Day 10 Switzerland, Engelberg, snow on Mount Titlis, Lake Lucerne

We awoke to find Engelberg surrounded in mist but it was easily apparent that tis is a beautiful little town at the base of some mountains.  After breakfast we walked down from our hotel through the town for a bit of a wander through the streets.

Then off to the start of our cable car ride to the summit of Mt Titlis at 3238 metres (approx 10,000 feet).  The cable car ride is actually 3 different systems so you change at each point.  The last ride is on a revolving car above a glacier.  Because of the cloud the view was limited, perhaps a good thing for some on the cable car.

Because of the unforeseen hassle last night we were not as well prepared as we would have been, warm clothes, knitted beanies, gloves etc were still left on the original bus the other side of the landslide.  Going up the mountain to the snow first today was not the plan we were meant to go after lunch and the weather should have cleared the mountain but hey guess what it turned out to be the best time to go.  


First thing to do was walk through a glacier cave, not something you get to do every day.  

Outside the clouds shrouded the mountain and although the weather did not clear it was still a great time of snowball throwing and sliding down the hill. We experienced very cold hands and very cold butts but that did not stop the fun and frivolity of our amazing group for people on our tour.

 Snow Angels

We have the best group people from Oregon, LA, Gold Coast x 2, Sydney x 2,South Africa, Tamworth and us. We have jelled very well together. There is another Trafalgar Tour running alongside us who have many more children who appear to be out of control.

The afternoon was topped off with a wonderfully relaxing cruise around the huge lake by Lucern in magnificent weather.  Switzerland is breathtakingly beautiful, truly words cannot describe how picturesque it is with dramatic mountains and valleys, beautiful little homes set against what seem to be perfectly manicured fields.  

Day 9 Verona, Switzerland rain and landslide (June 29)

We are up at 7.30am, late by tour standards for departure to the Swiss Alps at 9am. All day in the bus, a quick stop in Verona before leaving Italy and heading for Switzerland.

Verona is the setting for Romeo and Juliet and is played up as a key tourism point for the city, especially "Juliets Balcony" although the authenticity of the balcony is questionable it doesnt stop thousands of tourists a day.

Other attractions at Verona are shopping and the ancient Arena where many performances are played out in opera, Shakespear etc.

The trip to Switzerland was long and the weather still hot, the packed itinerary was taking its toll on some members of the tour so they slept and missed some of the views.

  Then the adventure began…….

There has been a landslide on the road leading to our hotel, heaps of rain has bought down part of the mountain on the road to Engelberg. Keep to the original plan until we hear otherwise or Tour Director Richard tells us.  We are still travelling in bright sunshine and 33 degrees temperature so it makes it difficult to believe.

We hit the Swiss border and stopped for checks in sweltering heat.  Travel a few kilometres and though a few tunnels and the weather changes with rain, hail, thunder, lightning all in a matter of a few minutes.  The hot air from the south and the cold air from the north hit and wham it all breaks loose.

Aim was to be at the hotel by about 6pm, Road due to be open about 8pm. Plans change so stop in Lucerne to have tea, a little wander around then back on the bus. 

Road still closed, So to plan B, Pull all the suitcases out from under the bus pack enough clothes for 2 days: 2 tops each, 2 sets of undies each, one set of outer wear, 2 pairs of socks, and runners, leave other cases on bus, We bought 1 case up the mountain. Why could we have not left Australia packed like that?? Bus it to an unknown place where we got on mini buses, they take us part way up the mountain another change onto a big bus up to hotel arriving at 10.30pm. We have been given a late morning wake up call for tomorrow at 7.30am.

Landslide

Trying to cram into transport to skirt around the landslide, by now it was dark

We are way up in the clouds, plans changed for tomorrow as well not sure if we will be able to get out!!! What an awful part of the world to get stuck??? NOT, it is just unbelievable.  The visual delights of Switzerland are magnificent, huge mountains, beautiful lakes, neat houses, clean streets etc

Day 8 Venice, glass blowing, mask painting, island of Burano (June 28)

Another sunny day in Italy.  A boat ride to the central part of Venice and a quick exhibition of Venetian glass blowing and a not so quick walk through their massive shop area.  Next a quick wander around St Marks Square and the ornate Basilica before a trip into a shop that makes Venetian masks – fabulous designs, clever painting and the younger ones on the trip got to paint their own masks.  

Venetian mask painting

More wandering around the crowded alleyways of Venice before a boat ride out to one of the 180 plus islands that make up greater Venice.  

Crowded Venetian alley ways

How the rich have dinner

In the Ferrari Shop

On the island of Burano we sat down to a fabulous Italian lunch, outside of course to soak up the ambience.  It was finished off with a glass of Amoretto. Here at Burano life is much less crowded and it’s a beautiful place to wander around with its multi coloured homes and shops.  Burano is famous the world over for extravagant and fine lace.  No cars on this island, everyone gets around in boats, even the ambulance and police etc – only two islands in the Venetian area allow motor vehicles.

The boat ride back was a bit bouncy as the driver showed us the outer edges of the Venice lagoon where it joins the Adriatic Sea.