A taste of Europe

Trip Highlights Day 1 to 2, April 15-16

Day 1 - Arrived in Zurich at 8:30 a.m. local time (2:30 a.m. Indiana time). Not much sleep, United flights do not compare to Air New Zealand!  We got changed to a smaller plane, so no option for an open seat next to us.  Plane was packed with grouchy people who lost their business class seats.

We quickly moved through the entry check without incident and then on to a train to Pontresina (after missing the train at the Zurich main station, which gave us time to buy lunch).

We spent the afternoon walking around Pontresina, a sweet little deserted town. Ski season is mostly over and summer season had not begun.  Had a great dinner at the hotel, bratwurst and gnocchi, wild boar (tastes like roast beef), kraut and polenta.  Yum. Did a stint in the sauna then off to bed for an actual full night's sleep.

Day 2 - We had a great Swiss breakfast (never saw an individual egg poaching machine before).  Then got on the Bernina Express to Tirano, Italy.  This is a 2 hour ride through the Alps, lots of snow,   we climbed a long way above Pontresina altitude. the train track is an engineering marvel, and the scenery was  spectacular. We got to know a nice couple from Australia on the ride. Ate our first meal in Tirano while waiting for our train to Florence. Met a couple from Texas there who ate lunch with us. Unfortunately the husband made the brilliant statement that, because he went to Italy with his wife, she agreed to go on a stock and drag race car vacation with him! Now Chuck has ideas.

The train from Milan to Florence was one of the high speed trains, reached speeds up to 180 mph.  Everything flew by.

We found our hotel in Florence without incident, and after a typical Italian dinner, walked the city streets until past midnight. Beautiful warm night and the city is lovely at night.