Swiss Sunshine continues for our Blue Horizon Group

Zermatt was probably our favorite Swiss destination.  We had two nights at the Hotel Phoenix and we had plenty of time to stroll the village taking numerous photos of chalet hotels and home lush with bright flowers.  With the sun beaming over the Materhorn how could we help but smile!  Of course the local food, gelato, and gift shops were also well received.

Flowers, flowers, and more flowers. We can't take enough photos!  This is a hotel in the city center of Zermatt.  We are still looking for the illusive mountain goats!

The switchbacks over the mountain between Zermatt and Interlaker were amazing, plus we were about to the see origin of the Rhone River at the Rhone Glacier.  If we had time we would have hoped on this steam train (note the smoke) which was heading into the mountains.  We had to stay on the road and watch our amzing Italian driver, Giovanni, manuever the mountains.  He will be driving us to Basel on Sunday once we meet up the our other Rhine River cruisers.

We spent our day on Saturday in Lucerne which is midway between Interlaken and Zurich.  The lake and river which flow through this former walled city (now with a population 78,000) provides delightful setting to enjoy buildings from the 1600's

onward.  This covered bridge is adorned with beautiful flowers on both sides with outdoor cafes on each end.  We did savor these moments with our free afternoon after our walking tour with a knowledgeable guide, Evelyn

 Our final stop in Lucerne

was at the Dying Lion Monument which was commissioned by the King of Switzerland to honor the young Swiss men who signed up to fight for France ( to earn money to bring back to their home villages).  Nearly 800 young Swiss soldiers died in this futile effort for the glory of France.

 

So we bid farewell to beautiful Lucerne and now are in Zurich awaiting new friends coming from flights to join us for a city tour and our journey to Basel to board the Avalon Felicity for our 7 night Rhine cruise.