On the 22nd December, we packed our bags and left Zell am Ziller en route to Interlaken. We were meeting Elissa’s parents there for a White Christmas and would spend the next 3 weeks travelling through Switzerland, France, Belgium and finish in The Netherlands.

The town of Interlaken is separated by these small rivers

The first 5 days of this trip was spent at a gorgeous hotel called Hotel Baren located just outside Interlaken in Wilderswil. This hotel is superbly run by Fritz and his wife Gaby. In fact the hotel has been managed by Fritz’s family for close to 300 years and Christmas 2010 was to be there last. It was time for them both to retire.

The hotel is extremely friendly and as Christmas approached there were plenty of lovely events held at the hotel.

Outside the hotel on Christmas Day - Mum insisted on a photo with us all to show off her Red Christmas Coat

The town of Interlaken is quite pretty, so our first day was spent doing a little window shopping.

During the day on Christmas Eve we jumped on a train and made our way to Grindewald, one of the ski resorts in the area. A white Christmas was guaranteed as snow fell heavily all day. From here you can take a cable car ride to the peak of the Jungfrau Mountains however seeing as we had spent the last few days on Gondola’s, we settled for Apple Strudel in a very cute Tea House.

Like Interlaken and Wilderswil, Grindewald is another cute Swiss town that is so quaint and picturesque

We made our way back to Interlaken in time for Christmas Eve Mass. We didn’t understand a word of it, but it was still a beautiful mass to sit through for Christmas.

As mass finished we made our way back through the town where locals served Gluevein (like Mulled Wine) to all the passersby and Mrs Claus distributed classic swiss chocolates (Lindt) and Mandarins too (we were not quite sure of their significance).

A true White Christmas with Carols in the street, Gluevein to drink and presents from Mrs Claus

A beautiful Christmas Eve party was scheduled back at Hotel Baren that night and Fritz and Gaby really set an incredible scene with beautiful food and presents for all the guests.

Sitting down to Christmas Eve dinner at Hotel Baren

The delicious Swiss Christmas Ham is cooked in this bread - we might try it one year back home

Christmas morning began with a beautiful Horse and Carriage ride through the town of Wilderswil and then more Gluevein and a gourmet Christmas lunch followed.

A stunning start to Christmas Day

Christmas was a real treat and for the first time ever Mum didn’t spend one minute in the kitchen…. By Boxing Day, we were packed up and making our way to Colmar in France.

There are plenty more photos of our time in Interlaken… see our gallery below:

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