A Swiss Trip

Flying Air Malta over the Alps

We returned Tuesday afternoon from a 4 day weekend jaunt to Switzerland. I surprised myself by packing light (finally); all my cold winter gear fit in a small carry on backpack.  We flew to Zurich and strolled around the lakeside town that night. Saturday morning we met Drew, Uncle Albert and Eddie at the train station just as they arrived from the United States (LAX, Cincinnati and Fort Myers, respectively). This was Drew’s first trip to Europe. Albert has been coming to Switzerland since the 1960s.  It is his favorite country to visit.  He loves the timeliness of the trains, the food and sharing his favorite sights with nieces and nephews who have joined him on the trip over the years. Eddie has travelled with his wife Gretchen on bikes through Switzerland and spent 3 months as a law clerk in Geneva, in addition to the annual treks with Albert.  

Zurich at Dusk

Zurich under a rising full moon.

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, we took off on the train for Schaffhausen to view the Rhine River Falls.  Sunday, with the boys acclimated to the time zone, we trained to Bern and Geneva. Riding the Swiss trains is like traveling in a womb with windows.  It is so comfortable with a soothing gentle swaying that you never want to get off. That evening, we dined in the town of Nyon on Perch fished from the waters across the street, Lac Leman (Lake Geneva).   After walking to the old city of Geneva on Monday, we boarded the train to Lausanne to visit the Olympic Museum.  I just love the female voice on the train announcing our arrival in Geneva-“Genève” in French.   

Rhine River Falls with Germany on the opposite shore.

Albert looking  Swiss.

 

Father and son in front of Zurich Bahnhof.

Overlooking Bern.

We dined that night with Eddie’s friends, Pierre and Roberta, a retired couple that have lived most of their lives in Geneva.  Roberta was born-where else—in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Pierre, a Swiss, worked for General Electric as their African continent sales representative.  He was full of wild traveling stories. The guys headed to Zermatt and Interlaken before catching their return flights from Zurich this Monday.  

My male entourage.

Geneve

Drew

 

Lausanne and Lac Leman