Today after three days stay in the most beautiful city of the world, Paris, we set out for the next leg of the tour, journey by road in a coach from Paris to Switzerland. It is a distance of six hundred plus km. from Paris to Zurich, the financial capital of Switzerland.
The coach ride from Paris to Zurich, Switzerland’s financial capital, covered a distance of over 600 kilometres. It was one of the most fascinating seven-hour journeys we’ve experienced, with well-timed breaks and a feast of natural beauty along the way. On both sides of the road, we were treated to stunning views—lush green meadows, dense tree lines.
“Charming Gothic-style houses that looked as though they’d been lifted from the pages of a storybook.”
"Plan breaks every 2–3 hours if you’re driving this route — the countryside cafés are worth it!"
🛣️ Smooth Roads & Swiss Precision: Our Journey from Paris to Zurich
The roads in Europe were incredibly smooth and well-maintained — truly a pleasure to travel by. Driving is on the right-hand side, and the speed limit is typically 100 km/h. Most highways were wide, four-lane roads on both sides, and what impressed us most was the discipline: no one overspeed’s.
Restrooms and shopping centres were available at regular intervals, making the journey comfortable and convenient.
There’s an open border between France and Switzerland, and the first Swiss town we entered was Basel — famously known as the hometown of tennis legend Roger Federer.
After driving another 70 or so kilometers, we arrived in Zurich, the vibrant financial hub of Switzerland. Our stay for the next three days was at Hotel Novotel, right in the heart of the city.
Zurich’s internal roads were just as impressive — clean, efficient, and easy to navigate. And then there’s the train system — arguably the most famous in the world. The local trains are surprisingly compact, almost like oversized Volvo buses, and they run through the inner parts of the city. Despite their size, they are equipped with all modern amenities, the seats are quite comfortable, and — best of all — there’s absolutely no crowding.
🌄 Interlaken: Where Romance Meets the Alps
“This is where Bollywood turned landscapes into love stories.”
A visit to Interlaken, the heart-stealing Swiss town nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, was like stepping into a dream. Surrounded by the majestic Alps, the town offered a cinematic view at every turn — snow-capped peaks, emerald valleys, serene rivers, and the soft rustle of breeze through pine forests.
It’s no surprise that Bollywood fell in love with Interlaken long ago.
“The Scenes that Made the World Fall in Love with Switzerland.”
From the lush green meadows to the winding mountain roads, Interlaken has played a starring role in countless Bollywood films — most famously Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). Standing in the same spots where Raj and Simran’s love story unfolded, we couldn’t help but feel swept away by the romance of it all.
A visit to the statue of Yash Chopra, erected in his honour here, was a moving experience. He was the first to envision Switzerland not just as a destination — but as a dreamscape for romance. Thanks to him, the idea of romanticizing natural beauty became a timeless cinematic language.
Being there made us reflect: perhaps love, like nature, is most magical when it’s left untouched and pure.
“Because of him, Switzerland became a love story for generations.”
Interlaken gave us not only a glimpse into cinematic history but also a quiet moment to reflect on love, beauty, and the timeless joy of exploring the world together.
With warmth from Interlaken,
–Manoj K Bansal
A senior citizen chasing dreams, one destination at a time.
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