Day 9. Got some rain last night and today and loved it. It was a Welcome respite. We jumped on with Bobs special tours SOM. While we were waiting in line to board the bus, a random Austrian gentleman was walking by, stopped right in front of us and said “Zee heels are STEEL alife (tips hat) wit zee sound uf muzik!” We will always cherish that. We loved the tour as it was a small group in a van. Didn’t stop and get out at as many places as I wanted but great guide, made a few new friends. Came back at 1:00 got some street food in Marienplatz. Delicious! We Played giant chess on the square and won. Our opponent challenged us that the loser would buy gelato. I like his style! It was a Fun moment, unplanned and unexpected which make for the best memories. We won! Then we Did some shopping, got a few souvenirs and walked around St Peter’s. That church holds an amazing cemetery! So perfectly attended to, lots of beautiful flower arrangements and of course, a great history. Back to hotel.
Day 10. Panoramic Tour for The Eagles nest and Berchtesgaden. Rain was in the forecast but we figured, let’s go for the history lesson and see what happens. The view was completely a white out, totally non existent. I liked Bobs Tours better, much smaller group vs being herded around with a strict timetable. Found yarn store with locally dyed yarn that Google maps led us to. My wife had a mission of getting some yarn with a story from Austria and Switzerland so she was ecstatic. We Met the owner/artist herself. A little rainy again so had a nice meal at Hotel Elefant. Great Wienerschnitzel with veal.
Day 11 . Laundry day. Nothing planned. We walked around and visited Mozarts birthplace. Found a Laundromat, they did all our “smalls” for on;y 13.50. The owner insisted on adding the soap, changing from washer to drier etc, so wandered and did some shopping between. Mellow day, regrouping for Switzerland! Incredible dinner in the open market place-handmade ravioli-as good as anything we have had in Italy…The Nudler? I should have taken a picture for the name of the restaurant. It was superb.
Day 12 loooooong travel day 4 trains left at 5 am, Arrived in Wengen after a few train changes. Thanks to WengenX, Pat, Carrie and others for the Wengen recommendation. We have arrived in Heaven!1 We loved a balcony stay at the Hotel Edelweiss. Best customer service ever. The owner and staff knew our names as we arrived and bent over backwards to ensure our stay was perfect. I will shout the name of this place from the rooftops because it was the best part of our trip. 10 stars. Love it here! Had a great fondue dinner. There was a Light rain. So we just sat on our balcony and stared at the alps, recognizing this is truly something special. Tomas at the hotel said he thinks it will be a clear day tomorrow, so we planned for Schilthorn.
Day 13
Got out by 845 after missing train to Lauterbrunnen by 30 seconds. I was so set on filling up our water bottles from the fountain (most delicious water I have ever tasted) that I missed it. They are precise! We Used a promotion for Restaurant and cable cars to Shilthorn that are currently offered on their website. Only 120.00 with STP. Brunch would have been 35.00 each anyway, so only 25.00 to get to Shilthorn each for the promotion with pass. Very clear in am, not too cold. Brunch and James Bond experience. Braved Thrill walk at Brig, at least more than half of it! Left after, started getting crazy busy. Super long lines for trams when we left, so glad we were out. Plus clouds moving in. Shopped some in Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, dinner and relaxed on balcony. Lots of cows out and about, saw tons of them and listened to the beautiful bells. Even heard some of them from our balcony on occasion. Rain in the evening, perfect end of day.