Mindful Journeys: Travel to Maui
What is the Spirit of Aloha?
family-vacation-to-maui
Family Vacation in Maui, soaking up the beauty, culture and tranquility this peaceful place has to offer
Mindfully Maui
Step off the plane, feel the warm air, smell the sweet fragrance of this gorgeous place and feel your body relax, almost instantly. You have arrived in Maui and the spirit of Aloha sinks in quickly, if you are open to it. The crew at My Peaceful Wild finds it easy to travel mindfully in this magical place. You could spend a day doing nothing but watching palm trees sway in the breeze, listening to waves breaking, spotting turtles and geckos. Even our squirrelly kids were mesmerized by this place, often doing nothing but gazing out at the sea. Being here truly is a peaceful experience.
We are big fans of getting off the well worn path and away from the ultra touristy scenes and high rise resorts. Depending on where you go there are certainly quieter places and authentic experiences to be had. This trip includes an array of quiet spots and popular activities too, but always looking for moments to be fully immersed and soaking in all that this island has to offer.
Family-vacation-to-maui
Family Vacation to Maui
Upcountry Maui
We began our trip in Upcountry Maui,a peaceful and lush part of the island up in the hills above the beaches near the town Paia. We chose the charming Banyan Tree Bed and Breakfast. We were just outside the village of Makawao which is best described as a little Hawaiian western town, complete with saloon like store fronts. For us The Banyan Tree was a dream. Occasionally, we splurge on higher end lodging but mostly we like to stay in smaller, less extravagant accommodations that get us closer to soaking in the culture of a place and its everyday people. The grounds of the Banyan were gorgeous and perfect for the kids to frolic and explore. There is a giant Banyan tree on the property with an idyllic but simple wooden swing that took the kids soaring up into the branches. Being a lover of plants myself, I spent a lot of time hanging around this enormous tree, gazing up at in wonder, sitting among its massive trunk, observing the universe of creatures that called this tree home.
banyan-tree-bed-and-breakfast-resort
Banyan Tree Bed and Breakfast Resort in Makawao, Maui
Each day our routine was the same: we awoke with a lovely breakfast, wandered the grounds with coffee in hand then packed up a picnic and made the 15 minute drive down to Baldwin/Baby beach. This beach frequented by local families, is not too crowded and allows one to see how the locals do it. Perfect for long walks, we spotted turtles or as the Hawaiian call them Honu, every day, often times sharing the calm waters along with us. There are also big waves here, and it was amazing to watch a fellow grab his SUP, head out to the open sea, plowing right through the crashing waves. If you walk about 15 minutes along the beach to the other end, you come to a calm section called Baby beach, which is sheltered by a reef wall, creating a lagoon perfect for families. Best to visit this beach in the morning before the trade winds pick up. After a swim and a walk we would come back to the Banyan Tree for an afternoon of swimming in the pool. Lunches and dinners were spent in one of the nearby villages of Makawao, Haiku, or Paia, often followed by a round of geocaching, exploring hidden spots and finding spectacular views of the landscape. If you are unfamiliar with Geocaching, it is an app for your phone that helps you find hidden capsules any where in the world and it is something we do as a family every time we travel. Check out this post on tips for making travel with kids fun. In addition to the quieter upcountry towns, Paia is great fun to explore, albeit more action packed and touristy. Along with restaurants and shops you will find a very special local health food store, Mana Foods , for your picnicking and dining in needs, not to mention some amazing fresh fruit.
Kula, Maui
Protea-flower-at-the-Alii-Lavander-Farm
Protea Flower at the Ali'i Kula Lavander Farm
We also explored the area of Kula, up on the slopes of the Haleakala dormant volcano. One our favorite experiences was a visit to the Ali'i Lavender Farm. This gorgeous sanctuary practices sustainable farming methods, has a very special garden to explore, including a scavenger hunt for kids, and has stunning views of the entire island. We treasured our lavender honey purchased in the gift shop. Hands down, the tastiest honey I have ever experienced. Thank you honey bees of Upcountry Maui!!
Around Lahaina
Lahaina has a lot going on, plenty of beach side shops and restaurants and an enormous Banyan tree at its center in the middle of a plaza. The kids really enjoyed hanging around this area and hiding among the tangle of roots and branches of the tree, which formed little nooks to play among. There is a little harbor here and one day we decided to go for the submarine tour on the Atlantis Submarine! We boarded a small boat which took us out to the submarine just outside the Harbor. The Atlantis took us 100 feet down to see all kinds of marine life, plus a visit to a sunken ship. Twas a major highlight for the kiddos.
Napili Honokowai
the-kuleana-resort
The beautiful grounds of the Kuleana Resort on Maui
Our next stop was the condo we rented at The Kuleana Condominiums in the Napili Honokowai area. We had our own balcony with views of the ocean and plenty of room in this spacious two bedroom rental. The grounds were covered in beautiful gardens, complete with self-service sea front BBQ stations for grilling up tasty dinners while you watch the turtles swim by. Kind of amazing. There was a really nice community vibe and we quickly befriended other condo dwellers poolside. Down a gorgeous little rocky path was a rocky outcrop that had a small ladder to climb down into the sea below. A group of resident turtles were present in this mini bay formed by the rocks. We came out to visit them every single day. They were always hanging around this spot. I remember coming out to them on our last morning to say goodbye and feeling so sad to leave this magical little place. To spend time in the presence of these giant gentle beings was an incredible experience. I was also able to jump into the water here but it was a little sketchy with the rocks and waves sloshing about. Only for skilled swimmers.
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Beautiful Plants of Maui at the Kuleana Resort
The Kuleana had its own small sandy beach to hang out on too. I spent many days wandering the grounds, peering into the center of intricate flower forms, I didn't know the names of. My daughter was constantly content to sit and watch crabs or geckos as they scurried about and I think my son could have sat with the turtles all day, mesmerized by their graceful movements, swaying about among the waves. The entire experience was very peaceful.
Kuleana-Resort-on-Maui
Kuleana Resort on Maui
Did I say the entire experience was peaceful? Social media and travel blogs tend to be full of perfect dream-like and inspiring imagery. While we did indeed have a whole lot of fun, let's be honest now folks...life isn't always perfect, even in Hawaii. I thought I would share the above image of this gorgeous sunset obstructed by my bickering children. For just this moment, I put my mediation skills aside for a deep breathe and to snap a photo of a little slice of REAL life. You are welcome.
Bickering-children
My bickering children in front of this beautiful view. Life is not always perfect, even in Hawaii.
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Plan-a-trip-to-maui
Plan a trip to Maui, experience the spirit of Aloha and the tranquility that this beautiful island has to offer
Exploring Maui with Kids
Nakalele Blow Hole
Nakalele-blowhole
Exploring the incredible sites of Hawaii on a Maui Family Vacation
Make the drive to Wailuku to hike down to the Nakalele Blow hole. Traveling to the northeastern tip of Maui is a gorgeous journey and a fun day trip. Hike carefully down the trail to see water explode out of this hole in the rocks by the sea. Stop for shaved ice on the way and look for the homemade soda stand at one of the vista pullouts. Also some fun geocahing to do around here. As, always and goes with out saying, be very careful when hiking around the craggy rocks and do not get too close to the blowhole, as the powerful blast of water travels far and wide, soaking everything in sight. making the surroundings quite slippery.
Exploring Kapalua
Take a family hike at the old Kapalua Village Golf Course
One day we took a family hike through the former Kapalua Village Golf Course, which was a super magical experience. You are actually hiking along old golf cart paths but the tropical forest has grown up and around the paths filling in the greens. It is a fascinating perspective to see how nature takes hold of abandoned spaces, reclaiming what was once so manicured and restoring it to wildness. The concrete paths make for very family friendly, easy walking and afford spectacular view of the sea beyond.
As the vegetation grows quite thick and tall in some sections, way-finding can be a little tricky but know that walking down hill will take you back towards the start and moving uphill takes you further away.
Snorkeling Trip
We had plenty of fun snorkeling, swimming boogie boarding and Stand Up Paddle boarding at nearby beaches, Napili Bay being our favorite, but one day we booked an incredible snorkel trip through Pride of Maui Snorkeling Tours. This was a really fun experience with a professional crew that took us out to sea to find the best spots for snorkeling and provided everything we needed for a safe and amazing adventure. Additionally, the boat was equipped with a slide to splash straight into the ocean! And lastly, after an adventure in the open waters, the crew cooked us up a fantastic BBQ feast to enjoy afterwards. I highly recommend Pride of Maui.
Sea-Turtle-Honu
With respect and plenty of distance, the kids observe this peaceful sea turtle
Connect to Place
Traveling is of course about seeing pretty places and partaking in new experiences. For us connecting to a place, its people, it's land is just as important and a nice way to be a mindful traveler. Taking time to get to know the culture, how is it different or the same as where you come from, can create a rich and memorable adventure.
In Maui, a good start would be to understand the spirit of Aloha. While a "Aloha" is certainly a greeting, it is so much more than that. It is a way of being and connecting and it also means love, kindness and compassion. Native Hawaiian's take great pride in their ancestry and their heritage, so be sensitive to that, learn a few Hawaiian words and explore the deeper meaning of their connection to the land and sea.
Along with getting to know a places people and culture, another way to connect is to pay attention to the landscape, what grows there, how is it different or the same as where you come from. Perhaps learn a few of the native plants and their uses if significant. One native flower you may connect to is the Hibiscus, known in Hawaiian as pua mao hau hele, which is actually the state flower of Hawaii. Plumeria is another important flower in Hawaii, used to make the iconic lei, however is not native but has naturalized in the islands after being brought over in the 1860s. The Al'i Lavender farm discussed earlier, was a lovely place to not only take in plants and flowers but also afforded jaw dropping vistas, giving one a nice sense of the islands geography.
Lastly, another way to really soak in a new culture and place is to seek out ways to help. Even the little moments count. Simple kindnesses and opportunities to pitch in make a difference and help nurture a more global community. If you are interested in more structured volunteer opportunities around Maui, check out this link from Maui Information Guide.
I know that I only scratched the surface of really getting to know the heart of Maui but I look forward to learning more my next trip. Such an incredible place, with a soothing tropical landscape and an easy going vibe, Maui invites you to experience the spirit of Aloha. Until next time Maui...
Be A Mindful Traveler
What does it mean to be a mindful traveler? The practice of mindfulness is all about being present, really living in the moment and soaking in what is in front of you. Perhaps listening deeply to another in a conversation, observing how a place or a life style is both different and/or the same as your own, connecting to people and places in a way that fills us with joy and illuminates the realization that we are all in this together. Truly at the core of all things is the pursuit of happiness. Check out this post about Daily Mindfulness Practice.
At My Peaceful Wild we strive to share our adventures in a way that encourages others to go out into the world and participate in a style of travel that is mindful and connects to a place with kindness and compassion. Of course many have a "bucket list" of travel destinations, myself included. It is a big beautiful world after all! Along with going places to see beautiful landscapes, cities, architecture, let's work together to spread a message of hope, kindness, environmental stewardship, supporting and celebrating local communities and cultures. Let's get out there and experience a place as a citizen of the earth on a mission to connect to a sense of place. What does it mean to be an Oregonian, a Hawaiian, an Italian, a Mexican or a Kenyan? The world is so full of beauty, mystery, language, food, traditions, history, joy and sorrow. As you get out there and experience it, do it mindfully and with compassion. Now go!
Mindful Journeys: Connect with Family on a Trip to Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa
Family Vacation in Mexico
Soulful ballads being blasted on car radios buzzing by, stumbling upon a restaurant offering a dozen different Mole dishes in Oaxaca, cinnamon in my coffee and cotija on my huevos, walking across the Zocolo in Mexico City, in total amazement of one of the largest gathering spaces in the world, used as such since Aztec times! Mexico is so very rich with history, thought-provoking and vibrant art, and unbelievable food.
In 1999 my boyfriend(now hubby) and I spent 6 weeks traveling from the top of Mexico down to the bottom, popping out and into Guatemala and Belize and returning through the Yucatan. What a journey it was. Now we have returned with our two kiddos in tow…for a different kind of journey…one with more beach time and less chicken buses, but most definitely to show our children a little bit of the beauty and culture of this mysterious land. This trip takes us to the charming and festive beach town of Puerto Vallarta.
Travel with Kids
We planned this trip with some good friends who have similar aged kids. Traveling with friends who also have kids, is one of our big tips for travel with kids. Read more about traveling with kids, here. We met our friends at our hotel, Hotel Rio Malecon. It was a perfect fit for our group. When we travel we like to stay at a range of places from Hostels to luxury hotels. We like the experience of being at all kinds of accommodations and this also helps us budget, to splurge on higher end places here and there. Hotel Rio had an atrium centered around a pool with a restaurant and lounge right in the old town of Puerto Vallarta. We were within walking distance to all of the festivities this town had to offer. Evenings were filled with walks to dinner followed by a stroll along the beach side promenade to get the kiddos ice cream and watch the street performers. The next day we found an amazing breakfast café around the corner with chilaquiles to die for! Next up, a little geocaching before hitting the beach! If you are unfamiliar with Mobile app for Geocaching, check out this post about tips for traveling with kids. We love geocaching because it takes us off the beaten path to explore neighborhoods and areas in search of a hidden treasure!
Yelapa
The scene in Puerto Vallarta is pretty action packed, so after a few days we were ready to find a more tranquil environment. So we packed up, checked out of our hotel and caught a boat to the tiny car-free town of Yelapa, accessed only by a 40-minute boat ride. After a bumpy ride and a whale sighting, we arrived in Yelapa. We had arranged to stay at a vacation rental called Casa Flourish and the owners have care takers Yanet and Felipe to help you get settled. Felipe met us at the dock when we arrived and led us through the village, up a steep path and to our dreamy abode. The main living space was open air with views down to an infinity pool and beyond to the beautiful bay below. Gorgeous Mexican tiles framed the space and numerous balconies afforded views of the sparkling ocean.
While the Dads helped the kiddos find their rooms, the moms headed down the path to find the nearest grocery store to grab a few things to help us settle in. The village of Yelapa is a maze of pedestrian paths winding through houses, cafes and restaurants with gardens spilling onto walkways. It takes some getting used to but once there a couple days, you get the feel of the place and navigating becomes quite fun! Look out for neighborhood kids and wandering dogs, burros with loads of supplies and the occasional ATV!! Wandering around Yelapa gave such a fresh perspective for us all, a pedestrian lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of a big city or even just a town with cars for that matter.We found a tiny little market with most of everything we needed. Plenty of fresh produce as well as a special soap to soak said produce in, a good idea for visitors to Mexico whose digestive systems may be a little sensitive to the local water. Anyways, knowing that we would be coming into this little store often during our visit, I stumbled through my Spanish and introduced myself to the store owner, a lovely older woman with the sweetest smile who was extremely patient with me as I counted my pesos. We picked up queso, tortillas, avocado and some cervezas. On our amble back we a noted a nearby pharmacy (you never know when you might need one!) and a juice bar, practically right outside our rentals' front entrance. Throughout our stay, our pack of kiddos loved venturing out on their own to get a juice at this neighborhood stand.
We quickly and easily settled into beach life in Yelapa. Just down the path from our house was an inconspicuous stairway leading straight down to the beach, lined with palapas and beach chairs. We ended up really enjoying Fanny’s Restaurant on the beach and got to know some of the staff there. Abel and Romero are two super sweet and helpful fellows to chat with for anything you need in Yelapa.
The next several days were spent exploring the village, renting a burro and trekking up to the waterfall, endless beach time and just hanging around Casa Flourish. The two oldest kiddos went parasailing around the bay one day. Us grown ups pretty much ate our way all over town, as the food here was really something special. We particularly loved Los Abuelos for emapanadas de camarones and Tamarindo margaritas!! Yes, please! Get there early as it gets very busy.
Another particularly memorable day was when we hired Felipe (Casa Flourish care taker) to take us out on his boat. We saw whales breaching and got to snorkel in a hidden bay. Amazing! later that day we made time for some Geocaching all around the village, which as always brought us to little corners of town we might not have otherwise stumbled upon. Lastly, another popular day trip in this area is to take a boat out to visit the Marietta's Islands, where you can see the rare Blue-footed Boobies! Yep, these pelican-like seabirds have blue feet! And of course the islands are simply beautiful.
If you are interested in helping out in the community, get in touch with Biblioteca Yelapa, a community project to increase literacy in the area. They are always looking for more helpers or extra supplies which you can donate.
Our time in Yelapa was a really special experience and an insight into a part of Mexican village life that is not always easy to come by. When it was time to head home we bid farewell and hopped on that bumpy boat ride back to Puerto Vallarta and later that afternoon caught our flight back to the states. We will most certainly return!
Be a Mindful Traveler
What does it mean to be a mindful traveler? The practice of mindfulness is all about being present, really living in the moment and soaking in what is in front of you. Perhaps listening deeply to another in a conversation, observing how a place or a life style is both different and/or the same as your own, connecting to people and places in a way that fills us with joy and illuminates the realization that we are all in this together. Truly at the core of all things is the pursuit of happiness. Check out this post about Daily Mindfulness Practice.
At My Peaceful Wild we strive to share our adventures in a way thatencourages others to go out into the world and participate in a style oftravel that is mindful and connects to a place with kindness andcompassion. Of course many have a “bucket list” of travel destinations,myself included. It is a big beautiful world after all! Along with goingplaces to see beautiful landscapes, cities, architecture, let’s worktogether to spread a message of hope, kindness, environmentalstewardship, supporting and celebrating local communities and cultures.Let’s get out there and experience a place as a citizen of the earth on amission to connect to a sense of place. What does it mean to be anOregonian, a Hawaiian, an Italian, a Mexican or a Kenyan? The world isso full of beauty, mystery, language, food, traditions, history, joy andsorrow. As you get out there and experience it, do it mindfully andwith compassion. Now go!
Be well, be kind and make time to get outside and explore!
Mindful Travel: 10 Tips for Making Travel with Kids Fun
Travel with Kids
Traveling with kids can be so much fun with a little planning and creativity. I have been so inspired by the folks out there wandering the globe with their kiddos in tow. My husband and I have done quite a bit of traveling together and we have so enjoyed taking our kids along to show them the world…well at least a few parts of it. We have many more adventures ahead. Our local adventures include all around the Northwest and West Coast including countless adventures hiking and camping. Below are a few things that we have learned along the way. These are tips that we feel make the adventure more fun and seamless for everyone involved.
1.Kids Travel Journal
This is a fun way for kids to get excited about traveling and recording their adventures. It is also a nice way to look back on the memories made. My kids’ journals have included train ticket stubs, museum pamphlets, photos and their own drawings, a list of vocabulary words, common greetings and numbers written out in the language spoken in whichever country we are in, or simply a journal entry, if they are old enough to do some writing. Setting a side time to do some journaling while you travel is a nice way to incorporate down time in the afternoons. This is a fun item for them to bring to show and tell at school when they return. This also shows the teacher that their adventure was a learning experience.
2. Kids Help Plan
Encouraging kids to be a part of the travel planning process helps them take some ownership in the trip and gets them excited about travel. Of course, sometimes you have to do some planning without them involved but where appropriate include them. My son really loves doing the lodging and vacation rental searches, learning about the neighborhoods, reading reviews and setting the filters. It is also great fun to get maps of the places you are traveling to and help kids do some navigating and route planning. This teaches them about the lay of the land as well. Working in educational opportunities wherever possible is an awesome way to make your adventure more meaningful for your kiddos.
3. Assign a Photo Journalist
With their journals in mind, have kids take turns being the photo journalist. Help them think about what they might want to include in a photo. This is also a good opportunity to teach them about being respectful of people’s space and privacy as well.
4. Books, Books, Books
This falls in to the “down time” category. For older kids, investing in a Kindle is a great tool to bring along on any trip. While you want to make sure to balance out screen time each day, kindles also have games and the ability to watch movies. Especially helpful for long train rides or travel days. My son has the Kindle Fire and it works great! For younger kids I like a small stack of light weight, paperback books for down time and bed-time stories.
5. Easy Lightweight Games
Light, portable games important for down time and travel days. A deck of cards, a booklet of Sudoku, Spot It and memory cards are some of our favorites. My kids also like to pick out a Dot-to-dot book….(doing a dot-to-dot can be quite meditative! Check out this one). Other fun and easy games to remember are the old classics: Ro Sham Bo, Hot Hands, Eye Spy, Thumb wars, Tick Tack Toe and Hangman. Tap into your own childhood and try to remember the silly games you used to play.
6. Don’t Over Schedule!!
I can certainly be guilty of wanting to do it all!! Luckily my sweet husband gently reminds me that there is always another day or another trip. It is easy to fall into the trap of over scheduling your travel days but it is so important not to overload kids with too much. A good strategy is to get up earlier, beat the crowds and do some site seeing in the morning, enjoy a nice lunch and then have some down time in the afternoon. In many cultures, this is the norm.
In some countries, shops and restaurants close down in the afternoon for a few hours, opening back up in the late afternoon. If you are traveling to a more humid climate, this schedule also works well, as temps rise in the afternoon. It is a good time to do some journaling, read a book or have some cool down time in the pool. It is also a nice idea to have unscheduled days where you have leisurely mornings, perhaps stroll neighborhoods and let the day unfold more spontaneously.
7. Travel with Another Family
Let’s be honest, kids need other kids. It is important to set aside some time to take family trips that prioritize reconnecting with each other, taking a break from our routines and busy schedules. However, if you are planning a much longer excursion, it is great fun to meet up with extended family or good friends that have similar aged kids. You can break up longer trips into sections where you just travel as a family and then at one point meet up with some friends for a few days.
If you are planning any kind of expedition to get outside that may include some longer distance hiking, this plan works well. Some times adults can be boring and my son would correct me by saying, “Sometimes, grown-ups can be fun!”. Classic.
8. Geocaching
Do your kids like hunting for treasures? I know mine do! There is a mobile app for Geocaching that allows you to use your phone as a GPS to find hidden objects located all over the world. EVERY time we travel ANYWHERE we end up doing some geocaching at some point. We love how it takes you off the beaten path a bit, to explore neighborhoods and places you may not have otherwise checked out. No worries, as the clues give you plenty of insights as to what kind of location you are getting into. In Maui, it led us to a cliff side hidden capsule and later that same trip, into the Makawao Public Library (Makawao is like a little Hawaiian Western town in upcountry, pretty awesome). We have found geocaches located in the cobblestones walls of ancient churches in Italy and hidden neighborhoods of Puerto Vallarta. Check out the app here.
9. Getting Kids Outside and into Nature
Don’t forget to play the same games I talk about in this post. Getting outside and exploring the natural areas of the places you travel can teach you so much about the world. You often can see wildlife different from what you see in your home town. Of course plants look different in other places and then sometimes they look the same, reminding you of home and maybe even giving you a sense of connection to a new place.
10. Connect with the Locals
Attempt to get to know some locals. This creates a much more meaningful experience for the kids and for you to get the local perspective on a place and make friends abroad! You just might get invited to a meal, a local sporting event or learn of a special insight into a place. If we find a cafe or certain spot we are fond of, we will return regularly. Show your face enough and a local may want to chat and learn about where you are from. Be friendly. Step out of your comfort zone and stumble through some basic greetings, testing out your language skills. Another beautiful thought is to do a little research and see if there might be some volunteer work you could participate in for an afternoon...or longer! You may check if any local schools are in need of supplies, as one example.
Be a Mindful Traveler
What does it mean to be a mindful traveler? The practice ofmindfulness is all about being present, really living in the moment andsoaking in what is in front of you. Perhaps listening deeply to anotherin a conversation, observing how a place or a life style is bothdifferent and/or the same as your own, connecting to people and placesin a way that fills us with joy and illuminates the realization that weare all in this together. Truly at the core of all things is the pursuitof happiness.
At My Peaceful Wild we strive to share our adventures in a way thatencourages others to go out into the world and participate in a style oftravel that is mindful and connects to a place with kindness andcompassion. Of course many have a “bucket list” of travel destinations,myself included. It is a big beautiful world after all! Along with goingplaces to see beautiful landscapes, cities, architecture, let’s worktogether to spread a message of hope, kindness, environmentalstewardship, supporting and celebrating local communities and cultures.Let’s get out there and experience a place as a citizen of the earth on amission to connect to a sense of place. What does it mean to be anOregonian, a Hawaiian, an Italian, a Mexican or a Kenyan? The world isso full of beauty, mystery, language, food, traditions, history, joy andsorrow. As you get out there and experience it, do it mindfully andwith compassion. Now go!
Be well, be kind and make time to get outside and explore!
Mindful Journeys: In search of Wonder in Switzerland - Explore the Jungfrau Region
From Italy to Switzerland
Ah Switzerland!! Your shockingly beautiful mountains cause me to fall to my knees and weep. No joke, but I am “special” that way. Equally inspiring are the tiny villages peppering these towering alpine valleys, where hard working people have carved out a peaceful way of life. You can go hiking in Switzerland from village to village and see for yourself!
We traveled to Switzerland via northern Italy by train. Make that 4 trains in one day. One of the fun things about traveling around Europe is the ease and speed at which you can move from country to country. We started in the morning in Varenna, Italy on Lake Como, where we took a train to Milan. We then found our train to Brig, Switzerland. Once we arrived in Brig we then took two more trains, transferring in Spiez and Interlaken Ost before finally arriving at our destination of Lauterbrunnen. We were able to book this entire itinerary through the travel agent at the train station in Varenna, which made things much easier. The excitement of changing trains, getting tickets validated, and finding the correct train to board, was something else! We planned it that way because we needed to meet some friends in Lauterbrunnen that evening. In some cases there were just minutes between transfers. On the upside it got us very comfortable with European train travel. Mind you, the majority of these train rides afforded mesmerizing scenery replete with picturesque villages, sparkling lakes and snowy peaks.
Lauterbrunnen
When we arrived in Lauterbrunnen, we were awestruck by the plethora of waterfalls spilling down the cliff sides flanking this vibrant little town. Cradled by a cathedral of showy mountain ridges, Lauterbrunnen feels very festive, with a main street, decorated with Swiss flags and full of cafes, restaurants, outdoor gear shops and various places to stay. We tend to stay at a range of accommodations when we travel, from more budget friendly or mid-range places and then splurging on more special spots too.
For the start of our journey in Switzerland we chose the Valley Hostel. A very family-friendly place our “family-style” room came with a cozy loft for the kids and soft slippers for each guest. After a quick check-in, we headed out to meet our dear friends from Oregon who we had planned to travel with for this Swiss part of our journey. Traveling with another family is on my list of tips for traveling with kids. Let’s face it, kids need other kids….sometimes adults can be boring. Or as my son will say, "Sometimes adults can be fun!" Sheesh. So, we met our friends at Hotel Steinbock for hot coco and delicious fondue, must haves for any Swiss journey. Next up? A good night of rest!
The following day was full of exploration in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Hiking and walking in Switzerland between some of the villages in this Valley is really pretty easy! We visited the car-free tiny towns of Murren and Gimmelwald. To access Murren from Lauterbrunnen, we took the cableway from the north end of town up to Grutschalp, where you catch a narrow gauge mountain train to Murren. Both of these modes of transportation are awesome experiences by them selves! Murren is such a stunningly beautiful little town. If interested in staying here check out this link for lodging. Once in Murren you can enjoy a down hill amble through town, making your way slowly to the town of Gimmelwald, stopping often to marvel at the constant mountain vistas, charming cafes, picture perfect Swiss chalets and pastures full of cows. This walk exposes you to the magnificence of the Jungfrau region in the Bernese Oberland (link). When you picture Switzerland in your mind, this is the place you are envisioning. The walk on pedestrian only paths will take you about 20 minutes, and our group included 6 year olds and 10 year olds.
Gimmelwald
Once in Gimmelwald we stumbled upon Pension Gimmelwald, for lunch. Their dining room opens up to a patio with a mountain backdrop so unbelievable, you will feel like you are in a screensaver.
We immediately inquired about room availability and booked a room for the following evening, as it would be a good starting point for our big trek to the Obersteinberg Hotel, which I will talk more about later in this post. This 100 year old pension is oozing with old world charm. There are a range of room types to suit families, couples or single trekkers, as the area is very popular with back packers.
Back on the dining patio, we enjoyed delicious soup with bread and charcuterie. The kids discovered a little trail from the patio that led through a hillside meadow to an awesome play structure with a speedy tunnel slide! This spot was pretty dreamy for the kiddos. After lunch we caught a cable car, right by the play structure, down to Schtechelberg. Warning, this is a pretty steep cable car ride, so if you are afraid of heights, you may want to close your eyes, however you would miss the incredible views.
Trummelbach Falls
From Schtechelberg we walked along the road to TrummelbachFalls. You must pay to get into the falls and there are many visitors to sharein the experience but it is worth it. You will get to take an elevator insidethe mountain and then follow paths through the mountain to see a waterfall flowingin and out of caves, within the mountain. Once you get back down to the bottom,there is a nice little café for a snack or a treat. From Trummelbach, we walkedall of the way back to Lauterbrunnen. It is a flat beautiful walk but it didget a bit long. As an alternative you can take a bus back from either Schtechelbergor Trummelbach.
The next day was a little more leisurely. Since we had a pretty big mountain trek planned for the following day, the kids convinced the grown-ups that we should take cable cars all of the way from Lauterbrunnen back to Pension Gimmelwald, which worked just fine. Another lovely option is Esther's Guesthouse in Gimmelwald. So we enjoyed a lazy day of wandering about Gimmelwald, and hanging around the pension. Lazy days are key to travel with kids. We elected to order the kids a pizza from the Mountain Hostel, just below our spot and then the parents enjoyed a multi-course meal put together by the pension. Highly recommended, if you stay here.
The Obersteinberg Hotel
The next day was a big one and the inspiration for our journey to Switzerland. We had always dreamed of participating in the “hut-to-hut” backpacking experience, where you can hike from one lodging to the next. With the amount of time we had and our young hikers’ abilities, we opted for just a one night stop at the Obersteinberg Mountain Hotel. There are so many huts to hike to throughout Switzerland and all over Europe really. This was simply what we had time for and the region we wanted to explore that seemed well suited for our group of young trekkers. We also give many thanks to the staff at the Valley Hostel, who helped us pick the best route. Starting from Gimmelwald we had a 7 mile trek up to the “hut” for the night and the following day we would hike back out and down to Stechelberg, where we would bus back to Lauterbrunnen. We were really excited about the idea of getting to an accommodation only accessed by foot. The really special part was that we did not have to carry much with us, especially for the kids. All we brought were snacks for the trail, appropriate layers and a few hygiene items. The mountain hut would provide bedding and food.
We are a pretty well seasoned hiking family but a 7-mile hike mostly be up hill, was still a challenge, particularly for the 6 year olds.
We took MANY breaks on the side of the trail, sometimes finding lovely benches with gorgeous views, perfect for snacking on yummy homemade cheese produced in Gimmelwald. We were happy to offer our young trekkers plenty of Swiss chocolate and gummy bears and a moment of rest for some story telling....ok and maybe some whining, quite a bit actually....but we kept going and going and finally WE DID IT!! We made it to the Obersteinberg. After trudging up plenty of switchbacks, carefully crossing a few steep drainages ( a little scary..take it slow), visiting with trail side goats and cows, we slowly made our way. This beautiful lodge provided simple clean rooms, an amazing 4-course meal and scenery that blew our minds. The parents got to sit back and enjoy in a cold lager, mesmerized by the Swiss Alps while the kids were completely entertained by catching crickets, following the many drainages that created little meandering creeks down the mountain side, visiting with the mountain goats, horses and pigs on site and simply watching the waterfalls flow. What. A. Day….
With our bellies full, we made our way back to our rooms. Because there is no electricity, each room is equipped with a little old fashioned candle holder…especially helpful to make your way down the hall to the bathrooms! The next morning, after a hearty breakfast we headed back down the trail, this time it was all down hill. Phew! Throughout this entire journey, the mountains commanded many a mindful moment, to soak it all in and sit in wonder at how teeny tiny we all are. I miss those mountains. It is important not get too wrapped up in sightseeing when you travel, to remember to take plenty of moments to just sit back and take it all in....the wonder and perspective of being in a place different from your own.
Eventually the trail led us right into Schtechelberg, where we caught a bus back to Lauterbrunnen. The Valley Hostel had a storage room for our non-trekking luggage, so we grabbed our stuff and caught the next train to Zurich!!
Zurich
We had a soft landing at the modern Novotel Hotel in Zurich.Mind boggling to have literally come down from the mountains, hopped on acouple of trains and made our way into a big bustling city. We did not havemuch time in Zurich, as our plane back to the states was the next day. TheNovotel was a great choice, near the airport with a free shuttle there, fun andfestive for the kids and quite modern, with a particularly expansive and tastybreakfast buffet before our big day of travel back home.
What an adventure it was!!!! We had been in Italy a few weeks before our 5 day adventure in Switzerland and it was the perfect close to an amazing journey. We will surely return!
You can read about our adventure in Italy here. For more travel tips on travel in Switzerland we are big fans of The Lonely Planet and Rick Steve's guide books.
Be a Mindful Traveler
What does it mean to be a mindful traveler? The practice of mindfulness is all about being present, really living in the moment and soaking in what is in front of you. Perhaps listening deeply to another in a conversation, observing how a place or a life style is both different and/or the same as your own, connecting to people and places in a way that fills us with joy and illuminates the realization that we are all in this together. Truly at the core of all things is the pursuit of happiness. Check out this post about Daily Mindfulness Practice.
At My Peaceful Wild we strive to share our adventures in a way thatencourages others to go out into the world and participate in a style oftravel that is mindful and connects to a place with kindness andcompassion. Of course many have a “bucket list” of travel destinations,myself included. It is a big beautiful world after all! Along with goingplaces to see beautiful landscapes, cities, architecture, let’s worktogether to spread a message of hope, kindness, environmentalstewardship, supporting and celebrating local communities and cultures.Let’s get out there and experience a place as a citizen of the earth on amission to connect to a sense of place. What does it mean to be anOregonian, a Hawaiian, an Italian, a Mexican or a Kenyan? The world isso full of beauty, mystery, language, food, traditions, history, joy andsorrow. As you get out there and experience it, do it mindfully andwith compassion. Now go!
Be well, be kind and make time to get outside and explore!