Grüezi, Switzerland
Switzerland has been on my places-to-visit list forever. For some reason, (corona messed up my schedule) it just took longer than it should have to get it done. Originally scheduled for the summer of 2020, after a 20-month delay, the trip finally got re-planned in autumn of the following year. I was told there is no bad season in Switzerland, I can confirm that is true!
The majestic views of the Alps as you enter Swiss Air space take your breath away. Snow-covered peaks stretch against the horizons as far as the eye can see. A soft gold tint reflected as the rays of the rising sun softly hits the yellow larch-covered slopes, interwoven with lines of rivers leading to the bluest of lakes, setting the most peaceful 360-degree panoramic scene. If that doesn’t set the tone for a landscape photo tour, I can’t imagine what would.
I always reiterate that joining photo tours has some unique perks, everything is pre-planned and after five years of joining different tours, I now have my favorites (maybe I’ll disclose those another time!)
Our trip commenced in Zurich which was charming with its old town vibe, ancient architectural houses, and snow-capped peaks in the distance. The city stretches out between two forested chains of hills, about 40 miles (60 km) from the northern foothills of the Alps. The city is just beautiful, old and wise, gentle and peaceful, and very rich in culture and history. Perhaps this combination is what gives it its immortal beauty. Somehow, there’s a natural blend of the vibrant and lively features of a modern city with the ancient and peaceful nature of an old town. My favourite spot was easily the gardens surrounding Lake Zurich.
After a fabulous get-together dinner, a four-course meal let me add, courtesy of our amazing host/photo guide Raffaele Cabras, we started our tour of Autumn in the Alps.
The tour took us across different regions packing in incredible sights from sparkling glaciers to medieval red-tiled villages, high mountains, and infinite stretches of green lowlands. The number of natural wonders is unrivaled. Driving and hiking are the best ways to thoroughly enjoy the stops as there is a multitude of hidden gems along the way, many of which can only be accessible by foot.
Leaving Zurich, we headed southward to our first stop the Glaurus region. A deeply carved valley branching southwards. Mountains rear up steeply from the valley floor to an altitude of 1750 metres. Here you can find the gorgeous Flims Laax one of the most scenic and biggest lakes, encompassed with yellow larches as autumn quietly descends on the Alps. From there, our drive continued to Graubünden. Alpine valleys descend from high mountains, rivers, and waterfalls in every conceivable direction. There literally aren’t enough adjectives for me to describe the beauty of the landscape.
Graubünden is home to some of the world's most beautiful railway lines, which is very iconic in the region. The Bernina route leads high up to glaciers and over old viaducts back down to the palm paradise of Italy. The train ride is an hour we choose to do 15 minutes thinking it would be enough. but we were wrong. Trust me on this, do the whole hour you will not regret it.
On to Engadine, one of the highest inhabited valleys in Europe. It is situated in a wildly romantic and sunny environment. The charm of traditional houses and the elegance of large hotels immediately take you back to a time when classical romance reigned the world. This is the home of St. Moritz, a high Alpine resort town. Set at an elevation of about 1,800 metres between the southern slopes of the Albula Alps and Lake St. Moritz. This Alpine town has been and continues to be, a magnet for the international elite and it doesn’t come as a surprise. Here, you get the best of both worlds. The beauty of the Swiss landscape intertwined with its Italian counterpart. Add to that top-class gourmet restaurants that set standards in every category. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s the famous Engadine nut tart.
Ticino, our last stop on this tour, lies almost entirely south of the Alps. The River Ticino flows through it from the Novena Pass to Lake Maggiore in Italy. It lies essentially within the Alps. The longest and deepest valleys are those of the Ticino, Verzasca, and Maggia. Stunning rock formations and colours.. Am I just ranting endlessly about the beauty?! For the Maroon Glace enthusiasts, Lucarno is the place to be. The streets are dotted with small cafes serving maroon glace cakes and espressos. The aroma walking through these areas. Let’s not even go there!
The good thing about this trip is that we managed to observe the landscape from different perspectives. We drove across different regions, and the landscape varied accordingly between cliff-hanging roads in majestic mountains and beautifully lush greenish-yellow valleys. Trips in cable cars gave us a birds-eye view of the landscape, which honestly was spectacular from every angle. Every scene makes you feel that it is the best only to be bested by the next. We were rewarded with views out of fairy-tale books, picture-perfect from every angle at every single stop!!
Of course, all good things come to an end, and our group trip ended back once again in Zurich. I continued solo on to Zermatt, an idyllic mountain village tucked away in the Alpine Mountains. Its skyline is dominated by what I like to call her “Her Majesty” Matterhorn, a unique alpine landscape.
Most visitors get to Zermatt by train or car and as it is a car-free zone they can easily get around by walking or via EBUS Or ETAXI. Zermatt is very popular with hikers and nature enthusiasts. The hiking trails are endless. Someone told me one lifetime is not enough to do all the trails in Switzerland and it couldn’t be more true.
Prior to my trip, I booked my Matterhorn glacier experience online, something I recommend doing. To be honest, I was a bit intimidated at first as this was the first time for me there, but it was unnecessary because like everything else in Switzerland everything is very organised, and instructions are easy to follow. The cable car took me to the smaller Matterhorn and my glacier experience started there. I was limited on time and wished the minute I got there that I had booked three nights instead of one. The whole experience trip lasted around three hours but could have been easily extended as the views were gorgeous. I headed back to walk around town which was beautiful from every corner. My day ended in the hotel spa getting a fantastic massage after my mini-hike. Well deserved, I say!
Day two was packed full. I woke up early and walked down to Kirchbrucke for a sunrise shoot of Matterhorn. I wasn’t surprised when I saw others already there awaiting the spectacle. After a quick breakfast, I made my way back up (in a cable car of course) to see Riffelsee and the next stop to Gornegrat. If I had more time, I would have hiked down at my own pace because the scenery is worth it. It was here that I ended my trip and took the train back to Zurich.
Some people think that your personality is defined by your geographical preference, and I found myself in those mountains. Their scale is a constant reminder of how insignificant we all are. I found peace and serenity there.
Switzerland is a wonderful, fairy tale nation that will leave you speechless, mind blown, and lacking descriptive adjectives! It is a glorious place to visit and believe me when I say you won’t ever tire of the views.
Tips: -
1. Invest in hiking boots (Vibram soles are a must) and break them before doing the trip.
2. A very sturdy tripod the terrain is rocky and slippery (near lakes and rivers). A second tripod if you’re planning a time-lapse.
3-DSLR camera: I usually travel with two bodies and interchange the lenses as required
Cameras Fujifilm xh1-fujifilm xt4
-laowo 9mm/ f2.8 (very crucial to have an extra wide-angle lens for landscapes and Astro photography should the weather permit )
-xf1655mm f2.8
-Mid-range zoom 55-200mm for compressed shots of the mountains.
4-Neutral density filters for lake scapes. Lucroit 6nd and 10nd. /nisi 6 stops /10stops
5-Windbreaker, sweaters warm hat, (always keep extras I tend to lose mine) hiking pants, quick-dry thermals, and gloves. Sunrise shots are always cold.
6- Photo tip: Always keep an open mind. Sometimes the photos you plan do not necessarily materialize. Be spontaneous. Try a new composition, they usually end up being great too. In the end, don’t become so engrossed in getting the perfect photo, if it doesn’t work it’s ok. Just remember, the main point is to enjoy yourself.
Tour Guides:
www.Swissschoolofphotography.ch
@mixyourshot
@swissschoolofphotography
