A small village nestled on the southern shore of the Lake Brienz "Iseltwald" - Popular destination for Kdrama Fans

in Worldmappin5 months ago (edited)

Nestled on the southern shore of the picturesque Lake Brienz, a small village and municipality in Switzerland remained a hidden gem until it gained fame through the popular Kdrama "Crash Landing On You," which featured several scenes shot there. Previously, this serene village was known only to a handful of curious tourists who happened upon it while strolling by the lake or exploring other Swiss villages. However, it has now become a popular destination, especially among avid Kdrama fans.

Iseltwald


During our Swiss vacation, we chose to stay in Brienz, largely because of my sister's enthusiasm for visiting this newly famous spot. As a dedicated Kdrama fan, she was thrilled to discover that her favorite drama had showcased this charming village. She was so captivated by the idea of seeing the locations from the show in real life that she specifically requested our tour agent to include Iseltwald in our itinerary.

I decided to join her on this adventure, intrigued by the opportunity to visit a Swiss village for the first time. The experience proved to be exquisite. Iseltwald's idyllic scenery, combined with its newfound fame, provided a unique blend of tranquility and excitement. Walking through the village, it was easy to see why it was chosen as a filming location. The pristine lake, charming wooden houses, and scenic surroundings create a postcard-perfect setting that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.


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We had some bad luck on day two of our Swiss trip. Iseltwald, being only a 15-minute drive from our hotel, was meant to be our final stop. We planned to explore other locations in the morning and wrap up our day with a visit to this beautiful village. Unfortunately, the rain began while we were still exploring, but we decided not to let it deter us. I bought a raincoat from a local store, determined to see all the places on our itinerary.

In mountainous areas, especially in May, the weather can be unpredictable, you cannot trust the weather because it constantly changes. Despite the rain slowing us down, I couldn't complain. We managed to visit every place we had planned, even though the weather was less than ideal. By the end of the day, we had completed our exploration, including our visit to Iseltwald.

The weather app was showing me that at around afternoon time the rain would stop but it didn't. So when we reached the Iseltwald, it was not only rainy but windy. The flow of wind was so strong because of the vast lake and it was a little bit difficult to take photos of the lake, the desired spot, and sitting near the lake.


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So what the hype was all about? Why do all Kdrama fans visit this village whenever they come to Switzerland? Well, it's about this small Jetty.

A key scene of the South Korean Netflix series "Crash Landing On You" was filmed here in Iseltwald. The main actor Hyun Bin played the piano here.

This was written near the Jetty and to visit the Jetty and to take photos there, you have to pay 5 CHF. 😂 Nearby the area, a hotel located, more like a resort for the tourists. I had no intention of visiting the jetty and taking photos in the windy rainy weather even though many tourists went to the jetty by paying 5 CHF and didn't care about the weather.

This jetty was free to visit before but when tons of tourists started coming here just to see this jetty, the municipality established a ticket system for only that specific jetty. You can visit the village for free.

There is also a hiking spot for the hikers and a few restaurants for the tourists but mostly this village is known for vacation houses/cottages and that pier.


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This is the famous scene of the series...

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Here are my captures of the jetty. My sister and I had hoped to spend some time near this specific spot, but the harsh wind and rain made it difficult to stay by the lake for long. Taking photos was also quite challenging in these conditions. The strong gusts and persistent rain limited our time near the water and made taking photos quite difficult.

Despite these challenges, the surrounding scenery was truly exquisite. Soft clouds floated over the mountains, creating a scenic backdrop. The turquoise blue lake, churning with heavy waves, added to the dramatic beauty of the scene I would say. Amidst this, a few swans floated gracefully on the water, enhancing the serene and magical atmosphere.

Well, was it still special?


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After visiting the jetty, we went to take a short walk in the village. To be honest, the view was astonishing, especially with the wooden houses set against the backdrop of the Bernese Alps. I loved the moment when the whole picturesque scenery of the village was in front of me while walking on the narrow walkways. I was captivated by the picturesque scenery unfolding before me.

During my walk, I came across several chalets and realized these were holiday homes that could be rented for summer and winter vacations. The idea of staying in one of these charming Alpine cottages sounded wonderful. I also noticed some private properties and houses, which added to the village's authentic and cozy atmosphere.

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I didn't take many photos because I felt a bit uncomfortable, perhaps due to the weather or the private nature of some areas. However, I did observe that many chalets were situated near the lakeside, especially close to the jetty. If the weather had been better, I would have loved to explore even more.

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Well, my sister was so curious about the ferry ride or boat ride. Tourists/visitors can rent a boat or can take a ferry from one village to another while exploring the beautiful lake. Normally during summer, the Lake Brienz and other nearby villages excursion happens but we were a bit early for the ferry tour. Besides the weather was harsh so small boats were not available as well.

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Unfortunately, we had to keep our walk short because my sister got soaked completely in the rain even though she was wearing a raincoat. We planned so much to do here in the village and thought we would enjoy the panoramic view while sitting somewhere but that didn't happen. But we don't regret it at all... Small hiccups come always during the tour so it was no big deal.


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Despite the turbulent weather, the brief moments I spent in the village were truly memorable. The serene beauty of the wooden houses and the majestic Alps made it a place I'd love to revisit, perhaps under sunnier skies. The village had a unique charm that left a lasting impression on me, making it one of the highlights of my trip.

Although we couldn't spend as much time there as we had hoped, the brief moments we did have were unforgettable. The natural beauty of the area, combined with the weather's intensity, created a unique experience. Each photograph, though hard-won, captured the enchanting essence of this beautiful location.



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Priyan...



I am @priyanarc.... An architect, a dreamer, and a passionate writer who loves to write about life. I try to present my own perspective and experiences. Please leave your feedback and criticism because it's the only way I can know and reach your mind and thoughts easily...



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Hello. I was surprised that the recent popularity of the site was for a Korean drama series, or k-drama. It is an example of how the process of globalization, 'soft diplomacy', and the development of cultural industries can surprise you.

It looks like a very nice place in the photos. It's a shame about the rainy weather, but it was good that this change of weather didn't discourage you, and you could tour the place anyway.

I thought it was smart that the local government thought about how to take advantage of the fame of the pier, although I am not a fan of taxes and fees per visit. But, I understand that even heavy traffic can be a problem for the structure. So by charging you cover two problems, on the one hand, the volume of people is reduced a little, and on the other hand, you obtain additional income that can be used for maintenance.


!ALIVE !LUV !BBH !LOLZ

It is an example of how the process of globalization, 'soft diplomacy', and the development of cultural industries can surprise you.

Absolutely, another interesting fact is there is a town called Interlaken in Switzerland and that town also became famous among Indians due to Bollywood movies. That's why I said I learned about Switzerland in 1996 after seeing a famous Hollywood movie.

how to take advantage of the fame of the pier,

Local government made a wise move I would say because heavy tourists have driven many locals away from the village and those cottages turned into chalets/holiday homes now. Also, the town called Interlaken is known for its enormous Indian tourists. People even say that the Indians start their Euro tour from Interlaken, Switzerland...

Thanks for the information about Interlaken, I found this issue interesting, and it caught my attention that tourists from India begin their journey through Europe in that town :)

!LUV !ALIVE !BBH

They are very beautiful views, in truth, appearing in a novel or movie can greatly improve the attention of tourists for a place, and it is very well justified, the way the town looks is too beautiful.

appearing in a novel or movie can greatly improve the attention of tourists for a place

Yes and because of a movie, I came to know about Switzerland in 1996 when I was a kid. Nowadays these specific locations are very popular. I was checking the summer photos of the village and it's quite nice...

How are you my friend? I hope you are doing well...

I was quite affected by my health, I am already improving, so I appreciate your good wishes.

I had a very dear friend who moved to Switzerland years ago, but I haven't heard from her in a long time. Whenever she could, my friend would talk to me about how beautiful that country was.

Health issues are barriers whenever you want to do something for yourself. I also have some issues and I am grateful that I still can travel or do things. Switzerland is actually a very unique and beautiful country, especially the countryside. I also have seen some people are not interested in going there because not all people love nature. I hope one day you will be able to travel again...

It looks really beautiful. It's a shame the weather wasn't very good but I'm very impressed you stuck with it. If life hands you lemons, then make lemonade!

I decided to keep a raincoat always with me, it's convenient, especially in NL.

If life hands you lemons, then make lemonade!

Exactly and I did that instead of avoiding the locations...

Oh wow Iseltwald is quite a beautiful place. Even with the rain, it must have been cool to see the scenery and the famous jetty. Amazing amazing amazing !BEER

The village is very nice and I would have enjoyed it more if the weather was not windy because I was protected from the rain by wearing a raincoat. Atleast I managed to take some photos for the memory book.

Thank you so much for stopping by, have a nice week...

You're most welcome dearest friend, I enjoyed the blog

Thank you once again for your time...

It was a pleasure good friend

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