Jul 11, 2017 - trip preparation in Switzerland

Still working, Paul & Amelie to spend their last 3 weeks in child care - saying good bye to Little Mouse House & Big Bear House. Moving house to Germany is planned for 2nd half of Aug. whilst Kids will have Holidays with their Grand parents in Allgäu. Currently managing all the things related to cancelling our swiss residence. pleaseant anticipation is increasing day by day

Jun 13, 2017 - Lucerne

Hi all, IT APPEARS WE AGAIN HAVE AN ISSUE WITH PHOTOS. IF YOU DO NOT SEE THEM ALL ON THE 1ST RUN JUST CLICK ON THE NEXT ONE YOU DID NOT SEE AND MORE SHOULD SHOW UP. NOT SURE OF THE ISSUE BUT MAY BE THE USE OF THE IPAD........SORRY. So Italy is now in the visited list, wow what a country, the tour director said it was going to be a lot of fun and it was. We stayed at Venice, Rome, Florence and Baverno on Lake Maggiore in the lakes district. We had 2 nights in Venice and visited the usuals, the canals, St Marks square, got lost in back...

Apr 29, 2017 - Planning our Swiss Trip 2017

We decided on Switzerland for our next trip to Europe. It seems to be a safer place to visit this time and we have decided to take a Rick Steve's tour for the first time. We are about 3 months away. Pam had surgery 3 weeks ago and she should be in good shape for the Alps.

Apr 22, 2017 - Zurich

A great night sleep up a bit late but oh well I am on vacation HAHA, down for a nice breakfast before heading out to due the city walk, a very nice day sunshine and warm, a stop at atm for some Swiss money. A nice walk down to the lake stopping to ride a ferris wheel getting a good view of the lake area, then on to the other side of river, stopping at the Grossmunster church with its two towers, and up the 187 narrow steps to the top, a great view of the city, as I was walking along the street I was attacked by this large gelato cone so had...

Apr 21, 2017 - In Zurich

Morning everyone it is 8:00 clock here and midnight for all of the people in CO. My adventure has started, it took a bit longer to get here then planned but I made LOL, It start off great with a on time flight from Durango to Denver, then a 2 1/2 hour delay from Denver to Toronto due to weather in Toronto, and a extra hour circling the airport there before we could land, causing me to miss my flight to Zurich, so had to get a flight to London, then on to Zurich from there, so was about 8 hours later of getting to Zurich but here I am great....

Apr 8, 2017 - Switzerland - An Obsession with Time

Guten Tag! As a graduate student I spent a semester in a seminar entitled "Time". I am still confused. When you think of Switzerland you may think of - Chocolate - the world's number 1 chocolateur. Is it Sprungli or Tauscher? Cheese - hundreds of artisan varieties, none of them manufactured by Kraft. The Alps - Julie Andrews musically cavorting through fields of edelweiss. How many Swiss Army Knives do you own? You may not know - There are over 60,000 kilometers of hiking paths in Switzerland. A man's life expectancy here is 81.3 years, #1...

Dec 11, 2016 - Basel to river cruise

Sleep in - YES! Time for a walk into the old city. Lunch - Spinachstrudel watching a Jazz band. Stroll time then tram back to the hotel, collect suitcases and then onto find the docking point for my next adventure. River cruise on the Amadeus Silver Basel to Cologne. Warm on boat - YES Dinner & snooze time. Cya tomorrow.

Dec 10, 2016 - Lucerne sightsee then off to Basel

Making up for yesterday. Lion monument - very moving Glacier Gardens - interesting Bourbaki Panorama Back to the Rosengart collection to check out the Chagalls and some great photos of Picasso. Few churches Walk along the lake weaving over & back along the many bridges incl the Chapel bridge. Then grab a train to Basel. Basel - Couldn't resist the Cartoon Museum - YES, laughing out loud. Then followed the locals to the Xmas markets - I think the biggest yet. Rosti and mulled wine for tea. Navigate the trams in the dark - Thank goodness...

Dec 9, 2016 - Lucerne hick up

Problem with the lower legs - 2.5hrs at the doctors - 5hrs at the hospital - blood tests, a drip and a bit of prodding . Medication and released - but day gone. Just made the show tonight - Harry Potter with the music played by a 90 strong symphony orchestra. One word - brilliant

Dec 8, 2016 - Lucerne - Mt Pilatus & then walking tour of Lucerne

Webcam is looking good so off I go to Mt Pilatus. Always meet friendly people along the way to chat with. Shared the gondola and then the cable car with some locals. Energetic lady likes to walk the 2000m up the mountain - showed me the walking tracks. Will leave that thought with her. Today she is heading to the top for a wine and to sit in the sun - sounds like a plan. Again fab views. The wine, apple strudel and sun were great. Stroll time around the old town, Xmas markets with children's band - loving the food and atmosphere. Found one...

Dec 7, 2016 - Bellinzona to Lucerne

Today - Wilhelm Tell Express. Relaxing train ride from Bellinzona to Fluelen - big change in scenery as we climbed the pass. Then boat journey the full length of the lake to Lucerne. Sat back with a glass of wine, some soup and a caramel creme desert. Dock is close to my hotel - check in then off to the Rosengart Museum to see Picasso and Chagall. Dinner at the World Cafe. Booking made for Harry Potter and the symphony orchestra- YES!

Dec 6, 2016 - Bellinzona - Locarno

Bellinzona-beautiful old Centre. Picturesque corners and squares, neo-classical Italian style. Skyline is defined by the powerful fortifications comprising three of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland. Fortifications of Bellinzona are among the most important examples of medieval defensive architecture in the Alps and have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visited Castelgrande the oldest and mightiest castle - beautiful view over the Old Town and surrounding area. Afternoon train to Locarno the town with the...