Switzerland - 12 to 18 May 2008

Gruezi from somewhere between heaven and earth!

This naturally beautiful country was also first inhabited by a Celtic tribe – the Helvetu, but the alliance of forest communities in 1291 is regarded as the origin of the Swiss Confederation. From Lake Constance we drove south, whizzing through the banking capital Zurich and on to the Berner Oberland – a fairy tale alpine creation with lakes and sheer outrageously beautiful snow-capped craggy mountains everywhere. Lucerne , lapped by a scenic lake must be one of Switzerland 's most attractive cities. We explored the old town marvelling at the views and sights like the 14 century Chapel and Spreuer bridges with their ‘dances of death' panels under the roof lines. The Glacial garden enlightened GR3 with geological facts proving that this area was a palm beach a few million years ago.

As distances are a lot less than what we were used to, we headed on via Lake Brienz, bush camping just outside Interlaken in the gorgeous Jungfrau region. After settling in at Lauterbrunnen's (a valley of 72 waterfalls) camping Jungfrau , we spent a lovely sunny day taking the cable ride up the valley to Grutschalp and doing a 2 hour trek to Murren and Gimmelwald with the peaks feeling close enough to touch. The kids loved the snow and dozens of waterfalls in this typical ‘Heidi' countryside with droopy-roofed chalets. Another cable ride down to Stechelberg and we had a more leisurely walk back to Lauterbrunnen amidst cows with bells and spring flowers. GR3 did a similar route with the tram and bus and visited the amazing Trimmelbach falls which corkscrews inside the mountain. That evening with aching feet we all enjoyed a traditional Swiss fondue and Rosti.

The next day we were up at 5:30am to get the cheaper (yet ridiculous priced) early morning train to Jungfraujoch – the top of Europe at 3500m. Spectacular – the views along the way, between majestic peaks and through the mountains. At the top, the vistas had us in awe, especially the Aletsch Glacier, the longest ice-stream in Europe . The ice castle, snow-disk runs and husky drawn sledge rides had Jade and Dane enthralled.

The afternoon we continued via Spiez along Thun Lake and more amazing views along Juan pass to Lausanne , bush camping in a parking lot at Morgess along Lake Genève . An early start and we were driving along the crystal clear shores of Europe 's largest Alpine lake to Genève – home of many international organisations. We spent a few inspiring hours at the international Red Cross Museum learning of its origins in 1863 and its work through multi-media presentations which highlight mans' atrocities in recent wars and the organisation's diversification to post war natural disasters and aid. The afternoon we explored the inner city's sights – the St. Pierre Cathedral in the old town where John Calvin preached in the mid 16 th century and snapped away at the impressive 140m fountain - Jet d'Eau.

For another view of the Alps we dotted back into France and headed for Annecy , again bush camping along Lake Annecy . We then drove west through passes and along valleys closer to the French Alps and Chamonix – Mt Blanc valley, to our campsite at the foot of the impressive Glacier des Bossons. The next day GR1 hiked the rather steep ascent to the glacier while GR3 took the train to Mer de Glace, visiting the glacier museum. By the afternoon we had our first real taste of rain as we made our way north into Switzerland heading for Brig. We bush camped just at the start of the snow at 1400m along an early tributary of the Rhone as it flows west to lake Genève and into France . The next day was again a feast for the eyes as we continued north east. The Furkapass at 2430m proved impassable due to the snow and we had the novel experience of having the vehicles ferried on a train through the mountain tunnel to Andermatt. At just over 2000m we could negotiate the snow and ice covered Oberalpass as we drove to Chur. Further north we popped into Liechtenstein , a small principality created by this powerful family in 1712 and still governed by the monarch. As the country is 25km long, we were soon in the capital Vaduz , a village watched over by its gothic royal castle and surrounded by stunning mountain backdrops.

As we depart east for Austria , adieu to the Swiss, possibly the most scenic country we have visited!