SwissCircle
Aug 11, 08, 12:41 pm
Transportation:
We bought a Swiss Flexi Pass (http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/Fahrausweise.16.0.html?&L=2) for 5 days, which is quite convenient as no rental car needed and most museums and trains, ships and local transports are included
The first trip: Zermatt / Matterhorn.
We took an early train from Berne to Zermatt via Visp.
In Visp we had to change to the Zermatt Bahn, which took us to the lovely village of Zermatt.
From there we had to cross town to get to the Bergbahn, which is then taking one to the next upper station. There you change and take the next one further up the hill, totaling in 3 different gondolas.
On the way up you have the chance to leave the stations and wander around and see the mountain and surrounding area. On the second stop there is a small restaurant and again lots of construction.
After the last stop you arrive at the Glacier Paradise.
The last couple of meters you go through a tunnel, were is heavy construction work going on, and then a few steps up on the outside one reaches the highest point at 3883 meters above sea.
The view is spectacular.
To see the Glacier from inside you take an elevator going down there. The inside is impressive, but messy. A few sculptures and a wine tasting outlet, that´s about it.
With the rail pass the price for two was CHF 83 total for the mountain experience.
Second trip: Gruyeres
We took the Goldenpass (http://www.mob.ch/GPS/main.asp?langue=e) train from Monteux to Chateaux d`Oex and a very small regional train onwards to Gruyeres.
The train is very nice as its panoramic windows allow very good views on the landscape you travel trough. When passing a tunnel the interior lights are emitting a golden glow.
From the train station at Gruyeres there is a rather steep walk up the hill towards the castle (http://www.la-gruyere.ch/en/navpage-GruyeresFR.html) and the little medieval village. The village consists of nice old buildings mainly used as hotels, souvenir shops and restaurants. The nicest one is the restaurant Le Chalet.
A building next to the castle also hosts a continuous H.R. Giger (http://www.hrgiger.com/frame.htm) exhibition, a must for every alien fan, as is the Giger Café.
The castle itself is not as richly decorated as others, but still interesting. The views from the garden and walls are nice.
There is also a cheese-dairy, La maison du Gruyere, which we didn´t visit.
Back in Berne we enjoyed the 1st if August (national day) fireworks on the mountain Gurten. Very impressive and quite long.
Third trip: Berne
Visiting the city of Berne with its endless possibilities of sightseeing.
We visited the Münster, including the walk up the tower. We had luck and the bells were ringing, which is an amazing experience as the sound seems to go through the body.
We went to the Baerengraben, which finally will be extended and renovated after many years. There is only one single bear left right now. I think it’s an amazing and wonderful project, so have a look here http://www.baerenpark-bern.ch/projekt_realisiert_2008.php
We had afternoon cocktails at the Bellevue terrace. The view is nice, the staff very attentive and the cocktails very good. I do prefer the Bellevue daiquiri.
On a walk along the river Aare, we paid a visit to the Tierpark which is also being extended and renovated. It is designed very nice and has the biggest seal aquarium in Europe. There is much more space for the seals to swim and play than the one living in my current home town Kiel.
I can also recommend a swim in the Aare, which is more like “letting the river swim you”, as the stream is quite strong. Don´t ever miss the last exit to the left or it gets messy!
Fourth trip: Bieler See and St. Peter´s Insel
We took a train from Berne to Binz and hopped on one of the ferry boats.
We hopped of the boat at the Peter´s Insel (http://www.st-petersinsel.ch/) , a small Island left after the constructed connection between several lakes.
It is home of a former monastery and a vineyard.
There is a good restaurant and lot´s of nature to wander around. We took a swim in the lake, as the water was quite warm.
Fifth trip: Zurich
As the weather became more and more uncomfortable we limited our visit to the inner city and its several churches and roman baths.
We went looking for Café Schober for an Ice Tea, which is wonderfully decorated (maybe a bit too much) but didn`t find it and therefore had some really good truffles and ice cream at Teuscher.
We also went shopping for cheese, dried meat (Hobel-and Bunderfleisch) and bread.
In-and Outbound flights were like this http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=853498
We bought a Swiss Flexi Pass (http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/Fahrausweise.16.0.html?&L=2) for 5 days, which is quite convenient as no rental car needed and most museums and trains, ships and local transports are included
The first trip: Zermatt / Matterhorn.
We took an early train from Berne to Zermatt via Visp.
In Visp we had to change to the Zermatt Bahn, which took us to the lovely village of Zermatt.
From there we had to cross town to get to the Bergbahn, which is then taking one to the next upper station. There you change and take the next one further up the hill, totaling in 3 different gondolas.
On the way up you have the chance to leave the stations and wander around and see the mountain and surrounding area. On the second stop there is a small restaurant and again lots of construction.
After the last stop you arrive at the Glacier Paradise.
The last couple of meters you go through a tunnel, were is heavy construction work going on, and then a few steps up on the outside one reaches the highest point at 3883 meters above sea.
The view is spectacular.
To see the Glacier from inside you take an elevator going down there. The inside is impressive, but messy. A few sculptures and a wine tasting outlet, that´s about it.
With the rail pass the price for two was CHF 83 total for the mountain experience.
Second trip: Gruyeres
We took the Goldenpass (http://www.mob.ch/GPS/main.asp?langue=e) train from Monteux to Chateaux d`Oex and a very small regional train onwards to Gruyeres.
The train is very nice as its panoramic windows allow very good views on the landscape you travel trough. When passing a tunnel the interior lights are emitting a golden glow.
From the train station at Gruyeres there is a rather steep walk up the hill towards the castle (http://www.la-gruyere.ch/en/navpage-GruyeresFR.html) and the little medieval village. The village consists of nice old buildings mainly used as hotels, souvenir shops and restaurants. The nicest one is the restaurant Le Chalet.
A building next to the castle also hosts a continuous H.R. Giger (http://www.hrgiger.com/frame.htm) exhibition, a must for every alien fan, as is the Giger Café.
The castle itself is not as richly decorated as others, but still interesting. The views from the garden and walls are nice.
There is also a cheese-dairy, La maison du Gruyere, which we didn´t visit.
Back in Berne we enjoyed the 1st if August (national day) fireworks on the mountain Gurten. Very impressive and quite long.
Third trip: Berne
Visiting the city of Berne with its endless possibilities of sightseeing.
We visited the Münster, including the walk up the tower. We had luck and the bells were ringing, which is an amazing experience as the sound seems to go through the body.
We went to the Baerengraben, which finally will be extended and renovated after many years. There is only one single bear left right now. I think it’s an amazing and wonderful project, so have a look here http://www.baerenpark-bern.ch/projekt_realisiert_2008.php
We had afternoon cocktails at the Bellevue terrace. The view is nice, the staff very attentive and the cocktails very good. I do prefer the Bellevue daiquiri.
On a walk along the river Aare, we paid a visit to the Tierpark which is also being extended and renovated. It is designed very nice and has the biggest seal aquarium in Europe. There is much more space for the seals to swim and play than the one living in my current home town Kiel.
I can also recommend a swim in the Aare, which is more like “letting the river swim you”, as the stream is quite strong. Don´t ever miss the last exit to the left or it gets messy!
Fourth trip: Bieler See and St. Peter´s Insel
We took a train from Berne to Binz and hopped on one of the ferry boats.
We hopped of the boat at the Peter´s Insel (http://www.st-petersinsel.ch/) , a small Island left after the constructed connection between several lakes.
It is home of a former monastery and a vineyard.
There is a good restaurant and lot´s of nature to wander around. We took a swim in the lake, as the water was quite warm.
Fifth trip: Zurich
As the weather became more and more uncomfortable we limited our visit to the inner city and its several churches and roman baths.
We went looking for Café Schober for an Ice Tea, which is wonderfully decorated (maybe a bit too much) but didn`t find it and therefore had some really good truffles and ice cream at Teuscher.
We also went shopping for cheese, dried meat (Hobel-and Bunderfleisch) and bread.
In-and Outbound flights were like this http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=853498