Whereas I love to go back to Europe in summer to enjoy the long days, I also quite like to go back in winter. There is definitely less chance for sun, but it offers a welcome change from the ever same temperatures we have here in the tropics.
This year’s two-week trip was actually a busy business trip to Zurich, Geneva and Luxembourg that left a few days off work at the end. I wondered what to do and finally decided to stay in Luxembourg as this would not only minimize the travels but also allow for some new discoveries. Some of my work colleagues in Switzerland called me nuts for spending extra time in Luxembourg … and I did not really know what to expect.
However, I liked it from the beginning. It was a great change of perspective from the daily life in bustling Asia. The people are very friendly and open and due to the short distances it was easy to get around by foot. Albeit small, the town is very diverse and offers lots of history, something I am missing here in Singapore. To spice things up, we also went for a day trip to two nearby highlights. Trier, the oldest city in Germany, and Vianden, a small village with an impressive castle in the north of Luxembourg.

I spent the weekdays in Zurich and Geneva and while out for lunch with a few colleagues – including a colleague from Hong Kong who visited Switzerland for the first time – I half-jokingly suggested that we should take the opportunity and eat a cheese fondue. To our all surprise, my Asian colleague agreed at once and so we were set to order a platter of meat, a fondue and a bottle of wine. Despite the hot temperatures and us sitting outside and in office attire, it was very enjoyable.

The following days still included a fair bit of eating, but also some more action. We engaged in an activity-filled and fun treasure hunt through the city of Berne, we visited friends and our goddaughter (who recently started to walk and kept us busy playing) and I spent a shopping day with my sister. Finally, my partner and I settled for a few days in Malbun where we opted for a hike to Galinakopf (one of many peaks in Liechtenstein I have not climbed before even though hiking was a regular activity during my childhood). I really enjoyed to be out and active in the fresh mountain air, along the way marvelling at the beautiful alpine flowers and on the top being rewarded with an amazing view over the mountains.

We also spent time together with both our families and did some Liechtenstein sightseeing. On our last day, we met with friends for a nice walk, followed by a delicious dinner and one or two bottles of wine. It was a fun and relaxing evening, a perfect end to this trip.

I very much enjoyed the days!

The week in Berne and Liechtenstein was packed with festive lunches and dinners with family and friends. We very much enjoyed to spend time with our loved ones …. and to breath fresh and cold air during long walks in the countryside!