So we boarded our bus and retraced our steps to Bologna and continued north west to Switzerland.

We passed through Modena, home of Ferrari, Andrea Boccelli, the late Luciano Pavarotti and balsamic vinegar (which is NOT used on salads in Italy, but to marinate meat, to sprinkle on strawberries or Parmesan cheese after dinner).

We continued on through Parma, home of Parmesan cheese (which is produced from cow's milk, with cows that do not go outside and do not eat grass - the Italian government wants to have a ruling similar to the wine producers so that only authentic Parmesan cheese can be called as such) and Parma ham. We also passed the factory for Barilla pasta.

Bob has been in touch with the operators of Mt Pilatus, where we're going tomorrow, and was told that there is snow on the ground, which is nice but that means that the cog-wheel train will not be operating :( .

We passed by Milan (home of schnitzel), and Lake Como (home of George Clooney, Dolce & Gabbana, soccer stars, Branson and others). Branson's villa can be rented for 18,000 euro/night. Como is also the largest silk producer in Europe - the silk for Ralph Lauren ties comes from Como. Unfortunately we could not see the lake for the rain and clouds.

And then into Switzerland, a country of 8 million people, including Mr Ikea, Tina Turner, the late Freddie Heineken, the late Audrey Hepburn and one of the ABBA girls - 1 million are not natives.

Once we arrived at Lucerne we were taken to see a marvellous lion statue carved in a cliff before being dropped at our hotel. Dinner was with the whole group in a restaurant down the road from our hotel.