jw

Anybody home? Affectionately, J.

s

Hello to all,<BR><BR>And especially to jw. Because we only get to hear from you on the weekend these days, I for one really missed your input last weekend when the Forum was down. So it’s good to see you back! Hope all is well with you. <BR><BR>I’m assuming that Judy is hip-deep in folded clothes and suitcases and itinerary changes right now, and what a joyous anticipation that can be! You carry our best wishes as well as our daydreams, so have the best time (and take notes???).<BR><BR>Ingo, have the tourists returned yet for the spectacular fall in Dresden? And you know you need to report in as soon as you return from another of your wonderful trips to the Engadin; I can’t wait to hear more enticing tips about this area. I am already planning my Fall ‘03 trip and will be asking some specific questions in the spring. I just can’t wait to see this area in person.<BR><BR>And, yes, your idea of booking no earlier than 10 days before my Nov trip is perfect. I’ll really have the best options and the best prices by waiting. And I still get to play with various scenarios while I‘m waiting!<BR><BR>Kasey, here are some responses to augment Ingo’s extremely great suggestions: the “wine train” takes you from Vevey to Chexbres in the Lavaux, and you can walk from Chexbres down to the lake at Rivaz and then east to St Saphorin and eventually to Vevey. Alternately, you can take the train to Lutry, which Ingo favors, and explore several caves there. On my next trip in Nov, I plan to rent a bicycle in Montreux then ride from Lutry to Vevey and see all the villages enroute. Of course, Rivaz is my favorite place for lunch (well, so far anyway!). I’ve also been interested lately in the village of Corseaux outside of Vevey, and that’s one place I definitely plan to get to by bicycle. Anyway, see the map at www.lavaux.ch. I also hope you enjoy the lakeside promenade on the way to the Chillon castle. It’s just wonderful. One of my favorite cafes, the Terrasses du Pavillon, is just across from the Port du Territet (really just a pier and some boats nearby) enroute to Chillon. Sit there and enjoy some coffee and think of me! A good spot for breakfast is the Zurcher in the center of town, and don’t miss a pizza at La Rouvenau on the main drag (maybe across from the lakeside Tourist Info booth). In Vevey, the best pizza is at the Hostellerie de Geneve in the main square. There are a lot of festivals in the area in Oct, so maybe you’d like to spend some time at www.myswitzerland.com and do an events search for “Vaud.” I’m a huge fan of this area, and I’d welcome your e-mail questions.<BR><BR>I wish all a great weekend and plenty of fun. The temps have finally settled below 90 in the se US, so I’m a (relatively) happy camper. Hope to hear from everyone this week!<BR><BR>s<BR>

s

Hello to all,<BR><BR>And especially to jw. Because we only get to hear from you on the weekend these days, I for one really missed your input last weekend when the Forum was down. So it’s good to see you back! Hope you are doing well. <BR><BR>I’m assuming that Judy is hip-deep in folded clothes and suitcases and itinerary changes right now, and what a joyous anticipation that can be! You carry our best wishes as well as our daydreams, so have the best time (and take notes???).<BR><BR>Ingo, have the tourists returned yet for the spectacular fall in Dresden? And you know you need to report in as soon as you return from another of your wonderful trips to the Engadin; I can’t wait to hear more enticing tips about this area. I am already planning my Fall ‘03 trip and will be asking some specific questions in the spring. I just can’t wait to see this area in person.<BR><BR>And, yes, your idea of booking no earlier than 10 days before my Nov trip is perfect. I’ll really have the best options and the best prices by waiting. And I still get to play with various scenarios while I‘m waiting!<BR><BR>Kasey, here are some responses to augment Ingo’s extremely great suggestions: the “wine train” takes you from Vevey to Chexbres in the Lavaux, and you can walk from Chexbres down to the lake at Rivaz and then east to St Saphorin and eventually to Vevey. Alternately, you can take the train to Lutry, which Ingo favors, and explore several caves there. On my next trip in Nov, I plan to rent a bicycle in Montreux then ride from Lutry to Vevey and see all the villages enroute. Of course, Rivaz is my favorite place for lunch (well, so far anyway!). I’ve also been interested lately in the village of Corseaux outside of Vevey, and that’s one place I definitely plan to get to by bicycle. Anyway, see the map at www.lavaux.ch. I also hope you enjoy the lakeside promenade on the way to the Chillon castle. It’s just wonderful. One of my favorite cafes, the Terrasses du Pavillon, is just across from the Port du Territet (really just a pier and some boats nearby) enroute to Chillon. Sit there and enjoy some coffee and think of me! A good spot for breakfast is the Zurcher in the center of town, and don’t miss a pizza at La Rouvenau on the main drag (maybe across from the lakeside Tourist Info booth). In Vevey, the best pizza is at the Hostellerie de Geneve in the main square. There are a lot of festivals in the area in Oct, so maybe you’d like to spend some time at www.myswitzerland.com and do an events search for “Vaud.” I’m a huge fan of this area, and I’d welcome your e-mail questions.<BR><BR>I wish all a great weekend and plenty of fun. The temps have finally settled below 90 in the se US, so I’m a (relatively) happy camper. Hope to hear from everyone this week!<BR><BR>s<BR>

Judi

Dar, this forum sometimes has a mind of its own; s is a veteran poster and the multiple postings were through no fault of hers.<BR><BR>However, I do appreciate ALL the good wishes, s, and thanks to you and Grasshopper who sent me private emails plus all of the information on the Support Group threads, I am ready to go! I'm off to Ascona in ten days! jw, if you have any tips for me for Ticino you can email me by adding 2592 after pj if you would like. <BR><BR>My suitcase is packed and it weighs thirty pounds, ten more than I usually take. But I do have hiking boots, heavy socks, thermosilks, sweater, fleece jacket, hat and gloves for my stay in Pontresina-I hate to be cold- besides clothes for warmer Ticino. I am also taking a rollaboard suitcase instead of my usual duffel as I will be able to check it in at Boston and pick it up at the Ascona post office the next day, which is less than a block from my apartment. I packed a small duffel for my trip to Pontresina.<BR><BR>I'm a journal keeper so I will have more information for you than you will want. I will post a bit on this thread when I return. I will be gone for sixteen days.<BR><BR>I am so excited! Thanks again for your input and your support.

Grasshopper

JW, thanks for starting Part 3. For some reason I haven't been able to bring up Part 2 with a search.<BR><BR>Judi - yippee! Only 10 more days. I can't wait to hear about your trip.<BR><BR>Dar, congratulations! We have made it through 400 plus posts without one single nasty comment. You win the prize for the first.<BR><BR>I'm off to the Netherlands Wednesday for a week (business). Wish it were Switzerland.

Ingo

Hi all!<BR><BR>I am just back from the Engadine. I had such a GREAT time - I did not expect it. Everything was fine. I will post a trip report later and am wondering if I should post it on this thread. Or should I start a new thread? What do you think? Hm, I guess it will be very detailed and very long ...<BR><BR>Judi, I wish you a wonderful time in Switzerland. It was quite cold (and sunny) in Pontresina - 4° C or so in the morning. But gloves are not necessary in my opinion.<BR><BR>Bye for now<BR><BR>Ingo

Judi

Ingo, I'm glad you had a great time; I hope that you will post your report before I leave.<BR><BR>About the gloves....you must understand that I am from the US south and 15C is cold to me! I hope it is sunny while I am there. Thanks for all of your valuable help.<BR><BR>Grasshopper, have some fun in Amsterdam.;-)

jw

Post it here please, Ingo, I can hardly wait. This is where I always look for you dear people, and part III could use a good narrative to get it started. Later, J.

Jan

Ingo, <BR>Perhaps you can post it both places. Many people do searches on "Engadine" but it is daunting to wade through all of the posts on SGFTWLS. I know that when I was looking for info on just the Engadin, I did a search on that...did I wade through it all here...no. BUt, I did know enough to see who the EXPERT was ! ;-)<BR>Glad you enjoyed your trip! You deserved it.<BR>Jan

Ingo

Hello you dear Switzerland lovers!<BR><BR>The only thing I missed in the Engadine was to read your posts! I hope to complete the trip report in the next days. Jan, you are probably right. I will post it in an extra thread and a more personal (for all you Switzerland lovers!) version in the SGFTWLS III thread.<BR><BR>By the way, I took a lot of photos. If somebody is interested I could email some of them (Soglio, Guarda, Scuol, Valposchiavo/Bernina Express, Fex Valley, Roseg Valley, Pontresina). The problem is their size ... I will have to downsize them or send in a low quality.<BR><BR>Wish you a nice and sunny Sunday.<BR><BR>Ingo<BR><BR>PS: I saw soooo many REAL Grasshoppers in the mountains &gt; 2500 m!! They jumped right before my feet.

jw

That sounds like the perfect compromise, Ingo. I was just being selfish. Too bad the search mechanism can't collect specific posts rather than entire threads. <BR><BR>Now let's see if I've got this straight: Judi goes to Ticino in October and Kasey to Zurich and Lavaux etc., and S' goes to her beloved Montreux in November, and Grasshopper's going to Amsterdam (?), and Ingo just returned from the Engadin, and Ursula's hard at work in beautiful old Zurich, and Ronda and I are living on memories? Two nights ago I watched tapes of Burt Wolf's Swiss travels while I graded essays. Jan! Hi! What can you see when you look out your window?<BR><BR>Ingo, those pictures just need to be on a webpage somewhere! You are torturing us by including a list! And don't forget a word or two about the food. (That's probably the kind of detail that could find its way to this thread, right?) And tell me, did you discover a fresco or two?<BR><BR>Jan and Kasey, I'm so excited for you both. In the Lavaux I agree w/S' about eating at the Auberge de Rivaz (if that's the place you mean, S.) and walking those wonderful vineyards. My favorite villages for exploring are St. Saphorin and Lutry. Jan, the views from Ronco s.Ascona are wonderful, Ingo has previously suggested a stairway walk down to the port, which should be perfect in October. I enjoyed the two small churches there very much. Ascona is very stylish, so if you're a shopper, you'll be tempted. I'm not, but really enjoyed looking in the gallery windows on a Sunday morning. My other recommendations are so down-sized (can't think of the right word) -- a lemon icecream cone on a shady bench along Locarno's harbor, the dark bamboo and palm garden on Isole di Brissago, Cannero (if you decide to take a boat into the Italian section of the lake), Gandria and Morcote on Lake Lugano -- two little towns that I found enchanting even in the tourist season; and if you're curious to see why I love Gerra, check out the restaurant at the Hotel Panorama (can you still eat on the terrace in October?) and then explore the little walks between the highway and the lake. If not, look for its lights across the water at dusk--they are probably just as pretty from Ascona. J.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Grasshopper

Hi everyone from Amsterdam (ok, so it's not Switzerland but at least it's in the same time zone.) Actually I have been having a great time, when I haven't been at work. I'm discovering a new side of this city that is very beautiful. Went to the Rijksmuseum today. The building itself is incredible.<BR><BR>S- your bike trip sounds incredible. I will have to copy it some day. <BR><BR>Judi - if you're not gone yet; buon vioaggo!<BR><BR>Ingo - all the fanfare about your photos only backs up my claims that you need to put that book together!<BR><BR>Ciao everyone. Grasshopper<BR><BR>

Judi

Grasshopper, thanks for checking in from Amsterdam. I'm glad to hear you are having a good time.<BR><BR>Just wait until you see Ingo's Engadine pictures! You'll be packing your hiking gear as soon as you return home. <BR><BR>jw, thanks for your recommendations for Ascona. I am not a shopper and your "down-sized" tips sound perfect.<BR><BR>s, your planned bike trip sounds wonderful. I will be looking forward to reading more details.<BR><BR>Two more days and I'm off!!! Need I say that I am so excited?

s

Hello Folks,<BR><BR>Where are you guys??? Grasshopper, are you still in Benelux? I saw you post today on the 50th birthday thread, so at least you're enjoying some down-time, yes?? Are you well? Judi, still in the beginning of your lovely two weeks in Ascona; our thoughts are with you. One weather site lists today’s temps in Ticino as 62 F with partly cloudy skies -- hope that translates to a great day for you. jw, we’re hoping you survived the weather last week, but we never heard from you yesterday. How was your conference? Hope you are well!! And Ingo, how’s the post-Engadin slumps? Ursula, hope you’re not working yourself to death; you’ve been very quiet for the last few weeks. Me? Only 54 days to go (not that I’m back to counting . . .). I’m thinking of you all. Drop a line.<BR><BR>s<BR>

Ingo

Hi,<BR><BR>As long as I worked on my trip report and the photo album it was no problem, I re-lived my vacation in mind. But now ... <BR><BR>I think Judi will have good luck with the weather. Sunny and relatively warm. I could be envious.<BR><BR>Ingo

Ursula

Back from a most wonderful beach holiday on Djerba Island, Tunisia (as usual in September).<BR>Sun, fun and nothing to do. Just perfect to recover from my stress. Winds were perfect, so sailing (katamaran) was a delight.<BR><BR>Right now, perfect Indian summer here in Switzerland. I am so happy, because no temperature shock upon return from Tunisia. <BR><BR>Hope, everybody is fine. Will try to catch up, when more time at hand.

Judi

Hi all, I am just checking in to say I am having a great time. Ascona is a pretty town and I am glad to be there. I have taken a lot of trips and am staying quite busy.<BR><BR>Tomorrow I am off to Pontresina on the Palm Express. I will return on the Bernina Express. I hope it will not be too cold. The weather has been perfect here. <BR><BR>Later, Judi

Grasshopper

So glad to see Judi check in from Asconsa! Seems she's having a lucky time weatherwise. I can't wait to read her trip report.<BR><BR>For my part, I'm back from the Netherlands where I had a rather bi-polar time; loved the time I spent in Amsterdam but the work part was difficult and exhausting. I had the worst time adjusting to jet lag on the return this time.<BR><BR>I close escrow on my Switzerland-like townhouse in Colorado today! (and there will be snow this week) I'm very excited. I hope it doesn't gobble up my entire travel budget!

jjw

Quick note to explain my absence. My mom suffered a small stroke the day I was supposed to attend that conference. Recovery includes the realization of some frightening residual effects. Today we are awaiting the second hurricane, Lili, and about to lose power. <BR><BR> I look forward to being able to check in to read your posts -- it's amazing how they lift my spirits and reduce the knot in my stomach even for a minute.<BR><BR>J.

jw

Sorry if I put a damper on our thread with my note of troubles. It seems like we all could use a lift? Does anyone have memories of their last visit to share? If I didn't have memories of my five days in June, I don't know how I could get through this difficult patch. I do recall that I made one of those silly 'deals' where I said that if I could just have a few nights on Lago Maggiore, I'd be able to handle anything that came up for two more years. Ahhhh, so we'll see if my word is good. <BR><BR>Grasshopper! How's the condo? S', 52 days is not much time, better start packing! (I forget how to type those funny faces that indicate a joke.) Ursula, tell us about your favorite things to do in Zurich on your lunch hour or coffee break? Any new art exhibits lately? Ingo, your beautiful photographs are such a pleasure to visit and re-visit. Do you have a favorite? <BR><BR>There must be something we can do to boost our spirits. Ideas? J.