Consider Switzerland

Sometimes it’s nice to have a girls’ holiday that doesn’t revolve solely around drowning in vodka and trying to pull as many guys as possible. One of my closest friend’s grandma lives in the mountains in Switzerland and invited a few of us girls to stay in her beautiful home while she was away.

The chalet is nestled in the mountains, and its closest village – Rougemont – is a 20 minute drive down the winding mountain tracks.

The gorgeous church on a hill in Rougemont

This beautiful, isolated setting offered the perfect opportunity to escape the London air and explore the mountains for a few days. 

These goats followed us up the mountains... And would not leave.

 The capital city, Bern, is an hour and a half’s journey from Rougemont. Most of our time here was spent wandering the cobbled streets and admiring the classically-European architecture.

It was in the capital, too, however, that we got to try warm cow's milk, fresh from the udder. Cows, goats, sheep, and pigs were gathered in one of the town squares where a market was being held. Some friendly Swiss men and women, dressed in traditional Swiss wear, milked the cows and offered the contents of their milk jugs to those gathering to watch. The warmth of the fresh milk could be felt immediately through the thin plastic cup, and for some reason this surprised us all… 

Shocked by the warmth

Udderly revolting

While this isn’t an experience I’d want to repeat, Bern was certainly a place to experience Swiss culture.

Finally, hours before we were due back at Geneva Airport, we squeezed in a look around the most gorgeous town - Gruyeres - where Gruyeres cheese is produced. 

It was here, in one of the medieval-themed restaurants that we decided to sample a dish that is currently being plastered across social media: raclette. Yes, it is as good as it looks.

If you love dairy products, being stalked by goats, and wandering around idyllic locations, then consider Switzerland.