Yesterday afternoon we took a series of cable cars from Zermatt up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. It really was a mountain paradise! The cable cars start in Zermatt and run through a series of 5 stations at increasing elevations. Zermatt is at 1620 meters (5300 ft) and the final stop is at the top of Klein Matterhorn at an elevation of 3883 meters (12,740 feet)! The ride took about 45 minutes and the views became more and more marvelous as we went up.

One of the most incredible things were the buildings at the top of the mountain. There was a full restaurant, viewing platforms and even a Glacier Palace with ice sculptures carved into the top of the mountain. Not quite sure how they built the place but it must’ve taken a lot of helicopter flights judging by the amount of concrete structure up there.

Ironically, we met a pair of honeymooning Gators at the top! The woman was even a 1st grade teacher from Gainesville. Once again, the GatorNation really is everywhere.

We are sad to be leaving the beautiful mountains of Switzerland tomorrow but are excited to head to Munich and explore southern Germany.