Fairy-Tale Landscapes, Pristine Water, and Sky-High Costs Switzerland dazzles with pristine water and unbelievable, fairy-tale landscapes while topping both quality-of-life and cost-of-living lists, grounded in a stance of strict neutrality. Launching a road trip to Interlaken, every village feels enchanted, with a quick Swiss-chocolate stop setting the tone. In Brienz, the lake’s striking turquoise proves natural—glacial melt and minerals tint the water—and public fountains across the country provide safe, delicious drinking water. Even basics reflect the price tag: the cheapest rental car runs about $180 per day.
Top of Europe: Thin Air, Glacier Tunnels, and Endless Alps A $300-a-night stay in Interlaken buys a compact room and a front-row seat to the region’s beauty. A 45-minute tram climbs to the Top of Europe at roughly 11,000 feet, where lightheaded moments give way to sweeping views over the Alps. Inside the ice palace, freezing corridors carved into the glacier make every step a shiver, especially in light layers.
High Wages, High Prices, Exceptional Quality Dinner illustrates the math: a $65 cheese fondue and a few $5 glasses of wine total about $120 for two. Costs mirror incomes, with an average salary near $125,000 and a minimum wage around $25 per hour. In return, the country delivers top-tier food, watches, trains, and infrastructure, the product of meticulous Swiss engineering.
Alpine Thrills: Trotti Bikes, Canyons, and Paragliding In Grindelwald, the descent starts by flying and continues on trotti-bikes that rocket through cloud-soaked, slick roads, demanding strong brakes and steady nerves. Back in town, a beer mixed with Sprite surprises, and even a vending machine serves an $8 cappuccino that hits the spot. Nearby Lauterbrunnen reveals a cheaper hotel find with a balcony facing a waterfall, rare value amid the spectacle. Canyoning adds a 150-foot rappel into icy water, and the finale sprints off a hillside into a paraglide to the valley. The week closes on vistas that feel lifted from a Disney movie, underscoring Switzerland’s near-perfection.