After our Rhine cruise finished, we decided to spend a few extra
days in Switzerland. We purchased a package from Rail Europe that included our rail passes and 5 nights
accommodation.
Our first stop was the Anfi Palace hotel in Murren
- a pretty village overlooking the Lauterbrunnen valley. The only access to Murren is by funicular and cog
railway or by gondola from the valley floor.
The view from the cog railway was amazing as it
traveled on the cliff above the valley.
We took the trip by gondola up to the top of the
Schilthorn.
At the top you expect to see James Bond return to
the location for his first movie.
The view is gorgeous from the 10000 foot peak and
lunch was enjoyable in the revolving restaurant.
After the top of the mountain experience, we got
to walk some of the beautiful mountain trails and listen to the restful sounds of the cow bells.
Hiking the mountain trails near Murren
provides breathtaking scenery
After Murren, it was back to the train and on to
Engleberg, nestled in the mountains.
There are farms right on the edge of town.
Cheese is made at the Benedictine Monastery The
baroque-styled church at the monestary has the largest organ in Switzerland with 8838 pipes.
Then it was another gondola ride to the top of
Mount Titlis.
More mountain scenery from the 10000 foot peak
where there was lots of skiing and snow boarding in early October. And we got to walk through tunnels in the
glacier.
A final look at
Engleberg
Lucerne is a wonderful place to visit. The Chapel
bridge with the octagonal water tower dominate the downtown and a walk along the lake is very enjoyable.
Then a final goodbye to Switzerland as we took the
train to Zurich airport to catch our flight home.