Castles and Christmas

We're going to look at some family history at Schloss Thun, hear some Mozart look at the Alps in snow, and find Silent Night. Oh yeah, and see some Christmas Markets. Read more

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Trip start
November 26, 2025
Castles and Christmas
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In Paris, finding the train station
November 27, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F
Lyria 7999 to Lausanne. The train is amazingly quiet. Had to scramble for tickets, but we had no idea how long customs would be, so no reservations.
Traveler Yum
11/27/25Reply
Traveler Cleanliness is kin to godliness
11/27/25Reply
Traveler 🧘
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Traveler We are in the land.
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Castles and Christmas
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Finally stopping for a night
Nov 27–28, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 36 °F
Oddly, the Freddy Mercury Hotel, because he thought Montreux was such a cool place.
Traveler This looks like a great place!!!
11/30/25Reply
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Castles and Christmas
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Early for the Christmas Market
November 28, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 37 °F
Our first real day. Spent the morning at the Christmas market. This is going to be like a continent-wide craft show. A good one. And it was very good. I bought some stuff that, sadly, was lost on our next train. We checked lost and found. But nope. Oh well. Montreux was a great start to a stellar trip.Read more
TravelerThis would be so cool! Well it is cool I’m sure.
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Traveler There must be a story
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TravelerNot sure. Couldn't read it. But they remind me of art from "Where the Wild Things Are".
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Castles and Christmas
Golden Pass Express
November 28, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 39 °F
Scenic ride from Montreux to Interlaken. We originally wanted the Glacier Express but it was down for maintenance. No matter. This was everything we could have wanted. It's easy to see why the ancient pagans thought gods lived in the mountains.Read more
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Swiss Hut stay in Interlaken
Nov 28–Dec 1, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 36 °F
After the panoramic train, we arrived at our home away from home for a few days. It will feel nice to leave our bags behind for awhile.
Traveler Love the bear :)
12/1/25Reply
TravelerThis town is in the Canton (state) of Bern. Bern means bear. Kind of an important mascot.
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Traveler❤️
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Harder Kulm
November 29, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F
A funicular to "The Top of Interlaken". This spot gives a sweeping view of the Alps, including Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.
Traveler Beautiful Picture
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Traveler Candid camera.
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Schloss Thun
November 30, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F
We took the "Faith and Power" tour with Elsbeth Aebersold ... fantastic tour guide, even researched Melchior Brenneman in prep. Very well versed on the Mennonite plight between the 1600s and 1700s.
Traveler Tell Dawn's knees good luck! 👍👍👍
11/30/25Reply
Traveler The tour guide was patient and Dad and I both did okay! 😀
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Castles and Christmas
Stadtkirche Thun
November 30, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F
This Reformed Church is adjacent to the castle.
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Grindelwald First
December 1, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 30 °F
Took the gondola up to Grindelwald First a peak of the Schwarzhorn, facing the Eiger mountain. It snowed for a few days previously, but the Sun was out.
Traveler Hey dude
12/3/25Reply
Traveler Light headed too
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TravelerYup
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Castles and Christmas
Grindelwald
December 1, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 39 °F
Checking out the town. It was mostly closed (off season travelers here). We found some great dinner.
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A quick stop in Lucerne
December 2, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F
A brief stop for personal interests, then moving on for the evening.
Traveler Sitting ON a Covered Bridge in Lucerne
12/2/25Reply
TravelerAdmittedly, no trucks drive on this bridge.
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Traveler This is very cool
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Castles and Christmas
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Zurich for the evening
Dec 2–3, 2025 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F
Stopped in at the home of Anabaptism, stayed overnight in a suburb, Dietikon, which is not a convention for people deliberating over meals and snacks.
Traveler "Here in the middle of the Limmat River, Felix Manz and five other Anabaptists were drowned during the Reformation period between 1527 and 1532. The last Anabaptist to be drowned was Hans Landis, executed in 1614. "
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Just passing through
December 3, 2025 in Liechtenstein ⋅ ☁️ 36 °F
This was a travel day. Left Switzerland on the Gotthard Panoramic Express, crossed Lichtenstein, and entered Austria. Fog, like riding through a grey tunnel. It didn't obscure everything but it did try. Then a little way into Austria, the fog lifted. Each view is unique, magnificent in its own way.Read more
Traveler Paul looks chilled
12/3/25Reply
TravelerChilled and chill
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Castles and Christmas
A Good Place to Come in from the Cold
Dec 3–7, 2025 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 36 °F
We're hearing from Mozart and Mohr, among others. At night, usually unconscionably late, this is where we stop.
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Music City
December 4, 2025 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 36 °F
The land of Mozart in the church where he was baptized. This plaza is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. It's architecture makes me easily see how the Apostles felt when the marveled over the Temple structure and Jesus called them back to reality. This church burned once and was bombed at the end of WW2.Read more
Traveler This is amazing
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Traveler I love how they framed the scenes
12/5/25Reply
TravelerBaroque in all its glory.
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Organ Concert at the Cathedral.
December 4, 2025 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F
Traveler Amazing
12/12/25Reply
Traveler The churches in Europe are breathtaking
12/12/25Reply
TravelerYou're not kidding. I could spend hours in there, just looking up.
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Castles and Christmas
Requiem at Stiftung Mozarteum Salzburg
December 5, 2025 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F
Listening to Mozart's Requiem on the anniversary of his death. What a piece. The sound from the choir was nearly tangible. The conductor wielded his baton like a mad sorcerer with a willful magic wand. Pulled sound from the orchestra and choir like winning a tug of war with masterful persuasion. It was a manic dance.Read more
TravelerWe just don’t know how to build buildings today!
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TravelerWe have the technology to make things elaborate for a fraction of the cost and effort. It's a sad statement on our taste and motivation.
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Silent Night Chapel
December 6, 2025 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F
Oberndorf is included as an element of the UNESCO World Heritage status of the carol as the home of Josef Mohr who wrote the lyrics for Stille Nacht. He was curate for St. Niklaus church and angered the priest he worked for by befriending the bargemen. The priest lobbied church officials to have him removed. At the same time, the bargemen took Stille Nacht up and down the river making it popular.Read more
Traveler A story worth reading
12/6/25Reply
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Castles and Christmas
Bavaria for a minute
December 6, 2025 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 36 °F
Laufen is in the small peninsula surrounded by Austria here in Oberndorf. You just wander across this iron bridge and hey, presto, you're in Germany. Till the Napolionic wars they were one community, Then somebody who knew better decided the river should be the international border.Read more
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Castles and Christmas
Hometown Nurnburg
Dec 7–10, 2025 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F
This is the home of the oldest Christmas Market in Europe, and a couple of the oldest medieval cities.
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Oldest Christkindlemarkt
December 8, 2025 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
The Christkind is not the Christ child, as the name suggests. It's a pretty girl angel who is sent because apparently she will be less intimidating. In spite of the Christian overtone, it's not really any better than Santa who, in these parts is accompanied by Krampus. Krampuses get their own event, the Krampus run. In any case, this market is the place to shop for Christmas.Read more
Traveler It’s hard to find good help, even back then
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TravelerLove sick kids are still capable of good work.
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Traveler Making a wish as you live out a dream. Does it get any better than this?
12/12/25Reply
TravelerI'm not telling what my wish was or it won't come true. Tours of Nuremburg are fond of legends, the stuff the Middle Ages were forged from.
12/13/25Reply
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Castles and Christmas
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
December 9, 2025 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
One of the few completely walled medeival cities left.
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Lunch in the Middle Ages
December 9, 2025 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
Ratstube does not sound like an appetizing place to eat. But this was quite tasty.
Traveler History still in the making.
12/12/25Reply
Traveler I love the arched ceiling
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Traveler 😊
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Last day in Nurnburg
December 10, 2025 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Took some time at the Hangman's Bridge, St. Jacob's Church, the Christmas Markt and the Bratwursthausle. Nurnberg Brots and strudel.
Traveler Very good picture of Dawn
12/12/25Reply
Traveler Tribute to dad’s apple strudel story
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TravelerThere were no mistakes about portion size.
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Traveler Ok, noted 😊
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Long train, back in Paris, Home tomorrow
Dec 11–12, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Long train ride to Paris on the fastest train I ever rode. Still took awhile.
Traveler Aka gummy bears
12/13/25Reply
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