Holding hands, we wandered throughout Switzerland and Italy.

Having studied abroad in England, Phuong Truc has had the opportunity to travel to Europe three times and visit 10 European countries. Currently, although she works as an accountant – a somewhat dry job – deep down she is still a girl who loves to explore, travel, and appreciate beauty.

"I love everything beautiful, from people to life and scenery. I always long to see and touch the perfect beauty that nature bestows, to immerse myself in enjoying the beautiful life and to preserve those moments with colorful photographs," the young woman in her 20s confided.

Unlike her previous trips, Phuong Truc's European adventure became even more special as she traveled with her husband. "This was my first trip to Europe with my husband, so it was incredibly special. Not only that, it was also a trip where I got to visit some of the most beautiful places I've ever been to in my life." Furthermore, the couple decided to keep the trip to just one day, but prepared everything over a full month.

This 17-day European adventure includes two days of travel time – the first two days in Switzerland – and 13 days entirely dedicated to Italy. Having visited Switzerland in the winter of 2018, this time Phuong Truc only spent a short time experiencing the Rothorn Bahn steam train, the village of Lauternbrunnen, Lake Lungern, and Iseltwald. After two days in Switzerland, she officially began her nearly 2600 km road trip around Italy.

Impressive destinations in Switzerland and Italy

Brienz (Rothorn Bahn steamship)

“The Rothorn Bahn steam train ride was my most memorable experience in Switzerland. The scenery was breathtaking; you'd be amazed by the landscapes unfolding before your eyes, the mountains suspended above the turquoise Lake Brienz, and the fluffy clouds drifting by. All of this, combined with the rhythmic clatter of the train, will be an experience I'll never forget,” said the young woman in her 20s.

The stunning route winding through the Emmental Alps in central Switzerland features an impressive steam train that ascends to the Brienzer Rothorn. The highest station on the railway line is located at the summit, reaching an altitude of 2,244 meters. The train also passes through tunnels and numerous spectacular loops.

Lake Lungern

One of the final scenes of the drama "Crash Landing on You" was filmed in Switzerland. Although many viewers considered this segment "too beautiful to be real," it was actually Lake Lungern.

According to Phuong Truc, the lake has many beautiful photo spots, most notably the one featured in the drama "Crash Landing on You," but this spot wasn't particularly appealing to her. She discovered Bergstrasse, a road offering panoramic views of the lake that's surprisingly uncrowded, with hardly anyone visiting.

Alpe di Siusi mountain

In summer, the entire mountain range is covered in lush green vegetation, interspersed with flowers and foliage, making it ideal for trekking or hiking. As the largest mountain meadow in Europe, it remains relatively unvisited, resulting in an incredibly picturesque and peaceful landscape. The wooden houses, mountains, and vegetation seem to have been arranged with remarkable skill, leaving one wondering why nature is so beautiful.

Phuong Truc recounted: “I brought some sandwiches, cakes, and tea to enjoy while admiring the glorious sunrise, the reddish-pink light shining down on the mountains, and the mist swirling over the grassy fields. There are truly few places that make me feel as elated as this one. Perhaps this is the most beautiful place for me right now, and I hope that in the future I will have the opportunity to visit even more beautiful places like this.”

Val Di Funes Valley

Val Di Funes is located approximately 90 km northeast of Trento and about 45 minutes northeast of Bolzano. This beautiful valley in the South Tyrol province offers stunning views of the Dolomites. The sheer cliffs, steep rock faces, and narrow, deep, and long valleys create a truly spectacular landscape.

“The valley has two churches that are often used as postcards when you learn about the Dolomites. These two churches are Chiesetta Di San Giovanni and Chiesa Di Santa Maddalena. Chiesetta Di San Giovanni is currently completely fenced off, so it's impossible to take photos. As for Chiesa Di Santa Maddalena, if you search for 'Santa Magdalena Viewpoint' and 'Panaroma Von Sankt Magdalena', you'll find a viewpoint overlooking the church behind the mountains and surrounded by meadows,” Phuong Truc explained.

Lake Como

“The Lake Como area has two famous villas: Villa Monastero and Villa Balbianello. When I went to Villa Monastero, I wanted to time my visit close to closing time to avoid the crowds, but unfortunately, the next ferry was more than an hour away, so I missed it,” Phuong Truc shared.

Lake Como is considered one of the precious gems located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Situated in the northern Alps and about 50 km northeast of Milan, Lake Como boasts an attractive destination within the stunning natural landscape of the Lombardy lake region.

All you need to know about traveling in Switzerland and Italy.

According to Phuong Truc, driving for a long and continuous journey over several days is a significant challenge. She and her husband traveled in a rented self-drive car, so finding parking was difficult due to the limited number of available spaces. Therefore, thorough preparation is essential for a highly efficient itinerary.

Regarding cuisine, the 90s-born girl suggests that chocolate and cheese are an essential part of any trip to Switzerland; everyone should definitely try them and buy them as gifts for friends and family. Besides the famous pizza and pasta in Italy, if you have the chance to visit Florence, you must try the steak – a large, thick T-bone steak, flame-grilled with a moist, tender, pinkish-red interior. Tiramisu and gelato are also two signature Italian desserts that you shouldn't miss.

For Phuong Truc, spring is always the most beautiful time to travel everywhere, not just in Europe. Spring is considered the season of life, with colorful plants and flowers, fresh air, not too cold like winter and not too hot like summer. Besides, the number of tourists is not as crowded as in summer, so prices are also reasonable. The next best option is autumn, followed by summer. For those who love snow and skiing, winter is, of course, the ideal time.

Sharing some tips for traveling in Europe, Phuong Truc advised: “You should research, consult, and invest your time and effort before your trip, especially for trips that require a significant budget. Don't just rush off because you happened to see and liked a place through a few photos on social media. You might be disappointed because things don't match the pictures, or you might miss out on many other interesting places because you haven't heard about them or researched them before. Use Google and research in English. After you have a list of places you want to visit, start researching more about accommodation, transportation, local regulations, prices, and your budget. All of this can be done online.”

Let's take a look at some impressive photos from Ho Chau Phuong Truc's 17-day trip to Europe:

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Phuong Mai