I only had 48 hours to spend in Switzerland. These 18 photos show why I regret not staying longer.

I recently took my cameras on a 2-week train trip through four European countries I'd never been to before.

After visiting Germany, Austria, and Italy, I ended my trip in Switzerland, where I saw some of the most striking scenes.

Read more: I visited 8 countries this year by train, plane, and cruise ship. 5 things surprised me that will change how I travel in 2023.

I had 48 hours in Switzerland, and I split my time between the northern Swiss city of Zürich and a nearby town called Roggwil, where my Airbnb was located.

I traveled to Switzerland from Milan, Italy, by train, and I saw some rich, green countryside landscapes along the way.

Read more: I've spent more than 100 hours riding the rails in the US and Europe. Here are 8 differences I noticed between train travel in each place.

I spent two peaceful, starry nights in a livable barrel Airbnb in Roggwil, which I thought was a relaxing counterpart to my visit to Zürich.

Source: Airbnb

I loved the rolling hills and tranquil neighborhoods of Roggwil, and I was so glad I got to see a less-explored piece of Switzerland.

Read more: I paid $400 to sleep in a barrel in Switzerland and had the best glamping experience of my life

While the city was far more bustling than Roggwil, I thought parts of Zürich were just as charming with its jaw-dropping mountain views.

I found stunning, narrow, winding streets with vibrant, colorful buildings that stood out to me.

Some of these streets have been around since the Middle Ages, like Augustinergasse, which is lined with buildings featuring intricately carved and decorated bay windows preserved for centuries, according to City Seeker.

Source: City Seeker

While the colorful streets were busy with shoppers when I visited, I found pockets of peaceful stillness in alleyways made of cobblestone around the city.

From storefronts to parks and trees, I saw greenery in nearly every direction in Zürich.

Sources: City of Zürich, European Council

The city also contains 28 square miles of lakes, according to Britannica.

Source: Britannica

And I thought the water dividing parts of the city made for some stunning landscapes.

My favorite view in Zürich came during my ride on a funicular cable car called a Polybahn to Polyterrasse, a deck in front of Zurich University where I could see the whole city and beyond.

Source: Polybahn

The Polybahn was much like a train, except the rails went up and down, giving me elevated views of the buildings around me.

But the view from the top in Polyterrasse was even better, and it left me longing for more time in Switzerland. I can't wait to go back.

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