Switzerland to Austria

Spirited and Spiritual: Brussels to Zurich: We visited Brussels for a few hours on our way from Paris to Luxembourg.    This was part of our Europe package tour with Soman’s Leisure ...

Switzerland to Austria

As we drove from Switzerland to Austria we had a short stop over at Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein which is a Landlocked country wedged between Switzerland and Austria.  A visit  to Liechtenstein was like fantasy coming to life. 

On the way to Vaduz

Enroute Vaduz

Vaduz sits on the Rhine River near the Swiss border and has a unique link with nature. It’s a hidden gem of the Alps.

Vaduz sights

Vaduz sights

 The best way to see Vaduz is to take the toy train ride which covers the entire city in 35 minutes with commentaries in English. It is one of the best experiences that Liechtenstein has to offer. It was like a fairy tale experience and  I’ll cherish those few moments for ever. 

Vaduz

In front of the toy train at Vaduz

Inside the toy train with our fellow travelers

Vaduz

Another thing to do in Liechtenstein is to get an official stamp of entry for only CHF 3 as a souvenir. 

Entry stamp Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein’s currency is the Swiss franc (CHF) . Crime is literally non existent here. 

Leichtenstein was not in our itinerary.  However if our tour manager had not suggested a stop over for a few minutes in this little Country we would have definitely missed out something great.

Vaduz city sights

Vaduz city

Train station at Vaduz

Kunstmuseum  Vaduz

After spending a few hours in the fairy tale like town of Vaduz we continued our journey to Austria.   

On the way to Austria

Enroute Innsbruck

On our way we passed through Arlberg Tunnel which is Austria’s longest road tunnel.  It’s 15.5kms long and we took 12 minutes to cross  the tunnel by bus. The Temperature of the bus was checked before entering for the reason that if by chance the bus gets overheated and gets stuck in the tunnel it would be difficult to take the bus out to clear the way - there’s a thermoscanner at the entrance. There are around forty cameras for  monitoring the traffic inside the tunnel to ensure maximum safety.   The Arlberg tunnel is a Toll Road. Tolls for both directions are collected at the exits, which makes the payment process simple and convenient.

Inside Arlberg Tunnel

Inside Arlberg Tunnel

Our first halt was at Wattens the "Homeland of Swarovski Crystal", where glassy crystal manufacturing becomes a complete experience.  It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the state of Tyrol in Austria. 

Swarovski Crystal World

A Giant with a waterfall cascading from his mouth is what greets you at the entrance to Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which consists of a park, art museum, retail area, and restaurant. 

The Giant at the entrance to Swarovski crystal world

The Swarovski Crystal world takes you through a journey of unforgettable experiences.  

Inside the crystal world

After some purchases and clicking a few photographs of this wonderland we drove to Innsbruck, the capital of Austria’s western state of Tyrol. 

On the way to Innsbruck

"Innsbruck" translates to the “bridge over the River Inn”.  The colourful houses along the Inn River with the mountains on the background, the cobbled streets, the elegant buildings etc add a special charm to this beautiful city.  

The colorful buildings on the bank of river Inn

At the bank of the River Inn

Innsbruck

The Hofgarten is a protected park located on the edge of the Altstadt (Old Town).

Hofgarten Park

The standing stone at the Hofgarten park is considered an important energy point which enhances energy potential in the city.

The Energy stone at Hofgarten Park

Innsbruck sights

The lofty clock tower in Alstadt

The city’s most significant symbol the Goldenes Dachl  (The golden roof) at the main square is situated in the old town (Alstadt).   The roof was decorated with fire-gilded copper tiles for the wedding of Emperor Maximilian I .  The Emperor and his wife used the balcony to observe festivals and events that took place in the square below. 

Golden Roof

A walk in the old town is really refreshing to the  mind.  There are many sights worth seeing close to the beautiful banks of the River Inn. 

Innsbruck sights

Inside the cathedral in Innsbruck

ceiling of the the cathedral

Innsbruck sights

Our lunch was at Bollywood Tandoori, an Indian Restaurant.

Bollywood Tandoori

We stayed at hotel Olympia which is located in a very picturesque location in the beautiful mountain landscape of the Axamer Lizum. Though the hotel was not very great the scenery around was really mind blowing. 

View from our room

Our Hotel Olympia

After dinner we all danced to the tune of Indian music. It was a lovely evening the memories of which will remain in our hearts forever.   After a night’s stay we moved on to one of the most visited countries of Europe - ITALY.  

On our way to Venice Italy

Enroute Italy

Will be back with Italian experiences.....

Spirited and Spiritual: Brussels to Zurich

Spirited and Spiritual: Brussels to Zurich: We visited Brussels for a few hours on our way from Paris to Luxembourg.    This was part of our Europe package tour with Soman’s Leisure ...

Brussels to Zurich

We visited Brussels for a few hours on our way from Paris to Luxembourg.  This was part of our Europe package tour with Soman’s Leisure Tours.  

The drive from Paris to Brussels was indeed scenic.  

Paris to Brussels

Wind Mills on either side of the road en route to Brussels

When we reached Brussels after a three and a half hour drive it was raining heavily.  

Brussels

Place Royale

Our first stop was at Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a beautiful square which houses the Town Hall and beautiful other buildings of stunning architecture including restaurants, pubs, chocolate shops etc.  It’s one of the top things to do in Brussels.

Grand Place of Brussels

 I grabbed myself a Belgian waffle with rich chocolate sauce 

and super soft cream.  We bought some Belgian Chocolates 

as well to take back home. You cannot visit Belgium and not 

try their waffles and chocolates.  A short walk from the
 Grand Place is the Manekkan Pis, a tiny bronze statue of 
a cute little boy, a little peeing fountain. 

Manekkan Pis

Manekkan Pis - the little peeing fountain

Our next stop was at the Atomium which has become an icon of the city of Brussels. Nine large spheres are connected with tubes to form the shape of an atom of iron.  It’s a unique looking structure which houses restaurants and exhibits inside the spheres. We just admired this iconic building from outside but didn’t go in. 

In front of the Atomium

The Atomium

Brussels also has a large collection of comic strip street art and is home to Tin Tin....

Comic Strip

There are museums, cathedrals, palaces, castles......

Except for the rain we really enjoyed those few hours in Brussels and then proceeded to Luxembourg where we retired for the day. 

Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries of Europe. It’s also one of the richest countries. One of the most charming places as well. We stayed at Urspelt Castle which is a restored castle in a very calm area.

Hubby in front of our hotel - Urspelt Castle

Urspelt Castle

Luxembourg was not in our itinerary and it was just an overnight stay on our way from Paris to Zürich.  It's is a serene, beautiful little country. We enjoyed the drive through the country side.  In fact this length of the journey was one of the most beautiful part of our drive through Europe and it was everyone’s favourite. We  all wished we could spend more time in this charming country.  In the  morning after breakfast we continued our journey.

Kirchzarten in Baden-Württemberg - On the way to Black Forest

Falkensteig, Germany - on our way to Drubba

Bassin Vauban 

A small break at Mahlberg, Germany

Our first halt was at Drubba the land of the cuckoo clock in the Black Forest area. 

The lovely Pedestrain Zone

Titisee

Many in our group purchased cuckoo clocks.  There are two types, the traditional ones which are weight driven and the electronic ones. We had a demo of the making of authentic cuckoo clock which was really very interesting. 

The cuckoo outlet

The Black Forest in south Germany is a beautiful Fairy tale like place.  Lake Titisee is another picturesque place  and is one of the best attractions in the Black Forest area with mountains surrounding it. The place is crowded with tourists. There are beautiful shops on either side of the street near the lake. 

Titisee

Lake Titisee

Titisee

Lake Titisee

After spending a few hours in Titisee we headed for Switzerland.  By evening we reached the Rheinfalls at Neuhausen near Schaffhaussen in Switzerland. 

Rhein Falls - Schauffaussen

Schauffaussen

It’s Europe’s biggest waterfalls. It was a lovely feeling.  After spending  some time there and clicking  a few snaps we proceeded to our Hotel Swiss Star in Wetzikon. 

At Hotel Swiss Star

Hotel Swiss Star

Next day early morning after a hearty breakfast we continued with our sightseeing

On the way to Engelberg

Engelberg

At around 10 in the morning we reached the charming alpine town of Engelberg from where we took the cable car and the Rotair, the rotating cable car which gives 360 degree views,  up to the top of Mt. Titlis.  It was indeed a spectacular journey . And on our way we saw adventurous skiers gliding down . 

In the cable car to Mt Titlis

Going up to Mt. Titlis

It’s a breathtaking sight on top with snow all over . Mt Titlis 

is covered with snow throughout the year. The walk through the glacial cave was awesome. Ice flyer rides are also available.  We had lunch at a restaurant on top. 

On top of Mt Titlis

At the restaurant on top of Mt. Titlis

Playing with snow on top of Mt Titlis

My Jain food on top of Mt Titlis

After half a day of fun and frolic we took the cable car back down and then continued our journey to the beautiful town, Lucerne . 

Engelberg - The cable cars to Mt. Titlis 

I loved this wonderful city.  Our first stop was at Kapellbrücke bridge, (Chapel Bridge) the symbol of Lucerne.  It’s a beautiful wooden bridge across lake Lucerne .

Kappel Bridge

View of Lucern city from Kappel Bridge

Lucerne

Inside the Kappel Bridge

Another must see is the Lion Monument. This monument of a dying lion above a pond is a memorial for Swiss guards who laid down their lives for the country during the French Revolution.

The Lion Monument

After some shopping we drove to Zurich.  

I was excited to be back in this city after 9 years.  I was here as part of a training program during my employment days and had made good friends from across the globe.   

It was raining heavily this time and hence just did a short Photo stop at Banhoffstrasse and the Zurich river before returning to our hotel. 

Zurich River

The next day we bade farewell to Switzerland and proceeded to Austria.  

On the way to Austria

Switzerland to Austria

Stay tuned for more.......