JT Sarmento
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Lugano is the largest municipality in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. Near Lake Como in Italy, it shares many characteristics with the luxurious Italian city. Surrounded by the large Lake Lugano, the locals mostly spend their leisure time boating. We saw many wakeboarders and wakesurfers, which reminded me of lakes in the US. It was summertime, the weather was hot and dry, and the locals were enjoying the freshwater lake. Lugano is heavily influenced by Italian culture, being so close to the border, and thus had some great food. We enjoyed the lakeside vibes, partook in boating, and lounged by the lake. It was a relaxing couple of days in that area.
From Lugano, we ventured to the ski resort village of Zermatt, famously known for being at the base of the Matterhorn. Traveling to the village was like embarking on a fairytale journey, passing through a valley full of waterfalls, mountainous peaks, and blue lakes. Despite being ludicrously expensive—I’m talking $40 cheeseburgers—the village and views made it worth the price. Seeing the Matterhorn in person was impressive, to say the least. Standing above 14,000 feet in elevation, it truly stands out like a sore thumb. Upon seeing it, I was immediately in awe of its natural beauty, declaring it the most beautiful independent mountain I’ve ever seen. Around Zermatt, there are numerous hiking areas that offer spectacular views of the famed mountain landscape. In Zermatt, boutique ski shops, expensive jewelry stores, and Michelin-rated restaurants cater to affluent tourists. After spending only two days, which put a serious dent in our wallets, we were ready to head back towards France and then into Germany.