Switzerland, Germany, Austria

Switzerland

Sept 9 – 10  (Sat/Sun)

Got out of Florida just ahead of hurricane “Irma”.   Airport shuttle picked us up at 5:45am at our house arriving at Orlando Int’l for our 9:05am flight to Chicago, Sat 9/9.  Good connections for our flight to Zurich Switzerland, meeting friends Bill & Judy Hesser in Chicago International.  Flight out of Chicago at 2:45pm direct to Zurich.  Arriving in Zurich 6:20am local time, so a long 18hr travel day.  Registered at the Radisson Blu Hotel.  Meet tour guide around 1:00pm, orientation and city center tour.

Zurich Center

 

Zurich Streets

Zurich is an awesome city situated on a lovely lake with lots of waterfront activity.  Definitely a place for the “rich and famous”, as shopping is pretty much high end. 

 

 


Zurich Water Front

Train stations are efficient and elaborate, both underground and street level.  Thanks to our tour guide it was made easy.  Lovely dinner at Linde Oberstrass, delicious Lamb Steak.

 

Bernina Train

Sept 11 (Mon)

Countryside

All aboard the Bernina Train line.  A full day tour of eastern Switzerland from Zurich/Chur to St. Moritz.  We lucked out with good weather and beautiful scenery.  Stopping at a local for Swiss  “Apero” Cheese  within wine, bread and sausage.  Lunch on the train and dinner at our hotel in St. Mortiz.  A wonderful day.

Wine & Chesse

 

 

 

Sept 12  (Tues)

Zermatt Center

Hotel Zermatt

Off to Zermatt to the great Mt. Matterhorn.  But first the train experience aboard the Glacier Express.  This covered the south east portion of Switzerland from St. Moritz to Zermatt, a full day. Again, lots of scenery with much local flavor.  Our hotel in Zermatt was first class 5 stars.  Two night stay here, with tomorrow on the Matterhorn.  Incredibly lovely city, lots of tourist sites.  Walking streets.  We opted fast food in town.

 

Young Skiers

Sept 13

 

King & Queen

 

Gondola

A magnificent day on Matterhorn.  Tour guide arranged transportation from hotel to the mountain.  All must reach the mountain re; cable car and gondolas.  Year round skiing here, so being somewhat offseason now, ski areas are somewhat limited.  We ran into a large group of young world wide professionals giving us serious completion for entry onto the cable car.  A real experience.  (see Pic)  The Gondola ride was “spectacular”.