A Solo Guy’s Journey Through the Swiss Alps

A Solo Guy’s Journey Through the Swiss Alps

After some time in Thailand, I felt like switching gears. Trading in tropical heat for fresh alpine air. So I flew back to Europe. First stop: Switzerland. I landed in Zurich pretty late, so I booked a spot nearby just to crash before heading into the mountains. I always rent with Sixt. Easy, no fuss.

Zurich: One-Night Recharge

I stayed at Hotel City Zürich Design & Lifestyle. Nothing fancy, but it did the job. I had their economy double room. Compact but worked fine for one night. The best part was the location. Just a few minutes on foot from the main train station, with a Migros supermarket right across the street. The old town and shopping streets were close by too. Breakfast the next morning was solid. Proper fresh orange juice, which I always appreciate. The elevator was tiny. Not ideal if you’re carrying a bunch of bags.

Before heading up into the Alps, I had a few hours to kill so I wandered around Zurich’s old town, or Altstadt. It’s a cool area with a mix of old churches, cute alleys, and busy little streets. I checked out Grossmünster and Fraumünster, saw the stained glass windows everyone talks about. If you’re up for it, walk up to Lindenhof Hill for a nice city view. I didn’t do a tour, but there are walking tours if you want more context. Or just hop on a river cruise and float through town. Then it was time to drive out.

Adelboden: The Alps Are Something Else

From Zurich, it was about a two-hour drive to Adelboden. The road trip alone was worth it. Green hills, winding roads, clean mountain air.

I stayed at The Cambrian. Honestly, this place blew me away. The story behind it is cool too. The owners, two Welsh brothers, used to visit Adelboden in the 80s and stayed in a bunker under a guesthouse because that’s all they could afford. Years later, they ended up buying the fancy hotel they could never stay in back then and turned it into what The Cambrian is today. And yes, there’s still a bunker in the building.

The views from the hotel are wild. Mountains in every direction, with waterfalls in the distance. My room was warm and comfortable, and I noticed small design details that tied in Welsh and Swiss touches, like the green blankets made in collaboration with a Welsh fabric company. The spa was unreal. There’s an indoor and outdoor pool and both face the mountains. I ended up just floating there for way too long, zoning out and staring at the peaks. I also rented a bike from the hotel. They’ve got a proper setup with mountain bikes and e-bikes. I took an e-bike and cruised around the trails without overexerting myself. You don’t need to be super fit to enjoy it, which was nice.

Basel: Wrapping Things Up Before Flying Out

Before flying out to Croatia, I spent a night in Basel and stayed at Hotel Märthof. It’s right in the old town, at Marktplatz. Couldn’t be more central. I stayed in a Superior Room. Super clean, modern, and the rooftop view was next level. The hotel gives you a BaselCard, which gets you free public transport and discounts around the city. Small things, but they add up. Staff were great, food was solid, and the vibe was relaxed but professional. Only small downside: the gym’s a bit small, but I wasn’t planning to work out anyway.

Basel’s old town is a mix of old and new. It’s not this frozen-in-time fairytale vibe, but more of a blend between old and new. You’ve got modern buildings next to old ones, all along cobbled lanes. It’s still really charming. Clean, organized, and surprisingly lively.

Final Thoughts

This trip was short but packed with variety. City, mountains, and then one last stylish stop before leaving. Everything just worked. Switzerland is kind of magical like that. Clean, peaceful, no drama. If you’re thinking about doing a solo trip somewhere scenic, safe, and just a bit luxurious, this one’s easy to recommend. Especially if you like a bit of nature mixed in with some nice design and a good breakfast juice.