Leap in the direction of a memorable, adrenaline-pumping trip in Switzerland with Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, the surreal European nation’s latest Friendship Ambassador.
By Bayar Jain

Switzerland isn’t any stranger to Indian vacationers. In any case, it’s arduous to flee the attract of the European nation’s ample pure magnificence, verdant greens, snow-capped mountains, and pleasant locals. Now, add Switzerland’s adventurous, sporty, and gorgeous open air to this lengthy listing of points of interest, too.

Not too long ago, Switzerland Tourism has appointed Indian sports activities famous person Neeraj Chopra as its Friendship Ambassador. With this, the gold-medal monitor and subject athlete will additional assist promote the European nation to Indian travellers as an adrenaline-pumping vacation spot.

Chopra’s reference to Switzerland just isn’t new. Prior to now, the sports activities icon has travelled to the nation for varied tournaments and trainings. “Whereas I’ve been to Switzerland many instances for my coaching classes, I’ve by no means skilled the nation as a vacationer,” he reveals.

This time, put up profitable the Diamond League Championships in September, the reigning athlete—alongside along with his closest pals—holidayed in Switzerland for an adrenaline-pumping trip. The itinerary got here filled with iconic locations resembling Interlaken, Zermatt and Geneva.

Switzerland: As Seen By means of Neeraj Chopra’s Lens

As Switzerland Tourism’s Friendship Ambassador, Chopra will share his experiences within the nation to showcase it as the best vacation spot for the outside. This contains mountain climbing, biking, and different mushy and excessive sports activities. To not neglect—snow sports activities for everybody, whether or not novice or seasoned!

Chopra’s itinerary by Switzerland gave a glimpse of those adventure-loaded enjoyable. His vacation lined all of it — from canyon leaping, sky diving, and jet-boating in Interlaken and Geneva; monster biking, mountain climbing, helicopter excursions in Zermatt; and even sledding and zipping round in snow scooters atop Jungfraujoch! All all through the journey, he travelled with a first-class Swiss Journey Go, an all-in-one ticket for Switzerland’s public transport community.

Interlaken

Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken boasts of being Europe’s prime journey sports activities vacation spot. Right here, discover adventures like snow actions atop Jungfraujoch, snowboarding, jet-boating, paragliding, and skydiving, to call just a few. The three majestic peaks—Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau—within the backdrop feed into these picturesque settings, as do the cascading waterfalls, glacial lakes, and plush inexperienced alpine meadows.

Talking about his time in Interlaken, Chopra exclaims, “I’ve had a blast experiencing Europe’s journey capital first-hand. Each exercise in Switzerland, particularly Interlaken, exceeded my expectations! I did the whole lot…sightseeing, sky diving, jet boating, the canyon swing.”

Skydiving in Switzerland

Gushing additional, the sports activities persona reveals the one factor on his itinerary that he had been eyeing for lengthy: skydiving in Interlaken. “Who would wish to miss skydiving in Interlaken? The fun, mixed with the superb vistas, makes it an expertise like no different. If you’re as massive a thrill seeker as I’m, skydiving and paragliding in Switzerland ought to positively be in your bucket-list! It was exhilarating and therapeutic on the similar time, and to share this expertise along with your inside circle strengthens the bond like no different,” he recounts.

The skydiving experiences in Interlaken start with a 10-minute-plane trip. Upon reaching 14,000 ft, the trainer facilitates the free fall, put up which the parachute opens at 5,500 ft. Subsequent, float over the magnificent Interlaken and soak in surreal aerial views.

Jet-boating in Switzerland

Ought to free-falls really feel too excessive, contemplate an exhilarating jetboat trip on the gorgeous Brienz lake. These swift boats are able to sudden stops and 360-degree spins. In brief, be assured of an exhilarating trip that would go away one drenched! For Chopra, it spelled unbelievable enjoyable. “Jet boating in Interlaken will all the time be particular for me as this was the primary time. Our information was superb and [was also] prepared to go sooner upon request. We actually loved the pace. The turquoise waters of Lake Brienz that comes from the highest of the mountains is clear and full of excellent minerals. Locals swear that they drink instantly from the lake. I attempted it and it was very clear…and chilly!”

Jungfraujoch 

Jungfraujoch is rightly thought-about the crowning jewel of Switzerland. Image imposing mountains topped with ski slopes, numerous toboggan runs, and gushing waterfalls within the hotter months. Discover the 9 kilometres of prepare tracks from Kleine Scheidegg, hike alongside the Eiger Path that meanders by steep Alpine meadows, or strike a pose on the Sphinx viewing platform. The Ice Palace and Ice Gateway listed here are must-visits, too. Make a pitstop at Jungfrau Railway, Europe’s highest-altitude station at 3,454 metres above sea stage; Europe’s highest-altitude put up workplace; and the Alps’ largest glacier, Aletsch glacier. In summer season, pen in time to stroll by everlasting snow on the Alpine analysis exhibition.

Chopra explored these beauties by kickstarting his journey on the Eiger Specific, the Jungfrau Railways’ V-Bahn venture. The 3S cableway takes passengers straight to station Eigergletscher (Eiger Glacier) in quarter-hour from the place a plethora of panoramic views and journey awaits.

Grindelwald

Dwelling to attractive waterfalls, dramatic jumps, spectacular waterslides and richly-hued forests, Grindelwald’s scenic landscapes are mesmerising, to say the least. And what higher than a 90-metre free-fall adopted by a swing between towering rock faces at 120 kilometre per hour within the awe-inspiring chasm of the Grindelwald glacial gorge? For Chopra, it was akin to a “picturesque portray!”

Canyon Swing

He says, “Each aspect of Grindelwald’s magnificence is hanging. From mountains to lakes and plush pastures, there’s magnificence in each nook.” Chopra believes the Swiss open air are nice for charming mountain climbing trails. The spotlight, in keeping with him, stays the 90-metre-high free-fall Canyon Swing!

He reveals candidly, “The trainer advised us to pick one one that wouldn’t freak out in the beginning, as a result of if one does it properly then everybody else follows swimsuit. We picked my uncle Surendra first! [On my turn, I went through a] sequence of feelings at each step – nervousness on the platform earlier than the bounce adopted by a rush of adrenaline put up the autumn. This can stick with me without end. I all the time needed to do bungee leaping however Canyon Swing was much more difficult!”

Geneva

At Geneva, the icon launched into a operating tour, in addition to an e-tuktuk tour, to United Nations and the Gandhi Statue. He even penned in time to do river rafting on the iconic Lake Geneva to see Geneva’s well-known landmark – the Jet d’eau.

This southwestern metropolis of Switzerland has many extra points of interest on supply, too. Dwelling to the headquarters of the United Nations, in addition to the Worldwide Purple Cross, Geneva is a centre for tradition, historical past, commerce festivals and exhibitions. Whereas the Jet d’eau, a fountain with a 140-metre-high water jet on the periphery of Lake Geneva, wows with its spellbinding show; the Previous City recreates yesteryear magic with its classic structure. When right here, discover St. Peter’s Cathedral; stroll round Place du Bourg-de-4, the town’s oldest sq.; or take a stroll on Grand-Rue, the place Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born. For a dose of tradition, head to Grand Théâtre and Geneva Opera Home the place worldwide artists carry out. Or go to Musée worldwide de l’horlogerie, a watch museum with a group of jewelry watches and musical clocks, and the Worldwide Museum of the Purple Cross and Purple Crescent, which supplies an perception into the work of humanitarian organisations.

Zermatt

Zermatt is most well-known as the house of the mighty Matterhorn. However what actually makes this mountainous area particular is that it is usually a car-free village. Throughout his journey, Chopra hiked down the Gornergrat mountain to Lake Rifelsee, and even whizzed down from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise on monster bikes. His favorite? Paragliding and taking a helicopter trip over the village to gaze on the surreal aerial views of the Matterhorn and surrounding Alps.

And as Chopra rightly summarises a visit to Switzerland: “There is just one strategy to describe this trip—I’m #InLoveWithSwitzerland and boy did #IneedSwitzerland!”

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