Day 8: Mountains to MILAN!

Ciao from Italy!  We woke up early this morning and made our way by bus to the base of Pilatus, which is the tallest point of Central Switzerland.  **For anyone who crossed their fingers/said special prayers for a clear day - it WORKED :)

On our way UP UP UP

We got to ride through the puffy clouds in the gondolas (yes, there are multiple gondolas to reach the final destination of 7000 feet)!!!  

At halfway point, Frakmuntegg, 4649 feet

For anyone who knows me well, you already realize I have the photography bug.  I may have broken an all-time record for most photos in one location today.  The views were absolutely spectacular and I simply could not help myself.

We climbed stone steps (ummm, some people may not actually consider them "steps") for 2 separate peaks.  First, we climbed Oberhaupt (6943ft).

Next, we strolled through the Dragon Caves.  Last, we climbed Esel (6953 ft).

View from Esel

Three hours at 7000 feet just flew by, what an amazing feeling - as long as you aren't afraid of heights (I'm not but Joe admitted his heart was racing on more than one occasion).  It was sunny, but there was also plenty of snow in certain spots up there (Joe says it's very similar to when he went skiing in Vail, Colorado.  Of course we spared a lil time for a traditional Swiss snack and some Swiss brews!  Hotel Pilatus-Kulm has an extraordinary sun deck, so we rested our tired calves for a bit, but we had a train to catch for Milan...

Going back down Pilatus

The trip to Milan included 2 trains and lasted about 3 hrs 45 min - really cool trip through tunnels as we traveled in and out of mountains.  We arrived around 9pm and figured out the train/bus system to arrive at our hotel by 10pm.

Hotel Nasco

Hotel Nasco is a luxe hotel - small room, but that didn't matter once we figured out we have our very own private balcony with doors that open for fresh Italian air :)

View is really cool from the 7th floor at night, but looking forward to seeing this in daylight!

We also grabbed a late dinner in the private dining room downstairs.

Hard to believe we were at 7000 feet just 9 hrs prior to this photo

Tomorrow we plan to visit the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio and Parco Sempione which has an old castle.

Buonanotte (Good Night) bwo-na-no-te

Day 7: Lucerne

Today started a bit cloudy with mild weather, perfect for hiking around hilly countryside.  We used a city map for a self-guided tour and climbed at least one million steps, but all very worth it for the views.

This was the start of the climb, we actually went inside the tower you see in the background - many, many
narrow stone staircases at different levels.  Great cardio workout :) 

We think there were oxen and alpacas in the background here.

We reconstituted ourselves with a hearty meal at Fondue House.  

Joe chose a local specialty, called Raclette.  "Raclette is a dish indigenous to parts of Switzerland and the Savoie region of France. The Raclette cheese round is heated, either in front of a fire or by a special machine, then scraped onto diners' plates; the term raclette derives from the French word racler, meaning "to scrape". Traditionally, it is accompanied by small firm potatoes (boiled), gherkins and pickled onions".  

I went with a traditional fondue with bread and fruit 

(and Joe's mini boiled potatoes were also delicious dunked in the fondue).  

With full bellies and the evening still quite young, we strolled outdoors to find that the sun was shining in full force and we could see the snow covered Alps very clearly!  With renewed energy, we took a 2 hour stroll along the bank of Lake Lucerne.  

We stayed outdoors until twilight in order to delight in the reflections off the water.  

Tomorrow we hope for all clear weather so we can journey to the top of Lucerne's tallest mountain, Pilatus.  If the weather cooperates, we will take a gondola to the top.  Cross your fingers for us, please!

Day 5 & 6: Paris/Traveling to Lucerne, Switzerland

Guten Tag from Lucerne, Switzerland!  I have a bit of catching up to do since our Paris hotel wifi was touch and go.  Paris was beautiful beyond words and the weather was AGAIN in our favor.  Here are some highlighted activities we enjoyed while touring around the city:

Enjoying a breakfast drink at sidewalk cafe, Cafe de Luna (right down the street from Moulin Rouge)

Admiring the grounds at Le Louvre (sadly, not enough time to explore interior works of art)

Fascinated by the facades at Le Louvre

We selected some fromage from a local shop, along with un baguette. Joe purchased foie gras mousse for himself.

Without intension, we happily stumbled upon Notre-Dame de Paris

La Tour Eiffel in all its splendor, at twilight

We visited L'Arc de Triomphe on Thursday morning, prior to catching our departing train to Lucerne.

Magnificent architecture at L'Arc de Triomphe

Train station in Paris: Gare L'Est

Boarding Train #1 of the 12 day train portion of the trip.

Now, we are getting set to explore Lucerne on foot!!  

We send our love to all our friends and family following our journey!  xoxo

Day 4: Traveling from London to Paris

Today was a taxing travel day.  Katusha kindly dropped us at the Tube, we hopped the Northern Line, then grabbed a mini cab to Luton airport (in the countryside).  We were flying expressjet.com and were queued in line to board (no assigned seats), but then there was a small technical fault with one of the antenna, so they coach bussed all of us to a "spare jet".  

At London Luton airport, having adult cocktails while waiting for Gate announcement.

Holding some crisp, fresh Euros.

Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris

Once we landed in Paris,we took 1 train to get to the city center of Paris and an additional train to our hotel. 

Train from CDG Aeroport, outside of Paris.

Train which took us within a block of our hotel

Our hotel is gorgeous and much bigger than we anticipated.  

All the Frenchies have been kind to us and the front desk recommended an authentic, small French restaurant right around the corner - DIVINE dining experience!  Le Bouclard was less than a 5 min walk from our hotel and you know it had to be good since it was mostly locals and few tourists.

We are taking it easy for the rest of the night since we are planning a full day of exploration tomorrow.  Hoping for yet another sunny day as well :)

Day 3: London

Joe and I took the Tube downtown today for a little bit of sight seeing!

We got to see a good bit downtown by walking around the area and also taking a River Boat Cruise.  We enjoyed some "pancakes" (crepes) on the street and I got to have some Magners while Joe enjoyed some Boddington's.  We were lucky to have another sunny day to enjoy the city.

We have been having small issues with internet and are off to Paris tomorrow.  

I hope to be able to post a short blog each day - Au revoir!

Day 2: Easter Sunday in London

Cheers from London on Easter!  

We had another lovely day of sunny weather and tremendous food today.  Katusha made rack of lamb and Michael grilled brown sugar breast of chicken for me.

Michael opened a double Magnum bottle of wine (equivalent to 4 bottles).  Here is Harvey holding the empty bottle, so you can get a sense of the massive size of the bottle.

I got the chance to hide chocolate eggs around the garden, so Theo and Harvey could have ab Easter egg hunt.  Both boys generously shared some of their "finds" with me :)

Ollie showing off his massive golden egg, as well as his Blackberry Torch, which I am thinking of getting as my new phone when we return stateside.

We REALLY enjoyed ourselves spending time with Mike, Katusha, and the boys.  Once the sun set, Tush graciously drove us around downtown London so I could snap some night shots.

This is Westminster Abbey, which is where Tush went for church during her school days.  Joe also got to see Big Ben for the first time!

Day 1: London

We could not ask for better weather!!!  It's high 70s and sunny.  We have a gorgeous flat to stay in, thanks to Mike & Tush.  Their generosity and hospitality is so comforting.  Here are a few images of the beautiful space we are staying in for the next 4 days.

As I write, I'm sitting on the patio in Mike & Tush's garden, grilling out and enjoying some fine wine.  They have beautiful flowers, singing magpies and a large conifer tree in their backyard space.  I truly feel  relaxed and "on holiday".

This is the home where Tush and Mike live, with Tush's children: Oliver, Theo and Harvey:

We are being treated like royalty!