Friday, July 13, 2007

Annecy, France

"God is calling you. Go to Annecy," a clergyman told Jean Jacques Rousseau, a 16-
year-old runaway from Switzerland who went on to become the noted 18th century
writer and philosopher. Though the clergyman hoped the young man would find a
spiritual haven, Rousseau instead found romance in this sparkling lakeside town that
seduces pilgrims to this day







Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Zermatt

If you've never experienced a car-free city of any size then Zermatt could be a bit of a surprise: during the high season nearly 20,000 people living in a town with only 5 or 6 streets and more significantly almost no internal combustion vehicles except very occasional outside delivery and specialist services. This means that you can leave a noisy bar or party, and a few minutes later on foot find yourself in utter tranquility. You can sit on the hotel balcony and listen to dozens of varieties of songbirds while watching the sun set on one of the most striking mountains in the western world. Wake up with the sun in a four or five-star room or a canvas tent to the sound of the aforementioned birds, crickets, church and cows' bells
It lies at the head of the Mattervisp Valley and at the foot of the Matterhorn (14,692 feet [4,478 m]), 23 miles (37 km) southeast of Sion. Its name is derived from its position Zur Matte (“in the Alpine meadow”) at an elevation of 5,302 feet (1,616 m). A year-round resort surrounded by mountains and glaciers



Passing the entire Swiss Army on the Geneva - Lausanne highway

Sion Valley




Zermatt Valley

The Matterhorn Terminal Täsch

overcrowded train

Swiss sandwich





On our way up to the Trockener station with the view of Zermatt

Vienna

Vienna - city of music: Vienna has been synonymous with music for centuries, and was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss. This outstanding musical heritage has been preserved right to the present day.
Vienna - City of art: Down the centuries, Vienna has always produced and nurtured world-famous artists. The collecting passion of art-loving rulers and monarchs has made Vienna a treasure house par excellence. The Museum of Fine Arts, for instance, is one of the world's largest and most distinguished museums, housing priceless works of art.