Our trip to Switzerland was a recent highlight of our year. It was a train trip all about the country. Considering all the mountains, we now understand why potential conquerors decided to avoid it all together rather than getting trapped in narrow mountain passes and being vulnerable. That eventually led to its neutrality.Our first stop was St. Moritz, the glitzy ski resort. Even for those of us who do not ski, it was a wonderful introduction to the beauty of the country. Our hotel was on the picturesque lake. Many interesting streets to stroll.
Swiss speak mostly German, some French and some Italian - little English. Local specialty - Roesti potatoes, leek, bacon & gratinated with cheese
Swiss speak mostly German, some French and some Italian - little English. Local specialty - Roesti potatoes, leek, bacon & gratinated with cheese
Our first day, we were off to a mountaintop by horse carriage.
We have a first hand experience with clear sparkling mountain streams
Our first view of the actual peak
Next we were on to Zermatt by way of an 8 hour Glacier Express train ride. This slow ride is meant to give you maximum exposure to the scenery rather than rushing to a location. The trip on the Glacier Express is a 7½ hour railway journey across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and across the Overlap Pass on the highest point at 2,033 m (6,670 ft) in altitude. The entire line is narrow gauge, and large portions of it use a rack and pinion system both for ascending steep grades and to control the descent of the train on the back side of those grades.
The next morning we eagerly rushed off to see the Matterhorn.
Ron struggled to open his Swiss Army knife. They indeed are sold everywhere, and I do mean everywhere.
Ron stopped for prayers at a small church way high up.
The base station of the Gornergrat train is on the Bahnhofplatz in the centre of Zermatt. The train is a technical masterpiece of 19th century engineering. It made its maiden trip to Gornergrat on 20 August 1898. The train engineers of the 19th created the world’s first fully electric cog railway. It travelled through forests and over meadows high up to Gornergrat, where Switzerland’s highest hotel is located, the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat. The highest outdoor train station is at 3,089 m – the end of the Gornergrat Bahn railway. 29 four thousand meter peaks can be seen from the viewing platform.
We needed to replenish after our adventure on high. So a hearty fondue fit the bill.
The weather was fairly mild, so everyone poured onto the outdoor terraces.
There are fur throws about on the outdoor terraces in the event one feels a chill.
We visited the ice museum inside the mountain.
We were particularly moved by the small cemetery for the climbers who lost their lives on the ascent or descent.
Having a typical Swiss lunch to warm one with a local.
Do you recognize the interloper in the group who finally conquered the Matterhorn?
Third destination was Grindelwald near Interlaken. Perhaps the most scenic place of all. We felt such a sense of timeless calm there.
Our view from our room - we could see the Eiger, the Jungfrau and the Monch.
Adorable chalets abound
Even the wild creatures bundle up.
Off we ventured to see the Jungfrau in all its glory
Way up there, over 11,000 feet, people are putting the locks of love like we did in Paris (since then removed by the government).
A tiny bird up so very high.
Cows roam all around with actual cow bells
Another fine dining experience
Baby Bernese mountain dog
The large hotel in Lucerne was top notch in every way
Poised on Lake Lucerne
See, Swiss Army Knives again and again
Cuckoo Clocks as well
So many Swiss watches
A store selling only miniatures
Famous covered bridge
Gorgeous Jesuit Church (right up Ron's alley). A bit unusual since Switzerland was not particularly Catholic.
Friendly spot for a libation
Homage to our friend Nancy Schild Kott
Beautiful architecture - often the old buildings are decorated to reflect their purpose
Naturally, banks are evident throughout the cities. Swiss banking is believed by some to have originated with the Knights Templar. They accepted deposits of gold in one country and dispensed funds to customers in another country on their crusade journeys. Due to bandits, it was unsafe to travel with much treasure. Interestingly, the Knights Templar symbol of a white field with a red cross was reversed for Switzerland's flag - red field with a white cross.
Cold medicines
Sore throat remedy
A store that sells cookie cutters - every shape and animal you can possibly imagine
Oops, we almost forgot to mention Swiss chocolate - decadent
Our last mountain visit at Mt. Pilatus. The top can be reached with the world's steepest cogwheel railway. The "Golden Round Trip" — a popular route for tourists — involves taking a boat from Lucerne across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, going up on the cogwheel railway, coming down on the aerial cableways and panorama gondolas.
A medieval legend had dragons with healing powers living on the mountain. A chronicle from 1619 reads: 'as I was contemplating the serene sky by night, I saw a very bright dragon with flapping wings go from a cave in a great rock in the mount called Pilatus toward another cave, known as Flue, on the opposite side of the lake'.
Enjoying our visit to the top
Look how huge some cow bells are
César Ritz founded Ritz hotels and was part of the tradition of Swiss hoteliers. We passed the college that trains hotel managers and chefs.
Huge Swiss clocks
Our final destination was Zurich
The Fraumünster church is one of the major old town churches of Zürich. In the mid-9th century AD a monastery was established here, based around the church.
Its main attraction today are beautiful stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testament, which were added in 1967, located in the choir of Fraumünster Church.
Stork Hotel with a stork symbol on front (lower right in photo) and on roof. This hotel has existed in one form or another for 650 years.
The Grossmünster was a monastery church, vying for precedence with the Fraumunster across the River Limmat throughout the Middle Ages. According to legend, the Grossmünster was founded by Charlemagne, whose horse fell to its knees over the tombs of Felix and Regula, Zürich's patron saints. The legend helps support a claim of seniority over the Fraumünster, which was founded by Louis the German, Charlemagne's grandson. Executed on the plump twin towers (circa 1781) are classical caricatures of Gothic forms bordering on the comical. The core of the structure was built in the 12th century on the site of a Carolingian church dedicated to the memory of martyrs Felix and Regula, who allegedly carried their severed heads to the spot.
On the side of the south tower an enormous stone Charlemagne sits enthroned; the original statue, carved in the late-15th century, is protected in the crypt.
Set in a stately building dating from 1899, the posh Dolder Grand Hotel offers views of the Alps and Lake Zurich.
Besides the old architecture, we were most fascinated by the modern art throughout the property. It is truly an art gallery.
More chocolate treats
Another staple of Swiss commerce is Swarovski
Ron's birthday qualified for Social Security (turning 66) on October 17, and we ended our trip with this celebration.
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