Where We Be
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| U-shaped valley and snow-covered mountains as seen from our patio in the morning |
| Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland |
We traveled by car from Lake Como in Italy to
Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, through more
long tunnels than I can ever remember on a
single drive (including 10-mile-long Gotthard
Tunnel). We were instantly aghast at Swiss food
prices when we stopped for lunch and a simple
bowl of soup cost $10 and a single bratwurst
and Coke ran us $15 – very much the norm here.
Lauterbrunnen is situated in what is perhaps
the most gorgeous valley in the Alps. It offers a
convenient base for exploring the incredible
scenic paradise known as the Jungfrau region.
We spent three days in Lauterbrunnen with my
parents and returned again later in our trip. The
name means "many fountains," a reference to
the many waterfalls in the valley. From our room
at Staubbach Hotel we had a fine view of lacy
Staubbach Falls, white-capped mountains, and
green hillsides with cog railway trains crawling
like yellow caterpillars across the landscape.
Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, through more
long tunnels than I can ever remember on a
single drive (including 10-mile-long Gotthard
Tunnel). We were instantly aghast at Swiss food
prices when we stopped for lunch and a simple
bowl of soup cost $10 and a single bratwurst
and Coke ran us $15 – very much the norm here.
Lauterbrunnen is situated in what is perhaps
the most gorgeous valley in the Alps. It offers a
convenient base for exploring the incredible
scenic paradise known as the Jungfrau region.
We spent three days in Lauterbrunnen with my
parents and returned again later in our trip. The
name means "many fountains," a reference to
the many waterfalls in the valley. From our room
at Staubbach Hotel we had a fine view of lacy
Staubbach Falls, white-capped mountains, and
green hillsides with cog railway trains crawling
like yellow caterpillars across the landscape.
| Lauterbrunnen Valley may just be the most beautiful valley in all of the Alps |
| Looking west down the main street in Lauterbrunnen (towards Staubbach Falls) |
| This church is a distinctive landmark in Lauterbrunnen. Nearby Staubbach Falls inspired a famous poem by Goethe when he visited in 1779. |
| Looking east down the main street (towards the train station). Air Time Cafe Bar became our favorite place for a tasty and (relatively) inexpensive lunch. |
| We stayed three nights at the lovely Staubbach Hotel in Lauterbrunnen |
| Here is gorgeous Lauterbrunnen, nestled at the foot of the valley. What a setting! I visited Lauterbrunnen in 1984 during a one-month whirlwind trip through Europe on a Eurail Youthpass, and I've always wanted to come back. Can you blame me? |
| We took a steep gondola ride up, up, up to the towns of Gimmelwald and Murren from the hamlet of Stechelberg (western end of the valley) |
| Murren is situated on a high, flat plateau that makes for easy walking. The small town was nearly deserted in May. |
| And trails stretching the entire length of the valley from Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen |
| Spring came early to Switzerland this year, so we were lucky to see so much green so high up near Murren |
| Green valleys topped with white mountains... |
| After three lovely weeks together we parted company with my mom and dad. They headed for home while we continued on for another month in Switzerland. |
| Bird's eye view of the valley floor below |
| Lauterbrunnen -- what a lovely place to call home! |
| Crystal clear rushing rivers... |
| I got to celebrate my 48th birthday here with family -- what a great present! |