Micro Country Road Trip

April 10 — Explored Munich

I arrived at Munich Central Bus Station in the evening after a 4.5-hour FlixBus ride from Prague—surprisingly comfy, with Wi-Fi and charging ports. After meeting my dad, we wandered around old town and got a bomb veggie kebab from Ali’s SUPERFOOD (portions are big back approved).

April 11 — Road Trip Begins: Munich to Feldkirch

• Picked up our one-way rental car, booked through Expedia.

• Drove to Lindau for lunch (2–3h)

  • Best known for being the location where the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize are chosen, Lindau is a charming little town on Bodensee in Bavaria, Germany. The harbor features a large lion statue as well as a stone lighthouse with stunning views of the lake.

  • We ate at STREET KHAZANA, an Indian joint with delicious dal makhani.

• Continued to Feldkirch, Austria (1 hour drive from Lindau), and finished with an evening walk around the main square.

Accommodation suggestion: Hotel Garni Bären

April 12 — Day Trip to Liechtenstein

Our journey continued with a day trip to Liechtenstein. Nestled between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein is known for its stunning alpine scenery and, admittedly, its higher prices ($$$). To navigate this, we grabbed breakfast and lunch supplies from a SPAR supermarket just a short walk from our hotel.

In Liechtenstein, our stops included:

• Vaduz Castle: Perched on a hill overlooking the capital, this is the private residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein, so you can’t go inside. However, the views from the parking area above and the walk down offer fantastic photo opportunities.

• Liechtenstein Postal Museum: A small but fascinating museum showcasing the country’s beautiful and unique stamps.

• Old Rhine Bridge: A historic covered wooden bridge connecting Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Do not forget to snap a picture at the two nations’ border. Also, if you like horses, riding tours use this route.

• Prince of Liechtenstein Winery: While we didn’t have time for a tasting, it’s worth noting for wine enthusiasts.

*Pro tip: don’t forget your passport! While the border crossing from Austria wasn’t heavily patrolled, it’s always best to be prepared. And if you’re driving, make sure you’ve purchased your Austrian “vignette” (toll sticker) in advance, as you’ll need it when you re-enter Austria on your way back out. These can be purchased from any Austrian gas station.

April 13 —Lucerne, Bern, Switzerland

The next day, we embarked on a scenic drive through Switzerland, with our final destination being Fribourg. This city boasts a well-preserved old town with charming bridges, fountains, and the impressive St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Our three-hour drive included scenic stops along the way. First, we explored Zug, a charming town known for its historic aviaries and lakeside views. Next up was Lucerne, a quaint city, where we visited the famous Lion Monument, a moving tribute to the Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution.

Finally, we made our way to Bern, the Swiss capital. Its UNESCO-listed old town is full of medieval charm, and visiting the Bärengraben (bear pits)—home to the city’s symbolic animals.

Our accommodation for the night was the Ibis Fribourg.

April 14 — Gruyere, Giger, and Italy

We started our day with cheese-making at La Maison du Gruyère, where we witnessed the traditional process (9–11 AM) and enjoyed a tasting of the famous Gruyère cheese.

By mid-morning, we ventured up the hill to the Giger Museum visit. Immerse yourself in the surreal artwork of HR Giger, the designer behind the Oscar-winning film “Alien.” For a local beer, be sure to visit the Giger Bar, which is next to the museum.

Afternoon: Drive to Turin, Italy (approx. 3.5 hours). Our route included a stop in Montreux, a lovely resort town on Lake Geneva, a glimpse of some Roman ruins, and a gas stop before crossing the Swiss-Italian border.

Hotel Option: Best Quality Hotel Dock Milano in Turin.

*Pro tip: The toll to cross into Switzerland via the St. Bernard Tunnel costs 31 euros.