It’s been some time since our last visit to Strasbourg, France. So when the opportunity arose to stop there, just for lunch, we jumped at the idea, since it is one of our favorite cities in France.
Strasbourg
The town has not changed much since we were last here, though that was during the summer. The weather however was great, a bit cool but sunny and pleasant. We stopped on our way to Colmar and enjoyed some of the city sights while we walked to our restaurant destination.
Place de la Grande Boucherie – Strasbourg, France
Place de la Grande Boucherie – Strasbourg, France
Rue des Bouchers – Strasbourg, France
Rue des Bouchers – Strasbourg, France
Restaurants
Le Gruber
Previously known as Zum Alten Strassburg, Le Gruber offers typical Alsatian cuisine, which is a mixture of french and german. The interior is comfortable and very nice.
Le Gruber Restaurant – Main Entrance – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – Menu – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – Menu – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – Inside – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – Inside – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – Inside – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – Patti and Ericka – Strasbourg, France
The food was very good and reasonably priced. I found the potato casserole especially enjoyable and very tasty, though with the Muenster cheese on it, a bit filling.
Le Gruber Restaurant – French Onion Soup – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – French Onion Soup – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – Fish special with noodles – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – Potato Gratin – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – Gabis Fried Potato Pancake with Bibaleskaes, Ham and Salad – Strasbourg, France
Le Gruber Restaurant – Potato Casserole and Salad – Strasbourg, France
Built around the ancient remains of an old RomanCastrum, Seligenstadt is one of Germany’s oldest towns. The Romans established a fortified encampment around the second century and maintained it for over a hundred and fifty years. Some time in the mid third century the germanic tribes repeatedly attacked the castrum, forcing the Romans to withdraw across the Rhine river, leaving a pile of rubble behind. Some time afterwards it was known as ObermĂŒhlheim and some of the earliest buildings in Seligenstadt are dated to the seventh century and are still standing.
Wendelinuskapelle – Seligenstadt, Germany
A stone’s throw from one of the public parking places is the Wendelinuskapelle. A small chapel honoring Saint Wendel, patron saint of farmers and shepards. Built in the late 1800s it stands on the place of a former HeiligenhĂ€uschen. The Baroque doorway is some 160 years older than the chapel itself and was taken from the west portal of the Seligenstadt Basilica, when it was renovated in 1868. The inside is rather plain and in need of some repair.
Seligenstadt
The three main attractions in this town are the Benedictine Monastery, the Einhard-Basilika and the town’s Marktplatz, or marketplace. One can also find along the GroĂe Maingasse a ferry crossing that crosses the Main river, which separates Hesse from Bavaria.
MainfĂ€hre – Seligenstadt, Germany
MainfĂ€hre – Seligenstadt, Germany
For the most part the town appears to have been saved from the ravages of war. Many of the original timber houses still stand and many have historical markers on them, giving the passer-by a brief history of the structure before them.
Timber Houses – Kleine Rathausgasse 10 – Seligenstadt, Germany
Timber Houses – Kleine Rathausgasse 10 – Seligenstadt, Germany
Timber Houses – Kleine Rathausgasse 5 – Seligenstadt, Germany
Timber Houses – Kleine Rathausgasse 5 – Seligenstadt, Germany
Benedictine Monastery
The monastery, which was established by the Benedictines in 815, houses a museum now and a beautifully maintained garden overlooking the Main river.
Former Benedictine Abbey – History – Seligenstadt, Germany
Former Benedictine Abbey – Entrance – Seligenstadt, Germany
Former Benedictine Abbey – Gardens – Seligenstadt, Germany
Former Benedictine Abbey – Gardens and Church – Seligenstadt, Germany
Einhard-Basilika
Though started in the early ninth century as the Saint Marcellinus and Petrus church, it is currently known as the basilica of Einhard, who was one of Charlemagne’s closest friends and advisors. The facade of the church is neo-roman, though there are several other styles of note, including early gothic.
Einhard-Basilika and former Benedictine Abbey – Entrance – Seligenstadt, Germany
Marktplatz
While we were visiting, a political infomation event was being held in the marketplace, which includes the Rathaus. The area is surrounded by quaint little shops, cafes and government buildings.
Marketplace – Seligenstadt, Germany
Marketplace – Seligenstadt, Germany
Marktplatz – Seligenstadt, Germany
Marktplatz – Seligenstadt, Germany
Restaurants
The weather was cold, cloudy and wet, typical for this time of year. So, when it was time it was essential to find a warm place with good food, so Italian with a pizza oven sounded about right.
Ristorante & Pizzeria 1744
A modern restaurant with a surprisingly large staff was able to accomodate us for lunch. I would expect that during busier times, reservations might be recommended.
The food was excellent. We tried the soups and main pasta dishes, which most people around us seem to favor; so we cannot really speak about the quality of the pizza. They also have traditional italian coffee and other after dinner amenities.
Ristorante & Pizzeria 1744 – Menu – Seligenstadt, Germany
The last time we were in Luzern was in 2020. We came back at the behest of other family members who wanted to visit it for a day and to also check out the wonderful hands-on transportation museum. We therefore made a Tagesausflug, or day trip, from ZĂŒrich to Luzern just to see the museum.
Getting There
From ZĂŒrich HBf, we took the regional train IR70, which only takes about forty minutes to Luzern. With the half fare card, it only cost us 13.50 Francs round-trip, per person. Luzern train station is right by the confluence of the lake and the river, so it drops you right in the heart of town.
Luzern, or Lucerne depending upon your preferred spelling, is a beautiful little city on the banks of the VierwaldstÀttersee, or Lake Lucerne. It is bisected by the Reuss River, which in earlier times not only had several mills along it, it was also used to generate electricity for the city when one of the old mills was converted to a hydro-power station.
Reuss River – Luzerne, Switzerland
Pfistergasse – Luzerne, Switzerland
Hofkirche St. Leodegar – Luzerne, Switzerland
Allenwindenturm – Luzerne, Switzerland
Weggisgasse – Luzerne, Switzerland
MĂŒhlenplatz – Luzerne, Switzerland
Fountain – Luzerne, Switzerland
Reusssteg-Brunnen – 1547 – Luzerne, Switzerland
The Bridges
The most interest sight in the city are its bridges. The KapellbrĂŒcke, or Chapel Bridge, was originally a fortification, but is now a tourist attraction that almost burnt down in 1993. The paintings that adorn it, and it sister bridge the SpreuerbrĂŒcke, are still being restored after the fire and years of neglect.
SpreuerbrĂŒcke and Nadelwehr – Luzerne, Switzerland
Baslertor – SpreuerbrĂŒcke – Luzerne, Switzerland
SpreuerbrĂŒcke – Luzerne, Switzerland
SpreuerbrĂŒcke – Nadelwehr und Jesuitenkirche (hinten) – Luzerne, Switzerland
Museum Of Transportation
The Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, the Swiss Museum of Transport, is a hands-on museum for people of all ages, but mainly geared toward school children. Even for adults, there are some very interesting and historical items to see, let alone a good record of Switzerland’s contribution in the area of transportation.
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Main Entrance – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Main Entrance – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Airline DC3 – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Airline DC3 – Luzerne, Switzerland
The museum is divided into themes, from planes, to trains and automobiles, they even have a brief but interesting exhibit on bicycles and their history in Switzerland.
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Air Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Air Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Air Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Maritime Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Automobile Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Bicycle Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Automobile Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Air Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Railroad Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Railroad Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Railroad Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Verkehrshaus der Schweiz – Swiss Railroad Exhibits – Luzerne, Switzerland
Restaurants
We visited on Sunday, so our restaurant choices were rather limited. Sunday in most of Europe is the day of the week that families go out to eat and many normally have reservations for a late day lunch. Most of the establishments along the Rathausquai, Reusssteg and Bahnhofstrasse were busy, but off the beaten path we managed to find something.
Restaurant Fritschi
Tucked away and located Sternenplatz is the Restaurant Fritschi. It offers mostly swiss cuisine, but there are some simpler dishes, if you are not too hungry or prefer not to eat a heavy lunch.
Restaurant Fritschi – Chicken and Salad- Luzerne, Switzerland
Restaurant Fritschi – Schnitzel and Fries- Luzerne, Switzerland
Santa Lucia Ristorante
When we returned to ZĂŒrich, we ate at Santa Lucia Ristorante. This restaurant can get very busy, so it is probably a good idea to have reservations. They do however have a downstairs, which is where we were seated; there you can actually witness them making your pizza. They have many other specialities on the menu, so finding something delicious to try should not be a problem.
Santa Lucia Ristorante – Inside – Luzerne, Switzerland
GrĂŒezi! After our travels in the interior of Switzerland, we spent a few days in ZĂŒrich prior to our return. The decision was one out of convenience, since ZĂŒrich airport was the closest offering international travel back to the states.
Getting There
Since we were starting from Wengen, we had to take the the Wengneralpenbahn to Lauterbrunnen and then the Berner Oberlandbahn from there to Interlaken Ost. From Interlaken Ost to Bern we still had free fare with our Oberlandbahn passes, so we only had to book first class tickets from there to ZĂŒrich. Then we purchased seat reservations for the entire trip using the Swiss Half Fare card.
Wengneralpenbahn – New Snow in Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen, Switzerland
Wengneralpenbahn – New Snow in Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen, Switzerland
A word about the Swiss Half Fare card and Berner Oberlandbahn pass. If you are only passing through the region it probably does not pay to get these, the initial cost is rather high. However, if you are staying in the region for an extended period of time and plan on traveling within it, then it definitely pays for itself.
Train Trip to ZĂŒrich – Thunersee, Switzerland
Train Trip to ZĂŒrich – Thunersee, Switzerland
ZĂŒrich
A modern city by any standard, it is situated on the eponymous lake and also enjoys the dissection of the Limmat and Sihl rivers, as well as a canal and several minor streams.
Schanzengraben – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Market – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Bahnhofstrasse – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
The Altstadt, or old city, is partially on a small island, being bounded by the lake, the Limmat river and the Schanzengraben canal, the remaining part lieing to the east of the Limmat, which at one time had also been bounded by the Sielengraben and Hirschengraben moats (which have both been filled in).
The MĂŒnsterhof, MĂŒnsterbrĂŒcke and the Limmatquai are probably the must see places for this city. There are plenty of restaurants in and around this area, as well as shops and other places of business.
We both felt that ZĂŒrich as a destination in itself does not offer much, but it is definitely worth of few days in your schedule if you are just passing through the area.
Limmat River – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Limmat River – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Limmat River – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Limmat River – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
ZĂŒrichersee – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Limmat River – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Limmat River At Night – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
GrĂŒezi – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Hotels
Hotel GlÀrnischhof
The Hotel GlĂ€rnischhof is situated close the Schanzengraben canal and the ZĂŒrichersee, or Lake Zurich. It provides a good location to the old city, as well as the lake for relaxing strolls, boat rides and other forms of entertainment. We did not find many restaurants in the area, so we did have to walk into the old city center each night for dinner.
Hotel GlĂ€rnischhof – Main Entrance – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Hotel GlĂ€rnischhof – Side – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Hotel GlĂ€rnischhof – Lobby – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Restaurants
Zeughauskeller
The Zeughauskeller Restaurant has exactly that, a bunch of military junk and oddities in a building, hanging from the walls or ceiling. It provides interesting things to look at while you are eating your sausages and drinking your beer.
Zeughauskeller Restaurant, Bahnhofstrass, In Gasse – Main Entrance – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Zeughauskeller Restaurant, Bahnhofstrass, In Gasse – Main Entrance – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
As for sausage, they make it locally and sell some of it by the meter, apparently to go along with that liter of beer (ein MaĂ) you are going to order. We were even witness to a bit of excitement when the kitchen staff had a small mishap near our table and they gave me a coupon for 20 Swiss Francs for the disturbance. I graciously accepted it using my poor German.
Zeughauskeller Restaurant – Sausage By The Meter – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Zeughauskeller Restaurant – Jason – Ein MaĂ Bier Bitte – ZĂŒrich, Switzerland
Along the northern banks of the Thunersee, or Lake Thun, about thirty minutes from Interlaken you will find the caves of Saint Beatus. Though not as grand as some of the other caves we have seen, they are still worth visiting and at 13.50 Swiss Francs for entry per person, they are fairly reasonable to afford.
Tickets For Two – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
Wengneralpenbahn – Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen, Switzerland
Wengneralpenbahn – Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen, Switzerland
Wengneralpenbahn – Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen, Switzerland
Wengneralpenbahn – Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen, Switzerland
Once we arrived in Interlaken Ost, there was a short walk to the other side of town, Interlaken West train station, to wait for Bus 21 which took us directly to the caves of Saint Beatus and later back. Again, we purchased the Oberlander Pass, so there were no charges for this ride which is normally around 9 Swiss Francs for a round trip.
Bus Ride to Saint Beatus Höhlen – Thunersee – Interlaken Ost, Switzerland
Bus Ride to Saint Beatus Höhlen – Thunersee – Interlaken Ost, Switzerland
Bus Ride to Saint Beatus Höhlen – Thunersee – Interlaken Ost, Switzerland
Bus Ride to Saint Beatus Höhlen – Thunersee – Interlaken Ost, Switzerland
Bus Ride to Saint Beatus Höhlen – Thunersee – Interlaken Ost, Switzerland
Interlaken
Since our bus was leaving from the other side of town, we had plenty of time to wander through the town and bit and enjoy some of its charm. The river Aare runs between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz here and the parks along it are understandably decorated to make it the perfect backdrop for photographs.
Patti – Aare River – Interlaken Ost, Switzerland
Höhematte Park – Interlaken Ost, Switzerland
Höhematte Park – Interlaken Ost, Switzerland
Saint Beatus Höhlen
When you arrive at Saint Beatus Höhlen, or caves, you are welcomed with a large waterfall. This swift moving water which comes from the upper watershed area and quickly moves through the rocks towards it destination in Lake Thun, is responsible for carving out the long necklace of caves that you are able to hike.
Bus Stop – Main Entrance – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
Main Entrance – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
It is damp, wet and a bit chilly in the caves so bring something a little warm. The overall duration of the walk through the caves is about forty minutes or so, depending on how much time you stop to take photographs.
Self Guided Tour – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
Self Guided Tour – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
Self Guided Tour – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
Self Guided Tour – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
Self Guided Tour – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
Self Guided Tour – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
Self Guided Tour – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
Self Guided Tour – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
When you finally exit the caves there is a nice refreshment stand where you may purchase food and drinks, at the customary inflated prices.
Patti and Ericka – Saint Beatus Höhlen, Switzerland
Restaurants
Upon our return to Wengen we had dinner reservations at the Lecker Asia Restaurant, our break from the local cuisine.
Lecker Asia Restaurant
Lecker in German means tasty and the food here is definitely tasty. A good break from the fusion of French and German cuisines that we have been eating all week. It is a small restaurant with limited seating, so reservations is a must, since it does get full quickly during dinner time.
Lecker Asia Restaurant – Inside – Wengen, Switzerland
Lecker Asia Restaurant – Inside – Wengen, Switzerland
All the food was very good and spiced to your taste, without any unnecessary salt or MSG to worry about. Even though we were seven people with one baby and one toddler, they were still able to accommodate us.
Lecker Asia Restaurant – Chinese Food – Wengen, Switzerland
Lecker Asia Restaurant – Chinese Food – Wengen, Switzerland
With the weather breaking a bit and having a spare day with not much to do, we decided to take a trip to Grindelwald. This is another small ski and tourist town in the Grindelwald Valley on the other side of MĂ€nnlichen, a sub alpine mountain that divides the two towns.
Getting There
The most direct route for us from Wengen was the Luftseilbahn up the MĂ€nnlichen, a five or ten minute walk, and then the Gondola ride to Grindelwald. Since the route is part of the Oberlander Pass we were covered and did not have to purchase a round trip ticket at 66 Swiss Francs per person.
For Patti and I there wasn’t much to see that we hadn’t already, having been here in 2020. The main street hasn’t changed much, with the exception of a few new small municipal changes here and there.
Main Street – Grindelwald, Switzerland
Patti and Dana – Main Street – Grindelwald, Switzerland
StĂ€hlisboden – Grindelwald, Switzerland
Grindelwald Grund – Grindelwald, Switzerland
My main reason for even coming here again was the view of the mountains. From Grindelwald they are impressive, well at least on a clear day.
Wetterhorn – Grindelwald, Switzerland
Ostegg – Grindelwald, Switzerland
Restaurants
AlpenkrÀuter BÀren Restaurant
After we had returned from our day trip we had reservations at the AlpenkrÀuter BÀren Restaurant for dinner. This is a restaurant that prides itself on including and serving items that come from nature, especially natural herbs and spices from the alpine regions.
AlpenkrĂ€uter BĂ€ren Restaurant – Main Entrance – Wengen, Switzerland
It was definitely more laid back than other restaurants and had the familial feel to it. So if you are looking for real local cooking that is exceptional, this would be a great pick.
Since the weather had been on the inclement side, what better place to visit than Lauterbrunnen, from where at least eight waterfalls of note may be seen.
Staubbach Falls – Main Street – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Getting There
From Wengen we took the Wengernalp Railway using our Oberlander Pass, since it covers travel in this region and Lauterbrunnen is the end station on this line.
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is again a typical alpine resort town with one main street dotted with shops and little else. It is the town you park you vehicle if you are staying in Wengen (since no vehicles are allowed).
Main Street – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
The main street leads through the town from the train station and continues all the way to the end of the valley, however only after many name changes along the way.
Mettelnalp – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Schiltwaldbachfall – Village Reformed Church – – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Staubbach Falls – Spiss – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Mettlenalp – Spiss – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Staubbach Falls – Spiss – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Almenhubel – Spiss – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Once outside town the road narrows a bit, but offers a good path to have a long lazy hike down the valley. Cars are few, even though there are several camping sites along the way and parking lots for vehicles.
Staubbach Falls – Main Street – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Buchenbachfall – Spiss – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Almenhubel – Spiss – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Staubbach Falls – Spiss – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
The Weisse LĂŒtschine river flows the length of the valley as it gathers up many small tributaries that add to its volume along the way. During our walk you could hear its constant roar in the background.
Mettlenalp – Spiss – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Buchenbachfall – Spiss – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Restaurants
Once we returned to Wengen, we had reservations and ate dinner at the following restaurant.
Berghaus Restaurant
This resort and hotel restaurant is small and offers traditional German and Swiss dishes. The author can recommend the Apple Strudel, it was very tasty, not ruined by sugar like in the States.
Berghaus Restaurant – Main Entrance – Wengen, Switzerland
Berghaus Restaurant – Herb Soup – Wengen, Switzerland
Berghaus Restaurant – Schnitzel With Fries – Wengen, Switzerland
After Lake Leman we planned a return to the Bernese Alps and chose Wengen at the behest of other family members. We had previously been to Grindelwald and had spent some time there, so we knew the area well, although we had never visited the Lauterbrunnen Valley. In preparation for this trip, we purchased the following tickets and discount cards to help in managing expenses.
The Swiss Half Fare Card – provides half fare prices on all travel, including cable cars and other forms of transportation
The OberlĂ€nder Pass – provides access to all modes of transportation within the Oberland, can be purchased using the Half Fare card above.
The GoldenPass Express – since it is a special train, it is included in the Oberlander Pass, but if you want reserved seating, use the Half Fare card the price for First Class, it is still quite reasonable and perhaps the way to go for medium to large groups (we were a party of six).
Getting There
From Montreux, Switzerland we enjoyed the GoldenPass Express train to Interlaken Ost, the train station that lies between the lakes Thunersee and Brienzersee, just outside the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Montreux Train Station – Montreux, Switzerland
Goldenpass Express – Montreux Train Station – Montreux, Switzerland
Goldenpass Express – Montreux Train Station – Montreux, Switzerland
It winds through the Cantons of Vaud and Bern, through the Simmental valley where there are pastoral views to enjoy.
Lake Leman – GoldenPass Train – Montreux, Switzerland
Lake Leman – GoldenPass Train – Montreux, Switzerland
Lake Thun – GoldenPass Train – Interlaken, Switzerland
Lake Thun – GoldenPass Train – Interlaken, Switzerland
Lake Thun – GoldenPass Train – Interlaken, Switzerland
Wengen The Town
Wengen is a classic Swiss ski town, having a single avenue with shops and stores catering to souvenir hunters, hotels spread throughout the surrounding area with accompanied restaurants, as well as standalone restaurants offering specialities and train and cable car stations. One thing it doesn’t have are private cars, they are not allowed here and one must park in Lauterbrunnen and take the train to visit.
Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen Town – Wengen, Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen Town – Wengen, Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen Town – Wengen, Switzerland
Beautiful Rainy Evening – Wengen, Switzerland
Beautiful Rainy Evening – Wengen, Switzerland
Hotel Jungfraublick
Our hotel during our stay was the Jungfraublick hotel, a three star hotel with restaurant. It supplied a complimentary continental breakfast in the morning, but its linen service proved to be somewhat of a problem and each day we had to ask for things we should have been supplied.
Aside from that, we didn’t see much of the Jungfrau, the third tallest mountain in the Bernese Alps, due to weather and the constant threat of rain or snow.
Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen Train – Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen Valley – Wengen Town – Wengen, Switzerland
Restaurants
Even though it was slightly off-season, we made reservations for all the restaurants we visited and it is probably advised, we found most of them fairly busy during regular dinner hours.
Da Sine Ristorante
On our first day in Wengen, we ate here for lunch. They have excellent Italian food at somewhat reasonable prices for Switzerland.
Da Sina Ristorante – Main Entrance – Wengen, Switzerland
Da Sina Ristorante – Main Entrance – Wengen, Switzerland
Caprice Ristorante
The Caprice restaurant also offers Italian food and is very good. It can be found at the Maya Caprice Boutique Hotel and there prices are also in line with what other restaurants are charging in the area.
On the far northeast corner of Lake Leman (a.k.a. Lake Geneva) sits the small vacation town of Clarens, a stone’s throw away from Montreux, Switzerland. Though there really isn’t much to speak of the town itself, aside from some shopping, it has a beautiful waterfront and expansive walking path along the lake called the Quai Perdonnet.
Getting There And Around
From Frankfurt, Germany we took Swiss Airways to Geneva, Switzerland, about an hour and a half flight. At the Geneva airport it is then easy to use the local train system to travel from Geneva to Clarens, with the only exception of having to switch trains once in Renens.
Frankfurt Airport – Frankfurt, Germany
Geneva Airport – Geneva, Switzerland
Travel Cards And Other Arrangements
Depending on your situation it may be prudent to look into some of the many travel cards and discount programs that Swiss Rail system has to offer. Since we were traveling as a rather large family group and were going to use the public transit system often, we decided to at least puchase the Swiss Half-Fare Card. Though initially somewhat expensive, it cuts your fares in half for all types of transportation. Also be aware that every ticket purchased with it, you must also present this card for fare validation, a bit annoying, but it’s Switzerland.
Hotel La Villa
We stayed at the Hotel La Villa, which also has a restaurant by the same name. This hotel is right on the lake and offers scenic views, especially when enjoying a drink or something to eat on the terrace or veranda.
La Villa Hotel – Main Entrance – Clarens, Switzerland
La Villa Hotel – Our Hotel – Clarens, Switzerland
La Villa Hotel – Back – Clarens, Switzerland
La Villa Hotel – Lake Leman – Clarens, Switzerland
La Villa Hotel – Lake Leman – Clarens, Switzerland
La Villa Hotel – Lake Leman – Clarens, Switzerland
Restaurants
During our stay we ate at the following restaurants.
Lake Leman At Night – Clarens, Switzerland
La Villa
The restaurant is part of the hotel and is very convenient for those staying at the hotel, since all other options are some walk from the hotel. It has a very good menu and a continental breakfast, for those staying at the hotel. Though they offer boiled eggs as a hot entree for breakfast, if you are looking for something more substantial, you may have to look in town.
La Villa Restaurant – Breakfast – Clarens, Switzerland
For dinner the restaurant offers are very nice menu, complete with wine pairings and other amenities.
La Villa Hotel and Restaurant – Side At Night – Clarens, Switzerland
La Villa Hotel and Restaurant – Front At Night – Clarens, Montreaux, Switzerland
La Villa Restaurant – Lasagna – Clarens, Switzerland
La Villa Restaurant – Pasta Bolognese – Clarens, Switzerland
On Sunday, the first of June, we traveled to Reykjavik, Iceland for a stop-over of a couple of days as we started our journey back to the United States. We arrived only to experience a truly deep extra-tropical cyclone that had set itself up off the coast of Iceland and gave us a memorably windy start to our trip back and the end of our weekend.
Getting There
From Turin we took the FrecciaRossa to Milan Central Station and then up to Malpensa Airport by regional train. The two trips combined were a bit over two hours and more or less uneventful, though one could see tourist travel has definitely picked up in recent weeks, so the trains were pretty full.
Icelandair – Airport – Keflavik, Iceland
Airport Terminal – Keflavik, Iceland
Milan to Keflavik – Flying Over – Iceland
Milan to Keflavik – Flying Over – Iceland
Milan to Keflavik – Coast Near Airport – Iceland
Having only a few days to experience what we could of this volcanic island, we decided to stay in Reykjavik. A good forty-five minute drive from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik, you only have two options, by bus or by automobile (honestly I am not sure if there is an ocean option). It does not matter whether you arrange or book a transfer service through something like GetYourGuide, or take a taxi directly from the airport, both costs are pretty much the same. The bus however is a cheaper option at around $30 per passenger, but does leave you generally on the southern outskirts of town, so you will either have to walk from there or hire a taxi to get to your hotel.
Get Your Guide Transfer – Keflavik to Reykjavik- Iceland
Get Your Guide Transfer – Keflavik to Reykjavik- Iceland
Get Your Guide Transfer – Keflavik to Reyjkavik – Iceland
Get Your Guide Transfer – Keflavik to Reykjavik- Iceland
Reykjavik – The City
The city reminded me of a long lost outpost that has been built up over the decades. Even the airports are pieced together from left over vestiges of American activities during World War II. The house are generally clad in corrugated galvanized sheets typically used for roofing material. Many are painted in bright colors to enhance their roadside appeal.
Laugavegur – Main Pedestrian and Shopping Street – Reykjavik, Iceland
Laugavegur – Main Pedestrian and Shopping Street – Reykjavik, Iceland
Side Street to Saebraut – Reykjavik, Iceland
SafnahĂșsiĂ° – House of Collections – Reykjavik, Iceland
Typical Street – Reykjavik, Iceland
Mixture of Architecture – Reykjavik, Iceland
Houses with Corrugate Metal Walls – Reykjavik, Iceland
Colorful Houses – Reykjavik, Iceland
Our Hotel
We stayed at the Sand Hotel in town, a Keahotel, of which there are a few in Reykjavik. We found it comfortable and central for our needs. A continental breakfast was included each morning, which we found to be actually a bit more than a mere continental breakfast and more than adequate for our needs. However, if you do not have a hotel with included breakfast, don’t worry, there are plenty of cafes, pastry and waffel shops around to grab a bite to eat in the morning.
Sand Hotel by Keahotels – Main Entrance – Reykjavik, Iceland
Saebraut And The Sun Voyager
Even though the weather did not cooperate much, we learned it rarely does in Iceland, a nice stroll along the Saebraut is a must. There is both a walkway and cycling lane that runs the length of the bay in Reykjavik. Here you will find the Sun Voyager, a stainless-steel sculpture by JĂłn Gunnar Ărnason, that mimics a old Viking sailing boat.
Saebraut – Patti – Reykjavik, Iceland
Saebraut – Erick – Reykjavik, Iceland
Saebraut – Reykjavik, Iceland
Saebraut – Reykjavik, Iceland
Saebraut – The Sun Voyager – Reykjavik, Iceland
Skolavorduholt
A short walk up Rainbow Street and the highest hill in Reykjavik is the Skolavorduholt, the place where you will find the Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church and the monument to Lief Eriksson.
Rainbow Street – Runic Shop and the Brekkuholt House – Reykjavik, Iceland
Rainbow Street – Reykjavik, Iceland
Rainbow Street – Reykjavik, Iceland
Hallgrimskirkja Church
The church is impressive and easily the largest church on the island. It has an impressive apse and organ and an almost clean, if not antiseptic appearance inside. The pews are built so that can be easily switched, so you can either face the altar for services, or the organ for performances.
Hallgrimkirkja – Main Entrance – Reykjavik, Iceland
Hallgrimkirkja – Apse and Altar – Reykjavik, Iceland
Hallgrimkirkja – Grand Organ – Reykjavik, Iceland
Lief Eriksson
The monument of Lief Eriksson which stands directly outside in front of the entrance, gives historical credit to this noble adventurer and discoverer of the North America. The monument was gifted to the island in 1930 by the United States of America.
The Austurvöllur area is where many of the municiple buildings are located, as well as the Tjörnin, or “The Pond”. This body of water is a favorite for the school children during lunch and you can often find them feeding the ducks which collect along the shore for an easy meal.
Prime Ministerâs Office – Reykjavik, Iceland
Prime Ministerâs Office – Reykjavik, Iceland
TjarnarskĂłli ehf – Elementary School – Reykjavik, Iceland
Tjörnin – The Pond – Reykjavik, Iceland
AlĂŸingishĂșsiĂ° – State Parliament Building – Reykjavik, Iceland
Apotek Hotel by Keahotels – Reykjavik, Iceland
Jon Sigurdsson Monument – Reykjavik, Iceland
Looking Seaward – Reykjavik, Iceland
Harbor – Reykjavik, Iceland
Harbor – Reykjavik, Iceland
The Old Harbor Boat Ramp – Reykjavik, Iceland
The Old Harbor Boat Ramp – Reykjavik, Iceland
The Unknown Bureaucrat – Reykjavik, Iceland
Restaurants
The Scandinavian Bistro
Our first evening we ate at the Scandinavian Bistro and thoroughly enjoyed it. Though it does not have a lot of seating inside, it is adequate and does not feel overly crowded. The food was a bit overpriced for what you got, but that’s true of most places in Reykjavik since they import a majority of their foodstuffs.
Scandinavian Bistro – My $38 Hamburger with Fries – Reykjavik, Iceland
Rossopomodoro
A continental chain and restaurant serving Italian cuisine can be found on the Laugevegur. A restaurant that is in many European cities and provides basic italian cuisine and pizza at fair prices. We ate here one evening due to its proximity to our hotel and because it was Italian food.
