We set off at 9 am and immediately find ourselves on the Grand Tour of Switzerland route. It first takes us through familiar territory, through Lindental, past Thorberg and on to Burgdorf. This is where we find our first photo spot. A large round sign with a view of the landmark invites us to take a photo. And it brings back memories: Gabi’s mother Renate attended dog training classes with her dog Paddy on the large meadow overlooking the castle. That was quite a while ago.

Now we’re off to the picturesque hills of the Emmental. We drive along a winding road to Affoltern and visit the show dairy. Once again, we marvel at the fun and entertaining show that we attended with Clare and Dan in December. We learn more about cheese production and the history of Emmental cheese. It’s a shame that the cheese dairy has been out of use for a few months: visitors used to be able to watch the actual cheese production from above. Today, all that remains of the show dairy is the ‘show’. But now the production room is also part of the tour and is a really nice addition.

After exploring the rest of the grounds, including the Stöckli and a beautiful garden, we buy breakfast at the bakery. Then we continue towards Entlebuch, passing Langnau and Trubschachen with the Kambly factory. We slowly leave the familiar area and cross the border into the canton of Lucerne. In Ettiswil, we stop at Wyher moated castle, which we only admire from the outside. Today, it is used as an event and cultural centre and offers themed catering, for example for wedding celebrations. Otherwise, it is not open to the public.

We continue past Sursee and Beromünster, entering the canton of Aargau and driving in a wide arc around Lake Hallwyl. We have been looking forward to visiting Hallwyl Castle for a long time. It must be almost 40 years since my mother took me and my sister Claudia here. After lunch, we start the tour. And we are amazed: the castle, with its front and rear sections, is much larger than it appears from the outside! From the old residential tower with its thick walls, of which only the lower part with the fortifications remains today, we enter the building and its many small and large rooms.

The front castle immediately gives a more modern impression. It is clear to see that the focus here is no longer on defence against danger, but on living. Many wonderful celebrations were surely held in the great hall.

Just as we are about to leave, Claudia calls: she lives nearby and has left work a little early to meet us briefly. Her daughter Fabienne, who has just set off a few houses up the road, also stops by.

After this spontaneous family reunion, we continue towards Lucerne. The route takes us past the railway station, the Chapel Bridge and the Hotel Schweizerhof, but we skip the photo stop at Château Gütsch.

Then we arrive in Küssnacht, where we spend our first night. We are really pleasantly surprised by the hotel, even though we initially turned up our noses at its location right next to a petrol station with a shop. Our room on the top floor has a small entrance area with cupboards, a kitchenette and even its own roof terrace. Here we eat the sushi we bought at Migros and enjoy the view.