Trip to Switzerland – part 1: Following a Feeling to the Swiss Alps

It was early 2023, at the end of winter and with spring just around the corner, that I felt the need to put my thoughts in order with pen and paper. I do this quite often. I turn inward, clear my mind, and simply observe what comes up naturally. Holding a clear quartz crystal in my hand somehow helps me reach that quiet state a little faster. Sometimes images, feelings or ideas appear out of nowhere. Other times, I simply begin writing whatever comes to mind.

That day, one feeling stood out above all the others. Along with it came images of high mountains, crystal-clear water and peaceful alpine lakes. The feeling was so strong that I immediately knew:

This spring, we have to go to Switzerland.

At that point I had no idea where exactly we should go. I started searching online for beautiful Swiss mountain lakes and soon came across the Blausee, a small alpine lake famous for its crystal-clear water. It became the starting point for our search for a dog-friendly apartment for a holiday in May.

Finding the right place turned out to be more difficult than expected. Many apartments in the Swiss Alps are designed for skiers who spend the entire day outdoors and only return in the evening. We were looking for something different; a place where we would enjoy spending time during the day as well, with beautiful views, peace and a comfortable place to sit. Eventually, we found exactly what we were looking for in Innertkirchen, a small mountain village that turned out to be the perfect base for exploring some of the most beautiful places in the region.

There was just one problem. As our departure date in the second half of May drew closer, Switzerland remained unusually cold. Heavy snowfall had arrived late in the season, temperatures stayed low and many of the famous mountain passes were still closed. I just hoped the skies wouldn't stay grey.

It was the bright alpine light, the turquoise lakes, deep blue skies and fresh spring colours that had drawn me to Switzerland in the first place.

Fortunately, just before we left, the weather forecast began to improve. With a suitcase packed for every possible temperature, we travelled to Innertkirchen. The friendly owner of our apartment told us it had been unusually cold for this time of year, but that the weather was finally expected to change. Perhaps the Grimsel Pass would reopen soon as well. We would simply have to wait and see.

Still, the first few days were cold and grey. Low clouds filled the valleys and the snow-covered mountain peaks remained completely hidden from view. I couldn't help wondering whether we had arrived just one week too early. I sincerely hoped we hadn't.

From the third day onwards, everything changed.

The sun appeared more frequently and, little by little, the landscape revealed itself. We quickly discovered how much the weather depended on where you were. Down by Lake Brienz, the sun broke through first. What had looked like a dull grey lake suddenly transformed into crystal-clear turquoise water that made you want to jump right in.

Around Innertkirchen, the clouds gradually lifted as well. The village lay hidden in a valley, surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks. Especially in the evenings, when the sun disappeared behind the mountains and the sky slowly turned soft shades of pink, the entire landscape seemed to transform into a painting.

This was exactly the atmosphere and energy I had been looking for.

Over the following days we explored mountain lakes, waterfalls, gorges and alpine passes from our base in Innertkirchen. Some places are world-famous, while others we would probably never have discovered without this journey. The video below offers a glimpse of the landscapes that touched us so deeply during that week.

The attraction I had felt months earlier towards the crystal-clear water, the light and the mountains turned out to mean much more than simply choosing a holiday destination.

During that week, we made several decisions that would later prove far more significant than we could possibly have imagined. Looking back now, I can see how this journey influenced my artwork, the choices we made at home, and eventually even my newest collection. As I write this today, all those pieces of the puzzle finally seem to be falling into place.

In hindsight, that process had actually begun a year earlier during our journey through Ireland. It was there that my fascination with ancient stones, symbols and crystals first awakened. In Switzerland, my attention shifted from stone to light, from rock to glacial meltwater, and to the extraordinary clarity of rock crystal, which occurs here in abundance. Looking back, it feels as though both journeys are simply different chapters of the same story.

In the next parts of this series, I'll take you inside a remarkable crystal cellar, share why crystal-clear mountain water inspired me so deeply, and show how this journey eventually led to my new collection, Water – A Source of Life.

The story had only just begun.