Email At-A-Glance

Here's what's inside:

• 🤓 YOU taught us what we need to know
• ❓ 5 non-obvious questions + answers
• 🤑 Is its expensive to live in Switzerland?
• 💭 What's your reason for visiting Zermatt?
• 🛍️ What we're buying and reading

Hi, Reader!

When we first launched Aplins in the Alps, we met hundreds of you through our digital Consultation Calls.

Spending hours screen-to-screen with you revealed your exact trip-planning questions.

(☝️ That's partially how we decide our video topics!)

Since then, we've swapped one-on-one calls with our Swiss Travel Guides so we can help even more of you plan your vacation.

But a few weeks ago we hopped on a call with our in-real-life friends who are coming to visit us this summer. And they had some really solid questions — even after watching our videos and reading our guides.

Here are the 5 non-obvious questions they asked...and exactly what we told them.

(In no particular order.)

1 | Can we find water on the hiking trails?

Unless you're going on really remote trails (which most of you aren't), then you can find water fountains at the start and end of your trail. And if you're crossing mountain restaurants along the hike, you're likely to find water fountains there as well.

Just remember to double check that it's potable! (Usually it's clearly-marked.) We don't want you drinking water from a cow pasture. 🐄💩

2 | What should we tell our kids to expect about the Swiss culture?

This was such a great and unexpected question!

In general, the Swiss are very clean and kind and patient. They are ultra respectful of people, animals, and nature. They are proud of their beautiful country. They value formal greetings, such as saying "Hello" while making eye contact before you ask a question.

And in the touristy areas, they will speak some English as well.

3 | Is it worth eating in restaurants for every meal, buying takeout food, or making our own picnics?

This is a very personal preference. Restaurants aren't cheap (assume a minimum of 20 CHF per person per meal, and probably 40 CHF if that meal includes meat!).

You can easily buy to-go food from Migros and Coop (think sandwiches, salad, pasta salad, lentil salad, potato salad, etc.).

The cheapest option — especially for families — is to buy what you'll need to make your own food (such as bread, lunch meat, cheese, lettuce, chips, crackers, etc.)

4 | Should we buy our train passes before our trip, or wait until we arrive?

Either! The price will not change so you can buy whenever is convenient for you.

When you buy ahead of time, you're given a digital pass (aka you can't lose it!), and you won't have to wait in line to buy your pass at a train station office. But you can walk straight from your airplane to the airport train station office and buy a paper copy on the spot as well.

5 | Can we buy our normal stuff there like shampoo, or should we bring it with us?

If you're brand loyal or can't imagine living without your favorite products, then you should bring those along. But there's no need to pack the basics, like shampoo, contact solution, sunscreen, etc. You can buy them in the grocery stores.

Definitely bring your needed medicines/vitamins. If you feel under the weather while you're here (and it's not an emergency), head to a pharmacy first for Tylenol or cough syrup, etc.

Will it be more expensive than what you pay at home? Probably. But consider it a vacation expense. And less toiletries in your bag = more room for other essentials (like Swiss chocolate)!