We might have got married a year ago, but we took a year to re-build our budget and plan out our honeymoon, going back and forth over potential destinations, from Vietnam to Iceland, before eventually settling on Switzerland, somewhere Raquel had always wanted to visit.
There were some things we packed and planned, while others we wish we had packed, therefore I wanted to write an advice piece based on what you should pack if you’re visiting anytime soon.
What To Wear
This depends on the time you’re visiting, but it was a serious heat wave while we were there, floating between 28-35c the entire 10 days! The BBC had been stating it would be only 25c and much colder up the mountains, so we didn’t pack enough shorts and summer wear, therefore if you’re also visiting in the summer, make sure to pack some clothing for the warm weather.
Jackets
When you’re heading up on the gondolas and cable cars, you go from the extreme heat at the base, to suddenly a bit chilly, especially if you give skiing a go or fancy reaching the peak.
You therefore want something lightweight that can be tucked away in your bag, but which has insulation and can keep you warm. For that level of technology, you just can’t get something basic, I found that the Loke jacket by Helly Hansen for men and women was perfect. I really couldn’t believe how warm the jacket felt once on, while the hood was ideal for those sporadic rainfalls.
Despite the warmth, there is under-arm ventilation, so it feels breathable. While this was the ideal option to wear over your top if caught out by the rain or a chilly breeze, we also loved the Odin Breeze Hooded Fleece either on its own without anything underneath or over a top.
The women’s Odin Breeze fleece was in ignite orange, while we got the men’s in black, again incredibly lightweight so it easily fit into our bag if needed, but I preferred to wear it instead of a t-shirt for those days when we were heading up to the peak or by the river in the evening when there was a bit of a chill.
Hiking Boots
I swear by a good pair of hiking boots, there is nothing worse on a hike than slipping all over the place when you’re wearing trainers with a smooth base.
I only ever use Helly Hansen for my hiking boots, while now Raquel has joined me on that, with the Ascender Mid hiking boots. These are waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about walking through puddles or getting wet socks. The boots have Max-Grip technology, helping to keep you stable on loose rocks and cliffs, while the inside is cushioned so your feet don’t ache after hiking for hours.
Raquel loved the hint of purple on the shoelaces and sides, adding a dash of colour. The ankle support also got a big thumbs up, while them being made from recycled materials is a positive for the environment.
Plug Adapter
I was guilty of leaving this till quite late, but Switzerland doesn’t use the continental plug adator like most of Europe, they have different plug sockets, being Type J.
This gives you two options, you can buy a Type J adapter, but unless you plan on visiting multiple times, this isn’t ideal, therefore you can get a multi country adapter which allows yoiu to use this in multiple countries. In fact, this technology was invented in Switzerland!
I’d also recommend bringing an extension cable, this allows you to plug in multiple devices into one plug socket, ideal if you’re charging cameras, phones and numerous devices from a full day out. We found many hotels might only have a couple plug sockets, therefore keeping an extension cable was a genius idea by Raquel.
Reusable Water Bottle
I’m trying to dodge plastic as much as possible, therefore I didn’t fancy walking around with a 2 litre bottle of water everywhere, but this is thirsty work, therefore a reusable water bottle made from stainless steel is ideal. You can also opt for one made from glass, BPA free plastic or aluminium, but I’m not a fan of any of those options, so I always go for stainless steel.
There are a huge amount of fountains everywhere in Switzerland and the tap water is drinkable and very clean, therefore you can top up as you go. Some restaurants actually charge for tap water, so something you have to be careful of.
Sun Tan Lotion
I packed about 3 bottles, but over 10 days, I used up two of them and had started on the third bottle, that’s more than any beach holiday I’ve been on. If you’re hiking up hills, you’re closer to the sun and can get burnt even when you’re not noticing it, as UV exposure increases with altitude.
The price of a bottle of sun tan lotion in Switzerland is extortionate, so you don’t want to be caught short, pack plenty so you don’t run out at any time and expect to put it on every single day during the summer.
Raquel prefers the spray bottles, while I like the creams, maybe because I’m old school and paranoid about the sprays, whatever you prefer, just make sure pack them in your suitcase and go for a good factor 50. Yes, I realise I sound like your mum right now, but I don’t care, you have to protect your skin.
Portable Charger
After a day reading Google Maps, taking photos and checking translations, my phone battery would be close to empty by about 5pm, therefore a power bank was a necessity.
This is even more important if you use your phone for tickets to attractions or for travel and payments, as a dead battery will leave you in hot water.
Before you buy one, don’t just opt for a cheap one, you need to look at the mAh levels, as that’s how much it can charge before dying, so you want at the very least 5,000, but preferably 10,000 minimum. I have some old ones that only contain 1,000mAh, meaning it doesn’t give much.
Just remember to pack this in your hand luggage rather than your suitcase when going through the airport as you’re not allowed them in your suitcase in case they catch fire.
