DAY NINE– Main Trip Day Four

Bountiful beauty.  That really is the only way to describe the day.  Well the other thought would be... “It’s a Small World After All…are we at Disneyland?”  Can you guess where we are headed for today?

It was really tough leaving Bellagio and it’s classic and elegant style.  But alas, we bid arrivederci and hit the road headed for the Swiss Alps.

The drive was beautiful and it was amazing to see the distinct differences between the countryside of Italy slowly transform into the grandeur and breathtaking beauty of the hills of Switzerland.  The ride was suppose to take us about 5 hours but we managed to do it in 7 hours!  We had to stop several times…mostly to take in the fresh crisp air and soak up the views that enveloped us in a 360 degree panorama of Swiss charm and views that looked more like painted canvas backdrops than reality.

The practical landscape of Italy progressively morphed into impressive vistas and daredevil winding roads nestled tight against the mountain passes, affording everyone from every seat stunning views of waterfalls, higher than high mountain peaks, snow capped rugged mountain tops lightly dusted in fresh powdery snow and lush green pastures of green, speckled with yellow flowers.  Even the architecture has changed into more carefree small alpine cottages that were dwarfed by the size of land that played host to that dwelling.

We stopped at a pass along our highway called SIMPLON PASS where we stopped and our guests indulged in fine cheese, meats, bread and wine as they enjoyed the scenery.  As for Helga and I, we chose instead to eat alone and enjoy our first real Swiss-German meal…Bratwaurst and Polenta with vegetables.  Helga enjoyed eine kleine beir, while I stayed on course with my cappuccino.  Now here was a distinct difference…I should have also had a beer…no one makes cappuccino like the Italians…

We arrived in a little town called Tasch which is the last point before Zermatt where motor vehicles are allowed.  So we said goodbye to our coach and boarded a trolley-type train for the 12 minute journey to Zermatt.  Even that short ride was filled with spectacle and a hushed anticipation from our group.

Finally…Zermatt.  We all have images of the perfect alpine village.  That’s Zermatt.  Alpine chalets, with flower boxes filled with the brightest red flowers nestled against the natural dark wood grains of the chalet itself, lining each and every balcony from the ground floor to the top.  Horse drawn carriages whisking away guests from the Bahnhoff (train station) to their respective hotel.  The town is clean and the air is crisp…especially since no motor vehicles are allowed.  Everywhere dart electric carts conducting business as usual.  While many chose to catch a ride to the hotel…a group of us chose to walk the 5 minute stroll through the town to our next hotel.

And there she stood…the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.  And Grand she was.  Another gorgeous property which alpine charm right down to the balconies adorned in flower boxes filled with bloom.  I noticed that our entire group was standing on the grand steps in the entrance to the hotel, but they were all gaping and gawking in the opposite direction…what were they all looking at?  I turned to look in their direction…and I think my jaw hit the floor.  The Matterhorn!  WOW!  Impressive…massive…and fortunately enough for us…visible!  Apparently, the last 14 days have had the Matterhorn masked and enveloped in blankets of clouds making it virtually invisible to the inhabitants of this village.  But not today…today she stood majestic and proud against a crystal blue clear sky, welcoming us to our next destination.

The first thought that came to mind was…DAMN…Disney designers were meticulous with their design and construction of the “other” Matternhorn…but they captured ALMOST every last detail…what they could never capture is the enormity of this natural wonder.

Our group settled in for the evening with the rest of their day at leisure.  Helga and I found a local hang out for another beer and another cappuccino…we then indulged in some Swiss Chocolate that literally melted in our mouths and we both fought off the urge to just ravage our small purchase…instead we both graciously left a few pieces alone…for later!

Then, as usual, we walked the distance to the two different events we have planned for tomorrow to judge distance, walking time and difficulty and make sure we knew what to expect.  Our idea of a quick fact finding tour turned into a 2 hour exploration of the town…its small streets…soaking in the charm and truly enjoying the crisp clean cold air.  It really wasn’t “cold” as much as it was crisp…pure…and dare I say intoxicating….it just begged you to inhale as deeply as you could, never wanting to exhale.

I found myself laughing alone, because I had the feeling like I’ve been here before…I felt very comfortable as if I had been here many times before.  But at the same time, I felt like something was missing.  (Of course I wish Brandon was with me…that’s a given…each foot I travel so far has been taken with the wish my son was with me.)  And then I figured it out….I was missing my ski gear and clothing!  This was every little ski village across the US that tries to emulate the Swiss Alps!  If only I had my warm ski clothes, boots, poles and skis…I think I’d make more sense of my visit here!

Zermatt is a wonderful mix of local residents, mixed with tourist traps that were so inviting, you would never know you were spending your life savings.  Restaurants and small shops hide cautiously along the main street.  And all around you….the protective mountains and alps keeping watch over you as you take respite in the small valley.  Magical to say the least.

The rooms here are small but quite comfortable.  Nicely appointed rooms with one significant difference.  The beds are traditional Swiss beds….this means they are lower to the ground with a futon-type mattress…dense and thin, with the coziest duvet in plain white.  Two fluffy down pillows beckoned to me…time to sleep…soon…but for now more work.

We ended our evening by creating and distributing our daily informational letter for our guests.  The lobby was quiet…I didn’t even see one of my guests!  All out exploring, or enjoying the coziness of their private rooms.  I took one final moment to stand on my balcony and gaze at the majestic mountains prepared to protect me as I sleep…adieu Zermatt…well at least for today.