Zermatt.
The route from Geneva took us through the Swiss towns of Nyon, Morges, Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, Aigle, Bex, St.Maurice, Martigny, Sion, Sierre and Leuk before arrival in Visp.
Zermatt is the most popular vacation spot within Switzerland for the Swiss. It’s a huge ski resort and a perfect spot for summer hiking.
We had a really nice train ride to get here. Two and half hours to Visp, much of the ride around the Swiss boundary of Lake Geneva, a brief change and then another hour along an incredibly beautiful mountain route into Zermatt. We saw beautiful, green pastoral views with vineyard after vineyard during the first leg of the trip. It seems like homes here have vineyards in their yards along with their flowers.
Zermatt is a pedestrian village, with the exception of the hotel trolleys (and horse-drawn carriages) that transport visitors and their baggage to and from hotels.
We were lucky the forecast changed and the 90% rain predicted did not happen. Our first mission was to take the Gornergrat Bahn, known as the Matterhorn Railway, straight up to see the peaks of the Swiss Alps. We took the train to the highest open-air station in Europe, and got to experience sleet and snow during our visit. Unfortunately, dense fog settled over the peaks, obliterating any long-range views.
The station is 10,134’ high, and I was light-headed immediately upon arrival. Because of this, we had to report directly to the restaurant on top for lunch consisting entirely of a dark chocolate torte covered in powdered sugar. I figured stimulants could only help . . .
At the top of Europe’s highest open-air station.
They say the best views of the Matterhorn are from the center of Zermatt, so we have one more chance to see it tomorrow.
The village of Zermatt is charming and very walkable, with temps in the high 50s. We spent a few hours wandering around and exploring. Lots of shops, but nothing I wanted to buy. Loads of restaurants, one of which we returned to for dinner, during which I enjoyed traditional cheese fondue.
Tomorrow we set off early for the Glacier Express scenic train from here to St. Moritz. Fingers crossed, we see the Matterhorn.
At Gornergrat with “Wolli” an adventurous black-nosed sheep who is the mascot of Zermatt.
The route from Geneva took us through the Swiss towns of Nyon, Morges, Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, Aigle, Bex, St.Maurice, Martigny, Sion, Sierre and Leuk before arrival in Visp.
In Hermance, on the beautiful Lake Geneva.
We are in beautiful Geneva. We are breaking from our usual frenetic pace and enjoying Geneva as the locals do. Under the tutelage of our good friends, Geneva residents Eva and Bob, we are seeing some sites, relaxing, chatting, and enjoying views of the tranquil lake. A highlight for us was visiting the nearby country village of Hermance and enjoying some of the fabulous local perch prepared the typical Swiss way (with a butter sauce), at La Croix Federale.
Good company, blue skies, perfect temperature, harmony of the migrating songbirds and cold white wine combined to create a day of really special memories.
Posing with friends Eva and Bob, during our visit to Vielle Ville.
Along the way, we sampled delicious dried filet, luscious cheeses and Italian sesame bread sticks (better than they had a right to be). We visited the Vielle Ville (Old Town), stopping in the Cathédrale St. Pierre to see Jean Calvin’s famous chair, and then took the time to hang out in one of the area’s many small cafes. At the center is the Place du Bourg-de-Four, with the Palace of Justice on one side and the 15th century Hotel de Ville on another. In 1864, the Geneva Convention was signed in the Alabama room (named for the ship) on the first floor of the hotel.
We hit the famous spots: where the Red Cross was founded, the high-end shops cluster, and Palais des Nations. Geneva is a center of diplomacy, and hosts more than 250 international organizations. We quickly passed by the Jardin Anglais with its large floral clock (a spot no self-respecting Swiss would be caught).
And of course how could you not love the iconic Jet d’Eau, the 460’ tower of water on a jetty on the south bank of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). It’s the landmark you can see from everywhere.
One very interesting fact I learned is that even though we are in this lovely city in this neutral country, Geneva residents are required to have bomb shelters. The government backs this requirement up with financial support and inspects them annually. Who knew? Should we be worried . . .
This is a beautiful city, and we have loved our all-too-brief interlude here before we hit the rails tomorrow morning. Now to sleep.
In Old Town, Geneva.
We have a lot going on, but we are leaving anyway. So, for a brief moment in time, we will forget about the appliances that need repair, the business that is pending and all our other obligations. Exchanging our beautiful NC scenery for European views. Stay tuned.
