Switzerland
Gruyère District

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    • Day 26

      Golden Pass scenic train ride

      October 21, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F

      Really glad I took this scenic route with the panoramic trains. So much pretty scenery, I hardly knew where to look 😂 Sorry for the window glare in some of them -- it's hard getting good pics on a train. Got a few decent shots, though :)Read more

    • Day 32

      Gruyeres

      September 5, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

      Sorry, do you recognize that name? You say cheese? YES! Next stop was a medieval town where Gruyeres cheese originated! We went into the castle and I was just amazed at the article dating back before the 1600s. Like. That's more than 200 years before Canada was even founded. Then after we had lunch. How can you not have a cheesy lunch when in Gruyeres. YUM. Piet wasn't too impressed because it spoiled dinner but it was SOOO good.Read more

    • Day 20

      Val de Charmey Day 20

      May 14, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

      Off today for Fribourg, a city of ~40K about 45 minutes from Charmey, the capital of this canton of Switzerland and a university city. The old town, medieval city was built along the Shrine river and it now the center of the tourism for the city. The “new” city is just uphill and houses the residential, business and shopping district and some of the museums. It’s all walkable but there is also a funicular that takes you up and down if you don’t feel like walking. Fribourg is known as the “border” between French and German speaking Switzerland. Signs are in both languages. (see pic with wisteria). I am much more comfortable with German than French so, suddenly, I can actually read menus and signs, without Google Translate. (2 yrs of high school German and lots of traveling in German speaking areas).

      First stop on my list was the Berne Bridge, the cover pic today. A quiet, beautiful area with church bells ringing, a park to stroll by the river, and folk fishing. Not many tourists around and, it’s Sunday, so many of the shops are closed. On to find Chapelle de Lorette on a hill, 300 ft up from the old city. Quite the climb, but lovely old stone steps and cobblestone paths lead to the top and the small chapel, that overlooks the city. Great views of the new and old cities all the way up. Built in the 16thC, the exterior is adorned with statues of saints and evangelists, while the interior is very plain.

      The tower of the Saint-Nicholas cathedral dominates the skyline of the new and old cities and is notable for its stained glass windows. This was the next stop on my one day, self-guided, tour of Fribourg. An immense Gothic architecture cathedral, built in the 1300s, and the center of the Catholic Church for Geneva, Lausanne, Bern and all areas in between. The stained glass is very impressive- lots of vivid color telling the stories of the Bible for the people who could not read at the time. A worthwhile visit.

      Great lunch at a funky place in old town, partially in the rain. Last stop was a small museum, Espace Jean Tinguely-Niki de Saint Phalle, husband and wife sculptors and painters of art for children. A thoroughly enjoyable hour watching children enjoy the unique sculptures that all moved with a step on a large red button on the floor. (See video).

      Back to Charmey area and decided to drive to a town in the opposite direction, Juan, about 6-8 miles away. Found hiking paths everywhere and the first waterfall of the trip. Lovely spot but shortened due to rain shower and a ‘“race” uphill to the car. Quiet evening at “home” catching up on news and final episode of Better Call Saul, a very well done series.
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    • Day 9

      Gruyères - Les Fromageries

      July 11, 2020 in Switzerland ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

      Et oui le gruyère suisse est sans trou!🧀
      Voilà ce que nous ont apprises nos visites dans les fromageries.
      Gruyère, vacharin, petit moleson, avec le même lait ils fabriquent divers fromages. Des températures de chauffage, des coupes plus ou moins fines et des durées d'affinage différentes aboutissent à ces fromages à la texture et au goût si opposés, étonnant!
      Tout l'amour qu'ils portent à leurs vaches, se retrouve dans leurs succulents produits.
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    • Day 7

      Gruyères

      July 9, 2020 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

      Certes, ce n'est qu'une succession de restaurants, d'hôtels et de magasins touristiques, mais la situation de son château, perché sur un éperon rocheux, et la préservation de ses maisons font de ce village musée une carte postale parfaite.Read more

    • Day 1

      Tag 1

      January 26, 2020 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

      Die Anreise war angenehm, Matze hat uns schnell und sicher ins Ski-Gebiet gebracht. Die Autobahn war fast nur für uns reserviert (siehe Bild 1).

      Solveigh hat uns herzlich begrüßt und uns bereits über die neuen Preise des Lifts informiert - es wird nicht billiger! Um den diesjährigen Preisanstieg auszubügeln, müssen wir mindestens drei Schlitten "ausleihen". Micha stöhnt schon, denn wir haben dann nur hinten Platz. Könnte eng werden!

      Heute Nachmittag sind wir bei Sonnenschein vom Hornberg losgezogen und bei Schneegestöber (gemeint ist nicht der Nachtisch;) vom Rinderberg wieder zurück (siehe Bild 3).

      Auf Bild 2 seht Ihr die Aussicht von unserem Zimmer, das zeigen wir Euch vielleicht morgen.

      Nach der heißen Dusche freuen wir uns auf das Abendessen um halb 7: Es gibt Hackbraten, Spätzle und Gemüse. Nachtisch gibt es auch immer noch, aber das ist eine Überraschung.
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    • Day 9

      Gruyères- Gastronomie

      July 11, 2020 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

      Vin blanc au basilic pour commencer, suivi d'une fondue moitié - moitié accompagnée d'une assiette de charcuterie et pour terminer meringue double crème.
      Autre incontournable du coin, le chocolat.
      Direction la chocolaterie Cailler, inventeur du chocolat au lait. Petit circuit à travers l'histoire du chocolat, des aztèques à nos jours.
      La gastronomie de la région ne nous a pas laissé insensibles.
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    • Day 27

      Glorious death by Swiss dairy

      September 28, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

      After a bit of a late night playing prince and pauper with our new addition, Rach's Swiss exchange schoolmate, 'Swiss' we left in a sleek big black SCOTT work van to scale the heights of the alps and smell the Edelweiss. Gruyére our destination where we savoured the cheese and over-caffineated on the laden trays of Callier chocolate slabs and truffles we were obliged to sample. Then we scaled Gruyére castle and village as well as Jaun pass and back down the mountain at break neck speeds.

      Dinner was a very cheery, cheesy affair with the 5 flatmates and 2 x families white wine added as much to the fondue as to our glasses. We kept mum of any lactose intolerances. The Aussie fondue 🫕 pot thickened and filled with bread and apple due to our total lack of skill. We were teased of punishments that would have been imposed had we been seriously fonduing.

      The Swiss excel in their hospitality and generosity and we slept warm and snug for another day of adventure 😱
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    • Day 21

      Val de Charmey Day 21

      May 15, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

      First hike in the Alps today.! While I have been doing a lot of walking, today I broke out hiking shoes and poles. I found a fellow yesterday at the mountain cable car in Charmey that spoke very good English! First real conversation I have had in weeks! 😂. I wanted to take the cable car up the mountain and asked him if there was any easy to moderate hiking there. Unfortunately, they are closed today but he recommended a hike out of Charmey to a monastery about 3 miles away. Said it was “mostly” flat.

      Turns out that the Swiss’s understanding of “mostly flat” is very different from mine. 😂. However it was a terrific walk through a valley of farms, streams and rivers. A pretty easy trail and a wonderful first hike (this trip) in the Alps. I left from the village where I am staying, Charmey; destination, La Valsainte. La Valsainte is a “working “ monastery and the only remaining extant Carthusian monastery in Switzerland, founded in 1295. I could only walk around it, apparently there are tours but Google Translate was unclear about the details of how. 😂. The weather was sun, clouds and the constant imminent chance of rain. Had one shower on the way and I found “refuge” in a farmers wood shed along the trail. Threatening again on the way back so I picked up the pace and did not stop for pictures. Total out and back; 5.7 miles.

      Planned on going out for dinner tonight however, it’s Monday, and the 2 main restaurants were closed. Went to the Coop, bought a piece of salmon and a lemon, along with left over pasta - dinner. Washing out clothes tonight, hike was a bit muddy. Last night here, heading toward Italy tomorrow, picking up Carol in Milan on Wednesday.
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    • Day 18

      Randonnée de Charmey à Gruyères

      July 12, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

      Pour notre dernière journée complète en Suisse, j’avais choisi une randonnée qui réunirait des gorges, des villages, de la forêt... Un bon défi pour la famille, mais tout à fait faisable. Selon le livre, la randonnée de 10km était sans réel dénivelé. Nous sommes donc partis de Charmey, un petit village pas très loin de Gruyères (notre destination finale). Nous avons longé le lac Montsalvens dans la forêt, traversant un pont suspendu, des cascades et un barrage. Après le barrage, nous avons pique-niqué à une table, entourés d’autres randonneurs.

      Il avait plu en matinée, mais le temps s’était éclairci et on était bien (ça faisait changement des grosses chaleurs des dernières semaines). Température parfaite pour randonner. Dans la forêt, nous avons eu des marches de pierre à descendre. C’était très glissant, j’ai perdu pied et suis tombée dans les marches, sur la hanche. J'ai eu peur parce que je ne sentais plus mon bras, mais je crois que j'avais cogné un nerf. Tout était ok. Quelques minutes plus tard, les marches de bois ont eu raison de Felix qui est tombé à son tour, sur le dos. Il était sonné, mais n'avait pas cogné sa tête. Des randonneurs nous ont offert assistance (et Tylenol), mais après quelques minutes assis, à reprendre ses esprits, il était ok et moi aussi.

      Nous avons longé les gorges de la Jogne, traversé des grottes et cavernes avant d’arriver à Broc. Nous avions l’intention d’aller faire un détour à la maison Cailler pour acheter du chocolat (j'avais marchandé un franc par km marché, ce qui leur donnait déjà plus de 7 francs chacun à dépenser en chocolat), mais la route était en rénovation et ça nous aurait rajouté 3km de marche (en ville au soleil). On a donc continué notre chemin, sans chocolat. On a traversé des champs de vaches (et de bouses). Le sentier était barré à un endroit par des fils, reliés à une petite boîte munie d'un panneau solaire. Pat a mis la main sur le fil pour le testé et a pris tout un choc électrique! On a vite compris le système, grâce à lui! On a traversé le terrain préparé pour les compétitions de motocross, un petit village avec une belle église, avant d’aboutir à Gruyères. Le château nous attendait du haut de sa colline. Nous l’avons visité assez rapidement (les gars étaient fatigués). Pat a visité un musée tibétain, puis nous avons traversé la petite ville médiévale avant de terminer à la maison du Gruyère pour souper.

      Une randonnée de 15km en tout, on avait bien mérité notre repas! Les gars étaient brûlés, mais très fiers. La serveuse nous a demandé s'où on venait à cause de notre accent. Elle nous a confié vouloir déménager au Canada, à Toronto. On a bien mangé avant de reprendre le train vers la maison. Dernière nuit en Suisse, on repart déjà demain! Cette randonnée était la façon parfaite de conclure ce voyage parfait.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Gruyère District, Gruyere District, District de la Gruyère

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