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Switzerland at its best - exploring Lake Brienz and the Giessbach waterfall




Last weekend, I did a wonderful trip with some good friends of mine. Once again, we explored the region of the Bernese Highlands, one of my favourite regions in Switzerland. We were lucky and had perfect weather. 

We started in Bönigen and walked along Lake Brienz for quite a while...




... crossed colorful grasslands...

 
... old, traditional chalets...

  


... arrived in Iseltwald...
 
 
... found a house that we wouldn't mind living in... 

 


... and then finally reached the well-known Giessbach waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls I have seen so far. 

 
 
 
Right next to the waterfall there is the Grandhotel Giessbach, a very luxurious hotel opened in 1879. Inside, I felt like I had travelled back in time. And outside, I was fascinated by the view. 



   
 

 
We then started our descent...

 ...met some four-legged Swiss inhabitants... 


... and because it was such beautiful weather, we dipped our feet in Lthe lake as soon as we arrived in Brienz. 


We had some time befour our boat arrived, so we invested the remaining time very wisely: In ice cream! 


From Brienz, we took a boat back to Bönigen. 10 years ago, I would have refused to do a boat trip as it had been the most boring thing for me to do. But I admit that obviously now I have reached a certain age where boat trips are quite nice. Not sure if I like this or not... :-) 




 
   

After a hiking-time of approx. 4 hours, we arrived back in Bönigen and took the car back home. What a wonderful day at lake Brienz! And another thing to put on my "To do with tourists in Switzerland"-list. Poor ones, the schedule is getting busier and busier! 
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