Tues Oct 8, 2019 hotel sorel Rutli. Zurich Switzerland
We left from Palm Coast yesterday, then flew from JAX to Washington, then red eye here to Zurich where we arrived this AM at 7:45. We almost missed our flight here because our flight was delayed out of JAX, luckily they held plane for us, we were literally the last ones to board. Once on board, to our sheer delight, half of the plane was empty. Jon and I both were able to have a whole middle row to our selves. Although I did not really sleep, it was nice to be able to lay down and stretch out. We arrived at our hotel at 9:00 am and were able to check in early to our hotel, so happy ! We were originally going to fly out today and arrive tomorrow, but decided to give ourselves one day for jet lag. We meet Mike and Jana at the airport tomorrow, then catch a train to Interlaken where we begin day 1 off an 8 day train trip through Switzerland. We take a train to Rome where we spend 2 weeks in Italy. We got an hour cat nap in, then headed out to explore. Our hotel is right in the middle of Old town, so we explored the whole area. We also took a canal boat trip because if there is water, Jon wants to get on it ! We had some beers by the river, walked more, then ate dinner at a Bierhaus. European is so delicious, it does not bloat you up like US beer for some reason. A great first day in the books !
We left from Palm Coast yesterday, then flew from JAX to Washington, then red eye here to Zurich where we arrived this AM at 7:45. We almost missed our flight here because our flight was delayed out of JAX, luckily they held plane for us, we were literally the last ones to board. Once on board, to our sheer delight, half of the plane was empty. Jon and I both were able to have a whole middle row to our selves. Although I did not really sleep, it was nice to be able to lay down and stretch out. We arrived at our hotel at 9:00 am and were able to check in early to our hotel, so happy ! We were originally going to fly out today and arrive tomorrow, but decided to give ourselves one day for jet lag. We meet Mike and Jana at the airport tomorrow, then catch a train to Interlaken where we begin day 1 off an 8 day train trip through Switzerland. We take a train to Rome where we spend 2 weeks in Italy. We got an hour cat nap in, then headed out to explore. Our hotel is right in the middle of Old town, so we explored the whole area. We also took a canal boat trip because if there is water, Jon wants to get on it ! We had some beers by the river, walked more, then ate dinner at a Bierhaus. European is so delicious, it does not bloat you up like US beer for some reason. A great first day in the books !
We'd. Oct. 9 2019. City Hotel Oberland, Interlaken
We took the train back to the airport at met Mike and Jana. We then took the train to Interlaken, which involved one quick paced train change. It was pouring when we left our hotel this AM, so we fashioned raincoats for our suitcases out of garbage bags, no pride here ! We arrived in Interlaken around noon and were told rooms would not be ready till 3:00, so we headed out for lunch and to explore. Interlaken is a beautiful little town surrounded by mountains. It rained all afternoon, but lightly, so it was no problem to be out and about. We checked in to our hotel late afternoon.then headed back out around 6:00. We walked in the eastern end of town, were treated to a rainbow, then had a delish dinner at an Artsan beer restaurant. Day 2, another good day !
We'd. Oct. 9 2019. City Hotel Oberland, Interlaken
We took the train back to the airport at met Mike and Jana. We then took the train to Interlaken, which involved one quick paced train change. It was pouring when we left our hotel this AM, so we fashioned raincoats for our suitcases out of garbage bags, no pride here ! We arrived in Interlaken around noon and were told rooms would not be ready till 3:00, so we headed out for lunch and to explore. Interlaken is a beautiful little town surrounded by mountains. It rained all afternoon, but lightly, so it was no problem to be out and about. We checked in to our hotel late afternoon.then headed back out around 6:00. We walked in the eastern end of town, were treated to a rainbow, then had a delish dinner at an Artsan beer restaurant. Day 2, another good day !
Thurs, Oct 10, 2019 Interlaken
Today was a all day trip to Jungfrauch. We had 3 train connections to get there. Once there we enjoyed beautiful surrounding mountain views. The mountains were dotted with tiny villages and chalets, just like you would imagine. We went outside briefly on top but it was windy and only 9 degrees so we did not stay out for long. We took a different route back to Interlaken and stopped on Grindewald where we had a great lunch with the aEiser range as our backdrop. Since we ate a late lunch, we Houston went to a local store and picked up some bread, meat, cheese and cherry pie, and we ate back at our hotel. Tomorrow off to Montreax.
Today was a all day trip to Jungfrauch. We had 3 train connections to get there. Once there we enjoyed beautiful surrounding mountain views. The mountains were dotted with tiny villages and chalets, just like you would imagine. We went outside briefly on top but it was windy and only 9 degrees so we did not stay out for long. We took a different route back to Interlaken and stopped on Grindewald where we had a great lunch with the aEiser range as our backdrop. Since we ate a late lunch, we Houston went to a local store and picked up some bread, meat, cheese and cherry pie, and we ate back at our hotel. Tomorrow off to Montreax.
Fri. October 11, 2019. J5 Helvetie Hotel Montreaux
We caught the trai to Zweissman, then onto Montreaux this AM. The train was a panoramic train called the Golden Pass. We passed by beautiful little towns, lakes, and hillsides. We strolled along Lake Geneva to get to our hotel, and stopped at a food truck for lunch.We arrived at our hotel around 12:30 and luckily our rooms were ready. We have a small but neat old coner Europen room with a view of Lakr Geneva and double balconies. We got organized, and headed back to the lake where we caught a 2:30 steamboat for a tour of Lake Geneva. It was beautiful warm and sunny day,so being on the water was perfect. We took the first route around, and decided to go around again. Most everyone had left the boat. After we pulled out of our starting port, the conductor approached us and asked where we were going. We told him we were going around again. He told us the boat was on its last run, and stopped for the night on the other side of the lake. We got off of at the next stop anf luckily only had a couple mile walk back. We had a drink on our way back, then got organized and landed at an Irish pub for a fun night and dinner. Tomorrow Zermatt !
We caught the trai to Zweissman, then onto Montreaux this AM. The train was a panoramic train called the Golden Pass. We passed by beautiful little towns, lakes, and hillsides. We strolled along Lake Geneva to get to our hotel, and stopped at a food truck for lunch.We arrived at our hotel around 12:30 and luckily our rooms were ready. We have a small but neat old coner Europen room with a view of Lakr Geneva and double balconies. We got organized, and headed back to the lake where we caught a 2:30 steamboat for a tour of Lake Geneva. It was beautiful warm and sunny day,so being on the water was perfect. We took the first route around, and decided to go around again. Most everyone had left the boat. After we pulled out of our starting port, the conductor approached us and asked where we were going. We told him we were going around again. He told us the boat was on its last run, and stopped for the night on the other side of the lake. We got off of at the next stop anf luckily only had a couple mile walk back. We had a drink on our way back, then got organized and landed at an Irish pub for a fun night and dinner. Tomorrow Zermatt !