Oh for a transport system like the one in Switzerland. I've only been there once and it was, as you say, spot on. It makes all the difference when you're travelling, especially for complicated trips.
Great article and lovely photos! The foggy ones reminded me of a trip to Kitzbühel, many years ago. We took the cable car to the top of the Hahnenkamm and couldn't see our hands in front of our faces. And there was the time we went to Berlin and the Brandenberg gate, which I particularly wanted to see, was covered with tarpaulin. Things don't always go according to plan. The trick is to make the most of the experience and enjoy the things that do!
So true, Jules! I imagine both experiences were quite disappointing but you somehow found alternative enjoyment. :)
I haven’t been to Berlin yet. I will take a photo for you when I do. Also there’s a cool film of Tilda Swinton bicycling around there called Invisible Frame. It was streaming on MUBI, maybe still? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1532413/
Fantastic guide and tour of Rigi, Kate. Switzerland is so stunning, and I'm always so envious of its extensive public transport.
We were in Locarno and Bern this time last year, plus we stopped off in Lucerne so Rigi wasn't far away. We did most of our hiking in Grindelwald, which was so amazing and we were so lucky with the weather up there.
I also went paragliding for the first time (had to be forced a tad by more more thrill-seeking wife!) in Locarno, which was beyond incredible.
Enjoy the continued travels and adventures. Having all that on your relative doorstep is a real treat.
Wow, you packed a ton of adventure into your trip! Not sure I will try paragliding 😅 ; looks nice though. Have only skied instead of hiked at Grindelwald / Wengen but concur the views are incredible! Thanks for the great comment, Nathan.
That was after a week along the Amalfi coast, too. It was an incredible trip and makes me miss the proximity of Europe. My phone keeps reminding me with "THIS TIME LAST YEAR YOU WERE HAVING ALL THE FUN" whilst I'm stuck in the office 😅
I can heartily recommend paragliding and if you ever do feel up to it then the crew running it from the top of the gondola in Locarno were so lovely and put my mind at ease about it all.
Jul 18, 2023·edited Jul 18, 2023Liked by Dr. Kathleen Waller
Thanks for offering such wonderful travel immersion to start my day! You captured everything perfectly, from the feeling of "intimate immensity" to transportation. We spent a few days in Adelboden, which has superb hiking along several Alps that can easily be accessed with gondolas (and nothing beats the fresh cheese from the Alphuts).
If you are up for a literary connection to local travel, the "Beatushoelen" (near Interlaken) are what inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's Rivendell and Gollum's cave. You can walk through the extensive inner pathways and natural tunnels that lead to small ponds. We did this a few years ago and out kids were thoroughly impressed.
I am sentimentality fond of the Swiss Alps. In 1980 I was a student (I know, how could it possibly be that long ago) and the Swiss Tourist Board ran a programme where you got free board and lodging in return for footpath construction. It was meticulously organised, as you would expect: the paths had to be absolutely level, one meter wide, and with regular drainage channels. We had pickaxes and shovels, there were huge jam sandwiches and a tea urn carried on your back. We worked from 8 til 2 then had the day free. I fell in love with the Alps and I think if I was in Murren now I could still find the path!
Thank you for the great comment. Oh how wonderful that must have been! I have been to Murren in the winter (stayed in Wengen and skied over there for a day). How magical. I also did a pavage/castle refurbishment in France once upon a time and your experience sounds like it's in the same realm. There's something about the hard work that makes you become a part of the place! Thanks again and let me know if you come back to the Alps.
Oh that’s so great! We’re bringing our guy to a campsite in Croatia next week. Agree -- it’s just about figuring out the right pace and changing up expectations. Thanks, Garrett, and let me know when you get to Switzerland!
You’ve settled it: I need to visit Switzerland again.
Great. Lemme know when you get here!
(And I’ll take the train!)
Oh for a transport system like the one in Switzerland. I've only been there once and it was, as you say, spot on. It makes all the difference when you're travelling, especially for complicated trips.
Great article and lovely photos! The foggy ones reminded me of a trip to Kitzbühel, many years ago. We took the cable car to the top of the Hahnenkamm and couldn't see our hands in front of our faces. And there was the time we went to Berlin and the Brandenberg gate, which I particularly wanted to see, was covered with tarpaulin. Things don't always go according to plan. The trick is to make the most of the experience and enjoy the things that do!
So true, Jules! I imagine both experiences were quite disappointing but you somehow found alternative enjoyment. :)
I haven’t been to Berlin yet. I will take a photo for you when I do. Also there’s a cool film of Tilda Swinton bicycling around there called Invisible Frame. It was streaming on MUBI, maybe still? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1532413/
Thanks Kate! You can do a Bowie pilgrimage 😃
Really enjoyed this! A huge takeaway for me - cheese factories! I'll take that over chocolate any day.
Thanks Tom! Yes, go for the cheese (first)! Fair warning: it’s pretty stinky; not for the faint hearted.
Love this! Such romantic, fun adventures, and I love the stories and details. Living vicariously! 😊🌻
Thank you, Jane! I have to go back and visit the cheese factory. More details to come. :)
You had me at cheese factories...
haha YES!
Fantastic guide and tour of Rigi, Kate. Switzerland is so stunning, and I'm always so envious of its extensive public transport.
We were in Locarno and Bern this time last year, plus we stopped off in Lucerne so Rigi wasn't far away. We did most of our hiking in Grindelwald, which was so amazing and we were so lucky with the weather up there.
I also went paragliding for the first time (had to be forced a tad by more more thrill-seeking wife!) in Locarno, which was beyond incredible.
Enjoy the continued travels and adventures. Having all that on your relative doorstep is a real treat.
Wow, you packed a ton of adventure into your trip! Not sure I will try paragliding 😅 ; looks nice though. Have only skied instead of hiked at Grindelwald / Wengen but concur the views are incredible! Thanks for the great comment, Nathan.
That was after a week along the Amalfi coast, too. It was an incredible trip and makes me miss the proximity of Europe. My phone keeps reminding me with "THIS TIME LAST YEAR YOU WERE HAVING ALL THE FUN" whilst I'm stuck in the office 😅
I can heartily recommend paragliding and if you ever do feel up to it then the crew running it from the top of the gondola in Locarno were so lovely and put my mind at ease about it all.
PS hope you can have some fun in the office...
A modicum of fun was achieved via some interesting data analysis 🙃
If you're back on coffee, it's even more fun :)
I think that's probably the issue. Not quite yet. But soon.
Phones are so crazy like that! I'll add it to my future 'memory' post...
And thanks for the hot tip. Maybe one day I will have the courage!
Thanks for offering such wonderful travel immersion to start my day! You captured everything perfectly, from the feeling of "intimate immensity" to transportation. We spent a few days in Adelboden, which has superb hiking along several Alps that can easily be accessed with gondolas (and nothing beats the fresh cheese from the Alphuts).
If you are up for a literary connection to local travel, the "Beatushoelen" (near Interlaken) are what inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's Rivendell and Gollum's cave. You can walk through the extensive inner pathways and natural tunnels that lead to small ponds. We did this a few years ago and out kids were thoroughly impressed.
Enjoy the rest of your summer travel !
These are great tips, Ruth! Thanks 😊
Appreciate your lovey comment and restack. Hope you have a nice trip!
I am sentimentality fond of the Swiss Alps. In 1980 I was a student (I know, how could it possibly be that long ago) and the Swiss Tourist Board ran a programme where you got free board and lodging in return for footpath construction. It was meticulously organised, as you would expect: the paths had to be absolutely level, one meter wide, and with regular drainage channels. We had pickaxes and shovels, there were huge jam sandwiches and a tea urn carried on your back. We worked from 8 til 2 then had the day free. I fell in love with the Alps and I think if I was in Murren now I could still find the path!
Thank you for the great comment. Oh how wonderful that must have been! I have been to Murren in the winter (stayed in Wengen and skied over there for a day). How magical. I also did a pavage/castle refurbishment in France once upon a time and your experience sounds like it's in the same realm. There's something about the hard work that makes you become a part of the place! Thanks again and let me know if you come back to the Alps.
Love the views. Maharishi once had his headquarters at Lake Lucerne. Thanks for sharing
Oh wow. That’s a fun fact.
Oh that’s so great! We’re bringing our guy to a campsite in Croatia next week. Agree -- it’s just about figuring out the right pace and changing up expectations. Thanks, Garrett, and let me know when you get to Switzerland!