The first week in November spent a lovely week with Mum and Dad travelling across Switzerland and Austria. Flew into Geneva on Saturday 5th and meet them with my new home at the Airport. We headed north up Lake Geneva and passed unknowingly through France and out again before finding our camping spot for the night.
Sunday we headed further around the lake to the Chateau de Chillion, a 12th century castle perched on the edge of a rock alongside the lake. Very picturesque, with tunnels and impressive stonework. Travelled south towards Zermatt, however the weather closed in so we didn't head up the mountain. Instead we took the alternative route towards Interlarken ( rather than taking the more direct tunnel ), and found ourselves steadily climbing up a rather large mountain pass over 2500m! Gorgeous mountain villages surrounded by greenery as we drive up and an impressive view at the top! After we had gone up a number of switchbacks and mum was clinging to the edge of her seat! Then down the more sedate valley to Interlarken, a gorgeous spot nestled between two lakes. Took a slight wrong turn in finding our campsite for the evening and ended up another large hill overlooking the lakes, before realising it was actually in the valley we had come from!
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| Road along Lake Geneva |
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| Lake Geneva Water fountain |
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| Mum and Dad |
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| Chateau de Chillon |
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| Mum and I |
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| Moat |
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| Cellers |
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| Mum in the Gardens |
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| Looking out across the Lake |
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| Visp, south Switzerland |
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| up the winding path |
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| still going... |
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| At the top! |
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| Made it! just as the fog arrived |
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| Dad going for the good shot when the fog cleared |
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| Mum, I and the mighty camper |
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| Looking North |
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| Interlarken |
Monday was overcast, drove up the lake to Thun, a town at the lakes head. Found a cool looking castle in the centre and had a choice coffee in the mobile cafe. Then headed north to Olten, a town set along the river. Took a walk into the village, amazing churches, clock tower and little streets. Continued north and stayed the night at Winterthur, just north of Zurich.
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| Camp night two |
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| Morning mist |
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| Houses on the hill |
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| Mobile Cafe at Thun |
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| Thun castle |
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| Castle from the square |
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| Thun town square |
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| Olten |
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| Clock tower Olten |
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| Elephant ride? Why not? |
Tuesday we drove via lake Bodensee - which we later realised is split between 3 countries! And found some crazy motorway junctions to get us across Austria and into Germany. They spiralled up and down, spaghetti junctions - with Tom Tom not helping much! But made it out eventually and headed off to find the Neuscchwanstein Castle (or Disney's castle!). In an amazing setting perched atop the lower mountain in south Germany. We missioned up the hill to see it, but great view over the valley, and a gorgeous looking castle with yellow and orange stone. Then headed down and found a random little side road for the night just inside Austria.
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| Neuscchwanstein - aka Disney castle! |
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| Me and the castle |
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| Inner courtyard |
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| Mum in the upper courtyard |
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| Mum and I |
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| Just another castle down the road... |
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| Overlooking valley |
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| Afternoon tea - kirschtorte = amazing! |
Wednesday took us over another mountain pass and down to Innsbruck, a lovely city nestled between the mountains. Was a gorgeous sunny day, and after finding a parking spot for the beast, headed into the old town. Found some amazing strudel and a beautiful baroque cathedral, covered in gold! Then continued on to Salsburg. Drove though the city in the camper - not so easy! And ended up in a campsite 30km south of the city, way up a valley, another not so easy to find!
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| Innsbruck River |
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| Central streets |
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| Strudel House! |
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| Ornate inner church |
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| amazing cellings |
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| outside |
Thursday we had a lovely day in Salsburg. Got the bus into town, wandered the old streets, cathedral, up the hill to the abbey in the sound of music, and stumbled across a cute painted egg shop - like Easter eggs, but they do them for Christmas too - very detailed and there were thousands of different ones! Then across the river to Scholls Maribelle, a large palace, before getting the bus back to the car at Hullbrunn. Usually beautiful water gardens - but unfortunately closed for the season, found the sound of music pergola though :)
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| Salzburg Streets |
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| Overlooking from the abby |
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| eggs, eggs and more eggs |
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| how do you choose? |
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| On the shopping |
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| looking christmassy |
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| Gingerbread! |
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| found my unicorn |
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| Mirabelle Palace |
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| I am 16 going on 17... |
Friday we drove on to Vienna, and arrived for lunch in the city before going to see the Schonbrunn Palace. An impressive building home to the royals of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Maria Therese and her family. Amazing ornate rooms, one with hand painted wall paper, another with inlaid wood. Found our campsite in the western suburbs of the city, very handy.
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| The back yard |
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| At the top of the hill |
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| Snazzy front steps |
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| Dad and I |
The Saturday we caught the tube into the city. Another amazingly beautiful city, wandered up through the main streets to the central cathedral, an incredible gothic structure, with stained glass windows which bathed the cathedral in blue and purple light. We wandered the city full of massive ancient buildings, palaces and statues. Found some local food and trade markets with yummy looking produce, then headed north to more stunning churches. Then stumbled across some Christmas markets - beautifully lit trees filled in ornaments - hearts, snowmen and stars. Enjoyed a mulled wine as we watched the live merry go round. Then headed back as the darkness fell and the cold set in!
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| St Stephans |
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| Check out that roof! |
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| Dancing lights |
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| Horse ride anyone? |
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| On Guard! |
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| Hofburg Palace |
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| Beautiful garden colours |
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| At the markets |
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| Christmas markets! |
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| Mum and the millions of decorations |
Sunday was my final day, walked some of the gardens before jumping the train to catch my plane home. Was a fabulous week of family road tripping, incredible landscapes and city's. Mum and Dad continued on their trip into Italy, France then back to London. Two more countries down..
