Our Tour Begins...

The hardest part of any trip is getting there or getting back. Connections, unruly children (I do love kids and "been there done that.") and equipment breakdowns can set the tone for a miserable vacation if you let it.

Our honeymoon started out great until the gremlin gnome caught up with us. He's the one with the black hat you never see in the ads. Thunderstorms in the area; mechanical problems (twice) with the aircraft left us sitting in our plane for almost four hours on the ramp at Dulles in Washington, D.C. Nonetheless, we finally got underway and were movie-d to death on a lengthy flight across the ocean.

Switzerland was a refreshing contrast! Clean, neat, efficient and signs in at least three languages. We followed those signs to an inter-terminal train, cleared passport control and emerged to find Rauati, one of our Road Scholar leaders, holding up a recognition sign of welcome. Assembled with others arriving from different locations, we had our first introduction to our companions and . . .  The Duck.

Perched atop a small umbrella, the duck led us across the way to our train and first day's destination. Zurich to Lucerne. As we noted throughout our trip, public transportation was the order of the day and literally the best way to get around this beautiful country. 

A short note about Swiss public transportation. When your train or bus is scheduled to depart at 12:01, it leaves at 12:01! Missed your train? Don't worry; another one will be along shortly. Just look up at the convenient sign that tells you exactly how many minutes to the next one (and all the others serving that stop/station) including the end destination. When on the train, look at the automated sign that shows your location, the next stop, and the time to the next destination. Why didn't they think of that back home?

When we got to Lucerne, we first heard the phrase that would become the subtitle for our whole trip: 

"It's just a short walk--10 minutes--to the hotel. A little uphill. No problem." 

We found out that there are two directions in Switzerland but the vast majority of them are "up." 

The Hotel Royal

On arrival at the Hotel Royal, we were given our rooms and had a light lunch. More about cuisine (one of David's favorite pastimes - cooking and eating) a bit later. The afternoon was for unpacking and relaxing before a welcome drink and evening dinner and orientation.

A paddle boat on Lake Lucerne

Lucerne, Switzerland's "Sleeping Beauty" came together in 1291 AD and still functions with buildings that stand from the early 1600's. It sits astride a lake with swans and shuttle boats (part of the Swiss transportation system) fed by the river Reuss with a breathtaking backdrop of the snowcapped peaks of Mt. Rigi and Mt. Pilatus. 

Lucerne's Chapel Bridge

The old city, marked by the Kapellbrücke or Chapel Bridge, blends in with a most modern and thriving metropolis that is as clean and fresh as the mountain air we are breathing. Shops with names of international fashion moguls mix with quaint little bakery and chocolate stores where tantalizing aromas assail our taste buds and beckon us with assortments of gastronomic delights.

The view from the hotel was breathtaking. Someone was watching over us--our weather was gorgeous throughout the trip! Beautiful bright skies and pleasant temperatures enhanced our senses, often taking our breath away as we rounded a curve or crossed a bridge or entered a plaza. 

During dinner, we met the others on the trip, and got a preview of our upcoming itinerary.

Starting with the evening meal, we were introduced to the Swiss healthy lifestyle; salads with light dressing, moderate portions, slices of bread (butter is only served at breakfast) and light desserts of fruit or flan or small portions of ice cream adorned with the Swiss flag symbol. Kaffe here is dark, aromatic and usually taken black or with cream. More often than not, a demitasse of espresso replaces the "cup of Joe" afforded in American diners and restaurants.

Fresh mountain air wafting through open balcony doors and comfortable down filled duvets on our beds lulled us to sleep anticipating fifteen days packed with wondrous sights, sounds, and memories.

Today: Zurich to Lucerne

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