SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
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Topic author - Senior Second Officer
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SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
Part 4
Day 7
After a good night’s sleep and an excellent buffet breakfast we set off to explore the town. The shops seemed to be all “Designer” emporiums, but many were closed as it was between seasons.
Today’s train journey was the same route as the Bernina Express which crosses into Italy. However we were not going to Italy. Another day, another mountain! A lovely lunch in a restaurant looking into a beautiful valley with a lake at the bottom. It is all very breathtaking, but I think seven days was enough for me. The OH enjoyed every single minute, but appreciated that I found it all a bit busy. We will be going to Madiera in three weeks’ time, which will definitely not be busy.
Another excellent meal in the hotel restaurant
Day 8
An early start. The hotel minibus returned us to the station and three trains later we were at Zurich Airport. A confusing place when departing, unlike when arriving. First we had a very nice lunch in a proper restaurant. Neither the greasy spoon nor the pub featured at this airport. Then we set off to find our Gate. For some time we sat at a Gate only to discover that we would have been going to Majorca!! After some investigation we found the correct Gate on a lower level and it was time to fly home.
OVERVIEW
Downside Very busy holiday.
The dinner on the last night in Interlaken was very much delayed because they had a banquet and the kitchen could not cope. This is why I would not recommend the Metropol.
The Honeymoon hotel is no more!!! Very sad.
Upside
Beautiful, beautiful scenery.
Trains on time and never crowded (except for the Glacier Express which was full)
Weather perfect.
We used P P parking valet service for the car. Worked a treat.
Thank you to anyone who read all this. You deserve a medal.
Day 7
After a good night’s sleep and an excellent buffet breakfast we set off to explore the town. The shops seemed to be all “Designer” emporiums, but many were closed as it was between seasons.
Today’s train journey was the same route as the Bernina Express which crosses into Italy. However we were not going to Italy. Another day, another mountain! A lovely lunch in a restaurant looking into a beautiful valley with a lake at the bottom. It is all very breathtaking, but I think seven days was enough for me. The OH enjoyed every single minute, but appreciated that I found it all a bit busy. We will be going to Madiera in three weeks’ time, which will definitely not be busy.
Another excellent meal in the hotel restaurant
Day 8
An early start. The hotel minibus returned us to the station and three trains later we were at Zurich Airport. A confusing place when departing, unlike when arriving. First we had a very nice lunch in a proper restaurant. Neither the greasy spoon nor the pub featured at this airport. Then we set off to find our Gate. For some time we sat at a Gate only to discover that we would have been going to Majorca!! After some investigation we found the correct Gate on a lower level and it was time to fly home.
OVERVIEW
Downside Very busy holiday.
The dinner on the last night in Interlaken was very much delayed because they had a banquet and the kitchen could not cope. This is why I would not recommend the Metropol.
The Honeymoon hotel is no more!!! Very sad.
Upside
Beautiful, beautiful scenery.
Trains on time and never crowded (except for the Glacier Express which was full)
Weather perfect.
We used P P parking valet service for the car. Worked a treat.
Thank you to anyone who read all this. You deserve a medal.
Jay
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- Ex Team Member
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Re: SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
Thanks Jay, we have done parts of Switzerland over the years and have looked into returning by doing a coaching tour with several train journeys included but the place seems to be even more expensive than Norway and Iceland ... is it ?
Keep smiling, it's good for your well being
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Re: SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
Very interesting report, thank you. We have considered doing a rail holiday and I must say I was concerned that it would be very tiring. I think a week would probably be enough for me too.
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Topic author - Senior Second Officer
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Re: SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
Manoverboard wrote:Thanks Jay, we have done parts of Switzerland over the years and have looked into returning by doing a coaching tour with several train journeys included but the place seems to be even more expensive than Norway and Iceland ... is it ?
Unfortunately I have not been to Iceland, and went to Norway so long ago I cannot compare. Switzerland is not cheap, but we felt that coffee, wine and beer were similar to London prices, and restaurant prices were top end but not prohibitive. I think it helped to have half board in the hotel restaurants as this meant we bought lunches which are usually less expensive than evening meals.
Jay
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- Senior First Officer
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Re: SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
Thanks for your report - it's a good reminder that there are other holidays out there apart from cruising!
Mr Gill went to Switzerland with his school in the 60's, and would like to revisit, so it's on our (long list) of places to visit.
Mr Gill went to Switzerland with his school in the 60's, and would like to revisit, so it's on our (long list) of places to visit.
Gill
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- First Officer
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Re: SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
Enjoyed your report. It seemed quite an energetic holiday, I was exhausted reading about it. Switzerland is somewhere I have always wanted to go but our circumstances are such now that because we can no longer fly it's not possible.
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- Ex Team Member
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Re: SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
A very interesting series of posts, jay.
My mother used to always saywhat a lovely country Switzerland was ... But still have to visit
My mother used to always saywhat a lovely country Switzerland was ... But still have to visit
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- Senior First Officer
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Re: SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
Can't you drive it? I've done it a few times, once with a caravan on the back.emjay45 wrote:Enjoyed your report. It seemed quite an energetic holiday, I was exhausted reading about it. Switzerland is somewhere I have always wanted to go but our circumstances are such now that because we can no longer fly it's not possible.
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Topic author - Senior Second Officer
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Re: SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
Quizzical Bob wrote:Can't you drive it? I've done it a few times, once with a caravan on the back.emjay45 wrote:Enjoyed your report. It seemed quite an energetic holiday, I was exhausted reading about it. Switzerland is somewhere I have always wanted to go but our circumstances are such now that because we can no longer fly it's not possible.
Only if you can leave the car say in Interlaken and then take the trains and return to Interlaken. Obviously it would take a lot more than 8 days, perhaps not too practical.
Jay
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- First Officer
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Re: SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
Don't forget we have to cross the Irish sea first, before we even start. In the past we have driven to France and Germany but we were a lot younger then. Now the ease of cruising to destinations suits us much better. As Jay says not too practical for us.jay-ell71 wrote:Quizzical Bob wrote:Can't you drive it? I've done it a few times, once with a caravan on the back.emjay45 wrote:Enjoyed your report. It seemed quite an energetic holiday, I was exhausted reading about it. Switzerland is somewhere I have always wanted to go but our circumstances are such now that because we can no longer fly it's not possible.
Only if you can leave the car say in Interlaken and then take the trains and return to Interlaken. Obviously it would take a lot more than 8 days, perhaps not too practical.
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Topic author - Senior Second Officer
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Re: SWISS RAIL HOLIDAY June 2013 - Part 4
I have put a couple of pics in the gallery.
(I find making them small enough quite tricky so there are only two!!)
(I find making them small enough quite tricky so there are only two!!)
Jay