Between mountains and magic: Tips for an amazing trip to Switzerland

Editor’s note: Tampa International Airport Manager of Communications C.J. Johnson recently traveled to Zurich, Switzerland, aboard TPA's nonstop flight on Edelweiss Air. This is a travelogue of his experiences and recommendations.

I grew up in a small town in Kansas where the nearest airport was a 50-mile drive – and even once you got to that airport, going anywhere else usually meant having to take a connecting flight. To now live only minutes away from Tampa International Airport and have the ability to fly to Zurich without a stop? It still blows my mind.

In December 2025, I had the chance to take Edelweiss Air's nonstop flight from TPA to Zurich (ZRH) for a quick three-day jaunt to Switzerland. Notably, this trip marked my first time flying on an Airbus A350 and it felt like the perfect aircraft for a special trip like this. 

Edelweiss recently upgraded the TPA to ZRH route with the A350, meaning that this airline now offers more seats aboard an aircraft – 339 – than any other airline serving TPA. After checking in and waiting at the gate for its arrival, the impressive A350 turned heads when it pulled up. Passengers buzzing with excitement lined the Airport windows and lifted their phones to grab photos as it pulled into the gate.

Upon boarding, I settled into my seat in Economy Max, an upgraded Edelweiss section that offered plenty of legroom, a soft blanket and a pillow. Hearing announcements in both German and English made this trip feel real – I was officially on my way to Switzerland, one of my favorite destinations. 

Immediately after takeoff, the level of quiet in the cabin achieved by the A350's design surprised me. Once we reached our cruising altitude, dinner followed: beef with potatoes, a salad and a small cinnamon dessert. It was simple, comforting and delicious. While Edelweiss doesn’t offer Wi-Fi onboard, they do have a wide variety of movies and shows available, more than enough to help the eight-hour flight zoom by. 

I was able to doze a bit as I made my way across the Atlantic, and breakfast was served hours later as the sun began to rise. I soon saw the Alps appearing on the horizon and couldn't help but smile at their beauty. After crossing nearly 5,000 miles, I touched down in Zurich, ready to explore and experience some winter weather.

Clearing customs took less than five minutes. I'd decided to hit the ground running by first making my way up into the mountains before spending time in Zurich itself. With a coffee in hand, I began the next part of my journey with a 3.5-hour multi-train ride to the dreamy small town of Zermatt. 

With a Swiss Rail Pass, this trek was seamless; I didn't need to print any tickets ahead of time and used their onboard QR code check-in. I did have to change trains twice, but I was easily able to make those connections. Pro tip: Do NOT dawdle at a station, as Swiss trains often run on time (Swiss watches have a reputation for a reason).

The scenery outside my train's window soon began to transform. I passed through the aptly-named town of St. Niklaus as the train climbed higher into the mountains past green fields and chalets. When the Alps came fully into view, it felt like I could shake off my travel fatigue and prepare for the adventures ahead. 

It wasn't long before the train pulled into the station in Zermatt, my home for the next two nights. I walked the short distance to my hotel, Resort La Ginabelle. After quickly unpacking, I stepped outside and there it was – the Matterhorn, towering, unmistakable and completely unreal. My jaw almost hit the ground in awe. 

I wandered through this small car-free town, stopping at the Lindt shop for a free sample (I would return the next day for another). Then, I made my way up to Mürini Hill to watch as the sun slowly dipped behind the 14,692-foot Matterhorn. As the the village began to glow below me, people gathered quietly on the small ridge, taking photos and gazing at the sparkling town lights. Zermatt looked like it was right out of a snow globe (or a Hallmark movie).  

That evening, I grabbed a quick dinner, admired the Christmas lights and ended the night in my hotel’s geothermal pool, which was exactly what I needed to reset and begin to wind down.

The next morning, I awoke to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams – skiing in Switzerland. While I'd had the opportunity to visit this beautiful country three times prior to this visit, I'd never taken advantage of the amazing slopes the Alps offer. 

It was time for that to change. 

Before I made my way to ski, I fueled up with a big breakfast at the hotel (we won't talk about all the cheese I ate). I then crossed the street to pick up ski equipment from Matterhorn Sport and, after being fitted, I walked just a few steps to the nearby entrance to Matterhorn Ski Paradise, a resort that's open all year. Talk about convenient! 

The real kicker? I bought a one-day lift ticket on the spot that was considerably more affordable than the prices many ski resorts charge in the United States. And there wasn't even a line to purchase the ticket or get on the lift! 

Before I knew it, I was gliding down the slopes with the Matterhorn in plain sight. The wind whooshed past me and the sky was clear. My emotions caught up to me as I made my way down one of my first runs and I felt incredibly grateful to finally achieve this bucket-list goal.

I made a refueling stop at Buffet Bar Sunnegga for a break before getting up my courage to attempt a more advanced slope. My limited skiing capabilities quickly caught up to me, however, and I took a very careful ride down. Lesson learned. 

Speaking of refueling, one of my favorite stops while on the slopes was Chez Vrony, an outdoor mountainside restaurant with cozy seating, blankets and sweeping views. They were sold out of their fondue, but a cappuccino and the surrounding views were more than enough.

I only had one full day in Zermatt, so with daylight still left, I decided to return my ski gear and set out for an afternoon adventure aboard the Gornergrat Railway. This train ride became one of the highlights of the year for me. Thanks to my Swiss Rail Pass, I received a discount on my fare and the nearly-empty train gave me uninterrupted views of the Alps. The train climbed about 10,000 feet in roughly 30 minutes. I spent most of the ride leaning out the window, completely enthralled by the scenery. 

After reaching the summit, I wandered around the observation area as the sun sank lower and eventually disappeared behind the mountains. The Matterhorn stood apart from its towering neighbors, impossible to miss. A fun fact for my geography friends: From the summit, I was only a few miles away from the Italian border. This entire experience at the top felt very cinematic, with rugged terrain and helicopters buzzing below, almost like being in a James Bond movie.

Eventually, I headed back down the mountain, already knowing this train ride would be a standout memory in an already standout day. As the temperature in town dropped to 0° C, I stopped for a rich hot chocolate at Petit Royal, the perfect way to warm up and thaw out. 

To make up for the missing fondue from earlier in the day, I finally snagged some at Old Zermatt, a restaurant located just down the street from my hotel. I quickly got to dipping with potatoes, meat and even pickles. The bubbling pot and open flame made it a perfect way to end an iconic day.

The next morning, I packed up and boarded the train bound for Zurich. With only one night left, I decided to stay at a hotel near the airport instead of in the city for convenience. After checking in, I quickly made my way to sightsee and visit as many of Zurich's famous Christmas markets as possible. 

My first stop in the city was to the Christmas market at Sechseläutenplatz and it did not disappoint. The air was filled with the smell of crepes, churros, raclette (more on that later) and so much more. Entry to this market was free, but resisting the temptation to spend every penny I had on delicious food was difficult.

I started with fish tacos at Los Autenticos – an unexpected yet delicious choice – then tried raclette for the first time. What is raclette, you may ask? Think of a hot, gooey cheese poured over potatoes. (Also, I'm not responsible if that last sentence made you feel hungry). 

I then walked down Bahnhofstrasse, perfect for shopping or window-gazing. Luxury storefronts lined the wide street and as night began to fall, sparkling lights overhead transformed this district into something magical. From there, I made my way up a small incline to Lindenhof which offered a stunning viewpoint over the city.

Up next? Two back-to-back Christmas markets! First, I went to the Polarzauber at Zurich Main Railway Station, which was complete with a photo-worthy sleigh and endless vendors. I opted for some coffee from Yardbird and wandered around before visiting the nearby Swiss National Museum’s Illuminarium nearby. Fires crackled, people gathered with warm drinks and laughter echoed throughout the outdoor space. As was the case with the first market I visited, both of these markets were free as well and required no tickets for entry. 

Craving a taste of home, I ended the night with a custom pizza at Sam’s Pizza Land. I then followed the sound of music and discovered a singing Christmas tree, filled with a live choir. Even on a weekday night, the energy from the crowd was contagious and it again felt like my surroundings would be the perfect setting for a movie. 

Departure day was upon me and I arrived at Zurich Airport with plenty of time before my flight back to Tampa. Pro tip: If you're checking a bag, print out your baggage tag at one of the self-serve kiosks and use the self bag drop instead of waiting for an agent. I quickly cleared security and breezed through passport control. 

After boarding, I took my seat in Economy Max. I lucked out and had an entire row to myself! As we lifted off and the Alps faded into the distance, I felt ready to return home, but grateful for every moment this quick trip provided me.

Upon landing at America's Favorite Airport, I used the Global Entry mobile app to expedite the re-entry process. Within 10 minutes from stepping off the plane, I had cleared customs and waited only minutes before my checked bag arrived.

Switzerland was truly a magical experience and I can't wait to visit again (and again). So what are you waiting for? Book your next magical mountain getaway today with Edelweiss Air and let your dreams of exploring a real-life snow globe become reality. Don't forget to pack your coat and hat!

Flights to Switzerland: https://www.flyedelweiss.com/us/en/home.html

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