Switzerland

Switzerland

8/19/2004
in
Donald Miserandino

From the outset, this trip was the most difficult to write about since writing is the end product and I didn't want the trip to end! I will tell you that I have fallen in love. From Geneva to Lucerne to Zurich, each town was captivating in its own way. Five hundred years of welcoming tourists has given the Swiss particular insight into the tourist mind and they cater to the tourist in attitude and accommodation. The first place to start is with research on the Web site http://usa.myswitzerland.com/. Review the special offerings, discounts and suggested itineraries.

Geneva

8/19/2004
in
Donald Miserandino

Geneva reflects its international status in both ancient and new architecture, dining, sightseeing and its people. It is like a whirlpool of languages, sights and smells. For the first time in many months I began to feel relaxed as I wandered around the old town. I was not talking too much since everyone was speaking French and I like to think they wouldn't notice me. After a quick stop at an ATM for money, I walked to the Cathedral of St-Pierre just across the river. This is where John Calvin preached during the Reformation.

Lucerne

8/19/2004
in
the place I lost my heart ...
Donald Miserandino

I got up early to catch a 7:44 train to Lucerne. In the station at that hour were a lot of students going to school and a few commuters. The signs were clear, the tracks numbered, and the trains labeled, so with my Swiss Pass in hand, I started off on my adventure. The Swiss pass enables the holder to take the various forms of transportation throughout the country for a specific period of time. Boat, train or bus, the pass will get you where you want to go. The train to Lucerne was right on time. The trip took almost three hours and I was able to get in some tour-guide reading.

Zurich

8/19/2004
in
Off to Zurich, all business...
Donald Miserandino

On my last morning, I was to leave Lucerne for Zurich by rail. Again, the Swiss rail pass comes in handy. I left the Grand Hotel National and walked the 20 minutes around the lake over to the station, trying to remember every detail of the city: mountains, lakes, food, people and history.

At precisely 11:10 a.m. the train to Zurich left the station with me on it. Precisely 46 minutes later, I departed the train and met the full tour group in the station. Each was bubbling over with desire to talk about their experience of Switzerland.

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