SWITZERLAND-ZURICH (BELLINZONA, LUGANO, GANDRIA, MONTE BRE)
Switzerland – Zurich (Bellinzona, Lugano, Gandria, Monte Bre)
We then departed Lucerne to visit Zurich for a few days. We stayed in a wonderful Airbnb in Zurich called Elegant Apartment with Pocket Wifi. It had one large living room with a queen bed and then a separate twin bed. It was very comfortable and located near the tram and bus station so very convenient. It was $142/night.
The next morning we decided to visit the Italian region of Switzerland. We took a 2-hour train ride to Bellinzona, where they had a great farmers market going on. We walked around cute streets and then visited the Castlegrande. It was amazing to be in this castle and look across the way and see two additional castles. We only had time to visit this one, and it was certainly fun exploring it. We climbed towers, walked the wall, and enjoyed the beautiful views. Once we were finished exploring the castle we took a train to Lugano. From Lugano we took a boat ride to a village called Gandria and had a wonderful lunch at Ristorante Antico, which has a lovely setting overlooking the water. After lunch we took the boat to Monte Bre, where we took two funiculars to reach the top of the mountain with beautiful views of Lake Lugano. It was a long but very fun day.
Our last day in Zurich we did a tour with Best of Switzerland Tours. We visited the Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein. The tour company was very well organized, and our guide did a great job keeping everyone on schedule. She was very knowledgeable. When we arrived at Rhine Falls, she took us down to a boat that they charter so you do not have to wait in the long line to get on a boat. The boat takes you close to the falls and circles around so you get a few different views of the falls up close. After the boat ride we walked to the different levels to view the falls. We had about an hour at the falls. There is food in the courtyard before you enter the falls so you can stop and get a bite to eat before or after your visit. After the falls we went to Stein am Rhein, a medieval village. It was small and very cute. The buildings were beautiful. We walked around a little bit and stopped for ice cream, which was very refreshing. After an hour-long visit, we were back on the road and headed back to the bus depot. It was a fun day. We had our last dinner at Raclette Factory for raclette, which was a delicious last Swiss meal. It is a small restaurant, so be sure to make a reservation in advance.
It was hard to believe that our 4-week vacation had finally come to an end. My daughter planned this entire trip, and I was quite proud of the job she did. I loved all of the different places we visited every day. Each day seemed to be more beautiful than the last. Switzerland is an easy place to get around with public transportation, and every day is a new adventure. Visiting Croatia was a nice addition to the trip and a quick plane ride. I wonder where my next adventure will take me…..stay tuned.
I would like to than the following companies for hosting me or offering me discounted rates:
Linda Perry, August 2019
Linda@Peachheadnet