I have to admit something to you today. When I sit down every week to watch The Amazing Race with my family I watch the contestants travel to foreign destinations and I feel a mixture of both jealousy and anger. Here they are, able to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world and they don’t even get to enjoy the places they’re visiting.

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These incredibly dedicated couples are merely hopping from one place to the next with nothing but the end in mind. With that in mind, I thought I’d take a little time to outline some of the places these people travel. Maybe one day you or I will be able to spend a little more time than those merely passing through.

Exploring The Amazing Race 2009, Episode 1

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During the first episode of the most recent season, travelers found themselves traveling to and passing through a number of different places. These included:

• Los Alamitos, California
• Zurich, Switzerland
• Milan, Italy
• Locarno, Switzerland
• Lucerne, Switzerland
• Interlaken, Switzerland
• Stechelberg, Switzerland

Los Alamitos, California

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Los Alamitos, California, a small town in the famed Orange County, turned out to be the starting point of the entire race. This town of just under 12,000 citizens isn’t a tourist attraction by any means, but it is the home of the US Military Joint Forces Training Base which also houses the Los Alamitos Army Airfield.

Zurich, Switzerland

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Only a stop on the way to Locarno, Zurich is an incredibly beautiful town nestled in the Swiss Alps. You won’t find yourself wishing for things to do while you’re there, either. There are dozens of incredible art galleries, museums, parks, theatres and monuments to explore.

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Make sure you visit Burkliterrasse while you’re in the area. Opened in 1887, the incredible park sits on the lake and provides visitors with stunning views of the Alps. After you’ve taken in the view, head on over to Grossmunster and tour one of the most incredible Romanesque churches and crypts in the entire area. The Reformation Museum, also found at Grossmunster, is open Monday through Friday and is a sight you won’t want to miss.

Milan, Italy

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Our adventurers didn’t really want to find themselves in Milan, but a few found they had no other choice but to pass through on their way to Locarno. The second largest city in Italy is certainly intriguing.

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Milan is especially well known within the fashion industry and is considered to be amongst the design capitals of the world. The city has always been famous not only for its fashionable shops but for its incredible cathedrals as well. Another popular sight is the Garden of the Righteous, established in 2003 to commemorate anyone who has lost his life due to genocide.

Locarno, Switzerland

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Locarno was the first official destination for the racers but when they arrived they had little time to explore. Found at the tip of Lake Maggiore, Locarno is known for having one of the mildest climates in the region. Those lucky enough to find themselves in Locarno may think they accidentally landed in the Mediterranean.

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During the summer months locals love gathering for open-air concerts or for the International Film Festival, which finds it way to the area in late August. Anyone feeling adventurous will enjoy a trip up Cardada-Cimetta, where hang-gliding, hiking, skiing, and sledding are incredibly popular depending on the time of year.

Lucerne, Switzerland

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Lucerne is another beautiful city found in Central Switzerland. The city itself sits on the shores of Lake Lucerne and is a very popular tourist destination for those hoping to catch a glimpse of Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, and the Swiss Alps.

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There are tons of incredible attractions and landmarks to explore, but one of the most famous is Chapel Bridge. The structure was built in the 14^th century and is one of few remaining wooden bridges still standing today. The medieval covered bridges, such as Kapellbrucke and Vierwaldstattersee, are definitely worth seeking out as well.

Interlaken, Switzerland

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The town of Interlaken is so named because it can be found between two more beautiful Swiss lakes – Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. The small town, which sits about 1,870 feet above sea level, was once the home of a convent owned by the Augustinian Canons, who resided there from around 1130 until 1528.

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If you love adventure, Interlaken is certainly a spectacular destination. Backpackers frequently stop in Interlaken because of the friendly hostels in the area and those who plan to stay longer will enjoy skydiving, hang gliding, and skiing in the surrounding areas.

Stechelberg, Switzerland

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By the end of the episode our adventurers found themselves in Stechelberg, Switzerland. Stechelberg is a very small village that can be found at the base of the mountain known as Jungfrau. Visitors to this village often take the aerial tramway to reach Gimmelwald, Murren, and Schilthorn – all of which are car-free destinations where tourists enjoy skiing, hiking, and other outdoor sports.

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Not far from Stechelbeg you’ll find a collection of over 72 waterfalls including Staubbach Falls, the highest waterfall in Switzerland. The occupants of the village creatively blend their need to herd dairy animals with their desire to promote tourism and take great pride in their abilities to give visitors a host of incredible trails, cable cars, cabins, chalets, and festivals to explore.

Hopefully the couples taking part in this season’s race will have the opportunity to spend a bit of time backtracking to at least a few of these destinations before heading home after the show. They’re certainly missing out on the chance to explore some of the most beautiful mountainous countryside in the world.