The Swiss Adventure...: March 2008

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Hiking in Gelterkinden

The Weekend Hike

We were supposed to have family from the States over this weekend...but due to weather delays in Chicago, Mary, John & Katie's flight was delayed until Monday. We can't wait to see you on Monday and share some of our favorite spots with you!

With a long holiday weekend on our hands, a fridge full of food and not much to do, we called our friend and decided to take a hike through a village about 15 minutes outside of Basel. It was a beautiful, snowy day with great Swiss views.

Don't worry Mary, John & Katie, we have some sweet Alpine views ready for you when you get here!

The Village of Gelterkinden

Castle from 1320's

Walking the Woods

Beautiful Swiss Views..

The Ruined Castle

Moody Sky - Dad you would have loved it!

See the Snow Fall

Group Shot....

View from the Top of the Castle

Another View From the Top

Old WWII Bunker

Fish-eye view above the Castle...

Friday, March 21, 2008

A Day in Monaco

Monaco...a stomping ground for the wealthy and a beautiful country.

While we were in Nice we decided to take the 40 minute bus ride to Monaco to explore a new country. The city is small...in fact, it is the second smallest city in the world, but one of the world's most densely populated country with a population of 32,410 (thank you Wikipedia!).

Despite the cold, rainy day, we had a great time exploring Monaco!

Fontvielle and It's Harbor

The Royal Palace

View of the city

Cathedral of Monaco - Grace Kelly of Philadelphia married Prince Rainier III in 1956 - Grace Kelly is burried in the Cathedral of Monaco

The water...

Looking out...

The Disneyworld Park...Robert and I both felt that Monaco was so beautifully maintained, we felt like we were in Disneyworld...where all buildings are fascades and it really is a Small World After All...

Changing of the Guards...

Just another rooftop pool...with it's own little Central Park

Saint Devote - Patron Saint of Monaco

Robert and Melinda wearing all of our clothes to stay warm on our way up to the Royal Palace

Monte Carlo...Appropriate Attire Required

Melinda and Robert in Front of Monte Carlo...did I mention it was cold?

How big is your boat? Notice the door open on the side of the boat to house another boat...

This place have some money....and lots of rain...

"my boat is bigger than your boat, nayh, nayh, nayh!"

Yes, those are Red Farrari's & Porsches parked infront of the Boats, and Condos...

Square infront of the Royal Palace

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Nice is Nice

Nice was not exactly on the radar, but when you see ticket prices so ridiculously low (about the cost of dinner in Basel), you figure, why not? So, off to explore France we go.

At this point, Robert had just returned from Japan and had been in four countries (all of which speak different languages) in the matter of a month, but was up for another trip.

The trip took one hour from Basel and there we were, submerged in another country, another culture and this time, on the French Riviera. Our flight left at 6:30 a.m., which meant we arrived in Nice at 7:30. A quick stop at the hotel to drop our bags and off exploring we went. Despite the cold, wet weather, we had a great time and enjoyed our time in France and Monaco….more to come on Monaco.