In Paris, finding the train station
27. November 2025 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 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.
Finally stopping for a night
27.–28. Nov. 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☁️ 36 °F
Oddly, the Freddy Mercury Hotel, because he thought Montreux was such a cool place.
Early for the Christmas Market
28. November 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☀️ 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 ourWeiterlesen
ReisenderNot sure. Couldn't read it. But they remind me of art from "Where the Wild Things Are".
Golden Pass Express
28. November 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☁️ 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 ancientWeiterlesen
Swiss Hut stay in Interlaken
28. Nov.–1. Dez. 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☁️ 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.
ReisenderThis town is in the Canton (state) of Bern. Bern means bear. Kind of an important mascot.
Harder Kulm
29. November 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F
A funicular to "The Top of Interlaken". This spot gives a sweeping view of the Alps, including Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.
Schloss Thun
30. November 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☁️ 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.
Stadtkirche Thun
30. November 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F
This Reformed Church is adjacent to the castle.
Grindelwald First
1. Dezember 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☀️ 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.
Grindelwald
1. Dezember 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☀️ 39 °F
Checking out the town. It was mostly closed (off season travelers here). We found some great dinner.
A quick stop in Lucerne
2. Dezember 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F
A brief stop for personal interests, then moving on for the evening.
Zurich for the evening
2.–3. Dez. 2025 in der Schweiz ⋅ ☁️ 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.
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"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. "
Just passing through
3. Dezember 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 didWeiterlesen
A Good Place to Come in from the Cold
3.–7. Dez. 2025 in Österreich ⋅ ⛅ 36 °F
We're hearing from Mozart and Mohr, among others. At night, usually unconscionably late, this is where we stop.
Music City
4. Dezember 2025 in Österreich ⋅ ☁️ 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 theWeiterlesen
Organ Concert at the Cathedral.
4. Dezember 2025 in Österreich ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F
ReisenderYou're not kidding. I could spend hours in there, just looking up.
Requiem at Stiftung Mozarteum Salzburg
5. Dezember 2025 in Österreich ⋅ ☁️ 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 magicWeiterlesen
ReisenderWe 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.
Silent Night Chapel
6. Dezember 2025 in Österreich ⋅ ☁️ 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 angeredWeiterlesen
Bavaria for a minute
6. Dezember 2025 in Deutschland ⋅ ☁️ 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,Weiterlesen
Hometown Nurnburg
7.–10. Dez. 2025 in Deutschland ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F
This is the home of the oldest Christmas Market in Europe, and a couple of the oldest medieval cities.
Oldest Christkindlemarkt
8. Dezember 2025 in Deutschland ⋅ ☁️ 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 reallyWeiterlesen
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
9. Dezember 2025 in Deutschland ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
One of the few completely walled medeival cities left.
Lunch in the Middle Ages
9. Dezember 2025 in Deutschland ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
Ratstube does not sound like an appetizing place to eat. But this was quite tasty.
Last day in Nurnburg
10. Dezember 2025 in Deutschland ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Took some time at the Hangman's Bridge, St. Jacob's Church, the Christmas Markt and the Bratwursthausle. Nurnberg Brots and strudel.
Long train, back in Paris, Home tomorrow
11.–12. Dez. 2025 in Frankreich ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Long train ride to Paris on the fastest train I ever rode. Still took awhile.
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Yum
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Cleanliness is kin to godliness
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🧘
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We are in the land.