Impressions of Switzerland

What a whirlwind trip we had through Switzerland.  We lucked up with the rail pass being on sale for the fall—their off season—and got it buy one/get one so we decided to splurge and went first class with the rail pass which we are glad we did.  On several of the train rides we took we had the rail car almost to ourselves and first class has more luggage storage space on the trains. Trains and connections were remarkably efficient and easy.

Hotel observations:  No splurge hotels as Switzerland is fairly expensive and the places we chose had good reviews on cleanliness and hospitality and they were all as expected with Zermatt being better than we imagined.  All our rooms had balconies for smoking which worked out well except for being pretty cold in the mornings—usually in the 30’s.  All included breakfast which was very good.  All 3 hotels had twin beds pushed together which was no surprise but all had separate twin covers— no top sheets but a feather duvet and extra blankets in the closet.

Food:  We tried a lot of traditional Swiss dishes and enjoyed them: cheese fondue, rosti (coarse shredded potato with various additions), schnitzel, lamb, and a street vendor sausage.  The only local thing we did not try was racelet—a cheese that is heated then shaved off onto a plate.  One restaurant we went into had a real odd odor and we thought it had to be the cheese over the warmer for slicing.  Sure enough on our last morning in Switzerland on the breakfast buffet there were 3 kinds of cheese and I sliced off all three wheels.  When I got to our table the smell of the cheese almost made me sick.  The odor was so strong I had to go back to our room and wash my hands before I could eat anything else!  Mystery restaurant odor from earlier definitely confirmed.

Scenery (from Tim):  For many years, even before I knew what a bucket list was, the Alps were on my bucket list.  None of the stories, pictures or videos could prepare me for the majesty of the Alps. They are truly awesome.  My first train in the higher altitudes was enough to stir emotions in even an old country boy like me.  No words to describe or pictures we took even begin to do justice to the scenery. If you are in awe looking at our photos, imagine it 100 times over.  Anyone who says there is no God has never seen the Alps. 

This morning as I type this we are sitting on our balcony in Florence and listening to the church bells ring……classic Italy. We loved Switzerland but are now looking forward to a week in familiar territory in Italy. 

Day 5: Bernini Express

After our last one night stay we depart St Moritz for Italy.  We cross the very scenic Bernini Pass enroute to Tirano, Italy.  Yesterday’s Glacier Express and today's Bernini Express train rides are 2 of the most scenic journeys in Europe.  Don’t let the name “express” fool you, these train go very slow most of the day.   We arrived in Florence late this afternoon and will be here for 3 nights. We are having a great time and had dinner tonight at a restaurant we discovered last June with the kids.  Brian should be happy to know I ate a baked buffalo mozzarella appetizer for him! 

St Moritz hotel balcony view over train station

heading out on train

I can't believe we did this, but our first meal after reaching Italy while waiting on next train to Florence.

Lake Como, looking for George Clooney

Florence dinner.......just for Brian Adams

ravioli

Carbanera......Tim's favorite

Day 4: Glacier Express

After a whirlwind stay in Zermatt we leave on the "Glacier Express"  a famous, 8 hour scenic train ride across the Alps traveling from Zermatt to St Moritz.  We had a wonderful day of jaw dropping views.  We took close to 300 pictures today.

When looking at these pictures keep in mind that most were taken out a train window and therefore some glare on them. 

just before dawn in Zermatt taken from our balcony

The Matterhorn at sunrise behind the clouds

Start of Glacier Express train journey

Dusk in St Moritz