The day started with a bit of juggling. My wife and our youngest hopped a train heading toward Belfort to meet up with our daughter by way of Zurich. It was smooth, efficient, and relaxing, which is exactly how they needed to kick off the final week of their trip.
My older son and I hit the road, determined to savor the last drive. Instead of taking the faster tunnels, we opted for the San Bernardino Pass: a dramatic, winding mountain road that threads through the Alps with sweeping views, hairpin turns, and those classic "Are we really doing this?" moments. The drive was long, yes, but it was quiet in a way that let the trip settle in. It was just us, the road, and the view.
San Bernardino Pass: One Last Scenic Thrill
The San Bernardino Pass is not for the faint of heart, but it's an absolute masterpiece. Climbing through the switchbacks, we felt like we were floating above the valleys, winding our way through one final cinematic landscape.
There were moments of silence. Of awe. Of "Whoa, look at that," and "How do people ride a bike up here?" We stopped at a few overlooks, stretched our legs, and let the chill in the air remind us we were still in the mountains, even as we were heading down. This wasn't just another leg of the journey: it was the scenic exhale at the end of the story.
From Mountains to Milan: Reentry Begins
As we dropped into the flatter stretches approaching Milan, the energy shifted. The roads grew busier. The sun hotter. And there it was again: the beginning of the end. We returned the rental car. Grabbed lunch. Prepared for a long flight home. And though we were back where it started, we were not the same people who'd landed here two weeks earlier.
The funny thing about last days is they're not really about what you do. They're about what you notice.
The stillness of the car. The shape of the mountains. The way the kids quietly hum songs from earlier in the trip. The moments when your brain finally slows down enough to take stock of how far you've come. We didn't check off any major attractions on our last day. But we processed the ones we had. We laughed at inside jokes, shared our favorite memories, and let the Alps fade slowly behind us in the rearview mirror.
Some trips end with fireworks. Ours ended with a winding mountain road, a few goodbye snacks, and the quiet understanding that something meaningful had just happened.
Practical Tips
- Opt for the scenic pass if you have the time. San Bernardino adds a little time, but a lot of memory.
- Trains are perfect for tired travelers. Especially younger kids, they can zone out, nap, and enjoy the view.
- Don't overpack the last day. Leave space to just feel the end of the trip.
- Pack snacks, water, and time. The trip can be long, and services hard to find, but the scenic route is worth it.
- Keep the camera out. You'll want those last few photos.
Where We Went
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