All Blog Posts (896)

Swiss Heartland Untour - May 6 to June 4, 2014

Friday, May 23, 2014

We were both awake at 3:03am, couldn't fall back to sleep and finally got out of bed at 5:05am.  Outside our kitchen window at 6:20am the temperature was 61 degrees Fahrenheit with a steady…

This is from the Huffington Post:

Taking that trip across the country (or across the globe).



© Provided by The Huffington Post



It's no secret that planning a trip can help boost your emotional wellness. But research points out a huge problem: We aren't using our vacation days. So, it might be time to take the leap. Have you always wanted to visit the west coast? Italy? The Caribbean? Do it. You won't regret it: Studies show experiences --…

Swiss Heartland Untour - May 6 to June 4, 2014

Thursday, May 22, 2014

I was up at 5:00am followed by Eleanor at 5:17am. The bird outside our window was again singing its morning wake-up song at 5:12am.  We were starting to take it for granted.  So I took advantage of the opportunity and recorded the sound of morning at Britschgi Chalet.…

Tuesday October 7, 2014

Today was designated as a shopping day--for souvenirs and mementos to take back home to the wonderful folks who care for our house and pet while we are away, for family, and for our 30th anniversary!  We did not get an early start, being a little tired from the day before, but after a relaxing morning we ventured out.  First we took the bus to Opera, and from there walked to Lafayette Galleries.  What an amazing glass dome in the department store!  It…

Impressions of Istanbul........http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/2014/11/18/istanbul-impressions/

Swiss Heartland Untour - May 6 to June 4, 2014

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

The songbird and I were both up at 4:50am.  The skies were clear, and the temperature was already up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit at 5:30am when Eleanor got up.

Breakfast included yogurt, 1/2 banana each, corn flakes with milk, orange juice and coffee.  The large box of cornflakes was purchased soon after arriving in Sachseln.  It wasn't…

Days 1-3 Paris Untour 2014

Well we have recovered and are back to the usual days, and it is getting much colder out, so I finally have time to do a report about our trip to Paris. It's a big city! I had no time, or inclination, to blog after each day as I have done in the past, but I did make notes and took 674 pictures and a few movies, so here goes:

We arrived at CDG at 6 AM, due to a schedule change by our airline. It made our arrival inconvenient, as Untours checkout…

Swiss Heartland Untour - May 6 to June 4, 2014

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

We were both awake at 5:10am, as was the songbird outside our window.   Unable to fall back to sleep, we finally got up at 5:35am.  It was a sluggish start to the day.  Late nights and less sleep were beginning to have an effect on us.  The thermometer registered 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the skies were clear and blue.  The predicted high for Sarnen…

Swiss Heartland Untour - May 6 to June 4, 2014

Monday, May 19, 2014

We were both up early (Bill - 5:22am, Eleanor - 5:35am).  Eleanor's travel humidifier didn't work for the second straight day.  She needs a humidifier for her dry mouth, a side effect of one of her…

When I travel in Europe these days, I'd be lost without my smartphone (Android). I use apps for everything from train schedules to finding restaurants. Here are a few that I've used:

• Rick Steves has a useful app with his excellent audio tours. (does not need data)

• SBB (Swiss Railways) has a great rail schedule app that can be used for schedules all over Europe. It is easy to…

Swiss Heartland Untour - May 6 to June 4, 2014

Sunday, May 18, 2014

It wasn't until 6:34am that I crawled out of bed.  Seven minutes later Eleanor followed.  At 7:02am the skies were crystal clear.  The thermometer read 52 degrees Fahrenheit.  At 7:55am we…

Swiss Heartland Untour - May 6 to June 4, 2014

Saturday, May 17, 2014

We awoke to the sound of the songbird.  By 5:07am we were out of bed.  Outside the skies were clear.  The thermometer showed a temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit.  It felt warmer than that.  As soon as I was dressed…

Packing today but want to post something while I take a break.  Barbara, Ed & Iris. Went to Volterra...heard drums...a procession similar to last one but with lots of priest 's and faithful...this time it was for a saint.  Blew us away...what are the chances.  Took movie not pics.  

Swiss Heartland Untour - May 6 to June 4, 2014

Friday, May 16, 2014

We were both up at 4:50am.  It was still dark outside and quiet, except for that bird outside our window who seemed to begin singing every morning at about 4:50am.  Sometimes it would oversleep and begin singing at 4:55am.  In any event we had to be up early that day anyway.  A trip to the Valley of the Waterfalls required that we catch the 7:28am…

Tuesday

This is the third time I have been to the accademia to see the David statue and I still find my eyes tearing up. Words can't do justice to its perfection. We spent close to an hour studying every inch of it. There is a lot more on exibit at the accademia than in the past. Sure were glad we had reservations. Even with them we had to wait a little over a half hour......high season!…

Monday 22nd

I have been warring with the internet, first in Florence and now here in Murlo.  If I can get the equivilant of one bar I consider myself lucky. Pictures need much more to load. They will be few and far between I fear.

Last Wednesday we picked up the car and headed for Murlo.  Since it had been about 15 years since I drove a stick, I didn't let myself panic when I bucked…

Poor Margaret!   No sooner had our plane left the tarmac in ABQ then the man in front of her pushed his chair full back and kept it there for the whole flight!!!

As soon as we landed in Atlanta we all but ran to our Air France gate and upgraded our shitty economy seats for Preium Economy seats.  The $67 will be our best spent money to date.

Had an early dinner at Jekyll Island Seafood...forgot to take a pic.  Margaret had a Blackened talapia sandwich with asparagus. I had a…

Monday

We planned to go to Fiesole but on the way to catch the bus we found the Mercato. There were butchers , bakers, fish mongers and every fruit you could think of. We were there for almost four hours. Split a Porcetta  (roasted pork) sandwich.  The moans of pleasure were pure heaven. Later we split a plate of calamari and gamberoni. (Fried squid…