Amidst the Mountain Towers

Around me people were muttering in annoyance and I began to feel uneasy. A hand reached around me, pulling down the handle attached to the doors, and half a dozen people dashed out before they had even fully opened, lugging their ski gear behind them. I stepped off the train, bewildered by the absence of automated sliding doors. People shot cold looks at me for blocking their way, but the picturesque scene before me stole my attention.

As I stood amid the grandeur of mountain scenery in the Swiss village of Wengen, I noticed the Hotel Regina, which we would be staying at, nested on a nearby hill. The Victorian-style building breathed charm and a homey feel I had started to crave after a week of pretty boutique hotels. Our room boasted the idyllic winter views of Wengen, the windows framing the beautiful mountain area of Jungfrau, dusted with the powdery, white snow that rained endlessly from the skies.

The hotel, being a popular destination for returning customers, particularly those on ski vacation, seemed to be more of a local hit than a tourist spot. Despite not being able to understand a word of German passing through the corridors, the friendliness and warmth of the staff and international as well as local guests made me feel more welcomed than I had felt in the entirety of my trip.

While Switzerland is often synonymous, perhaps stereotypically, with pocketknives, chocolate and skiing, I believe Switzerland’s true treasure lies in its paradisal landscape and its culture, and the Hotel Regina not only provided me with the invaluable opportunity to witness the spectacular setting of Switzerland’s iconic mountain towers, but also a real opportunity to engage with locals and understand their lifestyle.

As Wengen is a very small, traditional village, the majority of shops and restaurants there are true to the Swiss culture. So, instead of spending hours looking for something open other than Starbucks on a Sunday and eventually finding yourself in a train station convenience store buying a Cadbury block of chocolate like you always do, here, you are essentially limited to the authentic flavour of Switzerland. Away from the all the extravagance of the 21st century, the scenic views from the Hotel Regina compel you to stop watching the likes on your Instagram post of your selfie with an unrelated caption, put your phone down, and submit to the childlike play that the snow and holiday spirit beckons.