kornhauskeller), a vaulted cellar preserved during the Baroque period. With a well-behaved toddler in tow, he was allowed to experience a drink (or tea time for him) inside the premises. I thought that was rare to allow children inside but yes, it was certainly an advantage.

Langnau

In this old but amazing town, I first took notice of the unique roof designs some of the traditional houses have and elegant landscapes that go with them. I knew that my toddler would just love it here! With only a few cars around town, it was absolutely safe to have toddler walk around without a harness and our boy did have the time of his life!

We all enjoyed a hearty lunch at Hirschen Bistro in the Hotel Hirschen Langnau located directly at the centre of town in the hilly and mystic Emmental. Traditional Swiss meals are absolutely fantastic, they just somehow seem to make everything to perfection. You can’t go wrong!

One attraction in the town of Langnau is the Dürsrütitanne, a 377 year-old pine tree measuring 57.35 in height that was hit by lightning on the 31st May 1974 and cut down more than half a year later for preservation. Its trunk is on display today, a must see.

Thun

Exploring one of Switzerland’s most attractive towns, we visited a place called Thun where a striking castle greets every traveler from a distance. Together with the Alps in the background and the lake views, this makes a picture perfect combination! This medieval town is a place to linger and go for walks with your children, by the lake feeding the swans and ducks. This is mainly what we did in this old town, the panoramic setting was just beautiful and oh so peaceful!

A little museum to visit and see toys which are centuries old is the Spielzeung Museum Thun where toys such as trains, dolls, doll houses, cars, etc., have been kept and preserved since 1850. A café/restaurant is available onsite, as well.

I would highly recommend a stay at the Seepark Thun Congress Hotel as this charming hotel is directly by Lake Thun, surrounded by the fascinating Schadau Park. In the hotel grounds, there is also a miniature train that can take children for a tour of its expansive gardens. Probably the best location in town! Request for a room facing the mountain and lake for better views. Very family friendly.

I can certainly say that there is just nowhere like Switzerland on this planet! I’d also like to extend my utmost gratitude to Elsa and Daniel Stucki and ofcourse daughters Rahel and Sarah, her husband Andi and their baby Elynfor taking the time to spend with us. More of toddlers travel next week so please read on.