You will be very glad you did!
There are so many beautiful places in the world that are a special treat for the senses.
Switzerland is a feast for the all the senses, most especially the eyes. It is absolutely stunningly gorgeous! This is especially so if you take the time to drive from picaresque town to town, and do the indescribably beautiful drive over the Alps in your own vehicle or by train. We drove it by car. My husband for the third time! He drove of course. I held onto the door and took deep breaths! We chose to do this drive on what must have been one of Switzerland’s sunniest days of the year because many, many thousands of Swiss were out in force diving over the Alps on their bicycles! This may seem insignificant, unless you have driven the road.
It is a VERY narrow European mountain road with precipitous drop-offs and no shoulders. Managing to pass the bicycles on this road was a task I was not qualified for. Jim managed without complaint. It is also great to take your own car because you can stop and enjoy the views, have a warm cup of cocoa, and take in the alpine action wherever you are. We, for example, watched a Bollywood Movie being filmed on the very summit of the Alps. The actress was wearing a skimpy harem outfit and looked quite cold!
I approached the idea of the Alps in a silently ignorant fashion, mentally scoffing at their altitude compared to other mountain ranges I have been exposed too. Trust me, the Alps are very serious mountains! They have very steep, towering precipices, roads and train-tracks that actually take you over the peaks, and hanging glaciers and glacier pools above the timber-line. Serious, beautiful, mountains. If you scoff at them like I did, you must look at them AND drive over them in the summer, sharing the road with all the bicycles. It is for me, one of my once in a lifetime, unforgettable experiences.
Just Switzerland!!
The Alps.
Starting the Ascent & Looking down!
Up we go!
Glaciers near the top.
We are at the top!
I will leave you with a link about Tony Judt, an expert on the subject of the beauty of the Alps. In his tour-de-force book, “The Memory Chalet,” he envisions his version of heaven as a continuous train ride, forever traveling over the Alps:
http://cindyknoke.com/2012/09/24/the-memory-chalet-by-tony-judt/
I agree with Tony Judt!
We have been back several times, but have not driven again over the wonderful Alps.
Guten Abend, Fraulein Cindy! Switzerland is everything you say.
Fae.
Where, my dearest Fae, have you not been? And what language can you not speak at least some words of? Don’t answer my very talented friend!
I know the answer!
I crave the slagg….mit slagg…on everything!!
This is the first time I see Alps at this close distance! Thanks for sharing, Cindy!
Enjoying the scenery so much!
Thank you Sydney. Really appreciated your shark fin post!
I loved going over the alps as well. Ponce from France and the second time from Italy. Both times mesmerizing. Thank you for bringing back my own beautiful memories by sharing yours…
Glad you experienced this! Jim reminded me we did the Swiss Alp road twice and the Italian Alps in the winter. Magical roads!
I am not good with heights so I think I will just admire the Alps via your photos! On a road like that I would be so scared I would have my eyes shut the whole voyage.
I hear you! I was scared too, but also awestruck. The heights fear came on for me as I got older……
Breathtaking! When you were describing traveling over the Alps my mind kept going to thoughts of the Von Trapps hiking a whole family over them! Rough terrain, but absolutely gorgeous, and a must-see-in-person item for the list of “Things To Do Before I Die!”
Yes and the Von Trapps even sang Edleweiss when they reached the top! Definitely a bucket list priority!
My friend is from Switzerland and she still has many family members there so she said one day we’ll go together. I can’t wait for it!
Go, go, go! You will love it!
It is breath taking place. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for commenting!
What a CRAZY ROAD!!!! I’m a wus when it comes to driving fast through curvy roads… It looks like a road in Montecito!!!
Yep. Driving over The Alps is a spousal jobber for me…..:)
You may have my share of the event!!!
So beautiful. I haven’t been to Switzerland but we did this in Wales. Driving on the “wrong” side of the road on a pass barely big enough for one car let alone two. I saw my life pass before my eyes more times than I care to admit. Funnily enough, our only accident was when the car was parked. Someone hit our fender when we were in a pub. Still, a great adventure and lots of nice memories. Traveling is so much fun!
Oh that is rich! I think we drive so much more cautiously when were on “the wrong side of the road.” I remember my mom, drove into and knocked down a Roman wall on some English Lord’s estate. He was understandably huffy about it. She had to get another rental car and they gave her a real clunker with what we called monkey skin covered seats.
Hilarious that you got a fender bender parked. Jim totaled a rental car in Italy when a truck rear ended him at a stop light.
Such is the traveling life!
These beautiful pictures really gets the travel juices flowing, Cindy!
Yep I have been home for three months now. My absolute limit. It is time to go, go, go!
Absolutely beautiful, Cindy. I really must get over to Switzerland again one day.
Me three!
Beautiful.
Switzerland is a scenic wonderland!
Wow, I am so jealous. Hopefully some day I will be able to see such magnificent sights. I have totally enjoyed your blog and I always look forward to you next photo, so enjoyable. Cindy, I have nominated you for the Reality Blog Award. This is a nice award but it’s also a very easy one. I will be publishing a post shortly with everything you need to know about your nomination. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed sharing it. You are truly worthy. Have a wonderful weekend and keep an eye out for the post.
I feel the same about you & your blog! And yes, traveling is a wonderful escape and enhancement. Thank you so much for your kindness!
How beautiful. You are much braver than I.
Jim was the driver and the brave one! I hold on to the door handle!
Looks wonderful x I took a train ride in Switzerland once and that was great. I love train journeys ~ did the roof of the world one in Norway which is a must see if you have never been x
Yes love the European mountain trains! We did the Flamm (Norway) highest cobbed railway in Europe and it was thrilling & beautiful!
Ah yes we did that one x it was awesome x I have wonderful memories of my travels. can’t travel now as hubby is on dialysis but I love to hear about other people’s journeys. thanks for reading and commenting x Enjoy your travels x
So very sorry about the dialysis. So hard. Happy you have so many wonderful memories though. Memories are so very powerful! Tony Judt left us this message after he died and I am grateful to him.
All the best to you & your husband!
Hello Cuz,
I’d love road-tripping through those “hills”. The countryside is absolutely beautiful.
Paul
Suisse land is just gorgeous….you must go and write some poems about it!
These pictures are breathtaking! So beautiful. I would take the roads any day
If you drive. I’ll provide moral support and eat your cupcakes……..
Oh, please bring your fabulous meatloaf too
Deal. I’ll make meatloaf sandwiches on baguettes. When do you want to go?
Gorgeous photos! Kudos to your husband for driving!!
I will tell him you said so & I agree!
Lovely views and yes you are right European mountain roads are very treacherous and scary. Getting to the top is a real challenge.
Yes. I leave the driving over the Alps to Jim. He reminded me we did it together twice! Driving the Italian Alps in the winter is a significant challenge too!
I wish I could be there now! beautiful imagery – thanks for sharing
Me too! Thank you
Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures. They are perfect tourist promotion. I am lucky to live not far from the alps! May be I should post some pictures as well? Best regards Thomas
Please, please post! I couldn’t get over the thousands of Swiss on their bicycles, cycling over Alps! Incredible! Such a beautiful country you live in……
What beautiful pictures – thanks for sharing!!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes!
Wow, stunning photos Cindy! Hopefully… I will be able to see the Alps in the future ♥
Yes I hope you do & thank you Joycelyn!
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Oh how WONDERFUL Thank you! I am on my way to look at them now. Posted some hummingbirds for you. Happy New Year!
I love those mountain roads, there are very similar ones on the Italian side of the Alps… breathtaking.
Yes. Jim drove us over the Italian Alps in the winter. Gorgeous also! Missed you! Popping over to your blog now…haven’t gotten any posts from you in my reader Happy New Year to you and your hubby!
yep just came back from a cruise in the Caribbean…. posts to follow… Happy New Year to you too….
Ah ha! This explains your abscence. Cannot wait to see your photos of the Caribbean and learn where you went!