Swiss Snaps

Swiss Journeys 2011

Another day in Switzerland, and we set out to catch a Paddle Steamer for a trip on Lake Geneva, There was no boat due at Vevey so we got a Bus To Montreux and just as we left a little shop there was a Paddle Steamer coming in to stop. So we managed to get across to the jetty and this was a most majestic Paddle Boat. Over 100 years old it had just be completly restored and returned back to its original condition. The First Class Dining room was like something from the Titanic and the second class for us 'Plebs' was slightly less plush but still more than adequate. The Paddle boats themselves were at one stage retired from active duty but public pressure and public donations meant many have been restored and returned into daily service or during the busy Summer months. For the technical minded the boats no longer run on coal but now on oil and many of the manual 'oiling' jobs have been automated but you can still see the enormous pistons and cylinders and various mechanical bits driving the paddle wheels outside.
The trip lasted as far as Lausanne. There we changed to another Paddle boat and crossed over into France at Evian. Here we had something to eat and as it was in France it was much more reasonable priced. From there I saw a signpost for the re opened Funicular, so we walked up to the Funicular. Again like the Paddle boat the Funi was taken out of service and was closed for many years but was reopened again by private donations about 10 years ago. The Funi itself has been brought back to the 'belle epoque' period but all the engineering has been fully modernised.
The was not much to see at the summit but there was a small shop selling souvenirs and the top staion again had been beautifully renovated and restored.
Photographs to follow later.

Swiss Railway and Boat Holidays IV

Been to Switzerland several times. This time we decided to stay near Vevey which is situated in the French speaking part of Switzerland. Veyey is on Lake Geneva. As before I booked via BnB.ch which is a group of small Hotels, Guest Houses and Bed and Breakfasts and is the most reasonable way to stay in Switzerland. Our accommodation was just outside Vevey and it had it owns train service passing very near the BnB. Had been warned on Trip Advisor that the owner was a bit strict but we had no problems at all. The house was a Luxurious, almost a Villa with its own Swimming Pool and we had no complaints.
The first day having arrived early we caught a train to Montreaux and then on up to a town called Montbovon. From there we got a little narrow gauge train to the Gruyere region and got off at a little town called Bulle. There we had some cakes and tea and a glass of wine is a little old fashioned cafe. We returned home on the 'Golden Pass Panorama train'
The following day we went on a mountain train to Gornergratt, which is opposite the Matterhorn. A special cog-railway bring you right to the summit and even in the middle of Summer it was very cold and there was still snow to be seen everywhere. There was a Hotel and cafe on the summit but we only had coffee and our own snacks. A plate of Chips was eight Euro and with the rent rise of the Swiss Franc that would be nearly nine now, ouch.

First Hols of 2011

Just back after 6 nights in Italy. Stayed in Maestre which is a few Km from Venice. As usual booked on the WWW so it can be a bit hit and miss with the Hotel if you have not stayed in particular hotel before. Luckily there was n problem with the Hotel in fact it was very good value and included a good Buffet Breakfast and the rooms were very good too. Also right outside the Hotel you had a choice of Bus or Tram services. There were direct connections to the Airport, Train station and Venice itself. Only slight problem was we got on number 14 bus from Airport and it has unfortunately changed it route recently due to the new Tram. We should have got No 45 but we will know next time. One of the days we did have a bit of a problem with a sudden total transport strike. the bus brought us the the train station and I got our tickets and went to the Platform and suddenly it went all quiet, no one seemed to know what was happening. Eventually we realised we had to make our way to Venice by Taxi. Having got to Piazza Roma by Taxi there was in fact signs there telling us there was a 24 hour strike including the Vaporetto buses (water Buses). So we walked into Venice through the narrow streets stopping on the way for an ice cream or two and a few drinks as well.

Plans

Next two holidays are already booked. Just done up a map of the places in Europe already visited and marked up the places I hope to return to or visit for the first time. Some places are nice to go again and sometimes I missed something such as the little Blue tram in Barcelona was closed when I visited last Spring. In Porto thy had just opened a new Metro but more interestingly they had started building a new 'Old' tram route in the City Centre but had run out of money. That route opened in 2008. Perhaps on a holiday to Lisbon we could get a train up to Porto and spend a day in Porto and get to see the centre via the old Trams, then stop of at the Cafe Majestic and back to Lisbon.
When In Germany I hoped to go on an old Steam train called the Vulkan Express near Brohl, but arrived on the wrong day so had to make do with a visit to Königswinter, which was a delightful old village which had its own cog wheel railway up to the top of the Drachenfels Hill. So not a wasted journey at all and an excuse to return.
Was in Mallorca a few times but never managed to go to Palma except for a quick tour. Years ago Mum and Dad were there and they went on the Soller Tram and Dad always said to go on it. Its more of a train really and its really the scenery and the twists and turns on the way to Soller that are of interest. I actually got as far as the Tram station but my friends wanted to get back to Santa Ponsa.
Still have plenty of places to see over in the U.K. and having been watching a T.V. series of British Railway Journeys has given me more ideas. Just hope the BBC don't commission some new series of Great European Railway Journeys or I will be traveling forever.

Venice and Trieste

Booked a holiday for March. Booked on Air Lingus flight rather than Ryanair. Both have extras to add but somehow Air Lingus now nearly as cheap and less extras and stupid fees etc and easier to get through the booking process. Also got a good hotel in Mestre which is a short bus ride into Venice itself. Last time in Mestre got caught out by the Hotel being much further away than advertised from the centre and buses ran infrequently so we had to get a taxi several times. Also at night there was only one Trattatoria nearby which was run using the Basil Fawlty school of Restauranteuring. We managed to get seated but then the Waiters had to tidy up all the empty tables and after about 15 minutes decided to take our order. Another 30 minutes or so later we finally got our order which was completly bland and cold. We only went back to get ice cream to take away.
This year in Mestre they have opened a new Tram line which goes past our Hotel. However rather like in Dublin the tram doesnt yet reach the Airport and its also stops about 500m away from the bus station. Eventually it is supposed to reach Venice but thats still a long way away.
Last time in Venice we went to Trieste and hope to go again. Last time in Trieste I wanted to go on the Opicina Tram but alas it was broken down and we had to make do with bus which did however still bring us up to a mountain view looking down over Trieste.
One place we have not gone to is Vicenza which supposed to be another beautiful town to visit. Also some of the smaller Islands of Venice might be worth exploring.