Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Days 3 and 4
Day 3 - Munich to Lausanne
Well, big day of motoring today, starting off in Munich, followed by a whistle-stop tour of the alpine region of Europe. We sped down the German Autobahns, and after stopping off at a Petrol Station in order to buy a vignette (it’s a cunning way by the Austrians to get you to pay for using their motorways for a 10-day period), then it was off to Innsbruck (twice the host “city” of the Winter Olympics). Well what a dirty, horrible place that was!! I hope the Olympics never visit there again. Having said that, the scenery all the way through Austria was beautiful – and well worth the drive through and the 8 Euro’s for the Vignette, along with another 8 Euro’s to drive through the side of a mountain (the tunnel was over 9 miles long – so not much scenary there!).
After Innsbruck, it was off to one of the smallest countries in the world – Liechtenstein. The capital of Vaduz was actually quite a small place – what you’d only consider a small town in England. But nevertheless, it was quite a beautiful country, not to mention very clean. They even produce their own wine, which I bought a bottle of (odd, being a non-drinker!) – it was the only novelty item I could find!!
Following lunch in Vaduz, and then trying to find somewhere to buy yet another Vignette (the Swiss are even more cunning – making you buy one for the whole year, even if you are only there a day!!). Quickly across the border (about 500 yards from Vaduz!), and we were on our way to Lausanne. Making good progress until the motorway ended and took us into the middle of Zurich, and at rush-hour too! Not pleasant!
Eventually we found our way to our hosts for the night – the small village of Chebres, just outside Lausanne. The hotel (which shall remain nameless) can be best described as being a Swiss version of Fawlty Towers, but without the comedy. The room looks like it’s not been updated since the 1970’s, and I was not happy – until that is, that I opened the balcony door and walked out onto the massive balcony overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. Wow, what a view – so that’s what we paid for!!
Day 4 - Holiday Olympics
After having another rough nights sleep, and an “ok” sort of breakfast, it was the first of our rest days and a train trip into Lausanne. After the brief hiccup of getting off the train at the wrong stop and ending up outside the World Headquarters of Nestle, we finally made our way to Lausanne – which is of course the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee.
We had a brief walk up the hill into town (Lausanne is basically built on the side of a mountain!), we did a bit of souvenir shopping, then walked (briskly) down the hill to the lake side, where the Olympic Museum was. Well worth a visit, the museum holds a lot of memorabilia and information regarding the history of the Olympics, and has every single Olympic torch used in the modern Olympics. I’d have taken more photographs of the exhibitions, but I was told off for using my camera by some jumped up employee obviously relishing their little bit of power! Shame on you!!
So then it was back to Fawlty Towers for the evening – it was still standing, which I must say I was reasonably surprised at! Let’s hope I get a good nights sleep tonight, as tomorrow is a very big day – the highlight of the trip for me – Monaco. In theory, I should be able to drive around the circuit used for Formula 1, but obviously not as quick! I can’t wait!! Oh, we’ll also be doing Italy too – but that’s a minor detail!
Well, big day of motoring today, starting off in Munich, followed by a whistle-stop tour of the alpine region of Europe. We sped down the German Autobahns, and after stopping off at a Petrol Station in order to buy a vignette (it’s a cunning way by the Austrians to get you to pay for using their motorways for a 10-day period), then it was off to Innsbruck (twice the host “city” of the Winter Olympics). Well what a dirty, horrible place that was!! I hope the Olympics never visit there again. Having said that, the scenery all the way through Austria was beautiful – and well worth the drive through and the 8 Euro’s for the Vignette, along with another 8 Euro’s to drive through the side of a mountain (the tunnel was over 9 miles long – so not much scenary there!).
After Innsbruck, it was off to one of the smallest countries in the world – Liechtenstein. The capital of Vaduz was actually quite a small place – what you’d only consider a small town in England. But nevertheless, it was quite a beautiful country, not to mention very clean. They even produce their own wine, which I bought a bottle of (odd, being a non-drinker!) – it was the only novelty item I could find!!
Following lunch in Vaduz, and then trying to find somewhere to buy yet another Vignette (the Swiss are even more cunning – making you buy one for the whole year, even if you are only there a day!!). Quickly across the border (about 500 yards from Vaduz!), and we were on our way to Lausanne. Making good progress until the motorway ended and took us into the middle of Zurich, and at rush-hour too! Not pleasant!
Eventually we found our way to our hosts for the night – the small village of Chebres, just outside Lausanne. The hotel (which shall remain nameless) can be best described as being a Swiss version of Fawlty Towers, but without the comedy. The room looks like it’s not been updated since the 1970’s, and I was not happy – until that is, that I opened the balcony door and walked out onto the massive balcony overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. Wow, what a view – so that’s what we paid for!!
Day 4 - Holiday Olympics
After having another rough nights sleep, and an “ok” sort of breakfast, it was the first of our rest days and a train trip into Lausanne. After the brief hiccup of getting off the train at the wrong stop and ending up outside the World Headquarters of Nestle, we finally made our way to Lausanne – which is of course the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee.
We had a brief walk up the hill into town (Lausanne is basically built on the side of a mountain!), we did a bit of souvenir shopping, then walked (briskly) down the hill to the lake side, where the Olympic Museum was. Well worth a visit, the museum holds a lot of memorabilia and information regarding the history of the Olympics, and has every single Olympic torch used in the modern Olympics. I’d have taken more photographs of the exhibitions, but I was told off for using my camera by some jumped up employee obviously relishing their little bit of power! Shame on you!!
So then it was back to Fawlty Towers for the evening – it was still standing, which I must say I was reasonably surprised at! Let’s hope I get a good nights sleep tonight, as tomorrow is a very big day – the highlight of the trip for me – Monaco. In theory, I should be able to drive around the circuit used for Formula 1, but obviously not as quick! I can’t wait!! Oh, we’ll also be doing Italy too – but that’s a minor detail!
# posted by Nige @ 10/11/2006 09:28:00 am 
