Category: 2015 Europe

We left Interlaken just before 0800 and caught 2 regional trains to Brig, the start point for our trip on the scenic Glacier Express train.

The Glacier Express wound its way through remote valleys, past sheer rock faces and idyllic mountain villages.

We travelled over the Landwasser Viaduct and through the Rhine Gorge, the Grand Canyon of Switzerland.

Thanks to the large panoramic windows we had a clear view of numerous summits and deep gorges.

A three-course lunch was served to us at our seat.

This was a spectacular day. We caught a train to Zweissman where we transferred to the cog train that takes you up to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe at 3454m.

We left in sunshine but as we went through cloud at the lower observation stops we were worried we may not see a lot at the top.

But once there we were happy to see bright sunshine with a layer of clouds below us in the valley.

We spent 3 hours here – Warren touched snow for the first time and we spent quite a while walking through the fresh snow.

We departed the Tranquility II in Basel and headed to our hotel for the night. We caught the trams up to the center of town and admired the Rathaus (Town Hall).

We enjoyed our last dinner with Jane and Michelle as they were heading back to England while we were off to spend a week in Switzerland, starting with 2 nights in Lausanne. We arrived after a comfortable 2 hour train trip to discover our fantastic room at the Angleterre and Residence.

We spent an enjoyable afternoon visiting the Olympic Museum on Jane’s recommendation.

On Monday, we caught a ferry across Lake Geneva to France and the town of Evian (famous for its mineral water).

We have spent the last 8 days cruising up the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel. We have sailed from The Netherlands, through Germany and France to finish in Switzerland. Most of the travelling has been late afternoon or evening so you awake each morning at a new town. The Avalon Tranquility II was a beautiful ship with friendly staff and wonderful food.

I think we saw a lot more of Germany than by other means and it was nice not having to pack up every few days. It was a bit hectic and it would have been nice to enjoy time on the ship more during the day.

It was a great way to celebrate our birthdays and especially as it was with our great friend Jane.

We awoke Friday morning to find ourselves back in Germany at Breisach.

Our morning was spent on a bus trip to the Black Forest and a trip to a local Cuckoo Clock makers shop.

Adolf Herr and his son had visited the ship the night before and gave a talk and demonstration of wood carving. Michelle and many others purchased cuckoo clocks and we all enjoyed Black Forest cake for morning tea.

We spent the afternoon wandering around Breisach before we departed for our final leg of the trip to Basel.

We arrived in Strasbourg at 0730 and boarded a canal boat for a cruise of this old city (the only French town we visit).

A spectacular cathedral sits in the centre of the old town which is actually an island. It is considered one of the best examples of Gothic architecture and was certainly impressive.

It contains beautiful stained glass windows and an astronomical clock which was finished in 1843 and replaced a previous clock from the late 16th century.

In the afternoon Warren and I split up for the optional excursions. I went on a bus tour of the French countryside in the Alsace region which included a wine tasting.

Warren travelled to the tunnels of the Maginot line. This line of fortifications was constructed by France in the 1930s just inside the borders of Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg. It didn’t go along the Belgium border however and this is how the Germans invaded France during WW2.

We awoke to find ourselves moored in the centre of Mainz, famous for its Gutenberg Museum where we saw two of the 180 bibles printed by Gutenberg in this town. Only 48 are thought to have survived with only 21 complete copies. A complete copy is now thought to be worth $25 million.

Our afternoon was spent in Heidelberg, a 1 hour bus trip from the ship, with Heidelberg Castle an amazing highlight. The town is built on the Neckar River and the castle sits high on the hill overlooking the town.

This was another castle ruined during the Thirty Years War which ended in 1648. Lightning and fires caused further damage in the 18th century.

The parts that remain are spectacular!

We were bussed back to Mannheim where we rejoined the Tranquility II and set sail for Strasbourg. Entertainment tonight was a crew show that had us all laughing.

Our afternoon was spent at the amazing Museum of Mechanical Music in Rudesheim. Pictures cannot do this visit justice so I have uploaded a couple of short videos.

The above amazing machine incorporates violins and pianola.