Swiss Alps photo by Curtis Solash
Journeying Through The Swiss Alps
by Curtis Solash
If you are looking for a true masterpiece of creation on Earth, Switzerland is the answer. No words could do justice to the majesty and grandeur of this country. From the food to the mountains, to the air - the whole country smells of flowers - to the accommodations, to the ease of travel, to the cleanliness, Switzerland is truly divine.
A good way to begin your Swiss adventure is to arrive in Zurich and then travel by train to Lake Luzern. Don’t let the big, bustling train station deceive you, it is congested, noisy, and bustling but once in your hotel, the lake with its majestic mountain vistas transports your mind far away.
A tour of the lake on a boat is easily arranged. Take the boat to the very last stop, Fluelen, and you are in a beautiful little town that seldom gets tourists. Eating with local Swiss townspeople in a traditional setting with Swiss music is a lovely experience. You’ll hear American pop almost everywhere else!
A visit to old Luzern is just wonderful as well. The beautiful squares and quaint side streets make it easy to see what it must have been like in the 15th century.
From here, it is a short trip to the top of Mount Titlis or Mount Pilatus for some astounding mountain views and opportunities to hike through Alpine meadows, complete with wildflowers and cows.
Then, take a train to the Alps.
A Swiss Rail Pass is essential and can only be purchased on-line or through a travel agent before you go. It cannot be purchased in Switzerland. The pass will save you plenty of money and can be used on boats and cable cars as well.
The trains are prompt to the second, clean, efficient and have glorious views of the countryside.
Some highlights of this Bearnese Alps region include:
*Wengen, a charming little town from which you can go to “The Top of Europe” on the Jungfrau for an amazing view of the Alpine peaks and clouds
*Grindelwald, where you can take the Mannlich cable car up to the mountain tops again and hike down the dramatic Panoramaweg, where to the left, it feels like heaven and to the right, the moon
*Lauterbrunnen Valley - often called the most beautiful spot in Switzerland - where you’ll see 72 waterfalls in two miles and watch hang gliders in the sky
*and Murren another gorgeous spot where a cable car can take you to the top of Mount Schilthorn and you can dine at the Pizgloria Restaurant where the floor revolves 360degrees and is famed for having the James Bond movie, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” shot there.
Finally, a train can take you to Zermatt where the magnificent Matterhorn looms over everything. There is an old section of town with fascinating wood buildings from the 1400’s.
A two hour train ride can then take you to Geneva for your flight home.
Let me also share some dining information that will be of interest. The food everywhere is a gourmet’s delight. Some of the treats include: fondue, a melted mixture of cheeses, wine and herbs for dipping bread. There are many variations available including dessert chocolate fondue. Raclette is grilled cheese (no bread!) served with ham, bacon and eggs. Rosti is basically hash browns with ham, bacon, onion and eggs. Suffice it to say that the famous chocolates and desserts are alone worth the trip.
Be forewarned - Paradise comes at a steep price. Switzerland is hyper-expensive! Be ready to spend $5.00 on a Coke, $8.00 for a cup of coffee and a simple meal for two can easily cost $75 or more.
With that final caveat, whether you are a geologist, a botanist, an epicure (a person who appreciates fine food and drink) or just someone who appreciates never-ending, always-changing beauty - Switzerland is a paradise.
Curtis Solash is a world traveler, antique advertising memorabilia collector and an epicure who lives in sunny Florida.
Article by Curtis Solash. Photography by Curtis Solash.
Copyright 2014 Sunny Harbor Publishing.
Contact Us: PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956.
Phone 321-446-7552.
Email: [email protected]
Keywords: travel, Europe, Switzerland, Alps, Swiss Alps, travel, Curtis Solash, Sunny Harbor Publishing, Senior travel, Senior Cruise And Travelers Magazine, Mature travel, Senior Cruise & Travelers Magazine, seniorcruiseandtravelers.com,
by Curtis Solash
If you are looking for a true masterpiece of creation on Earth, Switzerland is the answer. No words could do justice to the majesty and grandeur of this country. From the food to the mountains, to the air - the whole country smells of flowers - to the accommodations, to the ease of travel, to the cleanliness, Switzerland is truly divine.
A good way to begin your Swiss adventure is to arrive in Zurich and then travel by train to Lake Luzern. Don’t let the big, bustling train station deceive you, it is congested, noisy, and bustling but once in your hotel, the lake with its majestic mountain vistas transports your mind far away.
A tour of the lake on a boat is easily arranged. Take the boat to the very last stop, Fluelen, and you are in a beautiful little town that seldom gets tourists. Eating with local Swiss townspeople in a traditional setting with Swiss music is a lovely experience. You’ll hear American pop almost everywhere else!
A visit to old Luzern is just wonderful as well. The beautiful squares and quaint side streets make it easy to see what it must have been like in the 15th century.
From here, it is a short trip to the top of Mount Titlis or Mount Pilatus for some astounding mountain views and opportunities to hike through Alpine meadows, complete with wildflowers and cows.
Then, take a train to the Alps.
A Swiss Rail Pass is essential and can only be purchased on-line or through a travel agent before you go. It cannot be purchased in Switzerland. The pass will save you plenty of money and can be used on boats and cable cars as well.
The trains are prompt to the second, clean, efficient and have glorious views of the countryside.
Some highlights of this Bearnese Alps region include:
*Wengen, a charming little town from which you can go to “The Top of Europe” on the Jungfrau for an amazing view of the Alpine peaks and clouds
*Grindelwald, where you can take the Mannlich cable car up to the mountain tops again and hike down the dramatic Panoramaweg, where to the left, it feels like heaven and to the right, the moon
*Lauterbrunnen Valley - often called the most beautiful spot in Switzerland - where you’ll see 72 waterfalls in two miles and watch hang gliders in the sky
*and Murren another gorgeous spot where a cable car can take you to the top of Mount Schilthorn and you can dine at the Pizgloria Restaurant where the floor revolves 360degrees and is famed for having the James Bond movie, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” shot there.
Finally, a train can take you to Zermatt where the magnificent Matterhorn looms over everything. There is an old section of town with fascinating wood buildings from the 1400’s.
A two hour train ride can then take you to Geneva for your flight home.
Let me also share some dining information that will be of interest. The food everywhere is a gourmet’s delight. Some of the treats include: fondue, a melted mixture of cheeses, wine and herbs for dipping bread. There are many variations available including dessert chocolate fondue. Raclette is grilled cheese (no bread!) served with ham, bacon and eggs. Rosti is basically hash browns with ham, bacon, onion and eggs. Suffice it to say that the famous chocolates and desserts are alone worth the trip.
Be forewarned - Paradise comes at a steep price. Switzerland is hyper-expensive! Be ready to spend $5.00 on a Coke, $8.00 for a cup of coffee and a simple meal for two can easily cost $75 or more.
With that final caveat, whether you are a geologist, a botanist, an epicure (a person who appreciates fine food and drink) or just someone who appreciates never-ending, always-changing beauty - Switzerland is a paradise.
Curtis Solash is a world traveler, antique advertising memorabilia collector and an epicure who lives in sunny Florida.
Article by Curtis Solash. Photography by Curtis Solash.
Copyright 2014 Sunny Harbor Publishing.
Contact Us: PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956.
Phone 321-446-7552.
Email: [email protected]
Keywords: travel, Europe, Switzerland, Alps, Swiss Alps, travel, Curtis Solash, Sunny Harbor Publishing, Senior travel, Senior Cruise And Travelers Magazine, Mature travel, Senior Cruise & Travelers Magazine, seniorcruiseandtravelers.com,
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