New Favorite European City

I've got a new favorite European city - Bern Switzerland.  It's in a beautiful natural setting & is the Capital of the country. It's got a great university, wonderful old medieval town, great outdoor spaces & you can swim in the river. What's not to like?

We didnt know too much about the town going in; we just knew that, on hot days, the residents jump in the cold, fast river Aare & float through old town, past the parliament building. That sounded like such a great idea, we had to try it. Who knew they also had radical anarchists who took over a government building a few decades ago & have turned it into an art & performance space?  Perhaps the hotel helped too - creaky old building with stairs & hallways off-kilter, but open the room door & the floors are even, the showers hot & the beds the most comfortable we've slept in. 

Unfortunately, I've not got many pictures because we were too busy enjoying the town, but we can heartily recommend a stopover to anyone looking for a great experience. 

Gimmelwald first day!

IWe are now back from our trip up to the top of the Schilthorn mountain via Tram. There, we found an amazing view and a rotating restaurant.

But one of our favorites (Fritz's) was the James Bond exhibit at the top of the mountain.

It was there because the James Bond film "On Her Majesties Secret Service" was filmed there. We spent a lot of time looking at the view also. While coming back down, we had a picnic

and then went on to Mürren and explored the area.  Mürren is the home of Alipine skiing - and you can see why. We also were looking for the spot where the para gliders jumped from.  We didn't find the spot, so we took the long way back to the Gimmelwald, by hiking.

As we walked into town we saw a local Swiss family raking in the hay from the mountain side. Hard work!!  Gimmewald is a real working farming town. 

Played a mean game of UNO. Chuck pulled the wild dance card, and still won. 

Good day!

Gimmelwald

Not a bad view to wake up to out the hotel window:

It's time for a cable car ride up the schilthorn & a long hike back. 

Gimmelwald and Switzerland

As you might know, we are now in Switzerland! Yesterday we were in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, and now, a few hours after leaving Bern, we are in Gimmelwald. The Gimmelwald is quite spectacular.

The only ways to get there are by tram or by hike, so there are no cars. There is still small farming equipment pieces that were brought from the next town over, but they are few. We are currently staying in the Pension Gimmelwald, which is quite nice, even with all five of us in here.

Before we got to Stechelberg to ride the tram up we went to Lauterbrunnen to shop for food for up in the mountain.

We also stocked up on passes to save as much money as possible. After we had first settled in up at the Gimmelwald, we went on a small hike for an hour (Maybe more!) before coming back to rest.  

Beautiful!!!

Swimming in the aare river

The 4 boys swimming in the Aare  river in Bern Switzerland. The river was really really cold but once you were in than it got to a really nice and refreshing temperature everybody went into to the river. Karl Bill and I went into the river a second time and floated down. The hotel that we are staying at is right next to the river so we didn't really have to much trouble getting to the river. It was so fun. Everybody. Loved flowing down the river.  

Switzerland and Uncle Chuck

We have arrived in a new town and country. After picking up Bill's brother Chuck at the Milan airport we headed north!  Chuck wanted a little bragging rites to say that he, sort of, went to Italy -so we made a quick stop at Lake Como. No George sightings, but plenty of wealthy Italians looking very tan and preppy in top siders and salmon colored shorts (men) and espadrilles (ladies). Gorgeous place and don't begrudge George his choice. 

Had to get Chuck an Italian coffee and gelato - hey we were still in Italy. . 

Ten minutes later we were in Switzerland. 

Stopped at a breath taking rest stop. 

Then squished back in the car for a few more hours to Bern !  Great vibe, beautiful day, gorgeous city, cool little place to stay AND the river Arne. What do the locals do?  They jump in and float down river. So that's what we did too!!  Heart racing fun!!

Karl Fritz and Bill did a second run down the river. 

Checked out the city old city 

Played a little chess. 

And went and ate ..... You guessed it!  Pizza!!  What did you think we were going to have fondu in July?

And walked home. 

Food

Llast night in Italy and I feel some mention of food needs to be made. Food has been fun in Italy. 

I think Fritz has had a Pizza Margherita at every chance - and there have been a lot of chances and a lot of delicious pizzas. 

First night in Venice above. Pizza hadn't arrived yet, but it was good. Below is 2nd night in Venice, new restaurant and pizza is good.  

Off to the Cinque Terre where the seafood was fresh and we took part. 

Insalata de mere above. We gamely tried it, and it was delicious and fresh, but we just couldn't manage that many tentacles.  Bill ordered the fish baked in salt. He liked it, but what a lot of work for a piece of fish. 

On to Rome where we ate in a lot and had the best and worst pizza of the trip. 

Worst pizza above in Testavere in Rome. We loved the location, but the place catered to early eating tourists.  Below, was this tiny place near the Vatican where they aged the dough for two days. Amazing!!  Bill loved the crust and the pizza was the best in Italy. 

In Tuscany we ate in a lot but not on the first night where we found ourselves in a local spot in an old medieval town called Asciano. I love eating al fresco in Italy.  

Gotta get some in Siena too. 

The pizza is culturally appropriate, good, cheap and fillled the boys up.  You can't beat it.  

Our last night in Tuscany was at this wonderful local spot where we splurged and had a fine Tuscan dinner with local ingredients.  Primi Piatti was homemade pasta for Karl, below. 

Local veggies - 

A Tuscan moon rise

Tonight is our last night in Italy, Bill doesn't feel great, we didn't have a reservation, so we get our pizza to go  and eat it on the roof of our hotel in Santa Margharita Lagurie. Lovely.