Week 3: Venice, Italy

I have to apologize (again!) for the late blog post. This trip is flying by and there is so much to do and see. I haven't had much chance to sit down for a few hours and write about the past couple of weeks. I'm back at Mom's apartment today and we are leaving for Seville, Spain tomorrow, so I will try to cover the last three weeks the best I can. I will start with the third week of my vacation: Venice, Italy.

On May 5, my brother Michael arrived in Switzerland. He was at Mom's apartment just long enough to nap, have a wonderful lunch with John (Mom's friend from work) and me at L'Hermitage in Clarens, and repack his stuff into a tiny backpack for a two week trip. I really wish I had a picture of his luggage, because it was amazingly small! I was impressed. I don't think I'd ever be able to pull it off.

A lovely outdoor lunch with John and Michael at L'Hermitage

Michael and I showing off our delicious French food at L'Hermitage

On May 6, Michael, Michelle, Tim and I took a flight to Venice and stayed there for four nights. We had a nice hostel in a less busy area of the city, Campo San Geremia, but we were still able to walk around to all the major attractions, such as the Rialto Bridge and San Marcos Basilica. We also visited the National Gallery and took a gondola ride (had to!). We bought a boat pass, so we were able to take two day trips to other islands, including Murano (famous for glass making), Burano (famous for brightly colored houses), and Lido (the beach island).

The Rialto Bridge - very famous and very crowded

Michael and I in San Marcos Square with the Basilica in the background (right)

Me, in front of St. Mark's Basilica

We walked around the inside of St. Mark's Basilica, but it was not allowed to take pictures inside. Also, if you are planning to visit old churches in the future, note that shorts and tank tops are not acceptable. We had to make two trips to the basilica, because we were ill-dressed on the first try and we were not allowed inside!

Michael and me, at the top of the Bell Tower in St. Mark's Square

We watched glass-makers at work in Murano

Michael and I in Burano - loved the colorful houses!

Michelle and Tim, exploring the side streets in Burano

Lots of big kites flying on the beach in Lido

Michael, strolling through Lido

Boat rides make us sleepy

Michelle and Tim, on the gondola ride

Michael and me, on the gondola ride

Since we were in Venice for four nights, we certainly were not strapped for time. Most of our sightseeing activities ended around five o'clock, at which time we took a power nap then went out for apertivo (wine and snacks usually for us). This was followed by a late dinner and wandering the streets to enjoy the city without the crowds.

Michael and me, awaiting our drinks at apertivo time

Wandering around Venice

We had sweets every day, delicious!

Venice at night

On May 11, Michelle and Tim returned home to Indy, and Michael and I set off for Amsterdam. It was a great trip, with some great friends that I hadn't seen in quite a while! We enjoyed Venice very much and since it was near the top of my list of places to see, I am happy to say that I saw a lot there.

Read the next post to hear about Amsterdam, Prague and Berlin! :)

Second Week: Interlaken and Zermatt, Switzerland

Ah, just got back from a run. Much needed!

The past week of my trip has consisted of Kari and I meeting up with more friends, Michelle and Tim, and traveling around Switzerland by train.

On Sunday, Michelle and Tim arrived. After a mix-up on the trains, they managed to find their way to the right stop, where I met them and led them to Mom's apartment. We spent the first day wandering around Vevey, getting snacks to take on the train, and checking out the view. For dinner at home, we had a cheese, salami and cracker plate with wine (thanks, Mom!). Then we packed up and got ready for our four-day Swiss trip.

Walking around Vevey - Tim's first purchase in Switzerland was a Starbucks (ha!)

Dinner at Mom's apartment

For this trip, we bought the 4-day Swiss Pass, which I would recommend if you are going to ride the train around for four days straight and go on interesting rides, such as to the top of peaks in the Alps, etc. It gives your unlimited rides by train, bus and boat and discounted rides up to the peaks!

On Monday, we took the train to Interlaken, Switzerland. It is so named, because it is a town that sits between two lakes, Brienz and Thun. This is a pretty touristy town, but the area is gorgeous and we found plenty to do in our two nights there. We arrived in the early afternoon and checked into our very nice hostel, AlpLodge. Then, we headed over to Seilpark, a high ropes and ziplining course that was just a 15 minute walk into the woods on the outskirts of the town.

Beginning of the high ropes course

I was scared at first - I'd never been on such a difficult and high ropes course. In fact, I think the last time I did any high ropes course, I was 12 years old at summer camp - and it wasn't this high. After I got past the scariest challenge (swinging on a rope from platform to platform), I was fine for the rest of the afternoon. We were all a bit sore the next day, but it was a lot of fun!

My least favorite challenge of the day - but I made it!

Michelle enjoying one of the ziplines

On Tuesday, Michelle and Tim spent the day going up to the Jungfraujoch, also known as the Top of Europe. They reported fantastic views on the ride up, but said the peak was in a cloud, so there was no view from the top. Kari and I spent our day sleeping in a bit and then going on a boat ride (for free with our Swiss Pass!) around Lake Brienz. It was a 65 degree day with low cloud cover, which made the trip very relaxing and serene. There were also fewer tourists on this boat ride, which made the experience even nicer. After the boat ride, Kari and I took the train up to Grindelwald just to walk around and check it out.

I would like to have my boat on Lake Brienz, too.

Rode the train up to Grindelwald - higher elevation, more mountains

The clouds let up in the late afternoon, and we were able to see the Jungfrau (which means virgin or untouched mountain) from the city of Interlaken.

View of the Jungfrau from Interlaken

Beautiful morning walk while everyone else was sleeping

Boat ride on Lake Thun, on our way to Zermatt

On Wednesday, we made our way by boat and train to the famous ski town of Zermatt, Switzerland. I was excited for this part of the trip, simply because I wanted to see the Matterhorn. Of course, when we arrived, it was covered in a cloud. So, Kari and I poked around the town and visited the Matterhorn Museum (free with our Swiss Pass), while Michelle and Tim went up the Gornergrat to see the view from up there (again, discounted ticket with the Swiss Pass). We met for dinner at the Brown Cow Pub (had to!) and it was yummy. Just love that Swiss food, all cheese and meat and bread, and zero veggies. That's my style.

Old Town Zermatt - It once was a farming village

Evolution of skis (and the addition of the snowboard)

Proof! Kari really does like Brown Cows... and brown beer :)

Luckily, by the next morning we had an amazing view of the Matterhorn peak from our hostel (Youth Hostel International, it's a good one). Since the weather was so nice, Kari and I took the train up to the Gornergrat, like Michelle and Tim had done the day before. It was such a clear and beautiful day, we were so glad we went up there to see the views.

View from the Gornergrat - Gorner Glacier in the background

At the Gornergrat - Matterhorn in the background (left)

 Zermatt was a quick trip, just one night, but since we really only came to see the Matterhorn, we considered the trip a success.

Clear view of the Matterhorn on our last day

Kari and I ate at Mai Thai on Lake Geneva for her last night - It was delicious!

 On Friday morning, Kari made her way back home to California. I walked her to the train station to see her off for the airport. I spent the rest of the day relaxing and publishing my late blog post (titled First Week: Switzerland and Italy). Today will be another day of relaxation, and preparing for the arrival of my brother, Michael, who comes in tomorrow from Charlotte, NC. We will be traveling to Venice, Amsterdam (meeting up with Scott, Megan and Jonathan there), Prague and Berlin next. Stay tuned for another post about the upcoming trip in about two weeks.

Thanks for reading! See you soon.

Abby :)

First week: Switzerland and Italy

My apologies! This post was supposed to go out last weekend. There will be a new post about this week's trip later this weekend. :)

Pardon my typos and such, I am not an experienced blogger! Just wanted a way to share my trip with my friends, and to remember things for myself as well.

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Hey, friends! I am sitting at Mom's apartment in Switzerland on a cloudy, but still lovely, day. There somehow never seems to be a day that is too terrible here, no matter the weather. Today is Sunday, so mostly every store is closed, except the little convenience store, Aperto, by the Vevey train station. That leaves nothing to do, but wondering around by the lake (Lake Geneva or "Lac Leman" in French) and enjoying the view, eating pastries at the delicious Chez Manu, and finding the cheapest, but very delicious and filling, lunch in town at **** (going to have to find it again to know what it's called). So, I thought I would catch you up on my adventure so far.

Me, on the walking path in Montreux, Switzerland. Lake Geneva in the background.

I arrived on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 with my good friend, Kari. We had the same connecting flight from Washington D.C. to Geneva, Switzerland. It was an interesting start the trip. Due to the air traffic controller sequestration debacle, my first flight was delayed and I had to sprint through two concourses (with a 25-30 pound hiking backpack and tote bag, mind you) to make the connection. Kari was awesome enough to stall for time at the gate, and refused to board until I made it.  I showed up sweaty and disgusting, but it was worth it.

 Kari (pictured) and I climbed the hill from the train station to Mom's apartment with all our luggage.

The first day in Switzerland started with a train ride to Mom's apartment, then a (longer than intended) nap, then a tour of the Chateau de Chillon in Montreux. Neat castle with gorgeous views and lots of interesting history. We were a little disturbed at the water quality surrounding the castle after seeing the latrines were basically a seat with a hole that let waste drop right into the water and learning that dead prisoners were thrown out of the castle right into that poopy water.

View from the keep at the Chateau de Chillon.

Kari, with the Chateau de Chillon in the background.

On Thursday, Kari and I boarded an early morning train to Milan, Italy. It was delayed by about an hour, but we made it there in plenty of time to check into our (very clean and cute) hostel called La Corte de Milan. I highly recommend staying there if you are visiting... However, downsides were scarce hot water and a semi-broken door handle.

I think the Milano Centrale train station is majestic

We did some shopping in the fashion capital, then had a delicious Italian meal at Maruzzella Ristorante and Pizzeria. We ate dinner from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. in true Italian fashion. And although our lovely Italian gentleman of a waiter spoke zero English, we managed to order enough wine to entertain ourselves for the two hour meal. :)

House wine is the way to go! Cheap and yummy!

The next day, Kari and I visited the Duomo and the Castello Sforzesco. I had visited these attractions with my boyfriend, Scott, in February of 2012, but this was still a new experience, because it was about 70 degrees outside, instead of 30. I enjoyed it.

Piazza del Duomo with Kari

Had to get our daily gelato fix - I love pistachio!

Walking to the Castello Sforzesco (in the background)

The Sempione Park behind the Castello is lovely in spring!

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Throwbacks to February 2012

In front of the frozen fountain by the Castello

Sempione Park covered in snow (still pretty!)

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After seeing the sites, Kari and I boarded a high-speed train for Florence, Italy. We stayed one night in a mixed-dorm style hostel on a very busy and loud street (it was Friday night, mind you). Although the hostel situation was not the best, we made the most of our stay there, by indulging in some Margherita pizza and local Chianti wine. A delicious and cheap meal - one of the many reasons I enjoy visiting Italy.

Margherita pizza and Chianti. "I love cheese."

On Saturday, we journeyed outside the city limits for a Vespa Tour of the Chianti Region of Tuscany! This was the highlight of our trip to Italy. We had so much fun out in the countryside, with vineyards and villas dotting the landscape. Included in our tour was a nice lunch with wine tasting at the Principe Corsini Villa. The forecast called for 100% chance of rain, but somehow we managed to only see about five minutes of rain while we were indoors eating lunch, then later while we were indoors eating gelato. Someone was looking out for us.

Vespa Tour!

Tuscan vineyards :)

At the Principe Corsini Villa

Lunch with wine tasting at the Villa was included with the Vespa Tour

After a wonderful day of touring Tuscany, Kari and I almost missed our train home. We managed to find our way onto a sold-out train to get home and sat in the luggage rack that smelled like Formaldehyde, thus our faces in this photo. #Europeproblems

"What if there is a dead body in there?"

 Such an exciting and memorable trip with my friend, Kari!

And now I am back, taking a relaxing break before Kari and I meet up with two of my other friends, Michelle and Tim. We will be visiting Interlaken and Zermatt, Switzerland by train. I will have a new post after that trip. See you soon.

Abby :)