Mountains and crazy mountain roads
I must say, most of our traveling companions are starting to look a lot more tired. But honestly, it doesn't feel like its already been a week! We did have another bus day, however we will be moving onto train travel soon. I think that it should be a nice change. Although, our bus driver is entertaining. He's Italian and speaks five words of English. But his job is to drive and haul luggage so it's all good. But he has gotten us out of some tricky spots due to other drivers.
Today he was especially important as we left Venice on our way to Zermatt Switzerland. We did have an early afternoon break in Stresa, along lovely lake Maggiore in the Italian lake district. We could have gone for a ride to one of the little islands but after awhile all the extras start to cost a lot so we took a break and wandered the street. And had more gelato. It's on every block in Italy!! The town was very lush and beautiful but a very expensive place to stay. All the hotels looked very swanky and I passed a few porsches parked on the road.
We then headed north for Switzerland through the Simplon pass. It was a series of tunnels and switchback roads built into the side of the alps. It was a little eerie looking out the window at some points. And we did make it to the snow level. Yeah. The southeners were excited. We did make it up to 2005 feet on the pass. The alps are quite spectacular.
The journey continued through the basin of the alps on through to Tasch where we climbed on the mountain train up to Zermatt. I believe it is 5000 feet above sea level so we are up high. It's so picturesque up here. It's just like a postcard. Only with a view of the Matterhorn from the town. The hotel is really strange, it looks like it's been built out of a giant rock with all the rooms being hidden, let's just say there was a big group of us wandering around lost for a few minutes.
To go see the full view of the Matterhorn you do have to walk to the end of town where the buildings are not in the way. But it's only a 15 minute walk! I was really saddened to realize that I instantly recognized the Matterhorn because it looks like the copy in Disneyland! Except without the yeti with the glowing red eyes. It's also a car free town. They only have a few electric carts that belong to the hotels and a few taxis. Otherwise the town is very walk able. It's a little sad we don't have too much more time here but we could always come back.
Tomorrow we do go up the train to gornergrat for better views of the Matterhorn so that should be interesting!
Today he was especially important as we left Venice on our way to Zermatt Switzerland. We did have an early afternoon break in Stresa, along lovely lake Maggiore in the Italian lake district. We could have gone for a ride to one of the little islands but after awhile all the extras start to cost a lot so we took a break and wandered the street. And had more gelato. It's on every block in Italy!! The town was very lush and beautiful but a very expensive place to stay. All the hotels looked very swanky and I passed a few porsches parked on the road.
We then headed north for Switzerland through the Simplon pass. It was a series of tunnels and switchback roads built into the side of the alps. It was a little eerie looking out the window at some points. And we did make it to the snow level. Yeah. The southeners were excited. We did make it up to 2005 feet on the pass. The alps are quite spectacular.
The journey continued through the basin of the alps on through to Tasch where we climbed on the mountain train up to Zermatt. I believe it is 5000 feet above sea level so we are up high. It's so picturesque up here. It's just like a postcard. Only with a view of the Matterhorn from the town. The hotel is really strange, it looks like it's been built out of a giant rock with all the rooms being hidden, let's just say there was a big group of us wandering around lost for a few minutes.
To go see the full view of the Matterhorn you do have to walk to the end of town where the buildings are not in the way. But it's only a 15 minute walk! I was really saddened to realize that I instantly recognized the Matterhorn because it looks like the copy in Disneyland! Except without the yeti with the glowing red eyes. It's also a car free town. They only have a few electric carts that belong to the hotels and a few taxis. Otherwise the town is very walk able. It's a little sad we don't have too much more time here but we could always come back.
Tomorrow we do go up the train to gornergrat for better views of the Matterhorn so that should be interesting!
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