Operating year round, the Glacier Express is one of the world’s most scenic mountain railroad lines. The trip from the southern Swiss Italian border town of Zermatt to St. Moritz in the east takes seven and a half hours and covers about 250 miles. And it is some of the most glorious time you will ever spend with your camera.

Originally a winter conveyance between the two legendary ski areas, it is now most popular with sightseers. Crossing 291 bridges and entering 91 tunnels, it is a masterpiece of railroad engineering. Running past the lakes and pasturelands of central Switzerland, the highlight is the crossing of the Oberalp Pass at 6,500 feet. Large windows can open to smell the fresh mountain air or get an unencumbered view of the meadows, valleys and picturesque villages.

Although it is not Switzerland’s tallest mountain (14,692 feet, the Du Four Peak is15,634 feet), it is its most famous. Dominating the ski Mecca of Zermatt, the Matterhorn has been drawing vacationers and mountaineers to this pedestrian only town since the mid1800s. Located on the Italian border in the German-speaking zone, this is where the country’s tallest mountains soar over Europe.

None is more majestic than this twisting rock and snow encrusted monument, jutting its angry cobra head into the blue Alpine air. The four faces of the mountain are so steep that snow does not accumulate and avalanches are so common they have formed glaciers at the base.
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The European brown bear is the beloved symbol of Bern. You find it on everything from the city flag to clock tower faces, tourist collectibles of all types from plates to scarves, they’re image is even found shaped into chocolates and gingerbread.

The word Bern comes form the German name for bear and is featured on the oldest city seal, dating to 1224. Legend has it that when the town was formed by Berthold V, Duke of Zahringen, in the horseshoe bend of the Aare river in 1191, the first animal killed on a hunting trip in the outskirts of town was a bear, and so the name. Bears have been kept in the Barengraben (Bear Pits) at the expense of the city since 1513. They are located below the beautiful city rose gardens, at the middle of the bend in the river. The rose gardens lie on top of a steep hill and afford one of the most beautiful views of the entire city.

In January 2008 there was sadness in the Swiss chocolate world. Rudolf Sprungli, former head of Lindt & Sprungli chocolate company passed away. His chocolate company created its addictive bars and candies along the banks of Lake Zurich, at the second stop on the ferryboat ride. It is a favorite place for chocolate lovers to debark and take their sweet time on the factory tour. During the day, when the winds are blowing off the water in the right direction, the scent of chocolate reaches into town and enrobes the city. The Swiss love chocolate and eat about 25 pounds apiece yearly. The only country to eat more than Switzerland is the dentist’s favorite, England.

Chocolate is a multi-billion dollar industry in Zurich. The other big chocolate mogul in town is Barry Callebaut, who is a sourcer and buyer of beans from around the world and producer of industrial chocolate for sale to Nestle, Hershey and Cadbury, among others. In his office building in Zurich, one of the floors is the Chocolate Academy, where pastry chefs and bakers are trained in the use of chocolate.

He’s just opened a new chocolate factory and academy in China where they aim to introduce the products seductive charms. All eight of his chocolate factories around the world have Chocolate Academies attached to educate and share new knowledge and techniques with chocolate artisans. He’s sort of the Johnny Appleseed of Chocolate.

One of Switzerland’s most visited landmarks, Chateau de Chillon (Chillon Castle) has a checkered history due to its most famous “guest.” Located just south of Montreux, it is easily reachable on the number one bus, which runs every ten minutes, or it is a leisurely 45- minute walk along the lakefront down to the castle.

Magnificently situated jutting out over Lake Geneva, you cross a wooden bridge above the shore waters to enter the round towered fortress. It faces the snow-capped French Alps which rise above the far side of the lake presenting an amazing view, even to a man chained to a pillar for six years. Built in the 13th Century by the House of Savoy, the castle offers a glimpse into the life of the time with period furniture, artwork and stately rooms and passageways. I particularly liked the toilet throne, with its window view and direct deposit drop into the lake.
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Europe’s Largest and one of its most beautiful lakes

Stretching along Switzerland’s southern border with France, Lake Geneva (also called Lac Leman by the Swiss) is the largest lake in Europe. It’s pristine shores support a strong fresh water fishing industry. Some would argue that it offers the most beautiful views of any waterway. They are jaw-droppingly amazing; especially the snow capped Jura Alps across the lake from Montreux and Vevey. The temperatures are moderate along the lake in winter; most of the weather takes place in the mountains.

In summer numerous music festivals and artistic events are held in towns along the lake, especially Lausanne, the third most popular city for travelers in Switzerland, next to Zurich and Geneva. It is a sophisticated artist’s haven and the city where T.S. Eliot lived when he wrote “The Wasteland.”
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Pack up your camera and prepare to photograph the magnificent Alps and indulge in some of the best chocolate as we travel north from Rome to the peaceful country of Switzerland.

Join us over the next two weeks as we take a trip on the Glacier Express, tour the Chocolate Academy of Zurich and pause to reflect at Europe’s largest lake, Lake Geneva.

Immerse yourself in the Swiss culture by learning the history behind the Bern flag, and by visiting Chateau de Chillon, one of Switzerland’s most famous landmarks.

Get ready to gaze at the majestic Matterhorn, as your Switzerland vacation is just beginning.

In June art festivals of all sorts blossom like spring flowers across Switzerland in almost every one of the 26 Cantons, from Art Basel in the north, a gigantic week-long art market that attracts 50,000 collectors and buyers, to the Montreux Jazz Festival in the south, one of the world’s greatest music venues. Read the rest of this entry »