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Lucerne, Switzerland 🇨🇭

The soft buzz of the checkout counter at the hotel in Malta echoed in my ears, but I felt a sense of reluctance as I stood there, staring out the large windows at the Mediterranean landscape. The golden glow of the setting sun over the horizon made everything feel surreal. I could hardly believe we were leaving this beautiful island behind. My husband, Sayyid, was busy at the concierge desk taking care of all the formalities, while I sat in one of the plush armchairs near the lobby, feeling useless. It wasn't that I didn't have anything to do, but when you're about to embark on a journey to Switzerland with the love of your life, even the small things like checking out of a hotel feel like an afterthought.

Sayyid, always the efficient one, was swiftly handling our checkout and all the little things we needed to sort out before heading to the airport. I loved how he took charge, though I secretly enjoyed being the "tag-along" on this trip. The anticipation of Switzerland—Lucerne, to be specific—was bubbling inside me. It was my first time there, and I couldn't wait to explore the stunning landscapes I had only ever seen in pictures. Switzerland had always been a dream destination for me, and now, here I was, embarking on this new adventure with Sayyid by my side.

When he finally finished, we made our way to the airport. It wasn't a straightforward journey; we had to make a quick stop at a local clinic to get vaccinated for Hepatitis A. I couldn't help but feel a little useless as we made our way to the pharmacy—he was the one getting the vaccines, while I picked up snacks and gum. As we waited, he teased me about my fear of needles, knowing full well how much I dreaded them. He always found ways to make me laugh, even in moments like this.

Soon enough, we were on our flight to Switzerland, and the excitement kept me awake despite the fatigue from the long day. When the plane touched down in Lucerne, I could hardly believe it. The air was crisp, and everything seemed to gleam in the golden sunlight. It felt like stepping into a postcard, a world so different from the one we had just left behind in Malta. The lush green mountains surrounding the city stood proudly, a perfect contrast to the quaint streets and charming architecture.

We were quickly whisked away to our hotel, the Hotel Schweizerhof, where we were greeted with warmth and efficiency. The building was more than just a hotel; it was an experience. The grand lobby, the luxurious decor, and the breathtaking views from our suite made it clear that we had arrived in a place of comfort and elegance. Sayyid handled the check-in process while I marveled at the room we would be staying in. The suite was spacious, with large windows that framed the city and the mountains perfectly. It was exactly what I had hoped for—a romantic escape in the heart of Switzerland.

After freshening up with a quick shower, we got into our pajamas and spent a few quiet moments together, praying all the prayers we had missed during our travels. By the time we were done, it was already 10 PM. The jet lag was creeping up on us, and we were both exhausted from the long day. We climbed into bed, knowing that tomorrow would be another packed day of sightseeing. Inshallah, we would make the most of it.

The next morning, we woke up later than usual—around 9 AM. We had overslept a little, but the exhaustion from the journey had caught up with us. After a quick breakfast and shower, we dressed up and headed out for our first day of exploring. Lucerne was waiting for us, and we were ready to dive into its beauty and history. Our first adventure was a one-hour cruise on a panoramic yacht, which was the perfect introduction to this picturesque city.

The port was bustling with tourists, all eager to start their own adventures. Sayyid and I boarded the Saphir, the yacht that would take us on our scenic tour of Lake Lucerne. The crew greeted us with a warm welcome, and we were given audio guides in various languages. As we set sail from the bridge across from our hotel, we found a comfortable spot on the upper deck. I suggested we sit on the water terrace at the back of the boat, where we could be closer to the water. Sayyid, ever the brave one, agreed, though he seemed a little hesitant about the sea.

"Kin san I'm low key afraid of the sea," he admitted, his voice quieter than usual.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Really? But why?"

Sayyid shrugged, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It's something from when I was a kid. We went on a boat ride on the Nile River in Egypt at night. It was windy, the water was rough, and I was scared. It kind of stuck with me."

I laughed, poking fun at him. "Wow, you were such a scaredy-cat."

He smirked and looked at me mischievously. "Next time you stick your tongue at me, I'll bite it."

I rolled my eyes, a grin on my face. "Disgusting."

Despite Sayyid's playful teasing, we enjoyed the tranquility of the cruise. As we sailed along the shore, the views of Lucerne's cityscape, the distant snow-capped mountains, and the beautiful villas were nothing short of stunning. We passed by Meggenhorn Castle and Bürgenstock, each landmark adding to the charm of the lake. The commentary from the audio guide enriched the experience, offering insights into the rich history of the region. We munched on snacks and sipped drinks, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

The cruise came to an end, and we disembarked with smiles on our faces. But we had more adventures planned. The next item on our itinerary was a trip to Mount Pilatus, one of Lucerne's most iconic landmarks. Sayyid had been looking forward to this part of the journey, and even though I was a little nervous about the cable car ride, I was eager to experience it with him.

We made our way to the base station in Kriens, where we boarded a gondola that took us up to Fräkmüntegg. Along the way, we stopped to explore a few of the attractions, including an adventure playground and a restaurant. But what really had my heart racing was the next part of the journey—the Dragon Ride cable car that would take us to the summit of Mount Pilatus, 2,132 meters above sea level.

As we ascended, I could feel my nerves building. Heights have never been my thing, and the gondola swayed slightly in the wind. Sayyid kept teasing me, but I barely registered it. I was too focused on holding onto his arm, too afraid to look down.

"Don't let go of me," I whispered, my grip tightening.

"Don't worry, I won't," he laughed softly. "How could I lose my wife on our honeymoon?"

At the top, the views were indescribable. The Alps stretched out before us, their snow-covered peaks reaching for the sky. We spent time in the panoramic gallery, taking in the breathtaking landscape. We stopped for refreshments at the Bellevue Restaurant, and the cool mountain air made everything feel fresh and invigorating.

The descent was just as thrilling as the ride up, and we couldn't stop talking about the experience once we were back at the base. I was glad I had done it, even if it had been a little scary. Sayyid was right—sometimes, the best experiences in life are the ones that push you out of your comfort zone.

"What's next?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

I grinned. "Swiss Chocolate Adventure!"

The Swiss Chocolate Adventure, located at the Swiss Museum of Transport, was a delight for our senses. We climbed aboard a moving cart, which took us on a multimedia journey through the history of Swiss chocolate. The exhibit was interactive, and we were able to learn about the origins of cocoa, the production of chocolate, and how Switzerland became world-renowned for its chocolate-making skills.

As we moved through the exhibit, we were enveloped in the scents and sights of chocolate. The best part was the free samples we received at the end—delicious Swiss chocolate that melted in our mouths. Afterward, we visited a local chocolatier for an exclusive chocolate tasting. We learned more about cocoa origins, quality, and the different types of chocolate, and of course, we sampled even more.

Our final activity of the day was a private walking tour through Lucerne. We strolled through the charming streets, admiring the medieval houses, the fountains, and the historic churches. Our guide shared fascinating stories about the city's history as we passed through the Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church. At the end of the tour, we visited another chocolatier for an exclusive tasting. By this point, we were both chocolate-d out—but in the best possible way.

After the tour, we returned to the hotel, exhausted but happy. We prayed, showered, and dressed for dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant called Olivo. We were welcomed by the friendly staff, and our waiter took our beverage orders. As we sipped on our drinks, we recounted the day's adventures, both of us agreeing that this had been one of the most memorable days of our honeymoon. The Mediterranean dishes we ordered—Cobb salad, Baba Ganoush, Paella—were absolutely divine, and we ate with contentment, savoring every bite.

We returned to the hotel after dinner, both of us completely worn out. We prayed, changed into our pajamas, and fell asleep almost immediately. Tomorrow promised to be another exciting day, and we were both eager to see what Lucerne had in store for us next.

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