Yes, Switzerland is calling to me. I am reading Patricia Highsmith's "Edith's Diary" right now. Highsmith lived the last years of her life in Ticino, Switzerland.

Thin

Hi Ingo!

I will be there in the Engadine soon! But first, Alsace. I leave Sunday. Thanks for all suggestions you made for my trip. I'm sorry to hear you are having rain there. I hope it clears soon!

I've seen a picture of that hotel in Fex Valley where visitors are transported by horse-drawn carriage. It looks beautiful! Let us know how that works out. I may do it next time.

Susan

Hi Eagle ;-)

One of the nicest things about this forum is the way folks of different priorities gather together to wish each other well and assist in making each traveler's experience as delightful as possible. Swans, Harley Davidsons, frescoes, walks, bike-rides, 2-star, 4-star, no-star.

Susan, have a wonderful trip. Remember, think onion pie in Alsace. Ingo, we're all waiting for one of your vivid menu descriptions.

Thingorjus, I'm not familiar with your travel MO, and our aesthetics may be entirely different, but one of my visual memories of Thun includes an overcast day with swans huddling near a wooden bridge. They were dazzlingly white in the dark water.

I don't know if I've mentioned that I was able to make one of my quick but brief get-aways to Gerra-Gambarogno the first week of June. No trip report, because it would have been even less eventful than my last one, and I'm smart enough to avoid trying the patience of you devoted Swiss devotees.
Affectionately, J.

Hi all!

Saw two swans today on that little pond in front of Hotel Bregaglia in Promontogno. If I had known, Thin ... I didn't take a picture, sorry. They were cute, however, and got along well with the goose next to them. And with the tourists. Just wondering who was who. LOL

Great weather right now. Sun! It's pretty cold, yet ... we'll need some blankets for the carriage ride into the Fex Valley in ... one hour! Just trying to make you jealous, folks. Hehehehe.

Glad to hear you made it to Gerra-Gambarogno, J. Even if it was NOT eventful at all it was still a treat, right? And you wouldn't bore us dedicated Switzerland travellers anytime.

Later,

I.

Hi Ingo,

It is cold, isn't it. One more day and the sun should be warming us up.

Hi J:

My friend and her family stayed at the Rega holiday flats above Vira and really liked it. They rode their bikes all over, even to Bellinzona and Ascona. I thought of you as I sat on our balcony in Minusio looking over the lake at Vira.

Your comments about the weather forces me to say that it rained part of every day of my June 3 - 7 visit, and the temps were much cooler than my last three trips. It was a pleasure. I even had to double layer my last evening when I walked to the kunstmuseum in Zurich.

Yes, Ingo, the delight does not diminish. I look forward to reading about even the smallest of your discoveries; I'm still stunned by the concept of two weeks. Do you know how fortunate you are?

Schuler, when was it that you were in Minusio? I remember your descriptions of the Ascona--Locarno walk, but I can't remember when you were there last. You know, sometimes I think that the views of Brissago, Ascona, and Ronco s.A. from the other side of the lake ("my" side) are even more beautiful than being there.

Having said that, of course, I need to add that one of my most enjoyable mornings was spent in Ascona (caught the lakeboat from Gerra). This time, it was not Corpus Christi, so their excellent modern art museum was open. Their collection of paintings by Marianne von Werefkin is outstanding. I knew nothing about her beforehand. What a treat. J. (p.s. "devoted devotees", when will I learn to proofread.)

Hi jmw,

I was in Minusio at the beg. of May for one week. It was warm and the flowers were blooming. A perfect time to visit Tessin (Ticino).

You may be right about the views and sometimes I think you might get more sun on the Vira side too.

I went to Luino one day for the market. There's lots of stuff there but it was crowded and hot. Next time, I'll shop for two hours and then sit down for one. Then I'll go to the food stands and stroll from each salami and cheese stand to the next, sampling their wares before going home.

Ingo, is it OK for schuler and I to chat while waiting for your next post? :)

schuler, I have not been to Luino yet. Any other comments about your visit? Details? I did spend a really nice couple of hours in Maccagno. Hanni recommended its contemporary art museum (extraordinary architecture and site). J.

That's more than ok, jmw ;-) And here comes my next post.

Great weather the last two days. Found another "most beautiful" lake yesterday. Actually, been there some years ago, but didn't recall it was *so* magical. It's Lake Saoseo, in a small side valley off the Bernina Pass road. Pictures to come end of next week.

Had great dinner in the Fex Valley (Grisons specialties), transportation by horse-drawn carriage. Fun!

Today was "cable car day". Or so. Diavolezza, Alp Languard, Muottas Muragl. Since these are included in the hotel rate I had to ride them, right? ;-)

Weather is supposed to turn to the worse ... thunderstorms, showers, snow down to 2400 m. Hey, schuler, how do you Swiss folks treat your guests weather wise? ;-)

Still, lots of things to do. Like a day trip to Chur on Saturday.

See ya!

I.

Oh...I loved the chair ride from Alp Languard! Did you hike there from Muottas?

I hope the expected showers are gone by the time I arrive!! At any rate, I'm packing fleece, sweaters, nylon hiking pants, rain jacket.

Glad you are having a good time. I plan to do that walk in Alp Languard (sans the chair lift).

ooohh Susan, I know how you feel, but honestly, it's such a beautiful, peaceful ride! Once you experience the Swiss technology, you won't be scared! But if you must walk, it's about 45 min down and it would have killed my old knees at that point! There's a yummy little restaurant up there before your descent..

Salü jmw,

Not too many details since we really just hung out with the kids at the pool. It sure was gorgeous weather when we were there. It felt sooo good to have warm days and nights after a long winter.

Here's a trip report if you're interested:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2


Hi Ingo,

Typical Swiss yo yo weather. Two days hot, two days not, two days cloudy, two days clear. It makes you appreciate the warm clear days all the more.

And then you've probably heard people say, "Oh, you should have been here two weeks ago! Gorgeous clear blue skies every day." Doesn't help the present situation much, does it?

Enjoy beautiful Engadin and let us know more about those "most beautiful" lakes!

Hi Linda, Okay, I'll consider the chair lift. The truth is, I'm afraid of heights. I marveled at Swiss technology last time, but only rode in gondolas. Maybe I'll take the funicular up, walk a bit, then take the funicular down!

jmw, Thanks for the reminder about the onion pie!

Came to see who is the lucky one. I wish I could go! Have fun for all of us!

susan....have a couple beers before getting on it! Cardinale is good...

I'll have the beer and take the funicular down :-)

S

"We loved, loved, loved our view. It was amazing, scenic, quiet and a joy to the eyes." A quote from your trip reportlette, schuler. That is exactly how I feel about my little room at the Klomanns' Hotel Panorama in Gerra. Also liked your comment about the alleys of Locarno. I discovered a few myself this time as I was hunting for their modern art museum. There's a lesson here. So many times I've misjudged cities based on my first visit, only to find their charms tucked away in places missed while visiting the "must-sees".

Ingo, I'm making a note of your newest "most beautiful lake". Only for hikers?

Two weeks. I just can't help being envious. Just now, I'm in the service department of our local Honda dealership waiting for the doctor's verdict from my '86 hatchback's 6-month check-up. It gets 42 mpg, so needless to say, I'm hoping the news is good. That little buggy is one of the ways I can manage a tiny trip every couple of summers. No doubt this is material for the lounge. Sorry all. J.

Hey Ingo! How are you?? I heard last weekend (12-13 July) there was wild weather in the Ticino and Graubunden, with high passes receiving lots of snow, lakes flooding, rivers rushing, etc. Are you well? Will you be driving over any dangerous passes (told ya!)? Let us know how you are faring --

s