Sat. Oct 12, 2019. Zermatt
We left this AM and had 2 train changes and arrived in Zermatt around 12:30. Beautiful trip, passed by lots of orchards and vineyards, then climbed up into the mountains and followed a beautiful turquoise colored River. We checked into our hotel which is aforable. Our rooms are on the top floor and we have balconies overlooking the Matterhorn. Hard to believe earlier this year we were in Africa at Kilamanjaro, now e Matterhorn in Switzerland ! We took the gondola up to the top of a mountain and had lunch looking directly at Matterhorn, and had fun watching all the skiers and snowboarders. We then explored Zermatt and were fascinated by the old section with buildings from the 1600's. Jon was here over 35 years ago and said it is nothing like when he was here. There are still no cars, just little taxis that buzz all over. Tonight we are heading out for fondue, then tomorrow we take the Glacier express which is an 8 hour trip to St Moritz and is suppose to be a highlight of the trip.
We left this AM and had 2 train changes and arrived in Zermatt around 12:30. Beautiful trip, passed by lots of orchards and vineyards, then climbed up into the mountains and followed a beautiful turquoise colored River. We checked into our hotel which is aforable. Our rooms are on the top floor and we have balconies overlooking the Matterhorn. Hard to believe earlier this year we were in Africa at Kilamanjaro, now e Matterhorn in Switzerland ! We took the gondola up to the top of a mountain and had lunch looking directly at Matterhorn, and had fun watching all the skiers and snowboarders. We then explored Zermatt and were fascinated by the old section with buildings from the 1600's. Jon was here over 35 years ago and said it is nothing like when he was here. There are still no cars, just little taxis that buzz all over. Tonight we are heading out for fondue, then tomorrow we take the Glacier express which is an 8 hour trip to St Moritz and is suppose to be a highlight of the trip.
Sun. Oct 13, 2019. St Moritz
Up and off on the Glacier Express. Even though we were first class, they had us in a packed car that was hot and noisy. About half way through, we found the other first class car only had 4 people so we moved and were able to all stretch out. The trip was reall beautiful, mountains, valleys, little towns, farms, well worth the 8 hour trip. We arrived in St Moritz around 4:30. and took the hotel shuttle to our room. The hotel looked over the lake, and the common areas were really interesting. We had a couple of drinks at the bar, then had a great dinner at the hotel. Since it was Sunday, the town was buttoned up, and our hotel was out of town a bit, so we just hunkered in.
Up and off on the Glacier Express. Even though we were first class, they had us in a packed car that was hot and noisy. About half way through, we found the other first class car only had 4 people so we moved and were able to all stretch out. The trip was reall beautiful, mountains, valleys, little towns, farms, well worth the 8 hour trip. We arrived in St Moritz around 4:30. and took the hotel shuttle to our room. The hotel looked over the lake, and the common areas were really interesting. We had a couple of drinks at the bar, then had a great dinner at the hotel. Since it was Sunday, the town was buttoned up, and our hotel was out of town a bit, so we just hunkered in.
Mon. Oct 14, 2019. Lugano Switzerland
This morning we boarded the Bernina express to Tirano, where we caught a bus to Lugano. It was the prettiest of all the train trips we have been on. Tirano is in Italy, so the same pizza that is 20.00 in Switzerland, was only 6.00 in Italy. It is true what they say about Switzerland being really expensive. We arrived in Lugano around 5:00 PM. We were just a short walk to our hotel from the train station, but down a big hill. We had talked about skipping our trip up to Lucerne tomorrow as we would head north tomorrow, then the next day come right back here, then on to Rome. In addition it is suppose to pour all day tomorrow. Once we checked the hotel out, we decided to stay an extra day and regroup before heading off to Rome. We have a great room on the top floor with a balcony overlooking Lake Lugano, so we drank wine on the balcony, then took the funicular up the hill for dinner. We are looking forward to a relaxing day staying put tomorrow !
This morning we boarded the Bernina express to Tirano, where we caught a bus to Lugano. It was the prettiest of all the train trips we have been on. Tirano is in Italy, so the same pizza that is 20.00 in Switzerland, was only 6.00 in Italy. It is true what they say about Switzerland being really expensive. We arrived in Lugano around 5:00 PM. We were just a short walk to our hotel from the train station, but down a big hill. We had talked about skipping our trip up to Lucerne tomorrow as we would head north tomorrow, then the next day come right back here, then on to Rome. In addition it is suppose to pour all day tomorrow. Once we checked the hotel out, we decided to stay an extra day and regroup before heading off to Rome. We have a great room on the top floor with a balcony overlooking Lake Lugano, so we drank wine on the balcony, then took the funicular up the hill for dinner. We are looking forward to a relaxing day staying put tomorrow !
Tues. Oct 15, 2019 Lugano Switzerland
We had a perfect leisurely breakfast and morning, so nice not to have to get up and go ! Michael had to get some work done, so Jon, Jana and I took the funicular back up to the train station to see if we could change out tickets to Rome tomorrow. Because we were scheduled on the Italian train, they could not change them, but gave us the phone number to the train company. We knew it would be in Italian, so we came back to the hotel, and the front desk helped us change our Milan Rome ticket to get into Rome at noon time, instead of our original arrival time at 7:30. Unfortunately they could not change our Lugano to Milan ticket, so, we went back up to train station. We the had to purchase new tickets from Lugano to Milan, but well worth it since we gain a half day in Rome. We then took the funicular all the way down to the city center and waterfront. As advertised it was pouring out, so we walked around a bit, picked up some wine, then returned to our hotel mid afternoon. We spent a couple of hours just relaxing, then had cocktails followed by a fabulous meal at our hotel. It was a great way to spend a lousy rainy day. Tomorrow should be clear, and we will jump back into touring full speed ahead !
We had a perfect leisurely breakfast and morning, so nice not to have to get up and go ! Michael had to get some work done, so Jon, Jana and I took the funicular back up to the train station to see if we could change out tickets to Rome tomorrow. Because we were scheduled on the Italian train, they could not change them, but gave us the phone number to the train company. We knew it would be in Italian, so we came back to the hotel, and the front desk helped us change our Milan Rome ticket to get into Rome at noon time, instead of our original arrival time at 7:30. Unfortunately they could not change our Lugano to Milan ticket, so, we went back up to train station. We the had to purchase new tickets from Lugano to Milan, but well worth it since we gain a half day in Rome. We then took the funicular all the way down to the city center and waterfront. As advertised it was pouring out, so we walked around a bit, picked up some wine, then returned to our hotel mid afternoon. We spent a couple of hours just relaxing, then had cocktails followed by a fabulous meal at our hotel. It was a great way to spend a lousy rainy day. Tomorrow should be clear, and we will jump back into touring full speed ahead !