Enjoying our last day in Switzerland

Day 5 - St Moritz to Lucerne

Today we travelled by train over the top of the Swiss Alps. It is the slowest express train in the world. The journey took five hours but it was so comfortable and the scenery so spectacular that the time passed very quickly. We particularly liked the fact that you could get up and wander around. There is also plenty of leg room. Much better than both the coach or a plane. At one stage you stop for about 15 minutes so they can split the train into two smaller trains and attach cog wheel engines. This is to lessen the weight on the steepest sections of the track. The tunnels and bridges that you pass through and over are spectacular feats of engineering. 

Our journey ended in Andermatt where our coach driver was waiting to take us on to Lucerne where we will spent the next two nights. 

On the way we called in to visit a typical Swiss family at their diary. They were very generous with their time. We ate cheese they had made and were able to look through their home and around their farm. 

The two things that stand out from the farm visit are the green of the pastures and meadows and the constant sound of cow (and goat) bells echoing around you. 

Back on the bus for a short drive to our hotel The Palace Luzern. 

The View!!!

Enjoy the view from our room at the Palace Luzern, of the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne. Update to follow.

Day 4 - Zermatt to St Moritz

Today was another big day on the tour. The record for OMGs and WOWs was smashed as we wound our way down off the mountain and then up over the Simplon Pass into Italy. It actually got to a point where there were simply no words adequate enough to describe what we were seeing. You thought you had seen it all and then we would turn another corner and there would be a collective gasp. The sheer beauty of the alps is occasionally surpassed by the sheer ingenuity of the man made structures such as the tunnels, bridges, roads and switchbacks that make crossing the alps possible. 

After the crossing we dropped down into Italy and made our way to the gorgeous town of Stresa on the banks of Lake Maggiore. This was our lunch stop. We found our way to the central square which was full of open air restaurants. Stephen decided on buffalo mozzarella and tomato pizza with an expresso and I had bruschetta. It was delicious. After lunch we strolled up and down the laneways peering in the quaint little shops. We decided that to complete the Italian theme we needed to have a gelato for dessert. Yum!!!

Our next stop was the shores of Lake Como. Como of course is famous as the home of the rich and famous such as George Clooney. But more importantly it is the European home of our very own Cadel. He was unfortunately not home as he is a bit busy riding around Italy on a bit if a bike ride at the moment. 

Back on the bus for another couple of hours climbing the Maloja Pass to our final destination - the beautiful town of St Moritz. In total we spent about six hours driving today. We were all pretty tired by the time we pulled in at our hotel. Dinner was lovely but I can tell you we were happy to climb into bed for some much needed sleep. 

The View!!!

Just popping in to say we have arrived at St. Moritz. Another very swish hotel with a killer view. Will post a more detailed story later. 

Day 3 - Zermatt

Today started with a stroll in the rain around Zermatt looking at some of the original and oldest houses. They really are very interesting. 

We then made our way to the station where we caught the cog wheel train to Gornergrat 3089m to view the Matterhorn. Unfortunately while everything else on the tour has been especially well organised.....they forgot to organise the weather. Not only was the entire mountain range shrouded in cloud.....it was snowing!!! So even though it was a bit of a disappointment it was still a great experience. 

Stephen chatting with our guide Peter. Peter was born and raised in Zermatt. He has climbed the Matterhorn many times. 

The rest of the day was spent in and around Zermatt and our beautiful hotel. 

View of Zermatt from the train on the return trip. 

Main street of Zermatt. 

Tomorrow is going to be another really big day with a very early start. We actually cross over into Italy for lunch before moving onto St. Moritz for the night. 

Day 2 - Montreux to Zermatt

I am not sure if there is a record for the number of WOWs and OMGs said in one day, but I am sure we went close to breaking it. 

To say that yesterday was a big day is probably an understatement. In the words of Maria, "Let's start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start....."

After a night spent in the luxurious Fairmont Montreux Palace we strolled along the foreshore of Lake Geneva to the dock where we boarded the Henry Durante (founder of the Red Cross) before cruising to Chateux Chillon. As a means of fortifying their position the Chateux was built into the water and so by boat is the best way to approach. 

We had a guided tour. Our guide was the very sweet Ana. It was her first day at her new job and we were her first group. Her passion for history and the Chateux was evident. She was a wealth of information. The Chateux itself is amazing with some of the most beautiful friezes I have seen. 

The weather in Montreux was wet and humid. It had rained all night and persisted as we climbed on board the coach headed for Zermatt. We stopped at a service centre on the highway for lunch. Nothing like the ones we have in Australia. No McDonalds or Kentucky here. Instead you have a wonderful selection of local produce - cakes, fruit, breads, salads, cold and hot meats, soups, etc. Yum!!!

As we drove up the mountain pass the weather begun to clear. By the time we got to Tasch it was sunny and mild. Tasch is the last stop for the bus. To continue further up the mountain you have to catch a train. We arrived in Zermatt 30 minutes later and then strolled up the hill to our hotel. The view from our balcony is breathtaking. I keep looking for Heidi but I haven't found her just yet. We did however see a number of beautiful big cows with their enormous cow bells strapped around their necks. 

Our hotel is absolutely sensational. It is a family run business and they take great pride in their establishment. We are really going to enjoy our two night here. 

Zermatt

Just a quick post to say we have arrived in Zermatt. I will write a more detailed post later. This photo was taken from our balcony. I have to keep pinching myself as I can't believe we are here. It is beyond magnificent. 

Day 1 - Zurich to Montreux

We started the day with a walking tour of Zurich. Being a Sunday morning many of the people in Zurich were attending one of the many very beautiful churches in the city. At one stage we stood admiring the view while listening to the peeling bells. They were loud and rang continuously for 15 to 20 minutes. It was an unbelievable sight and sound. 

My lasting impression of Zurich is that it is clean, organised and beautiful. The way that the very old part of town has been blended in with the new, sleek Zurich is wonderful. As Annette (our guide) reminded us, Switzerland was neutral during both World Wars, so most of the old building still stand. 

Our tour group numbers 29. All Aussies. Many of them have linked up with the tour from other cities in Europe. Some have been travelling in Italy, others the Balkans. Many have already been away from Australia for weeks. They all seem nice. I guess we will learn more about them in the coming weeks. 

Our next stop was the capital of Switzerland - Bern. Another absolutely stunning city. We wandered the streets of the town centre for a little while before having lunch in a small Tea Room. Just lovely. 

Bern means 'bear' in German. The town was named after the first animal caught by the founder of Bern when on a hunting trip in the area. 

Our next stop was the town of Gruyere. Talk about take your breath away. We climbed up the hill to find the most beautiful village at the foot of a chateau built on the fortified position at the top of the hill. The town square was stunning. Words and photos really don't do it justice. 

After a short coach ride we have now arrived in Montreux. The Swiss playground of the very rich and famous. We can only dream!!!

We have now moved into the mountain area. Tomorrow it is the Alps. We have caught glimpses of them as we toured along today. From a distance they are spectacular. We can't wait to experience them up close.