MAY 19 - June 4, 2007:
GERMANY, ITALY, FRANCE, SWITZERLAND
[Please note that words in pink are links to other sites while words in light blue are just highlights or refers to nearby pictures.]
MAY 19, 2007
On my way to JFK for my 6:10 pm Delta flight to London where I'll meet up with Luz Bascos-Capinpin and continue on to Munich, Germany to meet up with our U.P. friends!
MAY 20, 2007
Transfer at Heathrow was hectic. Had to take a bus to another terminal, check-in again, then rush to the gate. Luz came a few minutes after and boarded the plane to take us to Munich, the capital of Bavaria.
GERMANY
Arrived at Munich's Franz Josef Strauss airport, took the Munich S-Bahn train to Marienplatz.
We checked in at the Hotel Bayerischerhof on Promenadeplatz. My room had a beautiful view of the city and its bathroom was equipped with a rain shower! We went out and walked to the Marienplatz and saw the famous Glockenspiel at the Rathaus (City Hall) and the Theatinerkirche with its twin bell towers.
Back at the hotel, I went swimming at the Blue Spa which has a retractable glass roof; the shower feels like rain; the chaise lounges were in the terrace overlooking the roofs of Munich; there was a bar and a fireplace. 
Dinner was at the hotel's beautiful Garden-Restaurant. I had Campari und soda with my marinated foie gras with pumpkin and pear. Luz had a salad of veal with cipollini onions and scallops. 
Then I had venison with marinated elderberries and thyme and a glass of zinfandel while Luz had butter roasted whole sole with leaf spinach and butter potatoes. For dessert I had Pear Helene and she had baked chocolate pudding served with apples, figs and fennel ice cream. What a wonderful meal!
After dinner and a short stroll, we arrived at the Bayerische Staatsoper for Gluck's Orphée et Eurydice, which we enjoyed immensely. After the opera, we wandered in the area, looked in a store's display of Meissen porcelain, before going back to the hotel.
MAY 21, 2007
We had champagne breakfast buffet at the rooftop Dachgarten breakfast room and enjoyed the magnificent view of the city including the Frauenkirche with its twin bell towers. 
Then we headed to the spa and I enjoyed a swim and steam again while Luz read and relaxed at the outdoor terrace by the pool. 
After we checked out, we went to the Viktualienmarkt, Munich's outdoor food market where we had weisswurst and bratwurst and beer! We even met some colorful traditionally dressed Bavarians. 
Then we went to the Alter Peter which is Munich's oldest church and went up the tower for an incredible view of the city and the Column of St. Mary.Continued our stroll to see more of Munich before we picked up our luggage and took a taxi to go to the Holiday Inn to meet up with René, Imelda, and Heidi. Contacted Elvie and Caloy who were staying at a different hotel outside Munich.
MAY 22, 2007
Elvie and Caloy arrived at our hotel this morning and René, Caloy, and I went to the airport to pick up the Mercedes Benz van. After a few problems were ironed out, we drove back to the hotel to pick up the ladies and soon we were on our way.
ITALY
Drove on the autobahn through Innsbruch, Austria where we stopped for lunch and then into Italy through the picturesque Brenner Pass with our first stop at Bolzano.
We checked in at the Hotel Kaufmann, went out and had dinner at a local restaurant. 
Then back at the hotel we had beers at René and Imelda's balcony, enjoyed the cool alpine air.MAY 23, 2007
After breakfast at the hotel, I took a picture of René, Caloy, Luz, Imelda, Elvie, and Heidi on my balcony overlooking the alpine mountains of Bolzano. 
Then we drove on towards the city, stopping and hiking up to the Messner Mountain Museum Firmian, but decided not to go in. I would have wanted to see Bolzano's ice-mummy "Ötzi" at the South Tyrol Museum.We drove on towards our next destination, Lake Como, with a short stop in Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the capital of the Veneto region of Italy.
The group had pasta and sandwiches at a small restaurant not too far from the Verona Coliseum where operas and ballet are performed in the Arena di Verona on warm summer evenings.
While admiring the medieval architecture of Verona, we arrived at the Villa Capuleti on via Cappello. The passageway, covered with love notes, led to a bronze statue of Juliet, one breast polished by those touching it for luck, and above it "Juliet's balcony", a tourist attraction for lovers.
Driving on the autostrada, we passed Brescia and Milan on our way to Lake Como. After checking in at the Tre Re Hotel on via Boldoni, we went out to dinner at a restaurant along the lake.MAY 24, 2007
After breakfast at the hotel we went to the Piazza Cavour and took the ferry to see the sights along the lake.
The beautiful towns or villages we passed by were Argento, Cernobbio, and Tremezzo, among others.
We passed impressive lakeside mansions with well-tended lawns owned by people who live la dolce vita, as the ferry glided along the lake. 
We got off the ferry at Lenno and strolled along the lake. We admired the beautiful scenery before we embarked again on the ferry.
We got off at beautiful Bellagio on the eastern shore of the lake and enjoyed the relaxing views of the area. 
Then we decided to have lunch at a lakeside restaurant which was covered up with shade trees. What a wonderful way to have a meal, beautiful views and great company.
After lunch we all went back to the shops and bought souvenirs. I bought these two jumping jacks, a Carabinieri and Pulcinello.
We then took the ferry again, passing Menaggio, and got off at Varenna and after some sightseeing we decided to go back to Bellagio. Did more picture-taking and shopping before taking the hydrofoil back to Como. Had pizza party in our room. 
MAY 25, 2007
After breakfast we set out to drive to Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore. Heidi met some German bikers on our way to get the van.
We had to cross the border to Switzerland to get to Lake Lugano. Took pictures along the lake. 
Here's a rare photo with everyone in the picture on the banks of Lake Lugano. After Lugano we drove on to Lake Maggiore. 
Driving south along the eastern bank of Lake Maggiore was just so beautiful and romantic. Stopped a few times to admire incredible views.
We came upon a very nice ristorante terrazza sul lago with great food and gorgeous lake views at the Camin Hotel Colmegna.
The Camin Hotel Colmegna turned out to be an eighteenth century villa situated in the sunny bay of Colmegna just outside the town of Luino.
Isola Bella and Stressa were the next sights-to-see but the ferry was no longer plying tourists to the island that afternoon so we continued on to the Hermitage of St. Catherine which can be reached by walking down several stairways along the cliff. It was built by a 12th-century wealthy local merchant, having been saved from a violent thunderstorm on the lake. Being tired from the day's excursion, we ended the day by having dinner at our hotel's restaurant, which turned out to be an anticlimax for such a wonderful day.
FRANCE
MAY 26, 2007We're on our way to the Côte d’Azur!
Arrived in Monte Carlo in time for its annual Grand Prix auto races. After watching the race a little bit and taking pictures we drove on to Mougins, passing through Nice, Antibes, Juan les Pins, and Cannes. 
After a few problems locating the Citea Mougins, an apartment villa, we settled in before going out again for dinner at a nearby restaurant. MAY 27, 2007
Had hot, rich, buttery croissants and café au lait for breakfast at Café-Terrasse near the church in Mougins. Took pictures in front of the Hotel de Ville and environs. Finding out there was no more mass at the church, we proceeded to Grasse.
We visited the Parfumerie Fragonard where we all bought soaps and fragrances, made from various exotic floral essences imported all over the world.
Drove to the French Riviera and found the Cannes Film Festival in full swing. Lunch at a nice seafood restaurant, lots of mussels and bouillabaise! Walked around town and the seaside. Must come back to the French Riviera and spend some more time here.
Continued on to Arles. Bruno and Patricia, our hosts at the Hotel Porte de Camargue were nice and gracious. We later crossed the Rhône to the center of town for dinner. 
Along the way we saw the hospital where Vincent van Gogh was treated when he cut off part of his left ear. Took cabs back to the hotel after dinner since it started to rain hard.MAY 28, 2007
Today we drove all over beautiful Provence. Les Baux-de-Provence, a spectacular village atop the Alpilles mountains with dramatic rocks and cliffs was our first stop. 
The parking lot was below the village so we had to climb several staircases to get there. The entire village was made up of picturesque ruins and shops. On top was the ruined castle, Château des Baux, where I saw a villager in Middle Ages costume. 
Next stop was St. Rémy where we saw the asylum where Van Gogh was confined. A short distance from there was an old Roman city named Glanum, where we saw ruins of a forum, baths, a triumphal arch, and temples. 
We next drove to the city of Avignon, well known for its Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), where the popes lived for much of the 14th century after Pope Clement V chose the city as his residence. 
After lunch we went to the Pont du Gard, a 1st century Roman aqueduct. It was constructed entirely without mortar, the stones were cut precisely to fit perfectly. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
Back in Arles they decided to have dinner near the Roman Arena. I went my own way, took pictures, while it was still light, of the Arena, the St. Trophimus Church, amphitheatre, triumphal arch. 
Later at the Place du Forum, I ate dinner by myself at the Brasserie Le café la nuit, made famous by van Gogh in his painting Cafe Terrace at Night.MAY 29, 2007
After a nice breakfast served by our gracious hosts, Patricia and Bruno, we reluctantly left Provence. Next stop: Carcassonne, a fortified French town in the province of Languedoc, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We continued on toward Lourdes, arriving there early evening. After checking in at the Hotel Notre Dame de la Sarte, we walked towards the cathedral for the evening procession. 
The nightly procession was packed with thousands of worshippers and people with obvious ailments. It was very heart-rending to see so many suffering people. MAY 30, 2007
This morning we attended mass at the grotto, officiated by a Filipino priest especially for a group of Filipino pilgrims on their way to Rome. 
After a quick breakfast, we checked out and started our long drive to Lyon where we will have our much-awaited dinner at Restaurant Bocuse (L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges). Checked in at the Hotel Metropole and got ready. We arrived a little early at the restaurant so we took pictures outside. Inside the elegant restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised when Chef Paul Bocuse came to our table and started posing for pictures with us!
Heidi and I started with a Cocktail de Champagne, René ordered a glass of Beaune 1er Cru Marconnets - Boucha 2001. Luz and Elvie had Evian, Caloy had jus de tomates, and Imelda had the.
For appetizers, René and Elvie had Cassolette de homard à l'Armoricaine. Caloy had Escargots en coquilles, beurre persillé.
Imelda, Luz, Heidi, and I ordered Dodine de canard à l'ancienne pistachiée.
Heidi, Luz, and Elvie ordered the Fricassée de volaille de Bresse à la creme aux morilles; Caloy ordered Risotto aux écrevisses Nantua; and René ordered the Filet de boeuf Rossini, sauce Périgueux. 
Imelda and I ordered Carré d'agneau "Côtes Premières" rôti à la fleur de thym; René and I shared a very nice demi-bouteille of Crozes Hermitage Combier 2005 with dinner. 
Everyone had the Sélection de fromages frais et affinés "Mère Richard" and we chose mostly cheeses from the region. For dessert we all had the Oeufs à la neige Grand-Mère Bocuse. All was unanimous in declaring that this was indeed a wonderful dinner, and no doubt the best dinner we ever had together.
MAY 31, 2007
After a nice breakfast at the Hotel Metropole, which by the way was a very nice hotel, we left Lyon and we were on our way to Switzerland.
SWITZERLAND
First stop was Montreux. We parked the van in front of the Grand Hotel Suisse and admired the scenery along Lake Geneva. Amazing how beautiful the park by the lake was! Took lots of pictures before we jumped on the van to continue to our next stop, Interlaken. 
René, Imelda, and I checked in at Hotel Toscana while Caloy, Elvie, Luz, and Heidi took the train to Wengen to go up the next morning to Jungfraujoch. On our nice little balcony we could see the city and the mountains.
Went out later and had cocktails at a sidewalk cafe by the park, talked to an American couple, later dinner at a Thai restaurant. Had some beers later in our balcony.
June 1, 2007
At breakfast we met a Filipino couple and their son, touring Europe. We later went shopping and a little sightseeing in the neighborhood. Due to dense fog only Caloy went to Junfraujoch. 
After Elvie, Heidi, Luz, and Caloy got back to Interlaken, René treated the whole group to a nice Italian lunch at the Hotel Toscana Restaurant. And then it was time to check out, pack the van, and drive on to Zürich. 
We have a reservation at the Swissotel am Marktplatz in Oerlikon, discounted courtesy of Imelda's relative who is married to a manager of the hotel. We bought sandwiches and drinks and had a little party at René and Imelda's room. 
I decided to take the train to the city to see some nightlife in Zürich. Walked around, had a beer each at a couple of bars then wound my way to the train station. I almost missed the last train going back towards Oerlikon.June 2, 2007
Woke up early and talked Luz, Elvie and Caloy to go with me back to the city. Took some pics. Caloy went back ahead while we enjoyed the view. Back at the hotel, the array of breakfast treats was just tremendous. Even had a glass of champagne!
GERMANY
Drove back to Munich, checked in again at the Holiday Inn, returned the van, went swimming at the spa.
Elvie and Caloy chose to stay in so Luz, Heidi, René, Imelda, and I got ready to go to town. 
Did some sightseeing, dinner, and the opera. Tonight's opera was Verdi's La Traviata. 
After the wonderful opera, which everyone enjoyed, we went to Marienplatz and had drinks at a sidewalk cafe, soaked the ambience of Munich at night.
June 3, 2007
Today Luz, Elvie and Caloy took a day trip to mad Bavarian King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle and picturesque Bavarian villages like Oberammergau. The rest of the group went back to the center of the city. Lunch was at Viktualienmarkt and the de riguer bratwurst, weisswurst, and Bavarian beer.
Schloss Nymphenburg
After lunch we took a bus to the baroque palace Schloss Nymphenburg, the summer residence of the Bavarian rulers. Its ceiling frescoes and decorations were impressive. One room houses King Ludwig I's Gallery of Beauties, one of them was the famous Lola Montez.
Our last night's dinner was at the famous Hofbräuhaus am Platzl with the "Oompah band" and we sampled different dishes like roasted pork with potato and bread dumpling, pork knuckles, suckling pig, and a lot of brew. Elvie, Caloy, and Luz also had dinner there later that night.June 4, 2007
Elvie, Caloy, Heidi, and René left for the airport very early this morning. After we checked out, Imelda, Luz and I hauled our luggage and went to Marienplatz once more for last minute shopping and lunch since our flights were not till late afternoon. A nice ending for a nice trip: pictures of beautiful flowers from Muenchen's Victualienmarkt!
To see more pictures from the trip, please click on Munich, Italy, France, or Switzerland. Thanks to Elvie & Caloy, Rene & Imelda, and Luz for the use of some of their pictures for this blog. Thank you for viewing my blog!
To check my other travel blogs, please click on any trip listed on the uppermost right hand box above. Thank you for viewing my travel blog.
