9月 2023

Italy & Switzerland

Marthaによる25日間のアドベンチャーもっと詳しく

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旅行の開始
2023年9月5日
Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日2
2023年9月6日水曜日 17:36
☀️ 73 °F
海抜: 705 フィート
イタリア Varenna-Esino-Perledo 46.014005, 9.2841646°0’50” N 9°17’3” E
Transportation Marathon DFW to Italy
2023年9月6日, イタリア ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
Our seemingly endless first travel day took us to gorgeous Varenna, Italy, nestled on the shore of Lake Como. We started before dawn to fly from DFW to La Guardia. However, our overnight flight to Milan left from a different NYC airport, JKF, requiring a taxi ride between the two airports AND a 6-hour layover before takeoff.

Then, surprise in Milan! Italian train workers are on strike! "Plan-ahead" Charlie had already advance-purchased train tickets from the airport to Central Milan, then to Varenna, 75 miles North. It took a few hours (along with everyone else) to take a bus from the airport to a metro stop, then the metro to the Central Train Station.

The train station was a hub of crowds and chaos, worsened for us because the Italians couldn't always understand our questions. And we couldn't always understand their answers. Bottom line, no trains were going to Varenna, and there was no bus service there either.

While Charlie investigated rental car options (none), I hung out at the taxi area, listening for anyone speaking English. Luckily, we were able to share a taxi with a lovely Dutch couple and were dropped off right at our apartment. By now, it was 3 PM, and we were exhausted and hungry. Surprise again! The grocery store and cafes close from 2 - 4 PM every day. Siesta time, I guess?

After getting settled, we got food and walked around the town before hitting the bed. Pictures below are of this stunning village clinging to cliffs before an azure lake.もっと詳しく
旅行者Oh my gosh what a horrible start to your vacation. Good job on getting in a taxi and at least you are finally able to rest.
2023/09/06返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelIt was an adventure! Sure was glorious to get here!
2023/09/07返信する翻訳する
旅行者Wow…..thank goodness you are experienced travelers…also congrats on wonderful problem solving skills !!! What a gorgeous place…photos are transfixing. Have a wonderful time❤️ Mom and I are waiting at Logan airport getting ready to visit 2 little boys in Anchorage and to celebrate mom’s 95th birthday on the 18th. Ciao!
2023/09/07返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelSafe travels to you both!!! And happy BD to your spry and fun mom! Hugs to the grand babies!
2023/09/07返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日3
2023年9月7日木曜日
☀️ 75 °F
海抜: 679 フィート
イタリア Varenna-Esino-Perledo 46.014034, 9.28414146°0’51” N 9°17’3” E
Hilltop Castle and Villa
2023年9月7日, イタリア ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
A steep, stony trail leads to Vezio Castle (Castella di Vezio), high on the cliffs, and built on the remains of an ancient Roman fort. Ruins and artifacts date to the 2nd century AD. On the trek up (and down), we enjoyed lake and town vistas, including from the castle tower and trail viewpoints. We did not see the castle falconry show, but did take a picture of their sleeping Eurasian eagle owl.

Back down in the Varenna, we toured the Villa Monastero, former home and gardens of the di Marchi family. It is one of several 19th century villas facing the lake (where visitors arrived). These are so strictly protected that current residents cannot even change the paint colors!

On our (fairly challenging) hike to the castle, we were surprised to see about 80% of women wearing dresses or skirts, most of them long (up on the trail). Back in town, about 60% wear dresses, some short, and again, most ankle or floor-length. Tops are in various tank-top styles, including strapless tube tops. My favorite, since I could never wear this, is two pieces of fabric crossed across the woman's chest (for those with enough curves to hold the fabric in place). Since the majority here seem to speak Italian, maybe it is an Italian fashion thing?もっと詳しく
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旅行者The area is stunning and the path up does look a little difficult. Glad you went to the top the view is stunning.
2023/09/08返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日4
2023年9月8日金曜日 19:03
☀️ 72 °F
海抜: 705 フィート
イタリア Varenna-Esino-Perledo 46.013997, 9.28412746°0’50” N 9°17’3” E
Nautical Musical Chairs (Boats)
2023年9月8日, イタリア ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Lake Como has many charming villages dotting its mountain shores, all connected by boats and ferries. Today's plan was scenic village-hopping by boat. This turned out to be more complicated than we expected.

Our first hurdle was that not all boats went to all towns, AND instead of leaving every 20 minutes (as we had expected), the timing varied, with hour-long gaps at mid-day. Charlie had in mind certain points of interest and/or hikes/strolls in different villages. The boat schedule reduced the number of towns to see.

The 2nd hurdle was not unexpected, since the villages are at the base of mountains. From the boat docks, all paths and trails went up steeply through the towns. Walking up through those towns took longer than expected (Charlie had to wait for me while I plodded slowly uphill, stopping often to catch my breath).

Our first town was Bellagio. Turns out the famous Las Vegas hotel was named after this town because the resort's designer loved this town. Like Varenna, Bellagio was built below a medieval fortress, and also has villas owned by the ultra-wealthy, including the Rockefellers. We strolled the harborfront, and visited a lovely church (San Giacomo).

The next (and last town) was Menaggio, where we had a tasty lunch of authentic Italian food, including homeade pasta. We trudged up the steep-stepped lanes to the medieval heart of the town, with its own castle (closed!). We enjoyed the artwork and design of another beautiful medieval church, St. Stefano. Another gorgeous boat ride on the lake and we were back to Varenna.もっと詳しく
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旅行者That area is breathtaking and I so much want to go. It sounds like I need to get my knee in shape to be able to get up those step paths.
2023/09/08返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelI am in awe of the folks who live there and walk up a gazillion steps to go anywhere!
2023/09/08返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日4
2023年9月8日金曜日
☀️ 75 °F
海抜: 653 フィート
イタリア Varenna 46.009986, 9.28315946°0’36” N 9°16’59” E
3
Italian fashion
2023年9月8日, イタリア ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
I mentioned earlier the dresses women wear in the Lake Como towns, including on hikes! Some are loose sun dresses, but many are, well, night-club types, showing ample cleavage and some rather tight. Older women wear long and short dresses also, but usually looser. Often with pearls!!!!! We realized that most of the tourists to that area come from Milan (the fashion capitol). So, maybe these are typical Italian fashions?

The men either wear TIGHT jeans, or just the usual casual clothes, including shorts.

Below is a samping, and definitely NOT the best, just the ones where I could sneakily get photos.もっと詳しく
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旅行者Fun fashion
2023/09/10返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelI just wish I could have captured the more exotic-looking outfits!
2023/09/11返信する翻訳する
旅行者 That looks super comfy ❤️
2023/09/11返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelThe wispy, flowy sundresses seemed pretty good for the heat. The snug, form-fitted, cleavage-popping outfits seemed like a lot of hassle - and not really cool or comfy!!!!
2023/09/11返信する翻訳する
旅行者Lollll makes sense!
2023/09/12返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日5
2023年9月9日土曜日 14:45
☀️ 72 °F
海抜: 1,778 フィート
スイス Campocologno 46.231532, 10.14341746°13’54” N 10°8’36” E
Hello Switzerland!
2023年9月9日, スイス ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
We left Varenna by train, and there was a scheduled diversion by bus around a track repair. While we knew in advance about the diversion, we were surprised that there were no signs or other directions when we debarked the train. After a bit of a scramble, we found the bus (go outside the station, down steps, through a tunnel to the other side of the tracks - while carrying our bags and hurrying so we didn't miss the bus). The bus dropped us off in Tirano, near the border with Italy, where we had another lovely lunch and wandered the train station area.

Then we boarded our train to Switzerland, got settled, and - PANIC - I noticed my phone was missing. Charlie, my hero, dashed back to the restaurant and found it (THANK HEAVENS!). The train started minutes after he returned! Whew!

The scenic train had huge windows, and great views of old Swiss towns and massive mountains. Green meadows, lakes, streams and mountains beckoned from our windows. I had not known there was a glacier here, but yep, we skirted around and beneath it. Not many pics, though, due to the reflection in the windows and the sun.

Arrival in Pontresina was fantastic! The hotel picked us up and tended to our every need. (This is in contrast to our Varenna apartment, which was wonderful, except for a few weird things. When we ran out of toilet paper, they told us we needed to go to the grocery store to buy more. We had been allotted 2 skinny, one-ply rolls for 4 days and 3 nights. (They didn't provide kleenex or paper towels with a full kitchen, so we kinda used up the TP on other things).

Pictures below are from our Italian lunch, the train views, and from our initial exploration of our neighborhood.もっと詳しく
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旅行者Hard to see a grown man cry, lol
2023/09/10返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelHa-Ha! He did drink it all. Served its purpose. He had the energy to run back 2 blocks to the restaurant for my phone and get back to the train in time!!!!
2023/09/10返信する翻訳する
So happy you didn’t lose your phone…that would have been a huge loss! Hooray Charlie! [Scott Tiffany]
2023/09/10返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelThere wouldn't have been pictures or posts, for starters! Yay, Charlie!
2023/09/11返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日6
2023年9月10日日曜日 15:33
⛅ 64 °F
海抜: 5,997 フィート
スイス Pontresina 46.489842, 9.9055546°29’23” N 9°54’20” E
Muottas Muragle Panoramic Hike
2023年9月10日, スイス ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
This town (Pontresina) is a hiker's paradise, and even has Switzerland's largest mountaineering school. Unlike Varenna, everyone here dresses in casual or, more commonly, athletic/hiking clothes (shorts with boots), and often carrying their ski poles. Fashionistas begone!

We started with a funicular up the mountain (Alp Languard) to 8,100 feet (the easy way up). Photos and video show the towns of Pontresina, St. Moritz and lots of valleys, mountains, and streams.

This panoramic hike is one of several trails at the tops of the mountains, less uphill/downhill and thus, more doable for me. This first half of the hike was above the tree line and very sunny. Some of the red plants in the pictures are blueberries with their autumn foliage!もっと詳しく
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旅行者Glad you had a way up to the top. The area is beautiful.
2023/09/12返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelDefinitely scenic!!!
2023/09/12返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日6
2023年9月10日日曜日 15:48
⛅ 63 °F
海抜: 5,997 フィート
スイス Pontresina 46.489842, 9.9055546°29’23” N 9°54’20” E
2nd Half of MM Panoramic Hike
2023年9月10日, スイス ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Great views from the top of Alp Laguard. Signs showed there were mountain goats, so I expected white ones like we have. Nope, these are brown and BIG. One came crashing down the mountain - straight down - at breakneck speed. At first, I thought it was a big reddish-brown deer!

At the end of this fairly long trail was a scenic chairlift back down to the bottom, a few blocks from our hotel. Where we rested!もっと詳しく
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The pics are stunning! [Scott Tiffany]
2023/09/10返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelThanks! Anywhere you point a camera, the view is stunning!
2023/09/11返信する翻訳する
旅行者I can not say enough how beautiful the area is and how lucky you two are to experience all the beauty. Charlie has done a great job on setting up your trip.
2023/09/12返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日7
2023年9月11日月曜日 17:33
⛅ 61 °F
海抜: 6,004 フィート
スイス Pontresina 46.489884, 9.90558346°29’24” N 9°54’20” E
Piz Nair (10,000 feet) & St. Moritz
2023年9月11日, スイス ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
We summitted Piz Nair the easy way - by two funiculars and then a cable car! We were well above the tree line, and the mountain top had the look (to me) of a lunar landscape. Rather barren. Bicyclists rode with us in our cable car with their mountain bikes so they could ride down the trails (not for me!).

After returning back to the valley floor, we walked around the saphire blue lake at the town of St. Moritz. Pics are below.

If you wondered about the brilliant colors (lake and mountains), these pics are completely unedited. True colors of nature.もっと詳しく
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旅行者The cable car’s look like the perfect way to get to the top.
2023/09/12返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelNormally, I'm a bit leery of heights, but it was all enclosed and was an easy ride up!
2023/09/12返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日7
2023年9月11日月曜日 17:54
⛅ 61 °F
海抜: 6,004 フィート
スイス Pontresina 46.489884, 9.90558346°29’24” N 9°54’20” E
2 2
Samedan, with Engadine Architecture
2023年9月11日, スイス ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
After St. Moritz, we took the local bus to the next little town, Samedan. This tiny town has traditional Engadine architecture in their old buildings, dating back to the 1600s or earlier.

Now that we are leaving tomorrow, I got better oriented and learned a little of the area history. This valley is wedged in the Alps between Italy and Austria. The terraced hillsides lower on the mountains are leftover from Celtic farmers centuries before Christ.

Our picturesque Upper Engadine Valley, with its 3 towns 10 minutes apart, is like a potpourri for languages. Menus are in Italian, French, and German. Sometimes, in English. There is also an old language still spoken here, called Romansh, evolved from Latin brought here by Roman soldiers. We finally figured out what people were saying to us - Allegra and Bun Di both mean hello or good day (in Romansh).もっと詳しく
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旅行者The history is wonderful to learn about and how fun and sometimes frustrating to be in a area that speaks 3 to 4 languages.
2023/09/12返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelAgree! Everyone here speaks multiple languages ... occasionally not English! Adds to the adventure!
2023/09/12返信する翻訳する
旅行者 Looks like Wedgewood china.
2023/09/13返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelYes, it does have that wedgewood look, doesn't it?
2023/09/13返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日8
2023年9月12日火曜日 11:56
☁️ 79 °F
海抜: 1,447 フィート
スイス Dübendorf 47.3975, 8.620947°23’51” N 8°37’15” E
Glacier Express Rail to Zermatt
2023年9月12日, スイス ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
This was a long day on several trains. (Yay, Swiss Travel Pass). First, we took the local train from Pontresina to St. Moritz (10 minutes). Then we got on board the Glacier Express (scenic train) to Zermatt. When we stopped in Andermott to change trains, it was raining. It rained a bit off and on the rest of the way, rewarding us with a magnificent double rainbow just as we exited a tunnel (After marvelling at the rainbow for 30 minutes as it dimmed, I found an open window between train cars where I could take a picture without reflections. The pic you see does not show the double rainbow, but it was there - just fading).

We arrived late at our hotel, having caught glimpses of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains as night fell.

Three observations about the trains:

1. School children ride the local trains to school! Like a school bus, although the children take city buses to school also. Why have school buses when you've got a great transit system?
2. There were a LOT of people in tour groups on the scenic trains. On the regional trains, it was all individuals, a few of which were intrepid hikers and mountain bikers (with their bikes on the trains). The majority of train riders in the mountain/hiking areas seemed to be seniors, aged 55-75!
3. Despite claims otherwise, there is no internet on any of the scenic trains so far. Hence, the radio silence from me and no responses to your messages.もっと詳しく
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旅行者Suisse is my favorite place on earth. Your pictures are just wonderful. Thank you!!
2023/09/12返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelAw! Glad I can bring back memories. And I can see why it's your fav!!!!
2023/09/12返信する翻訳する
旅行者I did not think the views could be more beautiful than when in Italy but I was wrong. Oh my gosh I know where I want my next big vacation.
2023/09/14返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelTruly amazing!
2023/09/14返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日9
2023年9月13日水曜日 16:06
🌧 52 °F
海抜: 5,295 フィート
スイス Zermatt Station 46.022408, 7.74657346°1’21” N 7°44’48” E
Zermatt & Matterhorn - NOT!
2023年9月13日, スイス ⋅ 🌧 52 °F
Zermatt lies in the shadow of the Matterhorn (at least when there is sun to cast a shadow), at 14, 690 feet. No sun today - all drizzle and gray skies. Therefore, no point in taking one of the 3 different conveyances (lifts, cog train, gondola/cable cars) up to the different glacier and Matterhorn views. Disappointing, but we explored the Swiss mountain Chalet and flower-box town in the rain instead.

No vehicles or motorcycles are allowed in town. It was AMAZING - so quiet, even with our windows open. Even residents park their cars outside of town, and take a shuttle (little electric van) or ride their bicycles into town.. Everyone also rides e-bikes everywhere, including children, because of the hills/mountain slopes. Like all the other towns we've been to, there is a lot of construction (looks like hotels). I guess their economies must be doing well. For construction, gasoline vehicles are allowed, but otherwise, electric only for trams or delivery vehicles. Clean air, too!

One area of town is the Hinterdorf Quarter, where narrow lanes are lined with traditional wooden buildings called mazots, built in the 16th-18th centuries. Hand-hewn from trees with foundations of local stacked stones, some buildings were set on stilts to keep rodents out so they could store grain, cheese and meat. (My cat could do that, but whatever!). The wood darkens over time, so the structures are dark brown.

Of course, after a lovely lunch and further exploring, we HAD to visit a Swiss chocolate shop and indulge ourselves!もっと詳しく
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旅行者Amazing, to experience the culture, sites, and food of the Swiss. Stunning. I bet the chocolate was yummy.
2023/09/14返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelIt was yummy! I've learned a lot on this trip.
2023/09/14返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日10
2023年9月14日木曜日 9:30
⛅ 39 °F
海抜: 10,249 フィート
スイス Gornergrat 45.983317, 7.7846345°58’60” N 7°47’5” E
2
Matterhorn - YES! Part 1
2023年9月14日, スイス ⋅ ⛅ 39 °F
We were planning to leave early this morning for Lausanne. We noticed the same gray sky, but no rain, and a few patches of blue. Yet again, no Matterhorn. We decided to take the cog train up to see if the mountains were poking their heads above the low clouds shrouding the city. Up, up, up we went in the cog train. Halfway to the top, as if conjured by magic - the mountains!

Our final cog train destination was the Gornergrat viewing area at over 10,200 feet. The Matterhorn is nearly 15,000 feet and straddles the Swiss-Italian border. The pyramidal shape has four faces that align with the four compass points.もっと詳しく
旅行者Glad you went to that viewing area, what a stunning site.
2023/09/15返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelWe were thrilled to be able to see it, since we thought we'd miss it due to the weather!
2023/09/15返信する翻訳する
旅行者Reminds me of Alaska and getting to se Dal Denali .So few see it and we were lucky and did see the top.
2023/09/16返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelWe thought the same thing!
2023/09/17返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日10
2023年9月14日木曜日 10:30
☁️ 41 °F
海抜: 10,249 フィート
スイス Gornergrat 45.983317, 7.7846345°58’60” N 7°47’5” E
Matterhorn - YES! Part 2
2023年9月14日, スイス ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F
The Gornergrat viewing area had several levels, all with stunning views. The sky was brilliant blue and the sun dazzling on the bright snowy vistas. We spent over an hour at various levels, marveling. We could look down on parts of glaciers - breathtaking! We were eye level with other glaciers, and looked up for most.

(Note: At over 10,000 feet, on the video, you can hear that I am out of breath).

More and more clouds appeared, first wispy, then more substantial. Our time above the clouds was ending. Time go back to town and to get on the train to Lausanne.もっと詳しく
旅行者Oh my gosh amazing and I bet going back down through the clouds was also amazing.
2023/09/15返信する翻訳する
Martha SleutelThe whole experience was incredible! We spoke with a 90 year old couple, quite spry and fit, who had been there 10 times, and on all 3 of the different lifts/cable cars/trains (different views). His first visit was 50 years ago, and he said the glacier covered the entire valley!
2023/09/15返信する翻訳する
旅行者Oh my we are doing lots of damage to our world.
2023/09/15返信する翻訳する
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日10
2023年9月14日木曜日
⛅ 73 °F
海抜: 1,562 フィート
スイス Lausanne Gare 46.518269, 6.63137446°31’6” N 6°37’53” E
Lausanne - Cathedral and City Scenes
2023年9月14日, スイス ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Our train arrived in Lausanne in the afternoon, leaving time to explore. On the banks of Lake Geneva, the city has hills (a lot of hills!), bridges, stairways, and twisting roads. Huffing and puffing our way up a massive hill to the cathedral, we heard organ music, and went in. It was REALLY loud. We later read that the organ is modern and has 7,000 pipes.

Also called Notre-Dame Cathedral, it overlooks the city and is in the heart of the old town. Dating back to the 1200s as a catholic church, early protestants removed much of the original statues and decorations. The gothic interior was still beautiful. The church is the largest gothic church in Switzerland.

On our 2nd afternoon here, we strolled along the tree-lined lakefront promendade and visited the Olympic Museum, celebrating the history of the Olympic games. (A French aristocrat devoted his life and fortune to re-starting the Olympic games in the late 1800s). Tomorrow's train destiination: Murren.もっと詳しく
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旅行者Another great set of pictures and the organ music was a bonus.
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Martha SleutelIt was incredibly loud. Charlie noticed the pipes vibrating. We listened to 4 or 5 pieces and they were all rather ominous and discordant but really powerful. That one was his quietest!
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旅行者Love old architecture that is still used! Wow! I love 💕 Le organs. Saw the one in Salt Lake City as a teenager. Carvings galore!
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Martha SleutelCan you imagine? This is how it looked AFTER they removed a lot of statues, stained glass, and paintings!!!
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旅行者Could not recni recognize the music but was for sure loud The church is awesome. The like side pictures are wonderful.
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日11
2023年9月15日金曜日 11:00
☁️ 66 °F
海抜: 1,562 フィート
スイス Lausanne Gare 46.518306, 6.63140146°31’6” N 6°37’53” E
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Lausanne - Chillon Castle
2023年9月15日, スイス ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
Built in the 12th century, this medieval castle is on a rocky island at the edge of Lake Geneva (outskirts of Lausanne). It was continuously occupied for 800 years, although by different people and for different purposes.

Notes about Lausanne and Switzerland:

1. This is the French part of Switzerland. People often don't speak English, but are fluent in French, Italian and German. Menus can be a challenge. I almost didn't get a salad with "pignon", thinking it was pigeon (it's pine nuts).

2. Even more than in Zermott, it seems like everyone smokes. We like to eat outside, but outside tables are sometimes overrun with smokers and smoke! Corners outside buildings - and just everywhere - are often heavy with the smell of smoke.

3. Like everywhere in Switzerland, buses and trains are completely electric (97% powered by hydroelectric). Children as young as 7 ride the city buses by themselves.

4. The city and country are gorgeous!もっと詳しく
旅行者You take such good pix and always info!
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Martha SleutelThanks! So easy when the scenery is so amazing.
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旅行者 Beautiful!
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日12
2023年9月16日土曜日 20:41
☁️ 59 °F
海抜: 5,400 フィート
スイス Mürrenbachfall 46.561757, 7.89703746°33’42” N 7°53’49” E
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Getting to Murren
2023年9月16日, スイス ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
Train travel is so nifty.
-- Just show up at the train station 5-10 minutes before your train leaves, find your platform, and get on your train.
-- Luggage is no problem (size, weight, extra cost, etc), except carrying it up or down steps in many train stations. There are elevators in almost all stations.
-- Seats are wide and comfortable (often lots of empty seats). Convenient tables and plugs. Plenty of room to spread out and wide aisles to walk around in.
-- Schedules are easy to look up on apps, and trains to different cities are frequent, sometimes every 20 minutes.

We took multiple trains today. First, from Lausanne to Montreax, then on the Golden Pass scenic train to Interlaken ("between lakes"). Then, it got complicated.

Today's destination was Murren, a town on a cliff. No main roads go to the town and there are few vehicles (mainly construction or maintenance or a very few 4WDs). To get there - higher in the mountains - we took a mountain train/cog train. Next was a large cable car, and then another cog train to Murren. This whole process, from Interlaken (at the valley floor) to Murren took 30 minutes. Fortunately there are restaurants, hotels and one small grocery store here. Enough for us!

Many different lifts, cable cars, and other contraptions get people to the tops of the nearby mountains. From our hotel, we can see many glaciers. Tomorrow, we'll explore.もっと詳しく
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旅行者How did Charlie figure out how to get you two around? He is amazing.
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Martha SleutelHe is amazing!!! He says he used Rick Steves' itinerary as a guide, and modified it. Most of the logistics are in his book. He downloaded the train apps and also got the Swiss travel pass, which covers all train and bus travel, and most lifts, cable cars, etc that go to towns. There are discounts for those that go just to scenic areas. He supplemented with other travel books, and websites.
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旅行者His talent is amazing.Might want him in our back pocket for trips.
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Martha SleutelHe sure is handy!
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日13
2023年9月17日日曜日 9:36
☁️ 50 °F
海抜: 8,573 フィート
スイス Birg 46.562456, 7.85856746°33’45” N 7°51’31” E
Schilthorn - Charlie's Scary Adventure
2023年9月17日, スイス ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
The Schilthorn is one of the highest peaks in the region (9748 feet) with panoramic views of the Swiss alps. We took two cable cars to the top. There were metal mesh pathways attached to the cliff for those who wanted to be able to view the valley thousands of feet below - right under your feet. I couldn't do it - didn't even try. Or give it a 2nd thought. Hard no.

Charlie ventured out onto the cliff edge. The photos do not AT ALL capture the depth of the valley below.

After taking the cable car down the mountain, we went (via cable car) to another town in the valley and walked along a beautiful stream, past waterfalls to Lautenbrunnen.

The video was taken at dinner next door to our hotel.もっと詳しく
旅行者I am with you on the hard NO on walking on the mesh trail. More stunning pictures
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Martha SleutelThanks! He knew I was a wimp (height-averse) and wouldn't venture near any transparent flooring materials. And the pics don't really capture how far down it was!
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旅行者Beautiful photos!
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Martha SleutelThanks! The Alps are gorgeous!
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Italy & Switzerland Martha Sleutel
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日14
2023年9月18日月曜日 22:30
☁️ 55 °F
海抜: 5,417 フィート
スイス Trümmelbachfälle 46.560426, 7.89388546°33’38” N 7°53’38” E
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Trummelbach Gorge and Waterfall
2023年9月18日, スイス ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
What to do on a rainy day? Go to a subterranean waterfall!

Trummelbach Falls is a series of 10 glacier-fed waterfalls that thunder down a gorge INSIDE a mountain. Water gushes through a chasm in a mountain, erupting in multiple chutes and falls.

As with all the sites here, getting there took 2 cable cars, and a short bus ride. Inside the waterfall tunnel, there was a funicular, bringing us halfway up. From there, we climbed multiple levels of steps and hugged the tunnel walls on flat stretches.

Truly amazing. The most unusual waterfall we've ever seen!もっと詳しく
旅行者How in the world did he find out about this so you could go see it. It is amazing
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Martha SleutelIt's in the Rick Steves guidebook for Switzerland. Charlie's dilemma was narrowing down which parts of Switzerland to visit! He used websites and other sources for hotels and details of train schedules. He allotted a bit more time to some places so we'd have more time to get oriented.
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旅行者Charlie is a great planner - as well as you! Never would have dreamed there was a subterranean waterfall! WOW!
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Martha SleutelYes, who would have thought?
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日15
2023年9月19日火曜日 13:30
⛅ 68 °F
海抜: 1,483 フィート
スイス Luzern station 47.050244, 8.31029747°3’1” N 8°18’37” E
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Luzern or Lucern
2023年9月19日, スイス ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Lovely Luzern (Swiss spelling) is nestled on the banks of the Reuss River and Lake Luzern. We arrived by train in the early afternoon, and had time to explore. Luzern has pedestrian bridges and 2 historic covered wooden bridges (Dating from the 14th and 16th centuries). Both bridges are decorated with 17 century paintings. One has a 13th century stone water tower.

One of several medieval churches is the Church of St. Ledegar. Built in 1633 on the site of a monastery (dating from 735), it is in the Gothic and German Rennaisance architectural style. Its interior has frescoes, statues, a 16th century organ, and gold gilt altars.

The video is one of many little medieval city squares with beautiful decorations and paintings on the buildings.

Pics are highlights from today.もっと詳しく
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旅行者 A scene from Heidi, with Shirley Temple! WOW!
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Martha SleutelIdyllic, right?
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旅行者 flowers on the bridge?
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Martha SleutelThey have flowers EVERYWHERE! Every town we've been in has window boxes full of flowers on every building, around fountains, on bridges.... everywhere! Train stations have 10 foot pillars of flowers. Heckfire, if we had their 55-75 degree summer weather, we'd have flowers too! I don't think they have to water them - nature does it!
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日16
2023年9月20日水曜日
⛅ 73 °F
海抜: 1,496 フィート
スイス Luzern station 47.04953, 8.30910947°2’58” N 8°18’33” E
Luzern Day 2
2023年9月20日, スイス ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
With saphire skies and cool temps, we strolled the riverfront (again), revisited the wooden bridges, and found the medieval city wall. This historic wall was part of the city fortifications. Built around 1400, there are lots of stairs up and down, amazing city views, and 9 towers, including a clock tower.

At one point on the wall, we crossed paths with a large group of older folks, all Swiss, who seemed to be our age or older. We began talking and they explained that they live here and walk together every week. Today, their walk included the medieval city wall. How great to have a choice of mountains, lakes, rivers, or historical paths to walk!!!

The Rosengart Art Collection is one block from our hotel, so we ventured over in the afternoon. Charlie had mentioned it having mostly Picassos, so I had no big expectations. Holy moly! What a collection! Two floors of Picasso's work, plus some Monet, Chagall, Renoir, Matisse, Pissarro, Klee, and others.

I particularly enjoyed a video explaining the origen of this private collection (donated by an art dealer and collector who knew the artists personally. Some of Picasso's sketches/paintings are of her as a young woman).

This is our last day in Switzerland, so we indulged with more Swiss chocolate (dark with nuts, of course)!

Views are of Mill Bridge, the city wall, and other city scenes.もっと詳しく
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旅行者Art/architecture appreciation there must be like trying to take a drink from a fire hose. The narrative very interesting as usual. Keep going!
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Martha SleutelDefinitely! And easy to access. Thanks!
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日18
2023年9月22日金曜日 10:00
🌧 66 °F
海抜: 420 フィート
イタリア Torrente Seveso 45.488724, 9.20955545°29’19” N 9°12’34” E
Milan Duomo Rooftop
2023年9月22日, イタリア ⋅ 🌧 66 °F
The Duomo di Milan is the 3rd largest church in Europe, started in 1386. Carved from panels of green, pink, and white marble, it is the city's iconic landmark. Ascending several levels of rooftop allowed us into and above a forest of spires, statues, and splendid sculptures. (There are 3,400 statues).

The roof with all its glorious statues, spires, and gothic architecture is open to the public via narrow stone steps (made for the workers and stone carvers) and a lift. Despite drizzle and some blocked off areas (cleaning the marble), the roof views were dramatic and impressive.

The Duomo museum (next door) has originals and copies of hundreds of statues, stained glass panels, and room-sized tapestries. Seeing them up close was amazing.もっと詳しく
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日18
2023年9月22日金曜日 11:30
🌧 68 °F
海抜: 420 フィート
イタリア Torrente Seveso 45.488692, 9.20954345°29’19” N 9°12’34” E
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Milan Duomo
2023年9月22日, イタリア ⋅ 🌧 68 °F
Milan's historic church is immense with a gothic-style interior of 52 massive pillars to support a pointed arch ceiling.

Archeological ruins show that this site has been used for sacred purposes for 2000 years. Below the church (open to the public) are foundations of previous churches, including mosaics, and artifacts from AD 313.

Milan itself is a big, bustling, crowded city. The metro is a highly efficient people mover, even if really crowded. Just as on our arrival, the train/metro station was like an ant mound that someone kicked - packed with busy swarms of people. On to Verona and Venice tommorrow.もっと詳しく
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旅行者Stunning
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旅行者 ❤️❤️❤️
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旅行者 Careful chiseling
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旅行者 No words!
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日19
2023年9月23日土曜日 13:30
☀️ 75 °F
海抜: 33 フィート
イタリア Campo San Polo 45.44117, 12.33028745°26’28” N 12°19’49” E
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Verona
2023年9月23日, イタリア ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Verona has lots of Roman ruins, so we stopped there enroute to Venice.

-- What we expected: Idyllic strolls through historic piazzas and churches, along quaint picturesque streets.

-- What we got: Throngs of tour groups and crowds of tourists, and a confusinng maze of medieval streets. (And ancient ruins and picturesque streets).

Leaving the train station, we took a city bus to the old town area. We mistakenly thought that we'd be able to navigate an unfamiliar bus system in another language. Silly us! We got where we wanted just fine, though; and viewed some sites (along with a million other people). I was amazed that many of the streets and most sidewalks in old town were made of pink marble! Marble streets? I can't get over that. The Roman arena is the 3rd largest in Italy, also made of pink marble. All of it!

Lunch was amazing - traditional Italian food, unhurried atmosphere, linger-worthy. After viewing more sites, we tired of the crowds and needed to take the bus back to the train station to catch our 2:20 train to Venice. Then it got tricky.

Long story short, we walked part-way back, never seeing a bus. We finally found a main bus area with a lot of bus stops. However, buses either didn't stop or were not headed to the train station. After trying several bus stops, and asking several Italians, we finally found the magic bus stop going to the train station. But not in time for our train. So we left an hour late, and arrived to more crowds in Venice!

All good, though. We got our vaporetto (water bus) to our apartment and got settled. Whew!もっと詳しく
旅行者Oh my beautiful sites and tons of people. I have always enjoyed traveling but the amount of other tourist is sometimes a bother. We rain into similarly crowds in Rome and only tried the city bus twice and that was with some understanding of the language. You two are brave and amazing doing all that you have done.
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Martha SleutelThe challenges are part of the adventure!
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旅行者Impressive how you navigated the travel!!!
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Martha SleutelIt worked out fine. The crowds and taking a later train were a bother, but not exactly unexpected. The trains are very flexible and easy to use.
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日20
2023年9月24日日曜日 14:52
☀️ 73 °F
海抜: 33 フィート
イタリア Campo San Polo 45.44113, 12.33023545°26’28” N 12°19’49” E
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Venice, Day 1
2023年9月24日, イタリア ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
After stocking up on groceries, we traversed the Grand Canal on Venice's mass transportation, the vaporettos (water buses).

The Accademia is Venice's top art museum, and even the building was impressive! The Accademia features art, mostly religious, from the middle ages to the 1700s. Statues, alterpieces, religious icons, and scenes of medieval Venice - some encompassing entire walls.

On our way back to our apartment, we popped into a church, and the interior was breathtaking. In both the museum and church, we were struck by the jaw-dropping, decadent wealth of earlier eras. The photos of both really can't capture the opulence, detail, and artistry.

In the late afternoon, we met Laura and Chad at the bus station, coming from their flight from London. What fun! We wandered the streets and back canals together, then had a lovely dinner. We picked up assorted sweets for sampling, and headed back to the apartment. Great day!もっと詳しく
旅行者 Great looking group!! Have fun😊
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Martha SleutelThanks! Fun to have them here!
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旅行者Sounds perfect and glad they family made the trip.
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Martha SleutelYes, we are really happy to have them share the trip!
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日22
2023年9月26日火曜日
☀️ 81 °F
海抜: 33 フィート
イタリア Campo San Polo 45.441169, 12.33028345°26’28” N 12°19’49” E
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Venice, Day 2-3
2023年9月26日, イタリア ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
We've been having fun exploring Venice, and today we took a train to Padua. We walked all over town all day (stopping at bakery and snack shops at intervals).

First stop - the famous Market Square. The Renaissance building was fun in and of itself, but we really enjoyed getting yummy cheeses and meats (for snacks in our apartment later).

Next stop was the Basilica of St. Anthony, a gothic and Romanesque church dating from 1231. We loved the gorgeous interior. WOW!

Last, was the Scrovegni Chapel, built in the 1300s by a son to buy penance to save a father's soul. Stunning frescos recount religious stories, from Jesus' grandparents to Christ's betrayal and the Last Judgment.

The pics just don't capture the grandeur and scale!もっと詳しく
旅行者 ❤️❤️
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旅行者 ❤️❤️
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旅行者Just beautiful and the 4 of you look great.
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Martha SleutelThanks! Laura and Chad are really good at taking pictures!!!
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